The rhythm of modern life forces a person to keep up with the times. Constant traffic jams, flights, communication problems, misunderstanding with loved ones, difficulties at work - all these factors, individually or in combination, are often the cause of the development of mental illnesses of one degree or another. As a result, a person needs drug therapy, which will relieve nervous tension and give emotional comfort. The composition of Afobazole and the mild effect of this drug make it possible to achieve a therapeutic effect with a minimum of side effects.
Release form and principle of action
Afobazole is a drug from the group of anxiolytics of non-benzodiazepine structure. This is a rather mild tranquilizer that does not cause physical and psychological dependence.
Release form - tablets of a flat-cylindrical form of white color.
The main active ingredient in Afobazole is fabomotizole (morpholinoethylthioethoxybenzimidazole) in an amount of 5 mg or 10 mg in one tablet. This is a fairly harmless substance in terms of possible side effects.
Afobazole also includes microcrystalline cellulose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, and potato starch.
Therapeutic effect
Despite the fact that the drug belongs to the class of tranquilizers, it can not only have a sedative effect on the nervous system and psyche, but also stimulating. This is a rather mild stimulant, if we compare its effect, for example, with caffeine, the effect will be similar.
Fabomotizole is a component of certain psychotropic drugs. This substance has an anti-anxiety, sedative and mild hypnotic effect. "Afobazole" is rarely purposefully prescribed for the treatment of insomnia and similar conditions, since the drug is not a sleeping pill in its usual sense. It can help to fall asleep only if the problem of sleep disturbance is provoked by an anxiety state, dysphoria, motor anxiety, and hyperactivity.
Indications for use
The instruction for Afobazol indicates that the drug is effective both as part of complex therapy, and as an independent tool in the treatment of the following diseases and conditions:
- anxiety disorders;
- panic attacks;
- vegetovascular dystonia;
- neurasthenia and adaptation disorders of various nature;
- premenstrual syndrome in women;
- post-withdrawal syndrome in people with various addictions;
- somatic diseases occurring with alternating seizures and rest periods, which are accompanied by abrupt and inappropriate behavior.
Reception of "Afobazol" often improves already in the second or third week of admission. If we compare its effect with drugs of the benzodiazepine series, then this action is slowed down in time. Most strong tranquilizers begin to act fully on the second or third day of admission. But, unlike Afobazol, they can cause physical and psychological dependence.
Side effects
The instruction for Afobazol indicates that the drug may cause the following side effects:
- from the organs of the gastrointestinal tract - nausea, diarrhea, flatulence;
- on the part of the central nervous system - deterioration in the first days of admission, headache, early awakening, anorgasmia, tremor of the extremities;
- on the part of the hormonal system, unpredictable jumps in oxytocin, as a result of which an increase in libido is possible.
Side effects of Afobazole, judging by the reviews of patients taking the drug, are quite rare. Deterioration in the first days of admission is often triggered by increased patient attention to their own health and hypochondria.
In case of side effects of Afobazole, the dosage should be reduced. If a week after this they do not pass, it is worth considering other tranquilizing drugs, since individual intolerance of fabomotizole is possible.
Recommended Dosages
Afobazole should be taken 10 mg three times a day. This is the standard dosage for depressive and anxiety disorders.
The total duration of therapy is different in each individual case and depends on the symptoms and diagnosis. On average, a continuous course lasts about three months, then a break is needed.
The patient can increase the dosage only after consulting a treating psychiatrist or neurologist, so as not to provoke an overdose.
Overdose of Afobazole
This condition is expressed in severe drowsiness. If any alcoholic drink was taken at the same time, the patient may fall into an ethanol coma. Afobazole tablets cannot be mixed with alcoholic beverages.
As an overdose treatment, the introduction of an antidote is used - a 20% solution of caffeine sodium benzoate. The caffeine solution is administered subcutaneously in 1 ml 2-3 times a day at regular intervals. This is a mild stimulant that will help bring the patient to a normal state without side effects. In some cases, with a serious overdose of Afobazole tablets, gastric lavage is required.
Contraindications
Most tranquilizers have an impressive list of contraindications. Afobazole is no exception. This drug has both absolute and relative contraindications.
The instruction for tablets reports that, in the presence of the following health problems, taking the drug is prohibited:
- lactose intolerance;
- pregnancy and lactation;
- acute psychotic conditions;
- alcohol delirium;
- suicidal tendencies;
- age under eighteen;
- individual intolerance to fabomotizole.
The effect of the drug on the fetus is not well understood, therefore, the state of pregnancy is also a contraindication. Afobazole can aggravate the condition of the liver in chronic hepatitis, especially of a toxic nature. Admission for chronic renal failure should be strictly agreed with the treating nephrologist.
Indirect contraindications for admission are the following conditions:
- kidney and liver diseases;
- hormonal disorders;
- manic-depressive disorder;
- chronic alcoholism and drug addiction.
Drug interaction
The drug is compatible with most modern SSRI antidepressants. The composition of Afobazole does not antagonize with serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. Psychiatrists often prescribe βAfobazoleβ as a safeguard against the development of side effects common to almost all antidepressants.
The simultaneous reception with alcohol tinctures "Corvalol" and "Valoserdin" enhances the sedative effect. If the dosages of both drugs are exceeded, the development of ethanol coma is possible, since alcohol tinctures are the equivalent of alcoholic beverages, only with the addition of phenobarbital.
Afobazole significantly enhances the anticonvulsant effect of carbamazepine and the anti-anxiety effect of benzodiazepine tranquilizers.
Analogs and substitutes
Afobazole has many analogues in action and very little in structural formula. "Neurophazole" is the only analogue that contains fabomotizole (morpholinoethylthioethoxybenzimidazole).
Patients often give preference to Afobazole, since a prescription from a doctor is not needed to purchase it. In any pharmacy, the pharmacist will easily sell this drug.
Here is a list of equally effective tranquilizers, for the purchase of which you will need a prescription:
- "Adaptol";
- Atarax;
- Fenzitat;
- "Phenibut."
These drugs begin to act literally from the first day of admission and by the end of the first week give the pharmaceutical maximum. In some cases, they can provoke the appearance of physical and psychological dependence. That is why for their purchase you need a prescription from a doctor and accurate adherence to the prescribed dosage.