When choosing means for eliminating anxiety, neurasthenia, and also for the complex treatment of certain somatic diseases, the patient often does not know which medicine to prefer. Indeed, many popular drugs have a similar effect or have generics - in fact, the same drugs, but from a different manufacturer, often having a different name. Of course, when making a diagnosis, the doctor should prescribe the appropriate treatment. But many people prefer to study how this or that remedy works independently. In this article, we will consider two drugs so that readers can decide what to choose - the medicine “Afobazole” or “Grandaxin”. We will discuss how these agents work, what indications and contraindications they have, and how doctors and patients themselves characterize them.
The drug "Afobazole": pharmacological properties, release form
This product is produced in Russia under the name “Afobazol” (Afobazol). It has a pronounced sedative effect, and, importantly, its administration is not addictive in the patient. The drug has a mild anti-anxiety effect, eliminates nervous tension, causeless fear, tearfulness, insomnia, and also has a mild nervous system stimulating effect. In addition, the medication helps to increase concentration, memory. Its effect can be observed already on the 4-7th day of use, and the maximum effect occurs after 4 weeks of taking this medication. The drug “Afobazole” is available in the form of tablets, in contour packaging containing 10 or 25 pieces. And also in jars of 30, 50 or 100 tablets, each of which contains 5 or 10 mg of the active component. Keep this medicine for no more than 2 years in a dark and dry place. Next, we’ll talk about how to use Afobazole tablets correctly. Instructions for use, the price of the drug and possible side effects will be discussed below.
Indications for use
Doctors use this medication to treat patients with the following diseases or conditions:
- causeless anxiety, neurasthenia, adaptation disorder ;
- bronchial asthma, hypertension (as an auxiliary element in the complex therapy);
- irritable bowel syndrome;
- coronary heart disease and arrhythmia.
However, these are not all pathologies for the treatment of which the Afobazole medicine is prescribed. Indications for use include dermatological and oncological diseases, sleep disturbance, premenstrual syndrome. Moreover, the drug can be used during smoking cessation, as well as to alleviate withdrawal symptoms.
Contraindications and possible side effects
For some people, the drug in question is not recommended, or tablets can only be drunk as prescribed by the doctor, strictly following the dosage indicated. So, the medicine “Afobazole” is contraindicated:
- children under 18 years old;
- pregnant and lactating women;
- with individual intolerance to the components that make up the drug;
- with intolerance to the body of lactose.
When taking the medicine “Afobazole” side effects can be observed quite rarely, however, some may experience an allergic reaction, nausea or vomiting, and also diarrhea. An overdose of the drug is not life threatening: a large number of tablets taken at a time can cause excessive drowsiness, confusion. In this case, as a first aid, doctors administer a 20% solution of caffeine-sodium benzoate 1 ml 2 or 3 times a day.
The drug "Afobazole": instructions, price
Unless otherwise prescribed by a doctor, Afobazol tablets are used 2 times a day, the daily dose in the first days should not exceed 30 mg, a single dose - 10 mg. Next, the doctor analyzes the patient's condition and can increase the dosage to 60 mg per day. On average, the course of treatment is from 2 to 4 weeks. If necessary and according to indications, this period is increased to 3 months. We already mentioned that a distinctive and very good feature of the drug is that it is not addictive.
The cost of packaging (60 pieces of 10 mg) starts at 200 rubles. Actually, that’s all the important information about the Afobazole drug: instructions for use, price, indications and contraindications for use are discussed in detail above. Now let's pay a little attention to drugs that have a similar effect.
The drug "Afobazole": analogues
Each popular medicine has its own analogues. In fact, these are drugs that have a similar effect and often have the same composition. What is the difference from the original? Often - in price, in the manufacturing company, in the form of release (tablets, capsules, injection, and so on). The drug “Afobazole” analogues has the following: drugs “Adaptol”, “Neurophazole” and “Afobazole GR”. The well-known natural remedy “Novopassit” has a more or less similar effect. These drugs are characterized by almost the same properties, but, for example, the drug “Neurofazole” is available in the form of a solution for administration via a dropper, that is, its use at home is difficult. Adaptol is cheaper than Afobazol, but it is also effective, it does not cause addiction and drowsiness after taking the tablets. But in any case, the doctor should prescribe therapy. It is extremely undesirable to use this kind of medicine on your own.
The drug "Grandaxin": pharmacological properties
This remedy refers to the so-called “daytime” tranquilizers, that is, after taking the drug you will not experience drowsiness, lethargy, or impaired consciousness. It does not have a muscle relaxing effect and does not have an anticonvulsant effect. The drug is available in the form of tablets for oral administration, the weight of one piece is 0.01 grams. The package contains 50 pieces. Also, the drug can be purchased in the form of granules for the preparation of a suspension. The fact that the product has several forms of release, including for children, may affect the decision of those who doubt what to choose for treatment - the drug Afobazol or Grandaksin.
Indications for use of the drug
So, before comparing the drugs, you need to consider who the doctors recommend taking Grandaxin. As a rule, a medicine is prescribed in the presence of the following pathologies:
- neurosis and neurosis-like conditions;
- causeless fear, anxiety;
- state of apathy, reduced activity;
- alcohol abrupt withdrawal syndrome (in the treatment of alcohol dependence).
Since the drug does not have pronounced hypnotic and muscle relaxant properties, it can be used by elderly people, as well as weakened patients. This medicine is not recommended for use during the first trimester of pregnancy, however, further administration is possible if the medicine is prescribed by a doctor.
Contraindications to the use of "Grandaxinum", possible side effects
This drug should not be used during lactation and in the first trimester of pregnancy (as already mentioned). Also, with caution, doctors prescribe a medicine for patients in the treatment of alcoholism, since it may not give the desired sedative effect. In addition, it is not recommended to use the medication in the following cases:
- with deep depression (potent drugs are required here);
- with sleep apnea syndrome;
- with respiratory failure in the stage of decompensation;
- with galactose intolerance, glucose and galactose malabsorption syndrome ;
- with hypersensitivity to any component of the drug.
Side effects from taking this medication can occur in the form of insomnia or headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or, conversely, constipation. Rarely, there is a decrease in appetite, skin itching, muscle pain, or respiratory depression. If a negative reaction to the drug is detected, it is better to stop taking it.
The medicine "Grandaxin": instructions for use, price
This drug should be taken 1-2 tablets from 1 to 3 times a day. The maximum dose safe for administration within 24 hours is 300 mg. For elderly people and patients with renal failure, the indicated dosage is usually reduced by 2 times. An overdose of the drug is not life threatening. While taking a large dose of the drug, vomiting, confusion, coma, or respiratory depression may occur. To neutralize these symptoms, doctors prescribe gastric lavage, use activated charcoal, and prescribe injections of Dopamine or Norepinephrine.
The price of the drug “Grandaxin” is 200-250 rubles per package. Typically, such funds are dispensed in pharmacies by prescription. The manufacturer of this medication is OJSC Pharmaceutical Plant “EGIS”, Hungary. Although packaging is possible in Russia, which is necessarily indicated on the package with the drug.
Above we talked about the drug "Grandaxinum". Instructions for use, price, indications and contraindications for use are also set out as detailed as possible. Now we turn to patient reviews.
Customer opinions on the drug “Grandaxin”
Here is what those who used the indicated drug for treatment according to indications say:
- the medicine acts very quickly, and a lasting effect is observed after a couple of days of use;
- the drug relieves nervous tension well;
- tablets have a neutral smell and taste, are taken without problems.
As for the side effects, people indicate the occurrence of nausea after taking the pills, many noted lethargy and dizziness, especially with a sharp change in location. These are the means received “Grandaxin” reviews. The price of those using the drug did not cause any complaints - it costs about the same as other similar drugs. The only thing is that it is still recommended for use in severe, pronounced states of anxiety and anxiety. If you are just nervous, you have premenstrual syndrome or stress, doctors suggest using drugs with a milder effect like Novopassit or Valerian extract.
When applying “Grandaxin” (tablets) for treatment, the instructions for use of which warns of possible side effects, you should be very careful with the dosage, ideally, it should be selected by a specialist. The manufacturer indicates only the approximate number of tablets that the patient can take per day. The final decision must be made by the doctor.
Reviews on the drug “Afobazole”
To finally decide what to choose - “Afobazole” or “Grandaxin” to eliminate anxiety, treatment of neurasthenia and other diseases listed in the indications for the use of both drugs, you need to return to the first medication and consider what patients say about it:
- Afobazole medicine helps to quickly get rid of anxiety, relieves nervousness in premenstrual syndrome;
- Helps fight stress and panic attacks
- It helps to reduce or even nullify the attacks of bronchial asthma;
- It has no pronounced side effects.
However, people say that with severe stress, the drug does not help. It is also useless in the fight against insomnia, not effective in depression, does not save from panic attacks. That is, it can be used in cases where symptoms like anxiety or stress are not pronounced. But in this case, a cheaper Valerian extract will also help .
Make a choice
So, back to the main question of our article. What to choose for the treatment of nervous disorders,
panic attacks and stress - “Afobazole” or “Grandaxin”? Both drugs are used to treat the same diseases and relieve similar symptoms, and they cost about the same. Considering the properties of the considered drugs, as well as reviews about them, we can conclude that the drug “Grandaxin” is somewhat milder, it is allowed to use by the elderly, it is not prohibited to pregnant women during the second and third trimester. On the other hand, buyers note a large number of side effects that occur after taking the drug “Grandaxin”. The second remedy has fewer. One way or another, each of the drugs has its pros and cons, but the final decision on the purpose and duration of treatment should be made by the doctor. Moreover, often the patient is not able to diagnose severe depression on his own, and they also cannot figure out how severe their stress is. Assigning yourself one of the described drugs, you can only aggravate the situation, harm your health, but not help.
Conclusion and Conclusions
The above details about two popular drugs that are used to treat stress, panic attacks, and nervous disorders. The medicines “Grandaxin” and “Afobazole” are considered: instructions, price and reviews about them. The text should be considered as educational material. Self-medication is strictly not recommended! We noted above that this can be hazardous to health: you risk worsening your condition, and perhaps continuing treatment not at home, but in the hospital, and with other, more potent drugs.