In the last century, nervous disorders such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia were treated mainly with ansiotics. These drugs were considered effective, but, unfortunately, caused dependence in patients. Therefore, in the 80s in many countries of the world their application was abandoned. Today, selective drugs are considered the most promising form of medicine for depression. One of the most popular means of this group, deserving good reviews of patients, is Maprotiline. Another name for this light tetracyclic antidepressant is “Ladiomil”. In pharmacies, it is sold only by prescription.
general description
The advantages of Maprotilin, which reviews are actually quite good, are primarily attributed by doctors and their patients to a well-balanced wide spectrum of sedative, anxiolytic and antidepressant effects. When taking this medicine in patients, anxiety is eliminated, mood improves, excitability decreases, psychomotor retardation disappears.
How does it work
Once in the gastrointestinal tract, Maprotilin begins to be slowly absorbed into the blood and binds to proteins by 89%. Its maximum plasma concentration is observed only after 8-9 hours after administration.
In the patient’s body, the drug selectively inhibits the uptake of serotonin and norepinephrine by neurons of the cerebral cortex. In addition, the drug blocks some receptors. The agent is completely absorbed in the body. It is also significantly metabolized. Maprotiline is removed from the body very slowly - within about 3 weeks (with urine and feces).
Indications
In what cases can a Maprotilin preparation be prescribed by a doctor? The use of this medication is considered justified in many mental disorders. The most common indications for using the drug are depression:
- endogenous, including involutional;
- psychogenic, including reactive and neurotic;
- somatogenic;
- menopause.
Also, this medicine is often prescribed by doctors with a depressed mood with elements of anxiety. Well respond to this tool and, for example, the elderly. They are usually prescribed this drug for apathy. In some cases, irritation or dysphoria is the reason for the prescription of the drug. It also treats somatic disorders caused by depression or fear.
Structure
The main active substance of the drug is maprotiline - a four-cyclic compound. According to pharmacological properties, it is considered to be close tricyclic antidepressants. This is due primarily to its structure (especially along the side chain). Like tricyclic antidepressants, Maprotilin enhances the effects of phenamine. At the same time, it weakens some effects of reserpine.
Maprotiline: patient reviews about the drug
Most patients find this drug quite effective. After patients start drinking it, their mood rises and most of the signs of depression disappear. Judging by the available reviews, for many patients, this medicine perfectly helps to cope with anxiety and even panic attacks. Some patients who drink Maprotiline also note the fact that they have finally developed an interest in life.
Good reviews about this medicine are available not only in adult patients. Parents of children, as well as adolescents suffering from mental disorders, also praise him.
The disadvantages of Maprotilin (Lyudiomil), which there are, unfortunately, not only good reviews, many patients attribute the fact that its administration can cause quite unpleasant side effects. For example, some patients complain that after the doctor prescribed this medicine, they began to recover strongly and quickly. Also, some patients note the fact that this drug can cause urinary retention or even cause hair loss. The main unpleasant side effect of this medicine, patients consider dry mouth. Some patients who drink it even have problems with the gums.
Of course, despite the fact that this drug is really very effective and relatively “light” (Maprotiline), it should be taken only under the supervision of a doctor. On some patients, it does not work at all. Other patients, unfortunately, even worsen their condition.
Doctors opinions
The doctors also receive mostly good Maprotiline from doctors. Many psychiatrists believe that he removes anxiety very well. Moreover, according to experts, the side effects of the drug Maprotiline are less than that of tricyclic blood pressure. Like patients, doctors believe that the main unpleasant consequences of taking this drug are dry mouth and weight gain. Among the minuses of this medicine, among other things, experts include the fact that it can cause seizures.
With regard to accessibility, there are also not too good reviews about the drug Maprotiline by doctors. It rarely comes to clinics. It is difficult to find it in pharmacies. Previously, this drug was marketed much more often. But, as some doctors note, before disappearing from the shelves of pharmacies, he almost ceased to have a positive effect on the health of patients. Perhaps the manufacturers of this medicine had some problems with its manufacture.
Contraindications
Of course, Maprotilinum medicine is prescribed (reviews make it possible to judge it as quite effective) may not be for all patients suffering from mental disorders. Contraindications to its use are:
- Epilepsy. The ban applies in this case to the history.
- Hypersensitivity.
- Myocardial infarction. This drug is not prescribed in the acute period of this disease.
- Angle-closure glaucoma.
- The patient has problems with intraventricular conduction.
- Alcohol or drug intoxication.
- Reception of patients with large doses of sleeping pills.
This medicine is not prescribed to patients also with urinary retention, liver or kidney failure. Also a contraindication to its use are pregnancy and lactation.
In adolescents with suicidal tendencies, like many other antidepressants, Maprotilin tablets can stimulate suicidal thoughts. On adults, this medicine usually does not have a similar effect.
For elderly patients, this drug is most often prescribed in reduced doses.
Instructions for use
In most cases, patients with the drug Maprotilin, reviews of which are also good because of ease of use, are prescribed in tablets. Drink them, like almost any other, should be with water. Chewing tablets is not recommended. For adolescents and the elderly, this medicine is usually prescribed 10 mg 3 times a day. If the desired effect does not occur, the amount of the drug taken most often increases to 25 mg. Depending on the patient’s response, in some cases, a single dose of 75 mg may be prescribed.
For adult patients, dosages are determined individually. In case of mild disorders, outpatients are usually prescribed 25 mg of Maprotiline once a day. In a hospital, patients are usually prescribed 25 mg of the drug 3 times a day. In severe cases, the dose may increase to 150 mg per day. This amount of medication is considered the maximum permissible per day.
Sometimes oral therapy using Maprotiline does not help patients. In this case, the doctor may prescribe its intravenous administration. For treatment, the patient is placed under a dropper and 25-100 mg is administered for 1.5-2 hours once a day. The first improvements in patients taking Maprotiline are usually noticeable after two to three weeks.
Side effects
Thus, the Maprotilin preparation is relatively simple for use. Reviews about him also exist not bad. However, the side effects of this medicine, as you might have guessed, there are many. In addition to dry mouth and weight gain, the use of this drug, according to the manufacturer, can cause unpleasant consequences such as:
- epileptic seizures;
- dysarthria;
- weakness;
- lethargy and fatigue;
- hallucinations and manic states;
- confusion of consciousness;
- hearing impairment;
- violation of taste.
Also, patients taking this medicine may experience:
- nausea;
- constipation or diarrhea;
- allergic reactions in the form of urticaria or itching;
- swelling.
Relate to side effects from taking this drug and all sorts of sexual deviations.
Medicine "Maprotiline": analogues
In pharmacies, this drug can be found, as already mentioned, far from always. However, if necessary, it is, of course, allowed to be replaced with some other medicine with the same pharmacological effect. Analogs of Maprotilin are, for example:
- "Melipramine."
- Xel.
- Amitriptyline.
- Imizin.
In some cases, Maprotiline can also be replaced with Clofranil and Saroten.