What is the medicine "Moxonidine"? Instructions for use of this tool, reviews about it, contraindications and analogues will be described in detail in this article. In addition, we will tell you about what the remedy we are considering is intended for, whether it has side effects and in what form it is released.
The form and composition of the medication
In what form can the medicine "Moxonidine" be purchased? This medication is only available in tablet form. Their active element is such a substance as moxonidine. As for the additional components, they include microcrystalline cellulose, castor oil, Aerosil A-380, hydroxypropyl cellulose, magnesium stearate and tween-80.
Tablets are sold in a cardboard box. In one package can be 98, 60, 56, 42, 40, 30, 28, 20, 14 and 10 tablets.
Pharmacological properties of the drug
Why do you need medication "Moxonidine"? Instructions for use states that this drug is an antihypertensive drug. Its mechanism of action is that the active substance of the drug affects the central links in the regulation of blood pressure. In other words, moxonidine is an imidazoline receptor agonist (to a greater extent).
The drug inhibits the activity of the vasomotor center, reducing the downward sympathetic effects on the cardiovascular system. In this case, the pressure (both diastolic and systolic) decreases gradually.
The medication we are considering differs from other antihypertensive sympatholytic agents in that it has only a small affinity with alpha-2-adrenergic receptors. This explains the low likelihood of developing dry mouth and sedation.
One cannot fail to say that moxonidine is able to increase the index of sensitivity to insulin (by about 21 percent) in people with obesity.
Pharmacokinetics of the drug
Where is Moxonidine absorbed? The instruction for use states that after taking the medication, it is instantly and almost completely absorbed in the upper sections of the digestive tract.
The bioavailability (absolute) of this product is 88 percent. Maximum concentration is reached after sixty-five minutes. In this case, the use of food has no effect on the pharmacokinetics of the active element.
Communication with blood proteins is about 7.3%. The main metabolite of moxonidine is deoxidated moxonidine, as well as guanidine derivatives.
The half-life of moxonidine and its metabolites is 150 and 300 minutes, respectively.
After ingestion for twenty-four hours, the drug is excreted by the kidneys in a volume of 90%. The active substance also comes out through the intestines.
Indications for the use of a medical device
In what cases is the medication "Moxonidine" prescribed? The use of this drug is indicated only for such a pathology as arterial hypertension.
Contraindications to the use of a medical device
In what cases do doctors not prescribe Moxonidine to their patients? Instructions for use of this drug does not contain a very long list of contraindications. Consider it right now.
So, the following factors are contraindications to the use of the drug "Moxonidine":
- severe AV block 2 and 3 degrees, SSSU;
- severe bradycardia (less than 50 beats per minute);
- adolescence and childhood (up to 18 years);
- chronic and acute heart failure;
- the period of feeding the baby;
- hypersensitivity to the active element.
The drug "Moxonidine": instructions for use
Reviews of patients about this medication will be presented at the very end of the article. Now I want to tell you about how to properly use the drug we are considering.
The drug "Moxonidine" is taken only inside. The dosage at the beginning of drug therapy should be 200 mcg once a day. You can take 400 mcg at a time.
An individual adjustment of the daily volume of the drug is required depending on the tolerability of drug therapy. According to the instructions, the maximum dosage of the drug per day is 600 mcg (divided into two doses).
For patients with renal failure (severe and moderate), as well as people on hemodialysis, the drug is prescribed in an amount of 200 μg once a day. If necessary (with good tolerance), then the indicated dosage can be increased to the maximum (that is, up to 400 mcg).
Side effects after taking the medication
Does Moxonidine cause side effects? Reviews of patients about him say that sometimes a medication really causes a deterioration in well-being.
Consider what list of side effects contains an instruction:
- Nervous system (central): headaches, fainting, dizziness and drowsiness.
- Digestive tract: vomiting, dry mouth, diarrhea, dyspepsia, and nausea.
- Cardiovascular system: bradycardia, marked decrease in blood pressure, orthostatic hypotension.
- Skin and subcutaneous tissue: angioedema, pruritus, and skin rash.
- Mental disorders: nervousness and insomnia.
- Labyrinthine hearing impairment: ringing in the ears (very rare).
- Musculoskeletal system: back pain, pain in the neck.
- Common side effects: peripheral edema and asthenia.
As you can see, Moxonidine tablets can cause the patient to worsen. If side effects are pronounced, then the medication should be discontinued.
Drug Interactions with Other Medicines
So that the drugs "Moxonidine", "Moxonidine Sandoz" and other analogues of the medication help the patient, and not cause him even more harm, they should be taken only as directed by the doctor. After all, the simultaneous use of this drug with other drugs can cause unwanted reactions. Which ones, we will consider right now.
The simultaneous use of the drug "Moxonidine" with similar antihypertensive drugs can lead to an additive effect.
Antidepressants (tricyclics) lower the effectiveness of central antihypertensive drugs. In this regard, they are not recommended for use in conjunction with a substance such as moxonidine.
The medication we are considering can easily enhance the effect of tranquilizers, tricyclic antidepressants, as well as ethanol, sleeping pills and sedatives.
The active substance of the drug moderately improves the weakened cognitive functions of people who simultaneously receive lorazepam.
With the simultaneous administration of the drugs "Moxonidine" and "Benzodiazepine", the sedative effect of the derivatives of the latter may increase.
Experts say that moxonidine is excreted by tubular secretion. In this regard, it should not be used together with drugs that are also excreted through tubular secretion.
The period of gestation and breastfeeding (pregnancy and lactation)
Is it possible to take “Moxonidine-LF” medication during the period of gestation? The instruction for the drug contains information that there have been no strictly controlled and adequate studies regarding the safety of the drug in question during pregnancy. That is why it is not recommended for use in this category of patients.
It is impossible not to say that the medication "Moxonidine" should not be used during breastfeeding. This is due to the fact that it is excreted along with breast milk. If the drug was still prescribed during lactation, then breastfeeding should be stopped.
In the process of research (experimental) on animals, it was found that this medication acts embryotoxically.
Special instructions for using the medication
According to the attached instructions, during the use of the drug "Moxonidine" should be especially careful. This is especially true for a particular category of patients. Which one, we will tell right now.
Particular caution when using the drug "Moxonidine" should be observed in patients with AV blockade of the 1st degree. This is due to the fact that such people have a high risk of developing bradycardia.
Also, medication should be administered under the supervision of a doctor for severe diseases of the coronary vessels, renal failure, and unstable angina pectoris. This fact is due to the fact that the experience of using the drug with such deviations is insufficient.
If it is necessary to cancel the simultaneous use of Moxonidine and beta-blockers, then the last drug is canceled first, and after a few days the second.
To date, there is no evidence that discontinuation of the drug "Moxonidine" leads to an increase in blood pressure. However, despite this, experts still recommend gradually withdrawing the medication. Dosage should be reduced for two weeks.
Does the drug affect the ability to drive vehicles?
During the period of drug treatment with the drug "Moxonidine", people need to be especially careful when engaging in hazardous activities, as well as while driving motor vehicles. This is due to the fact that taking the medication can disrupt the concentration of attention and psychomotor reactions.
Analogues and cost of the drug
You can buy the drug "Moxonidine" in a pharmacy without a doctor’s prescription. The cost of this medication is relatively low. For a package that contains 14 tablets, you will have to pay approximately 115-135 Russian rubles.
If the medicine we are considering does not suit you or you simply could not find it in the pharmacy, then after contacting a specialist, the latter is obliged to recommend you any analogue of the drug. Among these medicines, I would like to highlight the following: “Physiotens”, “Moxonidine-C3”, “Moxarel”, “Moxonidine Canon”, “Moxonitex”, “Moxogamma”, “Tenzotran” and so on.
Take these funds should be strictly prescribed by a specialist. Also, before using the medication, you must read the attached instructions.
The drug "Moxonidine": reviews of doctors and patients
According to experts, this drug is very effective for hypertension. The same opinion is shared by patients. However, some of them complain that after taking the tablets after a while, they have side effects such as headaches, dry mouth, nervousness and nausea. In this case, doctors recommend abolishing the drug and replacing it with an analog that will be safer for health.