Anaprilin for panic attacks: instructions for use, price, reviews

Many modern people suffer from vegetative-vascular dystonia (VSD). This pathology is not considered severe, but at the same time it can cause serious discomfort to the patient.

One of the most unpleasant symptoms of VSD is panic attacks. Many people have a very hard time with this condition, so they are looking for an effective drug that would help them cope with the attacks.

Among the many medications that are prescribed in this case, one can name “Anaprilin”. In fact, it is a means of lowering blood pressure. But many patients with VSD note that Anaprilin helps well with panic attacks. This drug is inexpensive and is sold in pharmacies without a prescription. Therefore, some patients take it frequently. But you should know that Anaprilin has many side effects, and it should be used strictly according to the instructions and only after consultation with your doctor.

Medicines to relieve panic attacks

“Anaprilin” is classified as a drug used to treat this pathology, although the instructions do not list panic attacks among the indications. After all, this drug does not treat such conditions, but only relieves symptoms by blocking the body’s response to the release of adrenaline.

Panic attacks develop most often in patients with vegetative-vascular dystonia. This condition is characterized by increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, the appearance of muscle tremors and cold sweat, a strong feeling of fear and panic.

This condition can create serious problems for the patient and therefore requires treatment. Most often, to prevent and relieve panic attacks, doctors prescribe tranquilizers, antipsychotics, antidepressants, sedatives and nootropic drugs. All these drugs are intended for long-term therapy. And as an “ambulance” in case of a severe attack, many people use “Anaprilin” to quickly stop it.

General characteristics of the drug

Drugs related to adrenergic blockers have been used in medicine for a long time to treat many cardiovascular diseases. And one of the most common is “Anaprilin”. Its main active ingredient is propranolol. It has a blocking effect on all adrenergic receptors located in the heart, blood vessels and bronchi. Due to this, it is often used in neurology, endocrinology, cardiology and psychiatry. "Anaprilin" is prescribed for tachycardia, high blood pressure, angina pectoris, increased anxiety, and alcohol withdrawal.

On the subject: Joseph Kahn: famous director

The drug is available in tablets of 10 and 40 mg of the active substance. Packaged in 50 tablets per package. Its cost ranges from 18 to 80 rubles, depending on the manufacturer.

Mode of application

For hypertension, it is prescribed twice a day in minimal dosages. Dosages are gradually increased every week, depending on the patient's response.

For arrhythmias, tachycardia, rapid heartbeat and pulse, accompanied by panic, take up to four times a day in minimal doses. Vegetative-vascular dystonia requires the use of Anaprilin tablets two to three times a day in minimal dosages.

Maximum concentrations per day for high blood pressure and VSD are 320 mg, for arrhythmias, migraines, tremor, tachycardia and thyrotoxicosis – 160 mg.

For elderly patients, the dosage is calculated strictly individually, as for children. It is possible to use the drug Anaprilin in children over 3 years of age exclusively for the treatment of migraines.

Duration of treatment

The drug Anaprilin shows therapeutic effectiveness by the end of the second week of therapy. However, this interval can be changed depending on the chosen dosage, the patient’s health condition, and his reaction to the drug. Therefore, the duration of therapy is determined strictly individually.

Overdose

Symptoms of an overdose of Anaprilin are: bradycardia, collapse, convulsions, breathing difficulties, bronchospasms, low blood pressure. Treatment must be carried out in a hospital setting and, if signs of an overdose are detected, immediately seek qualified help.

For treatment, depending on the manifestation of the overdose and the pathologies of the patient, diazepam, beta-agonists, cardiac glycosides, diuretics, glucagon are taken, and gastric lavage is used. For extrasystole, lidocaine is used.

Adverse reactions

Side effects that develop as a result of treatment with Anaprilin are presented in the table.

If you detect any adverse reactions, you should contact a neurologist or other specialist who prescribed Anaprilin. He will clarify how to take Anaprilin correctly to correct the body’s reaction.

Drug interactions

Anaprilin is a drug with a complex mechanism of interaction with other drugs. Patients should exercise extreme caution and not start treatment with Anaprilin without notifying the doctor about other medications that are currently being taken.

An unacceptable combination is fraught with serious consequences for the body. Alcohol increases the concentration of propranolol in the blood - it cannot be combined with Anaprilin.

Why is it effective for panic attacks?

"Anaprilin" is a drug from the group of beta-blockers. Its action is based on the ability to block nerve endings that respond to adrenaline. Thanks to this, the body does not react to irritants and the release of adrenaline. The panic passes and the person calms down. This is precisely what explains the effectiveness of Anaprilin against panic attacks.

Moreover, this drug turns off all beta-adrenergic receptors, and does it almost instantly. This is very important during a panic attack, which often develops over a few minutes, causing a very strong feeling of fear and panic. All other medications that are recommended to be taken in such cases cannot act quickly. For example, sedatives only slightly improve the patient’s mood, helping him to cope with panic more easily. And only Anaprilin brings quick relief for panic attacks.

Modern analogues and synonyms

How to replace Anaprilin is something that anyone who has experienced the side effects of taking the drug thinks about at least once.

When choosing analogues of a medication, you should focus on the active substance, which should be propranolol. Regarding such drugs, we can say that they are synonyms of Anaprilin.

In this case, medications:

• will have effects identical to Anaprilin;
• have the same indications for use;
• side effects from use and prescription restrictions are similar.

These include:

• Obzidan, produced by Artsnaimittelwerk Dresden GmbH (Germany), Isis Pharma GmbH (Germany);
• Propranolol, manufacturer Polfa Warsaw (Poland);
• Inderal, produced by ICN Galenika (Yugoslavia), Zeneca (UK).

Many people refuse to take Anaprilin precisely because of side effects. Modern analogues of the drug are drugs from the group of beta blockers, but with a selective mechanism of action.

It cannot be said that modern analogues of Anaprilin are without side effects, but their number is much smaller due to their selective effect on the body. These drugs are represented by the following medications:

• Atenolol, manufacturers are numerous;
• Bisoprolol, produced by different countries and companies, Concor, produced by Merck KGaA (Germany);
• Metoprolol production, both domestic and imported;
• Egilok, produced by Egis (Hungary).

Some of the distinctive features will be described below.

Obzidan

When choosing Obzidan or Anaprilin, which is better in this case, everyone must decide for themselves, based on the fact that the drug is an analogue:

• according to the active substance, accordingly, the indications, side effects, contraindications are similar to those for Anaprilin;
• price range;
• drug tolerance.

Metoprolol

The medication, like Anaprilin tablets, is a beta blocker, but with a selective mechanism of action. And to the question - Anaprilin or Metoprolol - which is better? — we need to proceed from an analysis of the mechanism of action of drugs.

It is believed that when using low doses of the drug, due to the blockade of predominantly beta1 receptors, the occurrence of the following conditions is somewhat less noticeable:

• bronchospasm;
• onset of hypoglycemia;
• constriction of peripheral vessels.

In addition, it has been reliably proven:

• reduction of mortality in patients with chronic heart failure;
• positive dynamics in migraine therapy.

Egilok

This drug is a more expensive analogue of Metoprolol. Has identical:

• instructions for use;
• contraindications;
• symptom complex of side effects.

When choosing for yourself which is better - Egilok or Anaprilin - you need to remember that metoprolol, the active substance of Egilok, is a selective blocker, and for the most part affects only receptors located in the heart.

Bisoprolol

The drug is also a blocker with selective activity, acting on beta1 receptors. As the dose increases, it begins to have an inhibitory effect on beta2 receptors.

Due to its selectivity of influence, the indications are limited only to the following conditions:

• arterial hypertension;
• heart disease of ischemic nature;
• chronic heart failure;
• in the prevention of angina pectoris.

Bisoprolol has an effect throughout the day, which allows you to take it once a day.

Which is better - Anaprilin or Bisoprolol - in each specific case must be decided by the one who prescribes this remedy.

Concor

The main active ingredient of Concor is bisoprolol. Therefore, when choosing Concor or Anaprilin for yourself - which is better, more effective, more reliable, you should be guided by the information about Bisoprolol. In doing so, take into account:

• individual tolerance;
• in some cases, the price range, because the drug is prescribed for a long time and it is not advisable to change it after several months of treatment with positive dynamics.

Atenolol

A product containing atenolol as an active ingredient, as mentioned earlier, is a selective beta blocker. Unlike other selective blockers, it is closest in properties to the drug Anaprilin, and the instructions for use for the drug have been expanded to include possible use for arrhythmias.

When thinking about the question of which is better - Anaprilin or Atenolol - it can be noted that the medicine belongs to hydrophilic beta blockers and has the following properties:

• less well absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract;
• does not penetrate the central nervous system well, so central side effects are not common;
• does not undergo first-pass metabolism, thus their dosage does not have strong individual differences and is the same in different patients;
• the elimination period is longer, which allows the drug to be prescribed once a day.

How to take Anaprilin for panic attacks

The dosage of this drug should be determined by your doctor. Its effect on heart rate and vascular function is quite serious, so uncontrolled use is unacceptable. Not everyone knows how to take Anaprilin correctly during panic attacks. This drug is not intended to be taken chronically for this purpose. It is not drunk for prophylaxis, as well as to prevent the onset of an attack. "Anaprilin" is intended only to eliminate a panic attack in a few minutes. Therefore, you need to take it after the first symptoms appear.

On topic: Market analysis in marketing. Market analysis: types, stages and methods

When is it prescribed?

In what cases can a doctor prescribe Anaprilin and what does it help with? The indications for its use are quite extensive. This drug is used for:

• heart rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias, tachycardia);
• extrasystole (premature contraction of the myocardium);
• persistently high blood pressure (especially in the initial stages of hypertension);
• ischemia;
• angina pectoris;
• essential tremor (constant rhythmic trembling);
• thyrotoxicosis;
• pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal glands that secretes the hormones adrenaline and norepinephrine).

In addition, the indication for taking Anaprilin is a previous heart attack. The medicine also helps eliminate poisoning with cardiac glycosides (digitalis preparations). It is advisable to take it as a prophylactic agent to prevent migraine attacks. Another specific indication for use is fear syndrome.

The drug is often prescribed to mothers in labor to reduce bleeding during childbirth and to new mothers to speed up the process of postpartum rehabilitation.

Contraindications to taking the drug

Many people suffering from panic attacks are introduced to this remedy when calling an ambulance. Having felt its quick effect, they go to the pharmacy to buy these “magic” pills. Some even forget to study the instructions, believing that if a medicine is sold without a prescription, then it is safe. But this is absolutely forbidden. "Anaprilin" is a serious drug that has many contraindications.

First of all, this is individual intolerance to propranolol or its other components. The second serious contraindication is low blood pressure. People with hypotension should not take the drug, as blood pressure may drop sharply, leading to fainting or even cardiac arrest. In addition, “Anaprilin” is contraindicated for bradycardia, acute heart failure and some other heart pathologies. It is not recommended to use it for diabetes, Raynaud's disease, bronchial asthma, during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Indications for use

Used to control hypertension, arrhythmia, tachycardia, and migraine prevention. Used for long-term therapy after myocardial infarction. As an auxiliary therapy, it is prescribed for thyrotoxicosis and pheochromocytoma.

Contraindications

Treatment with Anaprilin is prohibited in case of known intolerance to the drug. Not prescribed for cardiogenic shock, atrioventricular block, sick sinus syndrome, sinus bradycardia, angina pectoris. Prohibited for hypotension, heart failure, bronchospasm and bronchial asthma.

Contraindications are severe vascular diseases, acidosis, including diabetic acidosis, prolonged fasting, diabetes mellitus, severe liver disease.

The danger of uncontrolled use

Many people suffering from panic attacks, having tried Anaprilin, take it constantly. They like its quick action: the heart begins to beat more smoothly, fear disappears, trembling goes away and even their mood improves. Moreover, the drug is sold without a prescription, so people consider it safe. But that's not true. "Anaprilin" for panic attacks can only be an emergency medicine. That is, you can drink it occasionally, only in emergency cases.

If taken uncontrolled, this drug can negatively affect the patient's health. The biggest danger is that this is a medicine to lower blood pressure. It falls, even if it was normal initially. As a result, bradycardia, heart failure, and fainting may develop.

Use of medication for VSD

Before using Anaprilin, you should remember the manufacturer's main warning. Its essence is that the drug cannot be taken for vegetative-vascular dystonia of the hypotonic type. In such a situation, after consuming Anaprilin, the symptoms of the disease will only worsen.

Most users write in their comments that the drug does not need to be taken constantly in large volumes. It is usually used after a detailed diagnosis, which is performed to exclude other pathological processes and find the cause of VSD and panic attacks. If no diseases are detected, then the body itself can cope with stressful situations and only needs a little help with a minimal dose of Anaprilin.

People who neglect this rule and drink the medication in large quantities develop an addiction to it over time. When using the drug above the recommended norms, the production of adrenaline increases in patients, as the body tries to overcome the created blockade. With age, this phenomenon can lead to hypertension and aggravation of the symptoms characteristic of VSD.

Experts advise taking the medication only as needed, during a panic attack or in any other stressful situation. Due to the excitement that arises, a panic attack can develop quite quickly. Doctors advise not to wait for it and take an Anaprilin tablet in advance. The effect will be noticeable after 20 minutes and the anxious state will subside. To obtain the best result without harm to health, you must follow the dosage and rules for taking the medication.

People described in their reviews situations where an overdose of Anaprilin led to adverse reactions. Some of them resulted in death, since during an attack it is difficult to be responsible for one’s actions and patients take pills in batches.

Resorption of Anaprilin entails numbness of the tongue. This anesthetic effect is temporary and disappears after 20 minutes. The result of this method of use has pleased many people who use this drug, since the panic attack is completely stopped and side effects do not occur. The medicine does not actually enter the gastrointestinal tract, so adverse reactions associated with it do not occur.

Particular attention should be paid to the compatibility of Anaprilin with other medications:

• Anaprilin enhances the effect of tranquilizers, antidepressants and antipsychotics on the nervous system, so taking them together is not recommended;
• Alcoholic drinks and various types of intoxication are not combined with medication, as they can greatly reduce blood pressure to a dangerous level;
• The common cold, which is manifested by elevated temperature, is one of the types of intoxication and it is not advisable to use the drug during illness.

What side effects may there be?

If you incorrectly calculate the dosage of Anaprilin during panic attacks or take it without taking into account contraindications, negative reactions may occur. The drug has the strongest effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular and nervous systems. Therefore, the most common side effects that appear are:

• lowering blood pressure;
• sinus bradycardia, arrhythmia;
• weakness, dizziness;
• increased sweating;
• headache;
• increased fatigue, drowsiness;
• hallucinations, depression;
• heart failure.

On the subject: Non-addictive nasal drops: list and reviews. Causes of addiction to drops, possible consequences and treatment

In addition, the development of other negative reactions is possible. First of all, these are abdominal pain, flatulence, diarrhea, nausea, and changes in taste. Allergic reactions often also appear in the form of urticaria, itching, rash or psoriasis, and bronchospasm may also develop.

Mechanism of action

The active ingredient in Anaprilin is propranolol . This component blocks beta-adrenergic receptors in a short period of time, eliminating the symptoms of a panic attack.

Adrenaline ceases to have a negative effect on the nervous system, and susceptibility to it decreases at the cellular level.

The advantage of Anaprilin is the absence of psychotropic effects on the brain.

The drug eliminates the cause of the panic attack and does not have a sedative effect . The mechanism of action of the drug consists of the following properties:

• normalization of blood pressure;
• general relief of the body;
• improving the process of supplying the heart with oxygen;
• normalization of pulse and elimination of symptoms of tachycardia;
• blocking nerve impulses near the heart muscle;
• relief of pain (in some cases accompanies panic attacks);
• elimination of arrhythmia symptoms;
• decreased heart rate and strength;
• restoration of the body’s blood supply system;
• relief of unreasonable panic and anxiety.

How to overcome the fear of speaking in public? You will find advice from psychologists on our website.

Reviews about taking "Anaprilin"

People suffering from vegetative-vascular dystonia take many different medications. The problem is that the remedies prescribed by the doctor may not help immediately. And often it is necessary to relieve an attack in a few minutes, as it causes serious discomfort. And those who tried to take Anaprilin for this purpose are very pleased with the effect. Many people constantly buy this medicine, since it is inexpensive and available at any pharmacy. Indeed, with panic attacks, “Anaprilin” really helps, relieving the attack in just a few minutes. It lowers blood pressure, removes fear and anxiety, and calms the heart rate. Therefore, the drug has earned popularity among psychiatrists and neurologists. And patients like its low cost and quick effect.

Anaprilin and alcohol

For the drug Anaprilin, the instructions for use indicate that during treatment you should avoid drinking alcoholic and low-alcohol drinks. This is due to the fact that when consumed, alcohol has the following effects:

• liver cells metabolize ethanol to acetaldehyde, which has a damaging effect on organs and systems;
• depresses the central nervous system;
• reduces the contractile activity of the heart muscle.

When using a beta blocker together with ethanol, it is possible to enhance the effect of the drug and a sharp decrease in blood pressure, even to the point of collapse.