Pharmacological action of Azafen
Azafen is an antidepressant that gives a sedative effect. The active ingredient of the drug, pipofezin, helps relieve symptoms of depression without causing cardiotoxic effects. The process of drug absorption depends on the form of its release. Pipofezin, contained in 25 mg tablets, is immediately absorbed in the digestive tract. The modified release of the active substance of the drug Azafen in 150 mg tablets occurs gradually. Metabolism of the drug occurs in the liver. The drug is excreted from the body by the kidneys.
Contraindications
- all types of hypersensitivity to the active substance of Azafen or to any of the auxiliary components;
- insufficiency of renal function;
- liver failure;
- myocardial infarction or unconfirmed cases of suspicion of it;
- acute cerebrovascular accidents;
- recovery period after a stroke;
- heart failure;
- diabetes;
- infectious diseases;
- pregnancy;
- breastfeeding period;
- You should not take monoamine oxidase inhibitors and Azafen at the same time.
How to use Azafen
Start taking the drug with 1-2 tablets of 25 mg, 2 times a day. If, when using Azafen, patient reviews indicate that the drug is well tolerated, the daily dose is increased to 150 mg, with a maximum of 400 mg. After selecting an effective daily dosage, they switch to using Azafen with a modified release. It is taken 150 mg once in the morning or 2 times a day. When the condition normalizes, the dose is gradually reduced, switching to the drug at 25 mg.
special instructions
O syndrome (reviews claim that the drug not only helps to get through difficult periods in life, but also restores good spirits and good mood) rarely causes.
If a patient switches from treatment with MAO inhibitors to this drug, then you should wait two weeks before taking Azafen. When taking an antidepressant, you need to periodically monitor the condition of your kidneys and liver.
The drug "Azafen" and alcohol are completely incompatible (reviews state that in order to avoid side effects, you should follow all the recommendations given in the instructions). The medicine may cause lethargy, so when taking it you should not engage in activities that require a quick reaction. It is strongly recommended not to drive a car or engage in work that is potentially hazardous to health while undergoing a therapeutic course.
The medication can enhance the effect of anticoagulants, drugs containing ethanol and antihistamines. This also applies to other drugs that can depress the central nervous system. Azafen reduces the antiepileptic properties of drugs.
Reviews about this medicine
This drug has quite controversial comments from patients. Some people believe that this drug is quite effective. Such consumers say that the drug acts quickly and gives noticeable results, helping people quickly relax, calm down, and get rid of insomnia and nervous tension. Among other things, it is reported that it eliminates panic attacks, lifting the mood of patients. People also write that Azafen prevents stress, and at the same time diseases that cause such stressful situations.
These pills have repeatedly relieved many people of stress and depression. They help people endure difficult moments in their lives. They relieve fear and help cope with various phobias. Consumers note in their reviews that, just two weeks after starting to take the pills, they became balanced and calm, reacting little to certain external circumstances.
Patients in this category claim that this drug did not cause addiction or negative effects in them during the treatment course, just like after discontinuation of this drug. An additional bonus, according to patients, is the low cost of the medicine, which also makes it accessible to people with different income levels.
But reviews of this product are not complete without negative opinions. Some people claim that the drug presented has a very weak effect on the body and does not help cope with stress. There are patients in whom this medication has repeatedly caused adverse reactions in the form of dry mouth, dizziness, nausea and vomiting. Such patients completely abandoned the use of this antidepressant and hastened to replace it with another drug. Many experienced adverse reactions due to the use of too high dosages. After reducing the dosage, people's health quickly returned to normal.
Drug dosage
The most optimal daily dose of the antidepressant Azafen is 200 milligrams. And the maximum allowed is 400 milligrams per day. Once the desired result is achieved, the dosage is gradually reduced to a maintenance rate of 25 milligrams.
The therapeutic course should last at least one month and up to one year. To avoid side effects, do not take these pills without a doctor's prescription. It is also not recommended to exceed the dosage prescribed by the doctor.
Now let’s find out what side effects may occur during treatment with this antidepressant.
Side effects
The drug is well tolerated by patients, many of them note its mild effect on the body. Sometimes patients complain of headaches; in rare cases, there are complaints of nausea, vomiting, dizziness and allergic reactions. At the beginning of treatment with Azafen, the following side effects often occur:
- dry mouth,
- drowsiness,
- weakness,
- disturbances in concentration.
If the dose of the drug taken exceeds the maximum permissible, the manifestation of the above side effects increases depending on the degree of excess of the dose.
During treatment, you should not carry out potentially dangerous activities that require concentration and quick reactions.
Some patients experienced side effects while taking Azafen, such as headaches, nausea, dizziness and vomiting. Also, if the patient is sensitive to the active or auxiliary ingredients of the tablets, allergic reactions may occur.
Side effects of Azafen manifest themselves in the form of dizziness, nausea and vomiting, and allergies. In rare cases, increased fatigue, increased need for sleep, impaired attention, rapid heartbeat, sore head, dry tongue, hand tremors, decreased libido, digestive system disorder, and weight gain may occur. If the first signs of a side effect appear, you should consult your doctor about further taking the pills.
Analogs
If Azafen tablets are not suitable for price or effectiveness, or cause side effects, the medicine must be replaced with an analogue:
- Velaxin . These are tablets and capsules for oral use, recommended for depressive states of various etiologies. According to the instructions, the daily dosage is 75 mg. The course is individual.
- Bethol . Tablets and injection solution with sedative and calming properties. The medication is prescribed for depressive syndrome twice a day at a dosage of 30-100-150 mg.
- Venlaxor . Antidepressant in tablet form. It has an extensive list of contraindications and side effects; daily doses must not be exceeded. The drug is a prescription, self-medication is excluded.
- Deprim . These are green tablets with a herbal composition that act as an antidepressant and are recommended for patients aged 6 years and older. The herbal medicine does not help with severe forms of depression.
- Mirtazonal . Tablets are sold in two types - for resorption and oral use. Both forms of the drug are prescribed for nervous disorders of initial and moderate severity.
- Coaxil . The package contains 30 thick-coated tablets for oral use. This is an effective, but expensive French analogue, the cost of which starts from 1,800 rubles.
- Pyrazidol . This is a budget analogue with a moderate antidepressant effect on the central nervous system. The drug is prescribed not only for depression, but also for withdrawal syndrome and Alzheimer's disease as part of complex therapy.
- Remeron . This is an analogue of Russian production. Tablets cause fewer side effects, but are more expensive than Azfen. The price in pharmacies starts from 1,200 rubles, the purchase is carried out strictly according to the prescription.
- Trittico . The drug is Italian, and is the optimal balance in terms of price and effectiveness. Recommended for depressive states of varying etiology and severity.
- Neuroplant . Tablet antidepressant with St. John's wort extract in herbal composition. Improves psycho-emotional state, has an antidepressant effect, improves mood.
The choice is yours
What should you use first to get out of a panic attack? As clinical practice shows, the best remedy is breathing exercises. Meditation techniques, mantras (for those who are proficient), yoga (for advanced patients) and any distraction techniques (positive thoughts, relaxing music, visualization, rituals) will also be useful.
If panic episodes recur over and over again, you should consult a psychotherapist who practices non-drug treatments.
Today, psychotherapy has a huge arsenal of help. This includes art therapy, Gestalt, directive methods (behavioral and cognitive behavioral therapy), existential analysis, and psychodrama. Systemic constellations according to Bert Helinger are in demand and effective, during which you can make your panic a self-sufficient interlocutor and partner, playing a destructive role only at first glance, but in reality – warning and encouraging you to change your life for the better.
Cost of medical product
In reviews of Azafen they write that it is absolutely affordable. And for good reason, since its cost in pharmacy chains ranges from one hundred fifty to two hundred rubles, which is a winning price compared to other antidepressants. These tablets are sold in almost every pharmacy chain, and consumers usually have no difficulties purchasing them.
People have different attitudes towards certain antidepressants. Let's figure out what consumers say about such a remedy for depression as Azafen.
Indications
In accordance with the instructions for use, Azafen is used in the treatment of the following pathologies:
- Depressive disorders of moderate and mild form - the drug in this case is most effective.
- Diseases that are accompanied by neurotic disorders and depression.
- Depressive conditions that accompany somatic chronic diseases.
- Minor states of depression caused by excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages and accompanied by increased lethargy and anxiety. When treating major depression, you can combine the drug Azafen with other medications such as tricyclic antidepressants, and, if necessary, with antipsychotics.
- States of depression in patients with coronary heart disease.
Sometimes the drug is used to consolidate the positive effect after a therapeutic course with more powerful means. Azafen cannot be used for self-medication. You must first consult with a specialist.
Release form and composition
Azafen belongs to the group of tricyclic antidepressants. Has sedative properties.
Available in the form of tablets containing 25 mg of the active substance - pipofezin dihydrochloride monohydrate, located in a carrier matrix.
Excipients:
- Potato starch;
- Colloidal silicon dioxide (aerosil);
- Microcrystalline cellulose;
- Lactose monohydrate;
- Povidone (low molecular weight medical polyvinylpyrrolidone);
- Magnesium stearate.
