The drug "Lenuxin" is considered one of the most effective and safe representatives of a large group of antidepressants. The characteristics of its chemical composition and action give it a number of advantages over its predecessors and analogues based on other active substances. According to the instructions for use, the Lenuxin product can relieve symptoms characteristic of depression and many other disorders of higher nervous activity. Already three months after the start of the course, patients completely get rid of anxiety symptoms.
Lenuxin is considered one of the most effective and safe representatives of a large group of antidepressants.
pharmachologic effect
The therapeutic effect of the antidepressant Lenuxin is achieved by selectively blocking the reuptake of serotonin and increasing the activity of this substance. The volume of the transmitter in the synaptic cleft increases, and the time of its action on postsynaptic receptors increases. The active component of the drug practically does not interact with receptors, which are often irritated when using other psychotropics. This ensures good tolerability of the product, a narrow focus of its therapeutic effect, and minimal risks of developing adverse reactions.
The active component of the drug practically does not interact with receptors, which ensures good tolerability of the product and minimal risk of adverse reactions.
The first persistent signs of positive dynamics in most cases are recorded at 2-4 weeks of therapy. After a course of 3 months, you can expect complete relief of symptoms characteristic of a particular disorder, regardless of its type.
SELECTRA reviews from users
Prices for the drug SELECTRA
Name:
Milena2000
Review:
Hello everyone!
Today I’ll tell you about one drug, the popular antidepressant Selectra, which is very actively prescribed by neurologists in different situations. I’ll tell you in detail how this antidepressant generally works, what side effects it has, and whether it’s worth taking if the situation is not critical. And I will definitely write what helped me get rid of the symptoms of VSD and sleep attacks! I bought the antidepressant Selectra at the pharmacy for 1605 rubles, 56 tablets. The packaging looks like this. Inside is a plate of tablets. This is a modern antidepressant with the active substance escitalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. My story Let me tell you briefly how I came to need to take this drug in the first place. I had a tooth treated and was prescribed a broad-spectrum antibiotic, Augmentin. I drank for almost 5 days and during this time strange things began to happen to my health. Nightmares at night, unpleasant sensations in the head, and pain in the gastrointestinal tract. As a result, on the 5th day I could no longer drink them. At this time, in the store, for the first time I had a panic attack, tachycardia, weakness in my arms, and cloudiness of consciousness. I quickly went outside and everything stopped. But then this began to happen periodically in stores, shopping centers, in transport and in stuffy rooms. In general, all the symptoms of VSD and after a few months they intensified, they were there every day, I began to be afraid that I would faint, etc. I did all the tests, examinations, even an MRI of the brain, but everything was almost perfect. But the stress hormone was high. As a result, I began to look for methods of treatment, took vitamins, selenium, B vitamins, vitamin D, but there were symptoms. And so I had an appointment with a neurologist, who told me that these were the consequences of severe stress, because the tests were all good, or the stress had been accumulating for years and now it manifested itself. Therefore, you need to take the antidepressant Selectra, it is mild, there are no particular side effects, 2-3 months and everything will be fine! First, 6 days, half a tablet, and then 1 tablet a day in the morning. My feelings about Selectra. I started taking half a tablet. The tablet itself has a delimiter in the middle, so it is easy to break it in half. It's comfortable. From the first use I began to feel better, my mood became better, I wanted to smile, there was a feeling of slight euphoria, this happens when you fall in love or when you are passionate about something very interesting, there is more energy. After 2-3 days, discomfort began in the intestines. But overall, so far everything has been good. The most important thing that this antidepressant gave me was that the fear I had in the store and in transport disappeared. I stopped being afraid that I would have a panic attack again, but there were symptoms of VSD, but I was no longer worried about them. It was useful for me to live without fear, but that’s where all the benefits ended! On the sixth day, my VSD symptoms suddenly intensified and I began to feel dizzy. That is, before that, in stuffy rooms, there was cloudiness in the head, but she did not feel dizzy. And then I really started to feel dizzy, even when I was lying down. The next day I took 1 whole tablet, as the doctor prescribed, but I felt bad. Symptoms of VSD were even at home, and my head was spinning and there was weakness in my arms. In general, I decided to stop drinking them before things went too far. At the same time, unpleasant sensations sometimes appeared in the intestines. I stopped drinking them and began to feel better, like before taking Selectra, I had symptoms of VSD, but the fears really went away. And I was able to calmly search further for treatment methods and eventually found them. I'll write about this later. So I think it was a side effect from the antidepressant, and it didn’t suit me. Indications for use. That's what it says in the instructions. Depressive disorders, panic attacks, agoraphibia, social phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder. In general, of course, this antidepressant can help, but there are so many side effects, read the instructions, side effects from all organs are listed on a whole page. That's horrible! Therefore, I believe that it can only be done as a last resort, if everything is already so bad and there is no strength or mood to get up. In other cases, there is no need to expose your health to such an attack. And also, you should understand how an antidepressant works? You are in a good mood, but at the same time you stop experiencing natural emotions. You are indifferent to everything. For example, I checked, I turned on music that used to give me goosebumps, but now I don’t feel anything. I went for a walk in the park, the sun was shining, the birds were singing, my body used to get really high from a walk and I would come back feeling positive. While on an antidepressant, I walked around, didn’t feel anything, didn’t admire anything, my body was like a vegetable, but my mood was artificially good. It's a terrible feeling. After some time, I didn’t understand why do anything at all if nothing evokes emotions? Well, since I started having such side effects, I stopped drinking them. And all the emotions and sensations returned!!! so think about it, is it worth drinking them and being like ice? An antidepressant changes the natural course of processes in the body. I don’t know what would have happened after if I had drank for 2-3 months, but a week was enough for me. And now about that. which really helped relieve all the symptoms of VSD (now there are mild symptoms on women’s days). First of all, it's spirulina! After using it, everything went away for me, but I started drinking it when I was almost cured. I still drink now. here is my review. https://irecommend.ru/content/eta-spirulina-stala-... Afobazole relieved anxiety and did not cause side effects. https://irecommend.ru/content/khoroshee-sredstvo-d... Herbal collection Phytosedan, very well calms and normalizes sleep. https://irecommend.ru/content/ochen-lyublyu-eto-tr... And ginkgo biloba did not work, headaches appeared. https://irecommend.ru/content/mne-eto-sredstvo-sov... That's all, impeccable health, strong nerves and great mood!!! | irecommend.ru Name:
ckorpc The doctor prescribed me this expensive remedy for 1000 rubles.
I took 1 tablet for two weeks. Zero effect! Then I took 2 tablets a day. Zero effect! I switched to 4 tablets a day. Super duper dose and what do you think!? ZERO EFFECT It seems to me that even if you swallow the whole pack you won’t be constipated. It’s a scam and a deception for which you also have to pay a lot of money. They also require a recipe for this disgusting thing. Completely insolent.l | irecommend.ru Name: VarpLord The doctor prescribed me this expensive remedy for 1000 rubles. I took 1 tablet for two weeks. Zero effect! Then I took 2 tablets a day. Zero effect! I switched to 4 tablets a day. Super duper dose and what do you think!? ZERO EFFECT It seems to me that even if you swallow the whole pack you won’t be constipated. It’s a scam and a deception for which you also have to pay a lot of money. They also require a recipe for this disgusting thing. Many write that it helped them, and many that these pills made them feel very bad. I don’t know how it happened that I had no effect at all, is it really that all this is so individual that I need to drink dozens of different packs just to understand that these are the ones I need. What about the wasted time? After all, they drink each pack for about a month, in addition to everything, many of them are not very cheap, and on top of everything else, most of them can harm your health. In general, all this is strange, this was my first experience and I am at least not happy with this drug. | otzovik.com
Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics
After taking the tablet orally, the active substance is absorbed through the mucous membrane of the digestive tract and enters the blood. Food intake does not affect the pharmacokinetic parameters of the drug. The bioavailability of the composition approaches 80%, its maximum content in the blood plasma is recorded after 4 hours. The steady-state concentration of the component is achieved after a week of taking the product.
The drug is processed in the liver, resulting in the formation of active metabolites. Their concentration in the blood increases as the treatment course continues, which leads to an increase in the therapeutic effect.
After repeated administration of the drug, its half-life is at least 30 hours, and for some metabolites this figure is significantly higher.
In the case of older patients, the given data approximately doubles. Decomposition products are mainly excreted by the kidneys, and a small part by the liver.
Indications for use
The antidepressant "Lenuxin" can be prescribed by a neurologist, psychotherapist, narcologist or psychiatrist. It is used for the treatment and prevention of disorders of higher nervous activity of the borderline type, and to prevent their relapses.
"Lenuxin" can help with the following conditions:
- depressive disorders of any form and severity;
- panic attacks and various phobias in combination or as independent pathologies;
- problems with adaptation in society, leading to the development of anxiety;
- general anxiety disorders of psychoemotional or organic origin;
- tardive dyskinesia, as one of the manifestations of depression;
- obsessive-convulsive syndrome of various etiologies.
Lenuxin can help with general anxiety disorders.
The antidepressant Lenuxin is often used as part of complex therapy for chronic alcohol dependence. It improves the general condition of the patient, reduces his need to drink alcohol, relieves psycho-emotional cravings, and reduces the severity of symptoms.
Contraindications for use
There are only three absolute prohibitions on prescribing medication. The drug should not be used to treat patients under 18 years of age due to the high risk of developing unpredictable negative consequences. The product is contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity to the components of the drug; in particular, it can seriously harm persons with intolerance to monosaccharides.
Parallel use of the composition with MAO inhibitors can lead to dangerous complications, so medications must be separated taking into account their pharmacokinetic parameters.
In some conditions, taking Lenuxin should be done with extreme caution.
In some cases, dose adjustment is required. Others show supervision by medical personnel.
The risk group includes persons with reduced kidney function, mania or similar pathologies, diabetes mellitus, cirrhosis, and a predisposition to bleeding. The medication may be dangerous in old age, with epilepsy that is not controlled by medications, or a history of suicide attempts. The product should not be taken simultaneously with alcohol and a number of drugs.
People with cirrhosis are considered at risk.
Cautious use
Lenuxin tablets should be prescribed with extreme caution to patients with renal failure, diabetes mellitus, hypomania, bleeding tendencies, mania, liver cirrhosis and pharmacologically uncontrolled epilepsy.
It is also extremely careful to use this medication for depression with suicidal tendencies, while taking drugs with a lowering threshold and metabolized CYP2C19 isoenzymes, in old age and in combination with ethanol.
Side effects
The appearance of discomfort while taking the drug is not uncommon. Side effects in response to the use of an antidepressant vary, as does their severity. In most cases, a negative response from the body occurs in the first weeks of drug therapy. It does not cause serious problems for the patient and does not require symptomatic treatment. The intensity of the symptoms gradually decreases on their own, and over time they completely disappear. The decision to refuse to use the composition against such a background can only be made by a doctor.
Possible side effects of the drug "Lenuxin":
- neurological - cephalalgia, dizziness, daytime drowsiness or nighttime overexcitation, weakness often occur. Less commonly, patients complain of tremors, convulsive muscle twitching, and impaired motor activity. In rare cases, serotonin syndrome, hallucinations, anxiety, panic disorders, and irritability occur;
- dyspeptic - very often the body reacts with nausea and vomiting, less often diarrhea, dry mouth, and constipation are observed. Possible disturbance of taste perception, increased or suppressed appetite;
- metabolic – in rare cases, a deterioration in the production of antidiuretic hormone is recorded;
- dermatological – profuse sweating, itching and rash. In isolated cases, angioedema, massive hemorrhages into the thickness of the skin, and purpura occur;
- immune - if the composition is intolerant, an allergic response, up to anaphylactic shock, is possible;
- from the cardiovascular system - a decrease in blood pressure when the body moves from a horizontal to a vertical position;
- from the genitourinary system - in men there may be problems with ejaculation, reversible impotence. Women may notice irregularities in their menstrual cycle. All groups of patients occasionally develop urinary retention;
- from the musculoskeletal system – pain in muscles and joints;
- others – fatigue, lethargy, increased body temperature.
A side effect of the drug may be appetite suppression.
Often the clinical picture is so weak that the patient cannot identify a specific symptom, but simply experiences a general deterioration in well-being. Sometimes adverse reactions manifest themselves in the form of changes in indicators in blood tests, urine tests, and on the ECG chart. In any case, any issues that cause discomfort must be reported to your doctor.
The drug "Lenuxin": side effects
Side effects from taking this drug most often occur at the very beginning of therapy. Over time they become less and less intense.
- Digestive system: decreased appetite, nausea, taste disturbances, vomiting, dry mouth, diarrhea, increased appetite and constipation.
- Nervous system: increased irritability, headache, anxiety, dizziness, agitation, weakness, visual disturbances, insomnia, panic attacks, drowsiness, depersonalization, convulsions, mania, tremor, serotonin syndrome, movement disorders, hallucinations and confusion.
- Reproductive system: impotence, ejaculation disorders, and menstrual irregularities.
- Skin: angioedema, increased sweating, purpura, ecchymosis, itching and skin rash,
- General: hyperthermia and weakness.
- Urinary system: urinary retention.
- Heart and blood vessels: orthostatic hypotension.
- Metabolism: ADH secretion is insufficient.
- Musculoskeletal system: arthralgia and myalgia.
- Laboratory tests: changes in liver function parameters, ECG and hyponatremia.
- Allergy: anaphylactic reactions are possible.
If any of the above side effects occur or worsen, you should immediately notify your doctor.
"Lenuxin": instructions for use - method and dosage
There are standard regimens for using the drug, which the doctor can adjust depending on the specifics of the situation. Lenuxin tablets are taken once a day, 1 piece, without connecting it with food intake.
The duration of therapy depends on the diagnosis, the characteristics of the body’s response to the drug, and the persistence of the achieved effect.
Specifics of using the drug "Lenuxin" for various pathologies:
- depressive disorders - in severe cases, the standard daily dosage can be doubled. 20 mg of the active ingredient is the maximum daily dose for all forms of the disease. A lasting therapeutic effect occurs within 2-4 weeks of therapy. Even after all the symptoms have stopped, the medication must be taken according to the usual schedule for at least six months;
- panic attacks with and without phobias - for the first week the patient is given 5 mg of the active ingredient per day. Then the dosage is increased to the standard one. If the desired result is not observed, the volume of the active substance is doubled. After 3 months of such therapy, the maximum therapeutic response is achieved. To consolidate the effect, the course can be continued for several more months;
- social phobia – initially adhere to the standard treatment regimen and monitor the body’s reaction to the drug for 2-4 weeks. If necessary, the daily volume is reduced or increased by 2 times. The minimum course duration for chronic pathology is 3 months. After achieving the desired effect, it is recommended to continue treatment for another six months to prevent relapses;
- anxiety – therapy is carried out according to a universal schedule. In severe cases, the daily dosage is increased to 20 mg and maintained for six months or even longer.
The medicine is prescribed for depressive disorders.
In the case of patients over 65 years of age, the standard dosage is 5 mg of the active substance, and the maximum is 10 mg of escitalopram. If there is a slight decrease in renal function, a dose reduction is not required. Features of therapy against the background of liver problems are established for each specific case. After completion of the course, the drug is discontinued smoothly, with the dosage reduced over 1-2 weeks, so that withdrawal syndrome does not develop.
Overdose
The use of the drug "Lenuxin" is considered relatively safe.
Even a single dose of 400 mg of the drug may not cause severe symptoms. And yet, theoretically, a significant excess of therapeutic volumes of the product threatens the development of drug poisoning.
The condition can be recognized by a number of symptoms: severe dizziness, drowsiness, psychomotor agitation, increased heart rate, tremor. In more severe cases, confusion, arrhythmia, vomiting, acidosis, and breathing problems are noted. Coma or death of a patient due to an antidepressant has been recorded in isolated cases.
There is no antidote for escitalopram. First aid for overdose is limited to gastric lavage, symptomatic therapy, and maintaining vital functions. The prognosis is favorable, but the patient is monitored until normal parameters in the functioning of the heart, blood vessels, and respiratory organs are completely restored.
First aid for a drug overdose is limited to gastric lavage.
Interaction
Like any antidepressants, Lenuxin is capable of entering into a chemical bond with medications, provoking the development of various kinds of consequences. Ignoring the basic rules for introducing a product into combination therapy threatens to reduce the effectiveness of the approach and create situations hazardous to health.
Lenuxin reacts to medications as follows:
- provokes serotonin syndrome when combined with serotonergic drugs;
- increases the risk of developing seizures in combination with a number of antipsychotics and tetracyclic antidepressants;
- becomes more active when taken simultaneously with Tryptophan, lithium, Omeprazole;
- provokes side effects under the influence of products based on plantain;
- causes disruption of the blood clotting process when combined with anticoagulants;
- promotes the development of serotonin syndrome when combined with MAO inhibitors. The medicine can be prescribed only 2 weeks after stopping inhibitor-based therapy. In the opposite direction, a period of 1 week is relevant.
Before taking any medication while taking an antidepressant, you should consult a doctor. Against this background, even natural cough syrup can become a source of dangerous toxins due to the presence of ethyl alcohol in it.
The medicine becomes more active when taken simultaneously with Omeprazole.
Composition of the drug, its packaging and release form
The dosage form of Lenuxin is film-coated tablets: round, biconvex, white or almost white, engraved “No. 53” (for 5 mg tablets), “No. 54” (for 10 mg tablets) or “No. 56” (for tablets 20 mg) on one side and scored (for tablets 10 and 20 mg) on the other side (14 or 28 tablets in bottles, 1 bottle in a cardboard box).
Composition of 1 tablet:
- active substance: escitalopram oxylate – 6.3875/12.7750/25.55 mg (corresponding to the content of escitalopram – 5/10/20 mg);
- auxiliary components: microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, talc, siliconized microcrystalline cellulose 90, siliconized microcrystalline cellulose HD90, magnesium stearate;
- film coating: opadry II white (hypromellose 6cP, titanium dioxide, lactose monohydrate, macrogol, glycerol triacetate).
Before telling you about how the drug Lenuxin works, reviews of which will be presented below, you should introduce its release form. This product goes on sale in the form of film-coated tablets.
The medicine contains such an active ingredient as escitalopram oxalate. In addition to it, the tablets also contain auxiliary elements in the form of microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, talc, siliconized microcrystalline cellulose, siliconized microcrystalline cellulose and magnesium stearate.
The drug "Lenuxin", the price of which is quite high, is sold in polypropylene bottles (maybe in blisters), placed in cardboard packaging. Each jar contains 28 or 14 tablets.
Analogues of "Lenuxin"
Experts identify a number of main analogues of Lenuxin, which they consider first of all if it is not possible to use the drug. This broad group includes Cipralex, Paroxetine, Miaser, Heptor and a number of others. Even antidepressant substitutes with similar composition should be prescribed by the attending physician after making a diagnosis and assessing the patient’s condition.
One of the analogues of the drug Cipralex.
Use during pregnancy and lactation
According to the instructions, Lenuxin is not prescribed during pregnancy and lactation due to the lack of data on the safety and effectiveness of its use.
Is it possible to use the drug Lenuxin during pregnancy? Reviews from experts say that, due to the lack of information on the safety and effectiveness of this medication, its use during pregnancy is highly not recommended. Moreover, the drug must be stopped during lactation.
Reviews about Lenuxin
Doctors and patients note the obvious effectiveness of the drug when using it for the first time or if there are no results from taking other products. Reviews about the therapy itself are mostly positive. If patients experience discomfort from side effects, it is only at the start of the course. Unpleasant sensations are not severe, go away on their own, and do not require dose adjustment or refusal of treatment.
The negative point is the relatively high cost of the product. It usually needs to be taken for at least six months, which can be expensive. The negative consequences of using the composition in 99% of cases are the result of violation of the rules established by the doctor. Some patients note a decrease in concentration, which affects their performance. For most respondents, even this symptom gradually disappears on its own.
