Contents
There are two continuous processes in the nervous system: excitation and inhibition. Depending on the situation, a person can be in various states, for example: be alert, energetic, calm, restrained, excited, irritated, aggressive, lethargic, passive, drowsy, asthenic, etc. If the balance is disturbed in the direction of increased excitability, then in this case the nervous system needs sedatives. [1] In the article, we will consider what these drugs are and what they are used for.
What are sedatives
Sedatives or sedatives are drugs that have a general calming effect on the central nervous system. [2] They reduce the reaction to various external stimuli, and also reduce daily activity. A group of sedative drugs either enhances the processes of inhibition or reduces excitability.
History of sedatives
Sedative drugs began to be used in medical practice in the 1862th century. The discovery of barbiturates in XNUMX was a significant upheaval. [3] Their use developed dynamically from 1903 to 1960, and over time barbiturates were used less and replaced by safer drugs.
The development of the first tranquilizers dates back to the 50s, the period of the birth of scientific psychopharmacology. [4]. The history of the use of anxiolytics began with the introduction of meprobamate in 1955 and chlordiazepoxide in 1959 into clinical practice. Tranquilizers are mainly used in the treatment of anxiety disorders and sleep disorders.
Alimemazine was discovered by French scientists in 1958. Since then, under various trade names, it has been produced in Canada, the USA, Germany, France, and Britain. In Russia, alimemazine is marketed under the commercial name Teraligen by the pharmaceutical company Valenta.
Classification of sedatives
Sedative drugs are divided into groups [5]:
derivatives of barbituric acid in small doses;
herbal sedatives;
drugs of various pharmacological groups with a sedative effect.
Depending on the speed of the onset of the effect, sedatives are divided into 2 groups: situational and cumulative action. And also separate strong sedative drugs are isolated, among which there are also tranquilizers (benzodiazepine, non-benzodiazepine, daytime, etc.). They tend to have the most powerful sedative effect.
What are sedatives used for?
Most often, sedatives are prescribed for increased anxiety and sleep problems, for surgical interventions or painful diagnostic procedures, to reduce anxiety in the patient. [6] They are prescribed in combination with analgesics to facilitate the tolerability of the procedure.
Sedative drugs for the nervous system of an adult are appropriate if he is in a state of acute stress. [7] For example, the tension of the nervous system in professional athletes has a negative impact on training. They may be prescribed sedatives to relieve stress and anxiety.
Sedative drugs are also useful for children during the growing up period to alleviate stress and go through this stage more smoothly. [8] In some cases, sedatives for the nervous system are prescribed for the elderly. After all, they worry even more often than middle-aged people.
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What sedative drugs are sold without a prescription
Some sedatives can be purchased at the pharmacy without a prescription to help ease the psycho-emotional state. Some of the most common:
Persen. This herbal medicine contains valerian, lemon balm and peppermint. Used for moderate-temporal conditions caused by stress (irritability, nervous strain, difficulty falling asleep).
Novo-passite. It contains extracts of herbs: St. John’s wort, valerian, hawthorn. The drug is prescribed for a mild form of insomnia, depression, to relieve stress.
Tenoten. It has a nootropic, calming, anti-anxiety effect during psycho-emotional stress. Normalizes the processes of learning and memory, relieves manifestations of vegetovascular dystonia, stabilizes the psycho-emotional background.
The drug has a homeopathic affiliation, which still has controversial efficacy. The drug belongs to the release-active group, which is one of the versions of homeopathy. In fact, the concept is intended to disguise the scientifically proven ineffectiveness of homeopathy with the help of pseudoscientific technical terms. [9]
Honestly. This is an anxiolytic agent with an active ingredient fabomotizol with an extensive spectrum of action. It is prescribed to combat stress, anxiety, irritability, depressed mood, cognitive disorders and to relieve panic attacks.
Over-the-counter sedatives can be used for mild forms of insomnia, stress. But remember that all drugs have side effects and contraindications. It is important to consult a doctor in order to identify the real causes of anxiety and choose the drug, taking into account the individual characteristics of the body.
What sedative drugs are sold by prescription
There are many prescription sedatives that cannot be purchased without a doctor’s prescription. Some of them:
Atarax. A commonly prescribed anti-anxiety drug in pediatric and adult practice. But it is very important to remember that it is not suitable for all patients, because the manufacturer in his instructions indicates the following point: “the drug should be prescribed with caution if there is a predisposition to the development of arrhythmia; with the simultaneous use of drugs with arrhythmogenic effects. [10]
Grandaxin. A well-known anti-anxiety drug that helps mainly with mild anxiety. The manufacturer warns in the instructions for medical use about the possible development of paradoxical reactions:
from the nervous system: possible headache, insomnia, irritability, psychomotor agitation, confusion, seizures in patients with epilepsy. [11]
These are strong drugs that have severe side effects. You can take such drugs only after consulting a specialist and according to his appointment.
Appointment of Teralijen
The composition of this drug includes the active substance alimemazine, which [12]:
relieves anxiety (blockade of adrenergic receptors);
exhibits a hypnotic effect;
relieves spasms;
suppresses cough;
suppresses the gag reflex;
soothes, improves the quality of sleep.
Due to these actions, it is widely used in psychoneurology, surgery, gastroenterology, therapy, cardiology, anesthesiology and dermatology.
Soothing
Teraligen works well as a sedative [13]:
anxiety-depressive, behavioral disorders;
manifestation of stress, emotional tension;
asthenic, obsessive or hysterical manifestations;
anxiety, panic attacks, various types of phobias;
vegetative disorders;
sleep problems.
Treatment of diseases
Teraligen has extensive experience in practical applications. The drug has proven effective in the treatment [14]:
autonomic disorders (excessive sweating, palpitations, increased emotional status and increased anxiety background);
correction of disorders associated with sleep disturbance;
various types and forms of allergies and pruritus (on the skin, in the respiratory tract);
functional disorders of the digestive tract;
cardiovascular pathology (jumps in blood pressure, tachycardia, arrhythmia);
dry, obsessive, unproductive cough (antitussive effect);
psychotic vomiting (affects the vomiting center of the brain);
tremor, muscle spasm.
Instructions for use
Teraligen, unlike the herbal sedatives that are effective for the mildest forms of anxiety, is a prescription drug and must be prescribed by a physician. Before using it, you should carefully study the instructions.
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Form of issue
Now the sedative drug Teraligen is presented in the following forms:
classic tablets of 5 mg;
extended release tablets 20 mg;
injection solution of 5 mg / 1 ml.
Dosing and Administration
The intake of sedatives and dosage in each clinical case is prescribed individually, depending on the goals of therapy. Such issues must be decided by the attending physician, based on the assessment of each contractual case.
Pills
Teraligen in the form of regular or prolonged tablets is taken orally, without chewing. The effect of the drug depends on the dose. For children, the dosage is selected, taking into account age.
Therapy begins with a minimum dosage of 2,5-5 mg, which is taken in the evening. Use a gradual dose escalation technique to avoid excessive sedation. The daily dose can be divided into 3-4 doses. As a rule, for a pronounced anti-anxiety effect, a daily dosage of 15 mg is used. The duration of treatment is about 2-6 months or more – this is monitored by the attending physician. The highest daily dose for adults is 500 mg. At the same time, according to the instructions, there are no restrictions on the duration of the reception.
Another form of Teraligen retard is prescribed at the required dose, usually once a day. This is a convenient approach for patients when they have already reached the daily dose recommended by the doctor and replace 3-4 tablets with one per day, but at the required dosage. The drug is recommended to be taken at the same time. This form of release is not used in pediatrics (allowed from 18 years of age).
Use with antidepressants
Teraligen is one of the best anxiolytics. [15] In clinical practice, it has been proven that in various neurotic and psychiatric disorders, the combination of antidepressants with Teraligen significantly increases the therapeutic effect.
antidepressant and allows you to reduce or defeat anxiety, insomnia, autonomic disorders, until its action has begun.
The antidepressant and anxiolytic activity of alimemazine allows it to be widely used in the complex therapy of depressive and anxiety disorders. [16]
Side effects
Teraligen is well tolerated, side effects are extremely rare and mild. However, in rare cases, like any other drug, it can cause in the first days of taking:
lethargy, drowsiness, irritability;
noise or ringing in the ears, decreased visual acuity;
violation of spatial orientation;
hypotension (pressure below the average or normal level), palpitations.
There are a number of side effects from the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory, genitourinary and other body systems. More details are provided in the instructions.
Safety for children
Teraligen retard and injectable drug are not used in pediatrics under 18 years of age. And tablets in a dosage of 5 mg are allowed for use from 7 years. Children from 3 years of age may be prescribed the drug as an antiallergic or sedative (before surgery). Tolerability of the drug is good. [17]
The drug is characterized by a wide therapeutic range and a favorable safety and tolerability profile, which is the reason for its active use in pediatric and geriatric practice, in outpatient treatment, as well as in general medicine in somatically aggravated patients. [18]
Conclusion
The use of sedatives must be agreed with a specialist who will select the right drug and treatment regimen for you (personally effective and safe dose, duration of therapy).
The correct treatment regimen with sedatives normalizes the functioning of the nervous system, the person improves the quality of life and does not develop side effects or dependence on sedatives.