Antidepressant "Velaxin": reviews of patients, instructions for use, analogues

Can I buy antidepressants without prescriptions? The list of such drugs is small. This is due to the fact that they can cause dependence, as well as many side effects. Therefore, before taking such a means should always visit a specialist.

general information

Depressive state is not treated with medicines. But to improve the functioning of the nervous system, many doctors still prescribe to their patients various antidepressants. One of them is Velaxin. The patient's feedback on this tool, as well as its features and instructions for use, will be presented below.

Composition of the drug, its form of production

In what form are manufactured such an antidepressant, as "Velaxin"? Tablets and capsules are the only forms of this drug.

The Velaxin tablets are white, engraved on one side of the E741, as well as a round flat shape and a chamfer. Their active ingredient is venlafaxine, which is in the form of a hydrochloride. Also in the composition of this medicine are such auxiliary components as colloidal anhydrous silicon dioxide, lactose monohydrate, sodium starch glycollate, MCC and magnesium stearate.

Packed tablets in blisters and packs of cardboard, respectively.

The drug "Velaxin" - capsules, the instruction for their use is enclosed in a package of paper, gelatin and solid. They have an orange-brown lid and a colorless base. The active ingredient of this form is also venlafaxine. In addition to it, this medication contains additional ingredients.

How does the drug work?

"Velaxin" is an antidepressant of a new generation. According to the chemical structure, its active substance does not belong to any known class of antidepressants (for example, tricyclic, tetracyclic or other). Specialists say that this drug is a racemate of 2 active enantiomers.

The principle of action of this drug is related to its ability to potentiate the transmission of nerve impulses to the central nervous system.

According to the instructions, venlafaxine, as well as its main metabolite (EFA or O-desmethylvenlafaxine) are potent inhibitors of norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake inhibitors and weak inhibitors of dopamine reuptake. One can not help saying that these substances can reduce beta-adrenergic activity after a single dose and with a constant intake of the drug. EFA and venlafaxine equally effectively affect the reuptake of neurotransmitters.

What else is remarkable about the medication "Velaxin"? The instruction reports that the active component of this drug has an affinity for n- and m-holinoretseptorami, α1-adrenergic receptors of the brain and histamine H1-receptors. In addition, it suppresses the effect of MAO and has no similarity to phencyclidine, opioid, benzodiazepine and NMDA receptors.

Kinetics of medicament

Is the drug "Velaxin" (tablets) absorbed? Instructions for use asserts that the active ingredient of this medication is fairly well absorbed from the intestine. After a single dose of the drug at a dosage of 25-150 mg, its highest concentration in the blood is achieved after 2.4 hours. In this case, venlafaxine is intensively metabolized during the first passage through the liver. If this drug is taken with food, then the peak time of its concentration in the plasma increases by 27-30 minutes.

The main metabolite of the agent under consideration is O-desmethylvenlafaxine. Its half-life, as well as the half-life of venlafaxine is 11 and 5 hours, respectively (excreted unchanged, kidney).

Kinetics of the drug in special clinical cases

The preparation "Velaxin", the instruction of which is obligatory for reading, in people with cirrhosis of the liver has other kinetic features. The concentration of this drug in the blood in these patients is increased, and the rate of its removal, on the contrary, is lowered.

In severe renal failure, as well as moderate renal failure, the overall clearance of EFA and venlafaxine decreases, and the elimination half-life is prolonged.

It should also be noted that the sex and age of the patient does not affect the pharmacokinetics of the drug in question.

Indications for use

Why do we need such a tool as Velaxin? The use of this drug is indicated for depression of various origins (for treatment and prevention).

Prohibitions for appointment

What are the conditions for using Velaxin? Reviews of patients and doctors argue that this medication is contraindicated for admission:

• With concurrent administration of MAO inhibitors ;
• With severe violations of the kidneys;
• During an alleged or established pregnancy;
• With severe violations of the liver;
• During breastfeeding;
• In adolescence and childhood, that is, until adulthood;
• At high sensitivity to the components of the drug.

In addition, this drug should be taken with caution in unstable angina, myocardial infarction (including recently transferred), arterial hypertension, history of cramps, tachycardia, decreased body weight, increased intraocular pressure, angle-closure glaucoma, a predisposition to bleeding from the mucous membranes and Skin, manic conditions.

The preparation "Velaxin" (tablets): instructions for use

The antidepressant "Velaxin" should be taken only during a meal. The recommended initial dosage of this drug is 75 mg divided into 2 doses (i.e., 37.5 mg twice daily) every day.

If after a few weeks of therapy the patient's condition did not improve, then the daily dose is increased to 150 mg per day, in two divided doses (that is, 75 mg twice a day).

If a patient needs a higher dose of an antidepressant (for example, with severe depressive disorder or other conditions requiring inpatient therapy), the specialist can prescribe 150 mg of the drug in 2 divided doses, and then gradually increase this dose by 75 mg (the next 2-3 days) Until the desired result is achieved.

According to the instructions, the maximum dosage of "Velaxin" is 375 mg per day. After achieving the desired effect, it can be gradually reduced to a minimum level.

Relapse prevention and maintenance treatment

Supportive therapy considered means can last from six months. In this case, the medication is taken in minimal doses.

With mild renal failure, correction of the dosing regimen is not required. In a similar disease of moderate severity, the dose should be reduced by 25-50%. It should also be noted that venlafaxine should not be used in severe renal failure, since there is no information about the safety of such therapy to date.

People on hemodialysis should receive 50% of the usual daily dosage of the drug after the end of the session.

With mild hepatic failure, correction of the dosing regimen is also not required. With a moderate disease, the dose should be reduced by 50%. As for severe hepatic insufficiency, in this case, venlafaxine is prohibited.

In elderly people the drug "Velaxin" should be used with extreme caution. This is due to possible disruption of the kidneys. Such patients should be given the lowest effective dosage. In this case, the patient must be under constant medical supervision.

Antidepressant withdrawal

At the end of taking the drug in question, you should gradually reduce the dosage (within a week). At the same time, it is required to observe the patient's condition in order to minimize the risk of developing adverse reactions associated with drug cancellation.

The time needed to completely stop taking the medicine depends on the amount of dosage, the length of the course of therapy and the individual characteristics of the person.

Adverse events

What are the undesirable effects of Velaxin? The patients' comments state that the development of certain adverse reactions after the application of this remedy depends on the dose taken.

The most frequently manifested reactions of a negative nature include the following:

• Arterial hypertension, decreased appetite, unusual dreams, constipation, insomnia, nausea, skin hyperemia, tremor, vomiting, muscle spasms, dry mouth;
• Hallucinations, hepatitis, weight loss, tachycardia, hyponatremia, apathy, postural hypotension, dizziness, manic reactions, nervous excitability, yawning, paresthesia, neuroleptic syndrome, stupor, serotonergic syndrome;
• Increased muscle tone, epileptic seizures, dysuria, photosensitivity, urinary retention, anorgasmia;
• Hemorrhages in the skin, ejaculation disorders, menorrhagia, decreased libido, sweating;
• Thrombocytopenia, accommodation disorders, erythema multiforme, mydriasis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, visual impairment, flawed sensations, lengthening bleeding time, weakness, skin rash, fatigue, anaphylactic reactions.

It should also be noted that after the abrupt withdrawal of the drug in question or a reduction in its dosage, such adverse reactions as nervous irritability, fatigue, diarrhea, drowsiness, anxiety, headache, paresthesia, nausea, hypomania, vomiting, sweating, anorexia, insomnia, dryness Mouth, anxiety, dizziness and disorientation. As a rule, such symptoms are poorly expressed and pass without any treatment.

Recommendations

Do antidepressants sell without prescription? The list of such medications is not very large (Prozak, Paksil, Deprim, Azafen, Persen, Amitriptyline), and Velaxin is not included in it. You can buy this medicine in the pharmacy only on the prescription.

Before taking this medication, especially patients with depressive disorders, it should be taken into account the high probability of suicidal attempts. In this regard, at the very beginning of therapy, the drug is recommended for use in a minimal dose and under careful medical supervision.

In people with affective disorders during treatment with antidepressants, manic or hypomanic conditions may develop.

Patients should be warned about the need to immediately consult a doctor if urticaria, rashes or allergic reactions occur.

In some patients, a dose-related increase in blood pressure is noted during venlafaxine intake.

Elderly persons should be warned about a possible violation of the sense of balance and development of dizziness.

During treatment, the drug should be avoided taking alcoholic beverages.

Antidepressant "Velaxin": reviews of patients, analogues of the drug

What do patients say about this medicine? Many consumers report a large number of adverse reactions that occur when taking this medication. Especially often this drug causes such negative reactions as drowsiness, weakness, insomnia, cramps, thinking disorders, depression and confusion. In addition, some patients claim that such effects remain after the treatment is completed. Also, many users complain about the appearance of withdrawal and dependence.

How can you replace an antidepressant like Velaxin? Analogs of this drug can not be found in all pharmacies. As a rule, experts include the following: Venlafaxine Sandoz, Efevelon, Alventa, Newvelong, Velafax, Daplex, Voksemel, Venlaksor, Vensuert, and Venlafaxine.