"Imovan": instructions for use. Reviews about the drug, analogues and rules of sale in pharmacies

The "Imovan" medication instructions for use define it as a hypnotic, which belongs to the group of cyclopyrrolones. The drug has tranquilizing, hypnotic, miorelaxing, sedative, anticonvulsant properties.

Pharmacodynamics

The therapeutic effect of the Imovan medication (an instruction on this testifies) is associated with an agonistic specific effect on the omega receptors (previously they were called benzodiazepine receptors of the first and second types). The medication allows you to reduce the time to sleep and reduce the frequency of early and nocturnal awakenings, as well as to increase the duration and improve the quality of sleep. Polysomnography data show that the Imovan drug in patients with insomnia shortens the first phase of sleep and prolongs the second, while retaining the third and fourth (deep sleep) stages and the paradoxical (fast sleep) phase. The study, by recording the polysomnogram of withdrawal syndrome, revealed no significant ricochet insomnia after taking the drug for twenty-eight days. Other tests have shown that when using a medication for seventeen weeks, the disappearance of the hypnotic effect is not observed.

Pharmacokinetics

Sleeping "Imovan" absorbs quickly, regardless of the food intake. In the blood plasma, with oral administration of 3.75 and 7.5 milligrams of agents, within the range of one and a half to two hours, the greatest concentrations of about 30 and 60 ng / ml, respectively, are achieved. With blood plasma proteins, the bond is unsaturated and weak (about 45%). At the level of communication with protein, the risk of interaction with other drugs is very low. From the systemic blood flow the medicament "Imovan" is distributed quite quickly. The instruction says that its concentrations in breast milk are similar to those observed in plasma. The half-life of the drug in its unchanged form when taken in recommended doses is an average of five hours. The drug is mainly excreted as metabolites with urine (about 80%) and feces (about 16%).

Indications for use

The "Imovan" medication is indicated for use in the treatment of situational, transient, chronic insomnia in adults. In particular, it is used for difficulties with falling asleep, early and night awakenings.

Form of issue and composition

The medicine is available in the form of white film-coated oval tablets with a risk on one side. One unit of the agent includes the active component - zopiclone - in a mass of 7.5 milligrams. Tablets "Imovan" also contain sodium carboxymethyl starch, titanium dioxide, calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate, magnesium stearate, lactose monohydrate, wheat starch, hypromellose.

Method of admission and duration of treatment

Oral administration of the drug immediately before night sleep is indicated. If possible, the therapy should be short-term and not exceed four weeks, including a period of reduced dosage. Take the drug for a longer time than prescribed by the instruction, is allowed only after the assessment by a specialist of the patient's condition. It is always necessary to start therapy with a minimum effective dose, increasing it if necessary, but you can not exceed the maximum allowable dose. With transient insomnia (for example, caused by a change of place during a trip), the course of treatment does not exceed two to five days. With situational insomnia, it is two to three weeks. In the case of chronic insomnia, long-term therapy is required, its duration is set by the doctor.

Recommended doses

The daily dose for people under 65 years of age is 7.5 milligrams. Elderly patients (over 65 years of age) and those with impaired liver function or respiratory failure of moderate severity are prescribed 3.75 milligrams per day. Take a drug in the mass of more than 7.5 milligrams per day is allowed only in extreme cases. Therapy of patients with renal insufficiency, in spite of the fact that in this case there is no accumulation of a drug and its metabolites, it is necessary to start with a daily dose of 3.75 milligrams.

Adverse events

About the drug "Imovan" reviews are mostly positive, often it is well tolerated. But almost all patients note that after taking the medicine in the mouth remains a bitter taste. Some people talk about the appearance of a headache, dizziness while using sleeping pills. Among the possible negative effects also should be noted muscular hypotension, residual drowsiness after awakening, diplopia, asthenia, decreased libido. There is a risk of digestive disorders: nausea, dyspepsia, dry mouth. Sometimes there are skin reactions, such as rashes and itching, in very rare cases - anaphylactic reactions, angioedema. Individual patients, after taking sleeping pills, experience hallucinations, depression, nightmares, coordination problems, aggressiveness, irritability, depressed mood, walking in a dream, inadequate behavior (can be observed in combination with amnesia). Even when used in therapeutic doses of "Imovan" tablets (the instruction warns about this), mental and physical dependence may develop.

The withdrawal syndrome

Some people develop abstinence syndrome after discontinuing drug therapy . His symptoms can be different, most often they appear in the form of anxiety, confusion, ricochet insomnia, tachycardia, irritability, tremor, headache, delirium, excessive sweating, nightmares, tachycardia, arousal, hallucinations. In very rare situations, convulsive seizures occur.

Contraindications

People with hypersensitivity to the ingredients of "Imovan" should abandon its use. Also, no hypnotics are given to patients with pseudo-paralytic myasthenia gravis in severe form, hepatic insufficiency in severe form (with the risk of encephalopathy), severe sleep apnea syndrome, expressed respiratory insufficiency. Contraindicated drug under the age of eighteen. Persons who have a history of narcotic, alcoholic, drug dependence, medication is prescribed with caution, since in this case there is an increased risk of increased dependence or abuse.

Use during pregnancy and lactation

Take sleeping pills "Imovan" pregnant and lactating women is not recommended. When applying the drug in the third trimester, the newborn can develop such negative effects as hypotension, respiratory depression, hypothermia. Women who plan or suspect a pregnancy should stop taking the medication.

Overdose

Usually, an overdose manifests itself as symptoms of CNS depression in varying degrees: from simple drowsiness to coma (depends on the dose taken). In mild cases, there is apathy, drowsiness, confusion, in more serious - lethargy, respiratory depression, ataxia, hypotension, coma. Very rarely happens atrioventricular blockade. Threats to life do not represent an overdose if the sleeping pill is not combined with taking other medications that depress the central nervous system or alcohol. Also, the symptoms of an overdose may worsen if the general condition of the patient is weakened or there are concomitant diseases. In such cases, even a fatal outcome is possible (very rarely). When taking the drug in excessive doses, symptomatic and supportive treatment in the hospital is indicated. In this case, the greatest attention should be paid to cardiovascular and respiratory functions. Such measures as the use of activated carbon and gastric lavage will be effective only if carried out soon after the use of Imovan medicament.

Analogues

Generics of this sleeping pill are such drugs as "Somnol", "Thorson", "Relaxon", "Piklodorm" and others. As a rule, they are cheaper than the original, but at the same time are less effective.

special instructions

As mentioned earlier, the use of sedatives, including Imovan, may lead to the development of psychological and physical dependence. The risk increases with long-term treatment and taking sleeping pills in high doses, with alcohol abuse, psychotropic substances, and with anxiety. If, at the appearance of physical dependence, stop dramatically drug therapy, the withdrawal syndrome described above can develop. To avoid this, you need to reduce the dose of the medicine gradually. Prevent the risk of the occurrence of such an adverse event as anterograde amnesia will help to comply with two rules: you should drink the pill just before bedtime (do not allow a long time between drug use and go to sleep) and sleep for at least six hours (do not interrupt sleep earlier than Six hours after falling asleep). The medication is not indicated for the treatment of depressive conditions and can even mask their symptoms.

Drug Interactions

Simultaneous reception of hypnotic "Imovan" and alcohol can lead to an increase in sedation. In addition, you should not take medicines along with medication that depresses the central nervous system: barbiturates, antidepressants with sedative action, tranquilizers, antipsychotics, antitussives, anesthetics, narcotic analgesics, antiepileptic drugs with central action. In the case of their joint use, the depressing effect on the central nervous system can be enhanced. Also, do not drink tablets "Imovan" together with drugs containing trimipramine, because the concentration in the plasma of the latter and its effect will be reduced. Joint use of sleeping pills with buprenorphine increases the risk of respiratory depression (the outcome may even be fatal).

Where to buy Imovan

The drug is sold in most pharmacies. Sleeping pills are dispensed by prescription. Some people who want to buy a medicine without a prescription, resort to the services of online pharmacies. However, it should be remembered that in this case you risk acquiring a poor-quality, fake or delayed goods.