Afobazol instructions: indications, application features

In the article we will look at how to drink Afobazol in tablets.

Many people experience stress, anxiety and worry at times. And if methods such as changing the environment and rest do not help, then you have to use medications.

In modern pharmacology, there are many medications to relieve stress and anxiety. They are usually among the tranquilizers. The vast majority of them have a depressing effect on the nervous system and suppress negative emotions. Their action is very powerful, and therefore they have long been used in the medical practice of psychotherapists and neurologists. Unfortunately, the disadvantage of these drugs is a large number of side effects.

However, recently many “soft” tranquilizers have been developed that do not have these disadvantages. Such tranquilizers are often called “daytime” tranquilizers. One of them is Afobazol, developed by Russian pharmacologists not so long ago, but has already gained wide popularity.

Compound

How to drink Afobazol in tablets is interesting to many.

The drug has a complex composition, as it includes an active substance and several auxiliary substances. The active component is 5-ethoxy-2-[2-(morpholino)-ethylthio] benzimidazole dihydrochloride, which is a derivative of the anxiolytic 2-mercaptobenzimidazole, which has a selective effect. The tablets also contain other substances: magnesium stearate; povidone; milk sugar; microcrystalline cellulose; potato starch.

Composition, physical and chemical properties, price

Afobazole is available in one dosage form - white-cream or white tablets, having a flat cylindrical shape, with a bevel, for internal use.

Active ingredient: morpholinoethylthioethoxybenzimidazole dihydrochloride 5 or 10 mg.

Auxiliary components: microcrystalline cellulose, lactose, magnesium stearate, potato starch, povidone.

Packaging: tablets placed in flat packaging in cells or glass jars, in cardboard packs of 10-100 pieces.

Price: 10 mg No. 60: 330-416 rub.

Mechanism of action and distinctive features

How many Afobazol tablets should you take per day? We'll talk about this below.

Patients familiar with the influence of old-generation tranquilizers are well aware of the effect of using benzodiazepines - indifference to everything, detachment, lethargy. This is not a complete list of unpleasant symptoms of such drugs. Their most unpleasant feature is the formation of drug dependence in many patients, which, in particular, is reflected in the “withdrawal syndrome,” in which their condition worsens after stopping treatment. Very often they become so attached to the tranquilizer that they can no longer imagine their life without it.

Afobazole does not have such disadvantages. The drug does not affect the nervous system, does not reduce reaction speed, does not dull emotions, and does not reduce mental performance. The most important thing is that it has no withdrawal symptoms. Thus, the patient can interrupt the treatment course at any time, and at the same time he will not have a craving for the medicine. Upon completion of therapy, a gradual reduction in dosage is also not required to get rid of addiction. But, of course, it is important to know how many Afobazole tablets to take per day for the best result.

The medication is also devoid of a large number of undesirable effects and has virtually no contraindications. Thanks largely to this, the drug can be dispensed without a prescription.

Its active component does not affect benzodiazepine receptors, but acts on sigma-1 receptors in the brain. Receptors are responsible for sensory skills, emotions, fine motor skills and memory functioning. The drug has a slight anti-anxiety effect, while activating nervous processes. Afobazole also enhances the bioenergetic potential of brain cells and has a neuroprotective effect, protecting neurons. A very weak sedative effect, it is felt only when the dosage is 40-50 times higher than usual.

After administration, the drug is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract at a high rate. The average time it remains in the patient’s body is 1.6 hours. It is characterized by low toxicity. Mainly metabolized in the liver.

How many Afobazole tablets you can take per day is indicated in the instructions.

Sedative "Afobazol": reviews from doctors, indications and contraindications

And these articles do not need criticism for the simple reason that, for example, THIS article provides the results of a study of the non-benzodiazepine tranquilizer afobazole in various anxiety disorders, and guided by the initial and final data of the classical “Hamilton scale”, etc., based on a number of other indicators, the result this one is described as follows:

If only you knew how work with a similar design is carried out and the corresponding articles are written

For some reason I didn’t find the words “international” and “placebo-controlled” in this article, and the word “randomized” is mentioned only once, and then only in relation to another article

As I have already noted, afobazole is a drug with a fundamentally new mechanism of action, it is not a RDT, and it is clear that this drug is a qualitatively new active anxiolytic with minimal side effects, and to expect from it effects as when using RDT in the literal sense is the height of naivety

And who should explain this to a patient who complains that the drug “doesn’t work at all.”

Unfortunately, the answers above “do not stand up to any criticism,” where they wrote from completely different motives, without even trying to more deeply study new trends in the field of psychopharmacology. Some chuckles, some really unfounded sayings, etc. - all this does not do honor to the domestic doctor, who, apparently, can “purely out of principle” cling to some old drug, even if new, more effective and safer ones appear.

Yes, show me such drugs. Show!!! You can write kilometer-long messages, but patients will still come and complain about the same things (“it doesn’t work at all”). And you can’t argue against the truth!

Forgive me generously, but if there are defended scientific dissertations on afobazole, a bunch of scientific papers, and the pharmacology of the drug is being actively studied, but doctors don’t know about it, or simply don’t want to know, then what kind of doctors are they?

One gets the feeling that you have no idea of ​​modern realities at all.

. and for some it is quite suitable, while for others it is necessary to prescribe harsher drugs, and a good doctor should at least know about this too.

Well, finally a rational grain. It will suit one and he will be pleased, but ten others need something different.

It can now be seen that reasonable people prefer such atypical anxiolytics as Mebicar, Phenibut, numerous herbal preparations and homeopathic remedies.

I wonder if accepting the above is one of the criteria for reasonableness?

today, to purchase them, pink prescription forms are required, and the representatives of the BDT themselves are included in the “List of psychotropic substances, the circulation of which is limited in the Russian Federation and in respect of which certain control measures are allowed to be excluded in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation and international treaties of the Russian Federation.”

Well, phenazepam can be bought with a “simple” prescription, and even without it.

There is no need to be categorical in your statements, especially if you have no idea about afobazole, or have your own opinion, which you consider absolute - this speaks of the narrowness and low qualifications of some local comrades who want to seem like experienced doctors, but cannot withstand any criticism, although they have learned to demand it regularly from everyone and everything.

Re-read this. And try to rethink about yourself.

Well, a separate forum where the “great” admin and similar “healers” would demonstrate their high level of knowledge in psychopharmacology along with youthful ambition would not hurt, IMHO.

When there is not enough objective evidence, do we get personal? A well-known indicator of weakness, by the way.

“Natural chalk” - on this forum, the especially enlightened know only this information about afobazole.

Have you ever wondered where there are so many negative reviews about Afobazole?

Psychiatrist in Voronezh: appointment by phone

Afobazole is classified as an anxiolytic, that is, a drug that combats anxiety disorders.

It successfully combats tearfulness, sleep disturbances caused by the inability to relax, constant and unreasonable expectations of bad developments, and some other symptoms.

On this page you will find all the information about Afobazol: complete instructions for use for this drug, average prices in pharmacies, complete and incomplete analogues of the drug, as well as reviews from people who have already used Afobazol. Would you like to leave your opinion? Please write in the comments.

Clinical and pharmacological group

Conditions for dispensing from pharmacies

Allowed for sale from pharmacies without a prescription. Before use, you should consult a specialist.

How much does Afobazol cost? The average price in pharmacies is 400 rubles.

Release form and composition

Afobazole is available in tablets. This is the only form of drug production. Blisters with tablets made of aluminum alloy and transparent plastic are placed in cardboard packages, as in the photo.

Each of them has:

• the shape of a flat cylinder with a chamfer;
• color – white or creamy.

The main active ingredient is morpholinoethylthioethoxybenzimidazole dihydrochloride. Its amount depends on the dosage of the tablet - 5 or 10 mg. The auxiliary components that provide the structure are:

• medium molecular weight povidone;
• potato starch;
• magnesium stearate;
• lactose monohydrate;
• microcrystalline cellulose.

Pharmacological effect

Afobazole is a sedative that reduces anxiety. The use of Afobazole does not lead to dependence on the drug, even with fairly long-term use. The drug does not have a negative effect on memory and concentration, and does not reduce muscle tone, which is confirmed by reviews of Afobazole. When taking Afobazole, no withdrawal syndrome is observed, that is, if the drug is abruptly stopped, the patient’s condition does not worsen.

Positive dynamics of the condition are observed 5-7 days after starting the drug. The maximum effect occurs after 3-4 weeks and lasts for another 1 or 2 weeks, depending on the metabolic state of the individual patient. Afobazole helps patients who are worried about suspiciousness, increased vulnerability, emotional instability, and lack of self-confidence. The good effect of using the drug is also proven by positive reviews.

This tranquilizer has a dual effect: it relieves anxiety and provides mild stimulation. Reducing anxiety and nervous tension leads to an improvement in both the mental and physical condition of the patient. The effect of the drug, aimed at reducing anxiety, allows you to eliminate the symptoms (muscular, respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal) that are present in somatic disorders. The frequency of autonomic disorders (sweating, dry mouth, dizziness) also decreases.

Indications for use

In general, indications for the use of Afobazole are any anxiety conditions in adults, such as:

The drug is especially indicated for the treatment of people with predominantly asthenic individual traits, which are manifested by anxious suspiciousness, lack of self-confidence, vulnerability, emotional instability, and a tendency to stress. Afobazole is also prescribed quite often for menopause, helping to eliminate the unpleasant symptoms of hormonal changes in the female body, which are often manifested by nervousness and anxiety, and vegetative disorders.

Is this a tranquilizer or not?

Yes, Afobazole belongs to the group of selective anxiolytics - tranquilizers. The drug has a mild effect and is not addictive. It differs from the more severe benzodiazepine non-selective tranquilizers in safety, while:

• does not relax the body muscles;
• does not impair attention and memory;
• does not have withdrawal syndrome after completion of treatment.

Contraindications

Afobazole is strictly not recommended for use if there is an individual intolerance to the drug or its active components; other contraindications are also identified:

• glucose-galactose malabsorption;
• pregnancy and lactation;
• galactose intolerance;
• lactose deficiency;
• The drug is not used to treat patients under 18 years of age.

Use during pregnancy and lactation

The use of the drug is contraindicated during pregnancy.

If it is necessary to use the drug during lactation, breastfeeding should be discontinued.

Instructions for use

The instructions for use indicate that Afobazole is prescribed to adults orally after meals.

• Usually take 1 tablet 3 times a day. The maximum daily dose is 60 mg.

The duration of treatment is 2-4 weeks. If prescribed by a doctor, treatment can be extended to 3 months.

Side effects

As side effects, Afobazole can provoke various allergic reactions and headaches, which, as a rule, go away on their own, without requiring special treatment or discontinuation of the drug.

Some people note the appearance of pronounced sexual desire a few days after starting to take Afobazole. Doctors and scientists do not classify this effect as a side effect, but associate the appearance of libido with the relief of tension and anxiety.

Overdose

If the recommended therapeutic dose of Afobazol tablets is significantly exceeded, an excessive sedative and hypnotic effect without muscle relaxation develops. In this case, a 20% solution of caffeine-sodium benzoate, 1 ml 2-3 times a day, is used as an antidote.

special instructions

The drug does not affect the ability to drive a car or drive potentially dangerous mechanisms, so the answer to the question “Can Afobazol be taken while driving?” positive. It is also not prohibited for people employed in hazardous industries and people whose work requires attentiveness and accuracy of reactions to take the product.

Drug interactions

Afobazole has no effect on the depressive effect of ethyl alcohol and the hypnotic (hypnotic) effect of sodium thiopental (a drug for ultra-short-acting inhalation anesthesia).

Potentiates the antiepileptic effect of Carbamazepine and enhances the tranquilizing effect of Diazepam.

Alcohol compatibility

Afobazole and alcohol do not interact with each other. Therefore, if you took pills, and in the evening you will have a banquet or party where there will be alcohol, you don’t have to worry. You are allowed to drink a side of wine. But this does not mean that afobazole and alcohol, when used together, will act traditionally. There is no interaction only on the part of chemical reactions, but your individual reactivity of the body is unpredictable.

Afobazole and alcohol are compatible concepts when it comes to treating withdrawal symptoms. In this case, the drug is desirable and helps to significantly alleviate the person’s condition. The therapeutic dose for withdrawal syndrome is 10–20 mg per dose, but not more than 60 mg per day.

In other cases, the maximum daily dosage is 30 mg.

Reviews from patients and doctors about Afobazole are quite ambiguous, including both positive and negative. Some doctors talk about the lack of effectiveness of the drug and prefer benzodiazepines, which guarantee relief from anxiety in 100% of cases, but have a lot of severe side effects, causing drug addiction. Other experts believe that Afobazole has a sufficient therapeutic effect and works well for patients who do not have deep and severe anxiety disorders.

We have selected some people's reviews about the drug Afobazol:

1. Irina. Half of my friends are on Afobazole, some drink during stress at work, some drink before vacation, some start having problems at home... it helps everyone a lot! I feel that I myself will soon join their Afobazol club)) otherwise my nerves are not of steel.
2. Pauline. I took afobazole for panic attacks. It does not completely solve the problem (in addition to sedatives, you also need to work on your lifestyle in general, sometimes you need to consult a psychologist), but it helps to avoid attacks. My most acute period was in the summer. Heat, stuffiness, a lot of people - a panic attack immediately began, often leading to fainting. With afobazole, I successfully avoided such situations. After completing the entire course of treatment, the problem of PA no longer bothers me, but I still resort to afobazole when I feel that my nerves are already at their limit in order to avoid relapses.
3. Hope. Afobazol helped me with overeating. Previously, in any stressful situation, I would sit with a cookie, or a sandwich, or a chocolate bar, a bun... in general, only food could calm me down and help put my thoughts in order. Of course, this “calm down” resulted in a tidy number of extra kilos. I realized that I urgently needed to do something about my habit; on the advice of a friend, I decided to take Afobazole (she lost weight on it, and the review was very tempting). I didn’t notice the changes right away, but after about a week I actually began to crave the refrigerator less. By the end of the course, I actually caught myself thinking that food now interests me only in moments of hunger. Well, it’s a shame that I didn’t come to my senses sooner, otherwise the excess would have been much smaller. Now goal number 2 is weight loss!)
4. Varvara. I tried to quit smoking three times, but each time it broke me as if I hadn’t smoked cigarettes at all. Friends advised me to combine the refusal with a course of Afobazole. So I did. Actually a thing! It controls my nerves and my appetite, it’s not addictive, and I have something to compare it to, without it it was really hard!
5. Veronica. My mother constantly worries about her relatives. Words do not reassure, like everyone is fine. She says that everyone is telling her this just to divert attention, but in reality everything is bad. It was because of this suspiciousness and anxiety that she persuaded her to start drinking Afobazol. What a relief. Now the person lives normally and does not torment himself with obsessive thoughts out of the blue.
6. Natalia. I took it as prescribed by the attending endocrinologist for the treatment of increased function of the thyroid gland and its nodes (there was a rather serious constant stress background). It helped very well in my case, in combination with treatment with thyroid medications.

Patients in most cases speak positively about Afobazole, noting that it helped them cope with difficult life situations, eliminating nervousness, panic attacks and constant breakdowns on others. Many say that taking the drug helped get rid of vulnerability and self-doubt, develop a calm attitude towards numerous problems and improved the quality of life.

Negative reviews about Afobazole are associated with two main factors - the ineffectiveness of the drug in a particular case and the development of side effects that were difficult to tolerate and forced to stop therapy. Thus, for some people, Afobazol did not normalize the condition and did not relieve anxiety so much that they felt comfortable, which naturally caused disappointment and negative feedback. In other people, Afobazole caused daytime sleepiness, which forced them to stop taking the drug due to the inability to continue working.

The most commonly used Afobazole analogues are as follows:

1. Divaza is a drug that belongs to the group of tranquilizers. When taken, the active component normalizes blood circulation in the brain, relieves tension and fatigue. It is taken during autonomic disorders, for disorders of brain activity that are caused by injuries, ischemic diseases, neurodegenerative diseases and others. And also for increased anxiety, insomnia, headaches, and neuroinfections.
2. Adaptol - this drug belongs to the group of anxiolytic-type drugs. This drug has a tranquilizing effect. When taken, it quickly relieves feelings of fear, tension, fatigue, and stress.
3. Persen . This remedy has an antispasmodic and calming effect. It contains herbal ingredients that help relieve tension, anxiety and irritation. It can be taken during insomnia, because the drug facilitates the process of falling asleep and does not cause drowsiness.
4. Tenoten is a drug belonging to the group of tranquilizers. Quickly relieves anxiety, stress, emotional tension, helps relieve headaches and eliminates sleep problems.
5. Novopassit is a sedative-type sedative that consists of herbal components. The medicine has an effect on the nervous system, relieves nervous tension, fatigue, and stress. Also helps with headaches and sleep disorders.
6. Phenazepam is a highly active tranquilizer. The drug has anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, hypnotic and central muscle relaxant effects on the body. It is used during psychoses, sleep disorders, neurotic and psychopathic conditions.
7. Phenibut is a nootropic drug that is classified as a tranquilizer. Improves brain activity, increases blood circulation. When taken, the body's performance and mental activity increase, memory improves, stress, neuroses, and tensions disappear.
8. Grandaxin is a tranquilizer that belongs to the group of benzodiazepines. Quickly relieves tension, fatigue, excitability, helps with headaches and insomnia. It is also taken for premenstrual syndrome, for myopathy, myasthenia gravis, neuroses, for alcohol withdrawal syndrome, and so on.
9. Phenzitate is a tranquilizer that belongs to the group of benzodiazepine derivatives. It is used for neuroses, severe fatigue, emotional stress, autonomic disorders, and sleep disorders.
10. Mebicar is a drug that is classified as a tranquilizer for daytime use. This drug reduces anxiety, tension, fatigue, and also has a mild sedative effect.

Before using analogues, consult your doctor.

Which is better Afobazol or Tenoten?

What is better Tenoten or Afobazol? It depends on each specific situation and individual patient. In general, no specialist can give a definite answer. The undoubted advantage of Tenoten is the presence of the drug in a pediatric dosage. Tenoten can be used for some organic lesions of the central nervous system, including dyscirculation and trauma. Afobazole is not effective in these cases.

Tenoten, like any homeopathic remedy, begins to act gradually, a lasting effect occurs after a month's course and the duration of treatment with this medicine is long, preferably about 2 months. The maximum period for taking it is six months. It is not used for the treatment of alcohol withdrawal.

After taking Afobazole, the effect occurs faster, and hangover syndrome can be treated. But it does not have a neuroprotective effect, and is not used after stroke. Therefore, it is impossible to definitively say Tenoten or Afobazole which is better without seeing the picture of the disease.

Effects of use

The positive effect of the drug is expressed in the form of the following improvements:

• improved sleep (if there is no daytime sleepiness);
• disappearance of concern, fear, anxiety;
• elimination of psychological discomfort and nervous tension;
• reduction of disorders of the autonomic system (dizziness, sweating, dry mouth);
• improving attention and memory.

The greatest impact will be on patients with an asthenic type of nervous system. Such people are distinguished by the following traits: vulnerability, suspiciousness, emotional lability, predisposition to stress reactions, and lack of self-confidence.

Afobazole and alcohol: compatibility

After using Afobazole tablets for nerves, it is unacceptable to drink alcohol. Any medications that directly affect the nervous system should not be combined with alcohol.

Alcohol can greatly enhance the effect of an anxiolytic, which will result in overdose, poisoning, or severe intoxication of the body.

Indications

The drug "Afobazol" is used in the presence of the following indications:

The drug is also often used to relieve anxiety, depression and fear caused by somatic diseases:

Practice shows that the greatest effect from using the drug is observed when relieving anxiety and depression in patients who suffer from heart and vascular diseases.

So, how to take Afobazol tablets?

Overdose

In case of an overdose of Afobazole, the consequences are manifested by the onset of a sedative effect - suppression of consciousness due to taking medications, in which there is no excitement and irritability. May be accompanied by excessive drowsiness. At the same time, a decrease in skeletal muscle tone is not observed.

If undesirable effects occur due to exceeding the dose of the drug, you can use a 20% caffeine solution in 1 ml ampoules to return the condition to normal. Administer by subcutaneous injection 2-3 times a day.

You should consult your doctor about how long you can take Afobazole. But you should not continuously use the drug for more than 3 months. The duration of the required break is determined by the doctor depending on the patient’s condition.

With significant overdose and intoxication, the development of sedation and increased drowsiness without manifestations of muscle relaxation is possible. As an emergency solution, caffeine 20% solution in 1.0 ml ampoules is used 2-3 times a day subcutaneously.

Instructions for use, dosage

The medicine should be taken three times a day after meals. The optimal dose is 30 mg, that is, three 10 mg tablets. In some cases, the dosage may be increased to 60 mg. But it is best to tell you how to take Afobazol in tablets only your attending physician can.

According to the instructions that come with the drug, the recommended dosage for suppressing hangover is from five to ten milligrams twice a day. The treatment course is determined by the specialist's prescription, but usually lasts from two to four weeks. The course can be extended if necessary. But before resuming treatment, it is advisable to take a break for three to four weeks.

Can I take 2 tablets of Afobazol? For some patients, two tablets per day are enough, for others, a dosage of two tablets three times a day is suitable.

It should be noted that the drug has a gradual effect. Its effect accumulates and begins to appear only some time after the start of use, often after a week. That is why, if treatment has been started, but no improvements are observed in the first days, this does not mean that the drug is ineffective. It's worth waiting a little.

We told you how many Afobazol tablets you can take. Is this drug allowed for everyone?

Release form

Afobazole is an effective popular pharmacological drug that is prescribed to adults to normalize the psycho-emotional background, relieve anxiety, eliminate the effects of stress, and reduce the frequency of autonomic disorders.

The tranquilizer is available in the form of light cream, white tablets. Intended for oral administration. Available in pharmacies without a prescription.

The flat-cylindrical tablets are chamfered and packed in aluminum blisters of 10-25 pieces. Blisters are placed in cardboard packages along with instructions for use. The drug is also available in polymer glass jars of 30, 50, 100, 120, 150 pieces, which are sealed with self-tightening lids.

The main active ingredient on which Afobazol is created is fabomotizole (morpholinoethylthioethoxybenzimidazole) in an amount of 5 mg or 10 mg per tablet.

Tablets of 5 mg are usually called “Afobazol 5”, and those with a dosage of 10 mg are called “Afobazol 10”.

Afobazole
Excipients:

1. Potato starch;
2. Microcrystalline cellulose;
3. Lactose monohydrate;
4. Medium molecular weight povidone (kollidon 25);
5. Magnesium stearate.

Auxiliary components are included in all dosages of the tablet drug.

Afoblazole tablets, if the dosage is strictly observed, does not cause addiction, side effects, or complications.

Store the tranquilizer in a dry, cool, dark place at temperatures up to 22-25 degrees in original packaging. From the date of production, the shelf life is two years. After the end of this period, the medication is disposed of.

Contraindications

The drug has the following contraindications:

This must be taken into account before taking it.

You should know how to drink Afobazol tablets correctly in order to avoid side effects of the medicine.

How to use

"Afobazol" is a tablet. The optimal dosage is three pieces per day. One pill contains 10 mg of active substance. In some cases, the dosage is increased to six tablets or 60 mg of the active ingredient.

The course of treatment is usually individual, but should not last more than four weeks. If it is necessary to repeat therapy, it is important to take a break of at least 21 days.

Judging by the reviews of patients, it is not immediately possible to feel the effect of taking the drug. Its action is prolonged, that is, the active component accumulates in the body and after a certain period of time begins its work. It often takes a week to feel improvement.

Interaction with other substances and drugs

One of the advantages of the drug is that it does not interact with ethanol. But it is necessary to understand that during the therapeutic course it is undesirable to drink alcohol, since they neutralize the therapeutic effectiveness. There is also minimal interaction with medications. When taken simultaneously with Diazepam, its anxiolytic effect is enhanced. The anticonvulsant effect of Carbamazepine increases. Concomitant use with antidepressants is prohibited.

Side effects

Side effects are rare; most often patients complain of the development of allergies.

Therapy may also be accompanied by:

• headache;
• dizziness;
• mild depression, apathy.

If undesirable reactions are detected, you should consult your doctor; you may need to reduce the dose of the drug.

Analogs

Currently, there is only one structural analogue of the drug in tablet form - the drug Fabomotizol. In the form of a concentrate for the preparation of a solution for infusion, there is a structural analogue of Neurofazol.

Indirect analogues are other anxiolytics, especially those classified as “mild” tranquilizers, for example, Tenoten, Adaptol or Grandaxin. It must be said that in general, Afobazol has fewer side effects compared to other anxiolytics.

Reviews from people after use

Patients talk about the results of treatment with Afobazol:

Egor, 38 years old:

In the first days of taking the pills, I didn’t notice any special changes. Improvements began on days 6-7. I began to fall asleep quickly, my sleep became sound and long. In addition, I noticed an improvement in my overall emotional background, was less tired at work, and stopped getting irritated by various little things.

Katerina, 24 years old, Tuapse:

As prescribed by the doctor, I started taking Afobazole, three tablets a day. The neurologist immediately warned that the effect of the tablets is cumulative, that is, the result will not be noticeable immediately.

Since I was in a serious psycho-emotional state, the therapeutic course was long - for three months. I feel much better now and fully enjoy motherhood. A good drug, and there were no side effects from it.

In general, patient reviews are positive. A small percentage of patients complain of headaches, occasional dizziness and allergic reactions.

conclusions

Since the appearance of the drug, controversy surrounding it has not stopped. Reviews about the medicine are often exactly the opposite. So, many patients believe that it really helped them. However, some specialized specialists (psychiatrists, neurologists, neurologists and psychotherapists) do not share enthusiastic assessments. For example, it is said that the drug has a relatively weak effect and helps only in mild cases of depressive conditions and anxiety disorders. For more serious forms of mental and nervous diseases, the medicine is ineffective. Many also note that the drug acts very selectively - approximately half of the patients did not feel any improvement. But no one denies the positive properties of the drug - the absence of dependence and the minimum number of side effects.

That is why a reasonable question arises: is it necessary to try Afobazol at all? In this case, you need to understand that the medicine is one of the “mild” tranquilizers, which is unlikely to cope with significant disorders of the nervous system, for example, real depression, and not transient depressive states. “Afobazol” is a remedy intended for patients with a healthy nervous system who are experiencing difficult life periods and stress - change of environment, exams, somatic illness, family difficulties, etc. In such cases, the use of the drug is much more rational than the use of “severe” medications that have a large number of side effects. In addition, despite the over-the-counter availability of the drug, it is highly not recommended to be treated with it without medical advice.

We looked at how to drink Afobazol in tablets.

Antidepressants and tranquilizers: difference between groups

The drug belongs to the group of anxiolytics that eliminate symptoms of anxiety and fear. The effect is manifested due to the influence on the receptors of nerve cells; Previously, this group of drugs was called minor tranquilizers.

Afobazole does not belong to the group of benzodiazepine tranquilizers (although it also acts on GABA receptors), therefore it is not addictive with long-term use. The drug was developed at the Research Institute of Pharmacology named after. V.V. Zakusova RAMS as a result of searching for a drug that would have a tranquilizing effect, but would not cause side effects characteristic of benzodiazepines.

The most common undesirable effects were drowsiness and muscle relaxation. There have been cases of decreased libido and erection problems. Benzodiazepine tranquilizers reduce concentration, so they should not be combined with driving. The drugs cause impaired coordination of movements, which can lead to falls and injuries. Taking benzodiazepines worsens the condition of patients with depression, which can result in suicide.

Such a number of side effects, which significantly affected the quality of life of patients, created the need to search for other, milder tranquilizers.

The active component that affects how Afobazole works is fabomotizole dihydrochloride. It protects nerve cells and increases their sensitivity to gamma-aminobutyric acid. This is a neurotransmitter called GABA for short; it regulates inhibition processes in the nervous system.

Since the drug reduces the manifestation of negative emotions, such as anxiety and restlessness, and has a mild activating effect, people are often interested in whether Afobazole is an antidepressant or not. The answer is clear: the drug is not an antidepressant.

Some antidepressants may have an anti-anxiety effect, but their main effect is to improve mood, eliminate depressive thoughts, and reduce symptoms of apathy. Other antidepressants may, on the contrary, increase anxious thoughts and fear. They act on the level of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. Drugs that regulate GABA levels are classified as tranquilizers.

Although tranquilizers and antidepressants belong to the class of psychotropic drugs, affect the level of neurotransmitters in the nervous system and can eliminate anxiety, they are not interchangeable drugs. They have different indications for use and can cause various side effects. Therefore, if you suffer from depression, which is accompanied by anxiety, it is better to opt for other remedies.

Afobazole eliminates anxiety and other symptoms that it causes: headaches and dizziness, weakness or excessive muscle tension, tremors, tachycardia, gastrointestinal disorders. Improves memory and increases the ability to concentrate, which worsen during times of stress. Regulates mood: reduces irritability, aggressiveness, apathy.

In addition to antidepressants, tranquilizers are also used in the treatment of depression:

• This group of drugs eliminates feelings of fear, emotional stress and anxiety.
• At the same time, the medications do not impair memory and thinking.
• Additionally, tranquilizers can prevent and relieve seizures, relax muscles, and normalize the functioning of the autonomic nervous system.
• In medium doses, tranquilizers lower blood pressure, normalize heart rate and blood circulation in the brain.

Thus, tranquilizers mainly differ from antidepressants by their opposite effect on the autonomic nervous system. Also, tranquilizers have the greatest effect on fear and anxiety, which can be eliminated even with a single dose, while antidepressants require a course of treatment. Tranquilizers are more likely to cause addiction and their withdrawal symptoms are more pronounced and severe.

If tranquilizers are abruptly discontinued after taking them for a long time, a withdrawal syndrome may develop, manifested by sweating, tremors of the limbs, dizziness, sleep disturbances, intestinal dysfunction, headache, drowsiness, increased sensitivity to sounds and smells, tinnitus, disturbances in the perception of reality, and depression.

After oral administration, Afobazole® is well and quickly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.

The maximum concentration of the drug in plasma (Cmax) is 0.130 0.073 μg/ml; time to reach maximum concentration (Tmax) – 0.85 0.13 hours.

Metabolism: Afobazole® undergoes a “first pass effect” through the liver; the main directions of metabolism are hydroxylation at the aromatic ring of the benzimidazole ring and oxidation at the morpholine fragment.

Afobazole® is intensively distributed throughout well-vascularized organs; it is characterized by rapid transfer from the central pool (blood plasma) to the peripheral (highly vascularized organs and tissues).

The half-life of Afobazole® when taken orally is 0.82–0.54 hours. The short half-life is due to intensive biotransformation of the drug and rapid distribution from blood plasma to organs and tissues. The drug is excreted primarily in the form of metabolites and partially unchanged in urine and feces.

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

The drug quickly enters the bloodstream, being absorbed by the mucous membrane of the digestive tract, so it begins to act within a few minutes after administration. By the end of the first week of treatment, patients report stable signs of improvement. Further use of Afobazole enhances the positive dynamics. After 3-4 weeks from the start of the course, the maximum therapeutic effect is achieved. It persists for another 1-2 weeks after the end of use of the medication - the timing depends on the characteristics of the body and the intensity of metabolic processes.

The mechanism of action of the drug manifests itself well when taken systematically by suspicious, emotionally unstable individuals with asthenic personality traits. The chemical compound is non-toxic, so it can be used for a long time without risk to the body. The components of the drug break down into components that are quickly excreted from the body in feces and urine. The half-life of metabolites averages 50 minutes. Thanks to this, an overdose is almost impossible.