The best treatment for depression is comprehensive. A specialist (psychotherapist or psychiatrist) creates an individual treatment plan and, based on the examination, selects only those components that correspond to the indications and contraindications. Typically, these are antidepressants combined with some other medications for depression, stress, and anxiety. The patient takes prescribed medications for depression until there is a therapeutic effect or stable remission. Treatment of depressive conditions takes quite a long time. As a rule, therapy lasts from 1.5 to 7 months.
Release form and composition
The drug is available in several forms. Among them:
- Pills
The dosage and form of the drug are selected individually by the attending physician. Mexidol tablets are available in a dosage of 125 mg. Indicated for oral administration. They have a round shape, the color of the shell can vary from white to cream. Available in packs of 30 and 50 pieces.Active ingredient Mexidol: ethylmethylhydroxypyridine succinate 125 mg
Excipients: lactose monohydrate, sodium carmellose, magnesium stearate, talc, titanium dioxide, polyvinyl alcohol, macrogol polyethylene glycol.
- Injection
The solution for injection is contained in ampoules of 2 and 5 ml. The package contains 5 pieces. The solution is odorless and colorless. A yellowish tint is allowed. The composition of Mexidol depends on the form of release.Mexidol 50 mg/2ml
Active ingredient Mexidol: ethylmethylhydroxypyridine succinate 50 mg/2 ml. Excipients: sodium metabisulfite.
Mexidol 50 mg/5 ml
Active ingredient Mexidol: ethylmethylhydroxypyridine succinate 50 mg/5 ml. Excipients: sodium metabisulfite.
- Toothpaste
Mexidol toothpaste is available in a 65 g tube. The color of the drug depends on the type of paste. It can be pink, transparent, light green, white. The entire line of Mexidol toothpaste has a mint flavor. Active ingredient of Mexidol: ethylmethylhydroxypyridine succinate 65 mg. Excipients: sorbitol, polyethylene glycol, titanium dioxide, silicon dioxide, demineralized water, xanthan gum, sodium lauryl sulfate.
pharmachologic effect
The pharmacological effect of Mexidol is due to its antioxidant properties. The drug eliminates oxygen starvation of tissues, normalizes thinking and memory processes. The drug has a positive effect on the condition of blood vessels susceptible to atherosclerotic changes.
Pharmacodynamics
The drug has antihypoxic, nootropic, anticonvulsant, anxiolytic and stress-protective effects. Mexidol increases the body's resistance to damaging factors, including shock, oxygen starvation of tissues, alcohol intoxication, and cerebrovascular accident due to ischemia.
The drug helps improve blood circulation in the brain area, prevents blood thickening and thrombus formation.
Has antihypercholesterol effect. Reduces the concentration of total cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins.
Mexidol normalizes sleep processes, increases attention, and improves thought processes.
Taking the drug against the background of withdrawal syndrome helps reduce the manifestations of alcohol and neurotoxic intoxication, normalizes autonomic functions, and eliminates cognitive impairment.
The combined use of the drug Mexidol with tranquilizers, sleeping pills, antidepressants and anticonvulsants enhances the effect of the latter. This allows you to reduce the dosage of prescribed medications.
Pharmacokinetics
The drug is quickly absorbed. The maximum concentration is reached 45-50 minutes after administration. After entering the bloodstream, Mexidol is quickly distributed in organs and tissues. The drug stays in the body for about 4-5.5 hours, depending on the method of administration.
Metabolism of the drug occurs in the liver. Mexidol forms several metabolites and breaks down into components.
Excretion from the body is carried out with urine. Most of it is excreted in the form of metabolites, the rest unchanged. The half-life is approximately 2-3 hours.
Nootropics for depression and asthenia
Nootropic drugs, also known as cerebroprotectors or neurometabolic stimulants, are an effective means for a specific effect on higher mental functions. It increases the resistance of the central nervous system to the effects of negative factors of traumatic episodes. Nootropics have a positive effect on a person’s intellectual and cognitive abilities, help them improve memory, concentrate on what’s important, increase learning ability and stress resistance.
These psychotropic medications are divided into the following groups:
- true;
- neuroprotectors;
- primary action;
- secondary action;
- neuroregulatory.
They have various effects: anticonvulsant, muscle relaxant, mnestic, antihypoxic, help with ischemia and intoxication, improve metabolism and metabolic processes in the central nervous system, and neurotransmitter metabolism.
Contraindications include pregnancy and lactation, stomach ulcers, kidney and liver diseases, and allergic reactions to the components of the drug. Before prescribing them, the doctor examines the patient and takes a urine test during the course of therapy to obtain accurate data on the results of treatment.
Indications for use
The following indications for use of Mexidol in the form of a solution are distinguished:
- acute cerebrovascular accidents;
- traumatic brain injuries;
- manifestations of vegetative dystonia;
- open-angle glaucoma;
- anxiety and neurosis-like conditions;
- withdrawal syndrome due to alcohol abuse;
- drug intoxication;
- hypertonic disease;
- migraine-type headache;
- myocardial infarction in the acute phase.
Mexidol is prescribed as part of complex therapy for acute purulent lesions of the abdominal cavity requiring surgical intervention. This is, for example, acute pancreatic necrosis, peritonitis.
Indications for the tablet form of the drug are:
- consequences of cerebrovascular accidents;
- mild form of traumatic brain injury, as well as consequences;
- encephalopathy of various origins;
- as part of complex therapy of diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- asthenia;
- long-term exposure to psycho-emotional factors.
Mexidol for VSD
The indication for the use of Mexidol injections is vegetative-vascular dystonia. The drug helps improve blood circulation. As a result, headaches and dizziness are relieved. The dosage is selected individually depending on the severity of symptoms.
Mexidol for hypertension
The drug is part of the complex therapy of arterial hypertension. Mexidol normalizes metabolic processes that take part in the functioning of the cardiovascular system. The drug improves blood circulation, helping to stabilize blood pressure.
Mexidol for panic attacks
The drug has antihypoxic, nootropic and stress-protective effects. As a result, brain activity normalizes and the severity of anxiety symptoms decreases.
Mexidol for epilepsy
The anticonvulsant effect of the drug allows its use in the complex treatment of epilepsy. Mexidol normalizes cerebral circulation, improves thinking and memory processes. The dosage is determined by the attending physician depending on the severity of the condition.
Mexidol for oncology
Mexidol is included in the complex therapy of oncopathologies due to its antioxidant effect. The decision about the need to prescribe the drug is made by the attending physician. Some tumor formations exclude the possibility of taking Mexidol.
Mexidol for migraines
The disease tends to periodically worsen. Mexidol is used to prevent migraine-type headaches. The drug improves blood microcirculation processes in the brain area.
Mexidol for stroke
Cerebrovascular accidents and their consequences are included in the list of indications for taking the drug. Mexidol is used both in the acute period and as a prevention of relapse. Indications for the use of the drug in tablets are preliminary injection therapy.
Mexidol for multiple sclerosis
Used as part of complex therapy. Improves cerebral circulation, helps normalize cognitive functions.
Antidepressants
Should I take antidepressants for severe depression? Many people believe that such drugs are addictive. If previously drugs that could cause addiction and drug dependence were used in psychotherapy, today new generation drugs are used that affect the human body and psyche more gently and sparingly.
Among the reasons for mistrust in the use of antidepressants for depression is the fact that if the course of treatment is interrupted, a person may feel worse. If withdrawal symptoms occur, this indicates incorrect discontinuation of the prescribed drug. You should not perceive this reaction of the body as dependence on pills.
If you stop the artificial synthesis of brain neurotransmitters, their quantity in the human body will drop sharply. Patients feel that their depression or anxiety disorder is returning as anxiety increases. Any changes in your condition should be reported to your doctor. The specialist knows how to smoothly discontinue the prescribed medication. In combination with psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy works well, giving long-term results.
There are several groups of medications for anxiety and depression.
Tricyclic
The first group includes medications that have a three-cyclic structure; they are not sedatives and prevent the immediate breakdown of neurotransmitters (serotonin and norepinephrine). They do not disappear from the nerve endings, their synthesis increases, as does the amount of serotonin. These medications have a number of contraindications; they are not recommended for people who have kidney and liver diseases, glaucoma, atherosclerosis, or use of narcotic substances.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
MAOIs are monoamine neurotransmitters that regulate our emotions, as well as a number of processes in the brain: attention, cognitive functions, memory, arousal. Due to the inhibition of leasing, the amount of monoamines increases and their accumulation in nerve endings. Some groups of these drugs are contraindicated for pregnant women and people with work that requires concentration, as well as for hypertensive patients.
Selective serotonin uptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
The third group of drugs for the treatment of depression includes selective serotonin uptake inhibitors.
Medicines are prescribed to replenish “happiness hormones”. Do not think that this happens quickly; the process of restoration of neurotransmitters is gradual. SSRIs have one important advantage - when the drugs are abruptly stopped, there is no withdrawal syndrome. Contraindications to their use include diseases of the genitourinary system, as well as alcoholism and drug addiction. If a person has developed alcoholism due to depression, he should not take antidepressants, since alcohol increases the side effects of the medication for depression. Symptoms of the disorder may increase significantly and the condition may worsen. Quite often, psychological reasons cause the development of alcohol dependence; the risk of depression in alcoholics is several times higher than in healthy people. The first group of anti-depression drugs is especially dangerous to combine with ethanol, as this leads to a sharp increase in blood pressure.
Which antidepressant is best for anxiety and depression? Your doctor will answer this question; the choice of medications should always take into account the individual characteristics of the patient’s body.
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Directions for use and doses
The method of administration and dosage of Mexidol are determined by the attending physician depending on the disease and the severity of the condition.
Mexidol 5
Solution for injection, 5 ml. Before use, the drug must be diluted with isotonic sodium chloride solution. When using the drug as a jet, it is administered within 5-7 minutes. Drip administration requires a speed of 40-60 drops per minute. The daily dose of the drug should not exceed 1200 mg.
Mexidol 10
The solution for injection contains 5 ampoules of 10 ml each. The contents are dissolved using isotonic saline solution. Used when a long course of therapy is necessary. The drug is administered intravenously or intramuscularly, depending on the pathology and severity of the condition. In case of acute cerebral circulation, intravenous administration of the drug is prescribed at a dosage of 200-500 mg 2-4 times a day, followed by intramuscular administration of 200-300 mg 2-3 times a day.
Mexidol 2
5 ampoules per package contain 2 ml of the drug. The solution is used for intramuscular or intravenous administration by stream or drip. The contents of the ampoule are diluted with isotonic saline solution. The dosage depends on the pathology for which the drug is prescribed. The average dose is 200-500 mg 2-3 times a day IV or IM.
Mexidol 125
The use of Mexidol in tablet form is indicated for various conditions. The dosage is 125-250 mg 3 times a day. The maximum permissible daily dose is 800 mg. The duration of the course is determined by the attending physician depending on the disease and severity of the condition. On average it ranges from 14 days to 1.5 months. The course begins with 1-2 tablets per day. The dose is gradually increased until the clinical effect of the drug is achieved. Abrupt discontinuation of the drug is unacceptable. The dosage is gradually reduced until complete withdrawal.
Mexidol tablets
Mexidol is available in tablet form. The dosage of the drug is 125 mg. The tablets are film-coated and are in cell packaging. Indications for the use of the tablet form of the drug Mexidol are the recovery period after an acute cerebrovascular accident, a mild form of traumatic brain injury, encephalopathy of various origins, VSD, and mild cognitive disorders. Mexidol in tablet form is used as a continuation of injection therapy.
Mexidol solution
The solution for injection is available in volumes of 2, 5 and 10 ml. It has no color. A yellowish tint of the solution is allowed. The contents of the ampoules are dissolved using an isotonic sodium chloride solution. The drug is used for the treatment of acute cerebrovascular accident, severe traumatic brain injury and its consequences, cognitive disorders, acute myocardial infarction, and reducing the severity of symptoms of withdrawal syndrome due to alcoholism. Mexidol in the form of a solution is prescribed for acute cerebrovascular accident, severe traumatic brain injury, and acute myocardial infarction.
The drug is used to reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms due to excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages. The dosage of the drug is selected by the attending physician individually depending on the pathology.
Mexidol in ampoules
The drug is available in glass ampoules of 2 and 5 ml. The package contains from 5 to 10 ampoules. Mexidol is used for intramuscular or intravenous administration. To obtain the finished solution, the contents of the ampoule are diluted with an isotonic sodium chloride solution. Mexidol is administered in a stream or drip. The dosage and route of administration are determined by the attending physician depending on the disease and severity of the condition. The maximum dose of the drug is 1200 mg per day
.
Mexidol injections
The dosage and frequency of use of Mexidol in the form of injections is determined by the disease for which the drug is prescribed. In case of acute cerebrovascular accident, intravenous drip administration of the drug 2-4 times a day is indicated. The dosage is 200-500 mg. The medicine is then administered intramuscularly. A similar method is used to treat traumatic brain injuries.
To relieve cerebrovascular insufficiency, drip administration of 200-500 mg of the drug is used 1-2 times a day. The course is determined by the severity of symptoms.
In the presence of dyscirculatory encephalopathy, Mexidol is administered intramuscularly at a dose of 400-500 mg 2 times a day.
Age-related impairment of cognitive functions is treated by intramuscular administration of the drug in a dosage of 100-300 mg.
How to inject Mexidol
It is recommended to administer the drug intravenously during the first 5 days of therapy. Then the transition to intramuscular use is allowed. To prepare the solution, the contents of the ampoule are dissolved in an isotonic sodium chloride solution. In some cases, the use of a 5% glucose solution is indicated.
Injection of the drug is carried out within 5-7 minutes. The most suitable speed for drip use of the drug is 40-60 drops per minute. The maximum dosage is 1200 mg per day.
Mexidol Dent (toothpaste)
The drug is available in the form of toothpaste. The tube contains 65 g of product. Indications for the use of Mexidol Dent are inflammation and bleeding of the gums. The drug helps accelerate the regeneration of damaged oral mucosa and normalizes blood microcirculation. The toothpaste does not contain preservatives or dyes. Due to its composition, it does not disturb the microflora of the oral cavity. Mexidol Dent is indicated for long-term use. To use, simply apply a small amount of paste to your toothbrush. Use sweeping movements to process the teeth. The gums are gently massaged. The course of use of the drug is not limited.
Mexidol White (toothpaste)
The release form of the drug allows its use in dental practice. The tube contains 65 g of product. Indications for the use of Mexidol White include the presence of plaque and inflammatory gum diseases. Thanks to the components included in the composition, the drug provides gentle cleaning of teeth and prevents the re-formation of plaque. Mexidol White protects teeth from aggressive agents that cause caries. The active ingredient in toothpaste prevents gum bleeding and reduces the severity of inflammatory diseases. Contraindication for use is individual intolerance to the components of the drug.
Tranquilizers for depression and neurosis
Kinds:
- sleeping pills;
- sedatives;
- muscle relaxants.
In the first case, there is a significant reduction in anxiety, the quality of sleep improves and the duration of sleep increases. Doctors do not recommend taking sleeping pills for a long time or independently extending the period of use prescribed by a specialist, since drugs in this group can cause drug dependence. Because of this feature, sleeping pills are popular among pharmacy drug addicts.
Sedatives have a positive effect on the central nervous system; they can be either herbal or synthetic and have a rather mild effect on the central nervous system. They help restore balance between the excitation and inhibition systems, enable a person to react more calmly to stressful situations and eliminate sleep problems.
Muscle relaxants are medications that reduce the tone of the skeletal muscles and reduce motor activity. They block H-cholinergic receptors and stop the supply of impulses to the muscles, due to which they stop contracting.
Tranquilizers are used for depression and panic attacks, sleep problems, as well as for:
- behavioral and mental disorders;
- neuroses;
- psychosis;
- personality disorders;
- causeless fears;
- schizophrenia;
- when relieving abstinence from alcohol and drug addiction;
- eczema;
- anorexia;
- bulimia;
- arrhythmias;
- hypertension.
In some cases, these psychotropic drugs are prescribed to children.
Medicines of this group should not be used by people with alcohol or drug intoxication. Doctors do not recommend medications for the treatment of neuroses and depression and for work involving increased concentration, including for drivers. As with the treatment of depression with antidepressants, to reduce the risk of withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication, it is necessary to reduce the dosage gradually. Your doctor should tell you about this. In addition, a long course of its use is fraught with the development of drug dependence, so the course is divided into short periods. Pregnant and lactating women should not use tranquilizers.
The drugs help cope with stress, make it easier to endure traumatic situations, eliminate fears, phobias, and panic attacks without suppressing cognitive functions. Often tranquilizers help eliminate sleep problems, frequent awakenings, insomnia at night, and drowsiness during the day. In the treatment of psychosis, these medications are used as part of complex therapy that help eliminate the side effects of antipsychotics. But the drugs themselves have various side effects, including muscle weakness, lethargy, decreased concentration and reactions, libido, memory impairment, drop in blood pressure, and nausea.
Tranquilizers are quite dangerous drugs, some of them are classified as pharmaceutical drugs, since if the duration of treatment and dosage are violated, psychophysical dependence can occur. They are also known to be used for recreational purposes. If you notice that your loved one has been taking the same medication for a long time, you should seek help from the Center for Healthy Youth. We work throughout Russia. Application is free and anonymous.
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Interaction
The drug is combined with many drugs used to treat somatic pathologies. Mexidol enhances the effect of antidepressants, anticonvulsants, antiparkinsonian, and benzodiazepine drugs. This allows you to reduce the initial dosage of prescribed medications.
Compatibility of Mexidol and Combilipen
In neurological practice, Mexidol and Combilipen are often prescribed for the treatment of various diseases. The drugs enhance each other’s effects, promoting rapid restoration of affected areas of the nervous system and improving tissue trophism. Combilipen is one of the vitamin-containing medicines. It contains B vitamins. The drug improves nerve conduction and helps normalize blood microcirculation. Vitamins and antioxidants are used to treat strokes, encephalopathies, polyneuropathies and other neurological diseases. The combined use of the drugs Combilipen and Mexidol normalizes emotional states and improves brain activity.
Compatibility of Mildronate and Mexidol
Mildronate has a general tonic effect on the body, eliminates the manifestations of hypoxia and restores damaged cells. The drug increases endurance. Indications for prescribing Mildronate include physical and psycho-emotional stress, the recovery period after surgery, treatment of alcohol dependence, and decreased performance. The simultaneous use of Mildronate and Mexidol is not contraindicated. Medicines are used as part of complex therapy for brain disorders.
Compatibility of Mexidol and Grandaxin
Grandaxin belongs to the group of anxiolytic drugs derived from benzodiazepines. Indicated in the presence of psycho-emotional disorders. For example, neuroses, mental disorders, withdrawal symptoms due to alcohol abuse, depression, menopause. Mexidol enhances the effect of benzodiazepines. Therefore, a dosage adjustment of Grandaxin may be required. This must be taken into account when prescribing these drugs simultaneously.
Compatibility of Mexidol and Eglonil
Eglonil belongs to the group of neuroleptics. Has an antipsychotic effect. The drug blocks dopamine receptors. Indicated in the presence of psychosis and schizophrenia. Taking Mexidol and Eglonil together can enhance the effect of the latter. This may require adjustment of the drug dose.
Mexidol and alcohol
Mexidol is used to treat withdrawal symptoms associated with alcohol abuse. The drug helps normalize brain activity, improve blood circulation, and remove toxins from the body. Indications for the use of Mexidol are alcoholic encephalopathy, polyneuropathy, manifestations of withdrawal syndrome, epileptic seizures due to an overdose of alcoholic beverages, intoxication syndrome. Prescribing the drug to dependent people helps speed up the recovery period. Taking alcohol together with Mexidol leads to the fact that the drug does not have time to restore damaged cells. As a result, the effect of the drug is reduced to zero. Further use of the drug is pointless.
Comparison with other drugs
Analogs of Mexidol in terms of their effect include Mexiprim Astrox, Medomexi, Actovegin, Cerakson, Picamilon, Cavinton.
Mexidol or Mexiprim?
Mexiprim is one of the neuroprotectors. Available in tablet form and also as a solution for injection. The drug helps improve blood microcirculation, has a nootropic effect, and helps increase the body's resistance to psycho-emotional overload. Mexiprim is used to treat convulsive and withdrawal symptoms associated with alcohol abuse. Mexidol is the original drug, Mexiprim is a generic. According to research, Mexidol is absorbed more quickly into the gastrointestinal tract; its shell contains no preservatives or insoluble substances. Among the components of Mexiprim there is a preservative, the presence of which increases the possibility of developing individual intolerance to the drug.
Mexidol or Astrox?
Astrox is a generic version of the drug Mexidol. The drugs have the same active ingredient. Accordingly, the medications have identical effects. The difference between drugs lies in the manufacturing technology, excipients, release form and the quality of the purification of raw materials. These factors affect the bioavailability of the drug. Mexidol has a larger number of release forms. This variety allows you to select the required dosage depending on the disease and severity of the condition. The number of side effects of Astrox is significantly greater than that of Mexidol.
Mexidol or Medomexi?
Mexidol and Medomexi belong to the group of nootropic and antioxidant drugs. The action of the drugs is identical. The composition contains one active ingredient. Medomexi is an analogue of Mexidol. The difference between them lies in the total cost of the drug.
Mexidol or Actovegin?
Actovegin improves microcirculation of blood in the brain, accelerates healing processes, and increases the body's endurance in conditions of oxygen starvation. Actovegin is prescribed for cerebrovascular accidents, polyneuropathy, distal angiopathy due to diabetes mellitus. The drug promotes rapid tissue regeneration in wounds, abrasions and burns. Available in tablet form, as a solution for injection and ointments for external use. The differences between Mexidol and Actovegin lie in their mechanism of action. Unlike Mexidol, Actovegin has regenerating properties. Mexidol has a wider range of indications. Actovegin is approved for use during pregnancy and lactation. Often both drugs are prescribed as part of complex therapy for various diseases.
Mexidol or Ceraxon?
Ceraxon is one of the nootropic drugs. Used to treat acute cerebrovascular accident. The drug allows you to slow down the growth of the lesion for several hours. This time is enough to transport the patient to the hospital. Cerakson is prescribed during the rehabilitation period after a stroke, to normalize the condition after traumatic brain injury. Ceraxon and Mexidol are complementary drugs. They are used as part of complex therapy for brain disorders.
Mexidol or Picamilon?
Picamilon is a nootropic drug. Promotes the expansion of blood vessels in the brain. Indications for the use of the drug are cerebrovascular accident, withdrawal syndrome, encephalopathy of various origins, increased anxiety and irritability, severe migraine-type headaches. Unlike Mexidol, Picamilon is approved for use in school-age children. The medicine is used to increase brain activity.
Mexidol and Picamilon are complementary medicines. Their combined use improves the prognosis and speeds up the recovery period.
Mexidol or Cavinton?
Cavinton has antioxidant and antihypoxic effects and reduces the possibility of blood clots. Indicated as part of complex therapy for cerebrovascular accidents, encephalopathy of various origins, increased blood pressure, and pathology of the vestibular apparatus. The simultaneous use of Mexidol and Cavinton is not contraindicated. Medicines are considered complementary, but they should be taken at different times of the day.
Features of prescribing drugs to calm nerves and against depression
Medicines for depression and anxiety have a pronounced effect; these are potent drugs that have a number of contraindications and side effects if the doctor’s prescription and instructions for use are not followed.
This is why you cannot buy medications for depression without prescriptions in our country. It is impossible to either prescribe or stop taking anti-depression medications on your own; this can affect mental health and lead to the development of depressive conditions and even suicidal thoughts. Therefore, it is very important to follow all the doctor’s recommendations, take medications for depression and stress in the dosage in which the doctor prescribed them. Even if a person’s mood improves after a week and the main symptoms disappear, they cannot stop taking the medicine.
The drug method is quite effective for anxiety-depressive disorders and neurotic conditions. It is important that the diagnosis of depression be made by a specialist, since taking medications simply to lift your mood in the absence of mental abnormalities can only cause a number of side effects. Antidepressants, antipsychotics and tranquilizers are potent drugs that are prescribed only with a doctor-confirmed diagnosis. Self-medication is unacceptable. Next, we will consider the main medications for stress and depression that are prescribed to patients.
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