At what dose is the drug "Relaxon" prescribed? Instructions for using the medication will be discussed below. You will also learn about whether this medicine has analogues, how much it costs, in what cases it is not prescribed, etc.
Form, description, composition and packaging
Relaxon is available in the form of round biconvex white film-coated tablets. The active substance of this medicine is zopiclone. The composition of the drug also includes the following excipients: methylhydroxypropylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, lactose, potato starch, colloidal silicon dioxide, talc, sodium carboxymethyl starch, povidone, macrogol, magnesium stearate and titanium dioxide.
In what package do Relaxon tablets go on sale? Instructions for use are enclosed in a cardboard box, where the contour cells with the drug are placed.
Pharmacodynamic characteristics
How does the drug "Relaxon" work? Instructions for use informs that this is a sleeping pill belonging to the groupcyclopyrrolone. Structurally, it differs from barbiturates and benzodiazepine hypnotics. This drug is a benzodiazepine receptor agonist. Interacting with them, it does not bind with peripheral receptors.
Product properties
What are the properties of the drug "Relaxon"? Reviews of experts report that this remedy is able to have a sedative, moderate anticonvulsant hypnotic, muscle relaxant and tranquilizing effects. All of them are associated with the action of the GABA macromolecular complex receptors.
After taking the pill, the inhibitory effect of GABA is enhanced, and interneuronal transmission to the central nervous system is also suppressed.
Sleeping pills "Relaxon" noticeably shortens the time to fall asleep, reduces the number of awakenings at night and improves the quality of sleep. Also, this drug increases the duration of sleep and practically does not cause post-somnia effects such as drowsiness and weakness in the morning.
There is no addiction to the action of the drug. Therefore, it can be taken intermittently up to 17 weeks.
Drug pharmacokinetics
The drug "Relaxon", the price of which is indicated below, is absorbed quite quickly and is observed in the blood after 2 hours. Eating does not affect the absorption of the drug. It is 45% bound to blood proteins.
Even after several doses of tablets, the accumulation of their active substance, as well as metabolites, is not observed.
The half-life of zopiclone and the mainmetabolites is 7.5 and 4.5 hours, and unchanged zopiclone is 5.5 hours. Approximately 80% of the drug is excreted in the urine, and 17-20% in the feces.
In the elderly, the metabolism of the drug in the liver is somewhat reduced. At the same time, its half-life is extended to 7 hours. As for the accumulation of the active substance, it is not detected with repeated intake of tablets.
Indications for use
What to do with insomnia? Doctors recommend taking Relaxon. This drug is indicated for the treatment of chronic, situational and transient insomnia in adults. It is also actively used by those who have difficulty falling asleep, early and nocturnal awakenings.
Contraindications for use
Relaxon tablets are not recommended in the following cases:
- with increased sensitivity to the main substance of the drug;
- for severe myasthenia gravis;
- during pregnancy;
- for sleep apnea;
- for respiratory failure;
- for severe liver failure;
- under the age of 18.
Preparation "Relaxon": instructions for use
Before taking sleeping pills, it is recommended to consult a doctor. You should also read the included instructions.
Tablets "Relaxon" (international name - "Zopiklon") are taken orally, shortly before the onset of sleep. For adults, this drug is prescribed at a dose of 7.5 mg. Maximumthe amount of sleeping pills is 15 mg.
The total duration of the tablets should not exceed one month. In each individual case, the duration of therapy is determined individually, depending on the patient's condition and the form of insomnia.
It is advisable to take the drug for transient insomnia for about 3-5 days, and for situational insomnia - 2.5-3 weeks. The duration of the course therapy for chronic insomnia should be determined only by a doctor.
Elderly people with chronic pulmonary insufficiency, as well as with impaired liver function, are prescribed 3.75 mg of the drug. If necessary, the indicated dosage can be increased to 7.5 mg.
Treatment of insomnia in patients with renal insufficiency also starts with ½ tablet, i.e. 3.75mg.
Overdose cases
High doses of sleeping pills cause CNS depression of varying severity (from severe drowsiness to coma).
Overdose therapy begins with gastric lavage. Next, the patient is prescribed sorbents.
Symptomatic treatment and control of vital body functions are also carried out. Flumazenil is used as an antidote.
Side effects
What side effects does Relaxon cause? Reviews of experienced professionals report that this medication can contribute to the development of the following phenomena:
- nausea, dryness and bitterness in the mouth;
- dizziness, headache, slight sleepiness in the morning;
- nightmares, aggressiveness, irritability, hallucinations, worsening mood and depression, and the development of amnesia (very rare);
- itching, rash, anaphylactic reactions (very rare);
- increased liver transaminases and alkaline phosphatase.
It should also be noted that in rare cases, the drug causes a "withdrawal" syndrome and, as a result, rebound insomnia.
Drug Interactions
Now you know what to do with insomnia. Taking the drug "Relaxon" should be extremely careful, especially when using other medicines at the same time.
According to the attached instructions, an increase in the inhibitory effect on the central nervous system of this drug occurs when combined with antidepressants, antipsychotics, anesthetics, tranquilizers, sedatives and hypnotics, as well as Erythromycin, antiepileptic and antihistamine drugs, narcotic analgesics.
It is highly recommended not to consume alcoholic beverages and alcohol-containing medicines at the same time as Relaxon. This is because the combination may increase its sedative effect.
Taking sleeping pills significantly reduces the concentration of perfonal or trimipramine in the blood. This fact must be taken into account when they are administered simultaneously.
Special recommendations for sleeping pills
What you need to know before taking the drug "Relaxon" (analogues of this remedy are listed below)?
People withnight attacks of bronchial asthma in combination with methylxanthine drugs, sleeping pills reduce the number of attacks in the early morning hours, as well as reduce their intensity and duration.
When prescribing "Relaxon", the possibility of developing addiction should not be completely ruled out. The risk of dependence on the drug occurs in the following cases:
- in violation of the duration of treatment and dosages;
- when abuse of alcohol or other drugs;
- when combined with alcohol or other psychotropic drugs.
To avoid "withdrawal" syndrome, you should stop taking the drug gradually, reducing the dosage to a minimum.
When taking sleeping pills, the patient may experience anterograde amnesia. As a rule, it manifests itself when sleep is interrupted, and also after a long period of time between taking the medicine and going to bed.
To reduce such risks it is necessary:
- get at least 6 hours of sleep;
- take your medicine just before bed.
This medication is not indicated for the treatment of depression. It can mask her symptoms.
An effective and safe dose of Relaxon in children and adolescents under 18 years of age has not been established by specialists. Therefore, taking the drug at this age is prohibited.
Due to the pharmacological properties of the hypnotic, it may adversely affect the patient's ability to managevehicles, as well as engage in hazardous activities that require increased attention and quick response. In this regard, during the period of treatment with this drug, you should be extremely careful.
Sleeping pills "Relaxon": price and analogues
What can replace the drug "Relaxon"? This drug has many analogues. The following medicines are the most effective: Milovan, Imovan, Torson, Somnol, Slipwell, Zolinox, Piklodorm, Zopiclone.
All of the listed drugs, including "Relaxon", are dispensed in pharmacies only by prescription. As for the price, the funds in question are not very high. 20 sleeping pills (7.5 mg each) can be purchased for 120-160 rubles.
Sleeping pill reviews
According to experts, the drug "Relaxon" is a sleeping pill of the third generation. By the way, they also include Zaleplon with Zolpidem. These medicines are highly effective and completely safe.
Patients report that after taking sleeping pills they have a marked improvement in the quality of sleep. At the same time, REM sleep, necessary for restoring the psycho-emotional state, was completely preserved.
The medication in question also has a good effect on the slow-wave sleep phase, which is extremely important for the physical recovery of the human body.
According to experts, this drug helps to normalize the structure of sleep in all types of disorders. At the same time, hehas the least chance of becoming addictive.
Patient reviews indicate that Relaxon sleeping pills are fairly well tolerated, without any effect on a person's daytime activity. However, doctors do not recommend taking this medication on your own. The patient should definitely consult a doctor and follow all the dosages recommended by him.
