This cardiac drug is very popular in Russian-speaking countries, mainly due to its affordable price. "Betalok ZOK", reviews of cardiologists, which we will discuss in our article, is actively prescribed for a whole range of cardiovascular diseases. But, despite the widespread use of this drug, like any medicine, Betaloc ZOK has a number of contraindications and side effects. In order not to harm your he alth, before you start using these pills, you should carefully study the instructions for their use.
General description of the drug
"Betaloc ZOK", the price of which differs depending on the dosage and the number of tablets in the package, is classified as one of the types of cardioselective beta-blockers. Externally, these tablets are enteric-coated. "Betalok ZOK", reviews of cardiologists, the action of which is mainlypositive, is a drug of prolonged action. Due to its shell, the drug has a delayed release. However, it does not have sympathomimetic intrinsic activity.
The main active ingredient of the drug is metoprolol - a substance that has the following effect on the body:
- antihypertensive;
- antianginal;
- antiarrhythmic.
Also, this drug effectively reduces the excitability of the myocardium, lowering its oxygen demand.
Betaloc ZOK drug: instructions, reviews
Regarding how to take Betaloc ZOK, the official instructions for the drug indicate the following recommendations: the medicine should be swallowed whole, without chewing, with plenty of water.
Also, the instructions indicate that the medicine can be drunk both after meals and on an empty stomach. The time of administration does not affect the effectiveness of the drug.
Regarding the dosage, it must be agreed with the attending cardiologist without fail.
In the official instructions for the drug, the principle of its action is described as follows: after taking the pill, small doses of beta 1-adrenergic receptors of the heart are blocked in the body. Due to this, the heart rate is reduced, myocardial contractility decreases. As a result, myocardial oxygen demand decreases. As a result of this action, in those taking the drug, there is a decrease in tachycardia, physical performance and overall endurance increase, seizures decreaseangina. Also, after taking the medicine, there is a decrease in blood pressure both in a state of stress and during physical exertion, and in a state of complete rest.
The claimed action is confirmed by the reviews of people who take this drug. Almost everyone notes an improvement in overall well-being and increased efficiency. At the same time, in many reviews there is information that with a sharp refusal of the drug, well-being, on the contrary, can suddenly and significantly worsen. For this reason, people who have taken Betaloc ZOK are advised to stop taking it gradually, reducing the dosage daily.
Indications for use
Based on the considered effect of the drug on the body, it is prescribed by cardiologists for admission with the following pathologies of the heart rhythm:
- sinus and supraventricular tachycardia;
- supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias;
- tachyarrhythmia fibrillation;
- ventricular extrasystole;
- atrial flutter;
- arrhythmia caused by mitral valve prolapse.
In addition to heart rhythm disturbances, the drug "Betaloc ZOK", reviews of cardiologists about which do not cause concern regarding its effect on the body, can be prescribed for admission in the presence of such problems and diseases as:
- unstable angina;
- hypertensive crisis;
- angina pectoris;
- ischemic heart disease;
- acute phase in myocardial infarction;
- arterial hypertension;
- chronic heart failure;
- functional disorders in the CCC;
- senile or essential tremor;
- with complex therapy of thyrotoxicosis;
- panic attacks.
Medication "Betaloc ZOK" can be used during complex therapy for unreasonable anxiety, in cases of akathisia on the background of taking antipsychotics. The drug can be prescribed to relieve migraine, as well as to reduce the manifestations of symptoms during the onset of withdrawal symptoms.
Issue form
"Betaloc ZOK", reviews of cardiologists on the action of which confirm its effectiveness, is available in the form of white biconvex tablets. They have an oval shape and can be engraved or notched. The drug is available in various dosages: there is "Betaloc ZOK" 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg. Depending on the manufacturer, the tablets may be sold to the end user both in cartons and in plastic bottles.
If a doctor prescribed a dosage of 25 mg for patients, if it is not available, you can safely buy Betaloc ZOK 50 mg or 100 mg. These tablets can be divided in half. In this case, the prolonged effect of the drug is fully preserved. But at the same time, it is strongly not recommended to crush or chew them.
Average drug cost
Betaloc ZOK, the price of which depends onthe number of tablets in the package and from the margin of the final seller, costs an average of 130 to 460 rubles. The cheapest are 25 mg tablets, which are packaged in 14 pcs. in a pack. Their price is about 130-150 rubles.
The most expensive is "Betaloc ZOK" with a dosage of 100 mg, which is packaged in 30 pcs. into bottles. It costs about 420–480 rubles.
How the drug works
This medicine after taking continues its therapeutic effect on the body for 24 hours. Once in the liver, the substance undergoes oxidative metabolism. The lion's share (95%) of the drug taken is excreted from the body as a metabolic product. The remaining 5% is excreted with urine.
Known contraindications for use
Like any drug, this drug has a number of contraindications. Doctors do not recommend its use if the patient has a history of the following diseases:
- decompensated form of chronic heart failure;
- state of cardiogenic shock;
- sinus bradycardia;
- arterial hypotension;
- acute heart failure.
Take this drug under the supervision of a doctor is for people prone to allergies and hypersensitivity to metoprolol. Also, cardiologists advise caution in taking this medicine for people with problems such as:
- obstructive bronchitis;
- emphysema;
- bronchialasthma;
- metabolic acidosis;
- diabetes mellitus;
- kidney disease;
- psoriasis;
- liver failure;
- impaired peripheral circulation.
Women should not be prescribed this drug during pregnancy because it can cause a decrease in the heart rate of the fetus. It is also undesirable to take this drug during lactation.
Possible side effects
Before using this medicine, you should carefully study the information about all possible side effects, using the official instructions in the package. Since the drug directly affects the heart rate, in a short time it can significantly reduce the pulse and lower blood pressure, the side effects of taking it should be taken seriously.
"Betaloc ZOK" can affect various organs and systems of the body, for example:
- sense organs may cause blurred vision, dry eyes, tinnitus;
- possible such disorders in the work of the central nervous system as delayed motor and mental reactions, headaches;
- when prescribing large doses of the drug, respiratory function disorders may occur - bronchospasm, shortness of breath, nasal congestion;
- from the side of dermatology, various rashes, pruritus, urticaria, photodermatosis, psoriasis-like reactions are possible.
If any changes in well-being occur or if symptoms similar to those described above occur,cardiologists advise to inform your attending physician.
Interaction with other drugs
Also, the doctor who prescribes Betaloc ZOK should be informed about all the drugs that the patient is using at the time of the appointment. There are substances, the intake of which is categorically contraindicated when using Betaloc ZOK. When taking it, it is strictly forbidden to administer Verapamil injections to a person. When using Betaloc ZOK, it is very careful to prescribe drugs similar to Reserpine (which, by their action, reduce catecholamine reserves). Such a simultaneous appointment can provoke an attack of bradycardia and a rapid drop in blood pressure in a patient.
Reviews of doctors about this drug
In numerous forums, cardiologists speak quite well about this drug. They attribute the ability of the drug to effectively reduce pressure to one of its main advantages. Since this medication has a much lower cost than its counterparts, for many hypertensive patients such a medicine really becomes a panacea.
This drug deserves good reviews from doctors because, according to the results of many studies, its main component, metaprolol, has the ability to prolong life. Despite the fact that cardiologists, this drug is in a fairly good account, there is a certain category of people who, while taking these pills, are advised by doctors to take additional safety measures. These recommendations include:
- Regular testing of blood glucose levels in people with diabetes. It is necessary to take into account the fact that, being a beta-blocker, Betaloc ZOK can mask tachycardia, which occurs due to hypoglycemia. At the beginning of taking the pills, every patient is recommended by cardiologists to measure blood pressure daily and monitor the pulse. In cases where the heart rate is less than 50 beats per minute while taking Betaloc ZOK, cardiologists strongly recommend that you seek medical advice.
- For elderly patients who take this medicine, doctors recommend that they monitor kidney function at least once every 6 months.
Existing analogues: what is better "Betaloc" or "Betaloc ZOK"?
Substitutes for this drug can be considered drugs, the main active ingredient of which is metoprolol and which is designed to reduce heart rate, as well as lower blood pressure.
Among the most popular drug analogues are:
- Corvitol.
- Metazok.
- "Vasocardin".
- Metocard.
- Egilok.
- Lidalok.
- Metolol.
- Methohexal.
Many are misled by the name of another drug - Betaloc, and it becomes unclear how it differs from Betaloc ZOK. In fact, this is the same medicine, which is based on the same substance - metoprolol. Differenceconsists only in the fact that "Betaloc ZOK" is available in tablet form, and "Betaloc" in the form of a solution for injections. Intravenous injections of Betaloc are indicated in the following cases:
- when a patient has tachyarrhythmia or a severe pain syndrome due to myocardial infarction;
- there are signs of myocardial ischemia;
- diagnosed with supraventricular tachyarrhythmia.
Choosing which is better, "Betaloc" or "Betaloc ZOK", for use at home, preference should be given to the tablet version.
Injections are much faster absorbed into the blood than drugs taken in the form of tablets, and this is due to their faster effect on the body. For this reason, even if a cardiologist has been appointed to receive Betaloc ZOK, it is impossible to change it to Betaloc injections on your own in any case. This drug can be administered parenterally only in the presence of specially trained medical personnel who, in the event of complications or adverse reactions, will be able to carry out the necessary resuscitation measures.
