Due to the high pace of life, the tension of the nervous system associated with it also increases. Amitriptyline, analogues of this drug help to better tolerate stress and not stay in this state for too long. If it is difficult to get a prescription for a medicine, there are available over-the-counter drugs with a similar effect on the body.
Material Content:
Forms of release, composition (active substance)
Amitriptyline is available in the form of an embonate or panamine hydrochloride. It belongs to the group of tricyclic compounds and has antidepressant activity. This is a white crystalline type powder. It has no characteristic odor and is highly soluble in ethanol, water and chloroform.
Amitriptyline tablets are released at 25 mg and 10 mg, which corresponds to the amount of active substance in 1 tablet. To maintain form, talc, cellulose, magnesium stearate, lactose in the form of monohydrate, silicon dioxide and starch are added to the preparation. For faster exposure, there are injections of amitriptyline. The solution for injection additionally includes dextrose monohydrate, sodium salt of hydrochloric acid, purified water, benzetonium and sodium chloride.
The medicine has several therapeutic effects. These include antidepressant, timoleptic, anxiolytic and sedative (sedative) actions. They are achieved by blocking the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, which act as neurotransmitters. As a result, they accumulate and the effect on the nervous system increases.To enhance the effect, the drug inactivates histamine and m-cholinergic receptors, thereby improving brain function.
Indications for use
Since the drug has a sedative and antidepressant effect, indications for the use of amitriptyline relate to disorders of the central nervous system.
These include:
- episode of depression;
- schizophrenia;
- bulimia of nervous origin;
- unspecified inorganic psychosis;
- recurrent depressive disorder;
- behavioral disorders;
- personality disorder against the background of emotional instability;
- migraine;
- enuresis of inorganic origin;
- Anxiety Disorders
- non-stopping prolonged pain.
In some cases, amitriptyline can be used as a prophylactic for migraines. The drug is dispensed strictly according to a doctor’s prescription, so it is impossible to start taking it yourself. This is due to possible side effects and a high level of drug activity.
Modern Russian analogues
The medicine is presented on the Russian market by various manufacturers. Modern analogues of Amitriptyline produced in our country include Amitriptyline hydrochloride. It is available in the form of tablets and ampoules with a solution for injection. The appropriate form of the drug and the method of its administration are determined by the doctor.
The medicine is dispensed strictly according to the prescription. Its price is lower than that of the original drug due to the absence of customs duties, high costs for logistics and a simplified packaging design. But the final formula and degree of bioavailability may differ due to differences in production and additional substances in the composition. This must be considered when choosing a dosage.
Foreign drug substitutes
Amitriptyline tablets have a similar effect with some foreign counterparts. They contain other active substances, but the end result of the treatment will be approximately the same.
These drugs include:
- Lyudiomil (Switzerland);
- Doxepin (Poland);
- Saroten (Denmark);
- Melipramine (Hungary);
- Ladisan (Croatia);
- Anafranil (Switzerland);
- Auroriks (Germany).
Each of them has a unique composition and therapeutic properties. Lyudiomil contains maprotiline hydrochloride as an active ingredient. It acts only as an antidepressant, that is, it does not have such a wide range of uses as amitriptyline. Therefore, indications for its use are very limited. The advantage of the drug is the possibility of using it in elderly patients without the development of side effects.
The drug Doxepin, produced in Poland, is similar in its characteristics to Amitriptyline. The active substance is propanamine hydrochloride, according to the effects it relates to antidepressants, antiulcer, sedatives (sedatives) and anxiolytic agents. The range of its application includes inorganic psychotic pathologies of various types, episodes of depression, alcohol dependence, duodenal ulcer, agoraphobia, intolerable itching, panic attacks, PMS and some personality disorders.
The medicine Saroten is a complete analogue of amitriptyline. It contains the same active substance and has the same effect. But the effectiveness of the drugs may vary due to the nature of production, the quality of the raw materials used and additional components.
Hungarian Melipramine contains imipramine in the form of hydrochloride as an active substance. It acts as an antidepressant and is used for recurrent depressive disorder, panic attacks, increased anxiety, affective disorder of the bipolar spectrum, and unspecified enuresis. The spectrum of action of this drug is much narrower than that of Amitriptyline, so it can not be called a complete analogue.
Ladisan from Croatia has maprotiline hydrochloride, which has a pronounced antidepressant effect. In structure and function, it is similar to Amitriptyline, therefore, it can be chosen as an alternative treatment option.The drug is dispensed from pharmacies only if there is a prescription, so it will not work to replace one medicine with another. This can only be done by a doctor.
Anafranil, produced in Switzerland, contains clomipramine hydrochloride as the active ingredient. It has an antidepressant effect, but has a limited range of indications. It differs from other analogues in the possibility of prescribing for long-term pain.
The German Aurorix contains moclobemide, which differs in type of exposure from amitriptyline. It is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAO) that inhibits the metabolic activity of neurotransmitters. Due to this, the patient notes an improvement in well-being and mood. Drugs in this group belong to the new generation of drugs, as they act more carefully and have fewer side effects.
OTC Generic Amitriptyline
All drugs that have a pronounced antidepressant effect, are issued in the pharmacy only upon presentation of the prescription. But in some cases it is not possible to get it. In this situation, analogues come to the rescue.
Novo-Passit refers to herbal preparations. It has a pronounced sedative effect and helps to survive temporary difficulties with the least worries. The medicine is sold without a prescription, but it is better to consult a specialist before use. The drug has side effects in the form of dispersal of attention, a decrease in the reaction rate and drowsiness. Therefore, individuals in some professions should avoid it.
As a sedative, you can use alcohol tinctures of valerian root and motherwort. For reception, it is better to choose the evening time, since the drugs cause drowsiness and weakness. However, the quality of sleep with such treatment becomes several times better, and in the morning a person feels rested and full of energy.
No side effects
Afobazole is available without a prescription and is an anxiolytic. It acts on the receptors for benzodiazepine and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Thus, the patient decreases anxiety, tension and irritability. The drug helps with sleep disorders and episodes of depression. It belongs to a new generation of drugs, therefore it is practically devoid of side effects and does not cause dependence.
Important! Against the background of intake, muscle weakness does not develop, attention is not scattered, therefore it is safe for people of any profession.
The drug Encephabol can be used for disorders of the depressive spectrum, as well as for neurosis. The remedy is especially effective in the presence of pain in the head, difficulty in remembering and lack of concentration. The medicine is suitable for older people and has virtually no contraindications. Side effects were not observed during drug therapy.
Instructions for the use of antidepressant
Amitriptyline is available in the form of tablets and injection. The instructions for the use of the drug in injections contain instructions that the speed of receipt of the drug should be extremely low. A solution with a dosage of 20 to 40 mg is injected through a vein or into the muscle. Injections are given 4 times a day, gradually transferring the patient to a tablet form. Parenteral treatment is carried out only in medical institutions with mandatory bed rest for the first few procedures.
Amitriptyline tablets are best taken after meals. At the beginning of therapy, 25 to 50 mg of the drug is prescribed at bedtime. Then the dosage is gradually raised to 200 mg in 3 doses. Such a scheme is followed for 14 days. In the absence of positive dynamics, the amount of the drug is adjusted to 300 mg. The course of therapy should not last more than 8 months. If the indication for the appointment was prolonged pain, the dose of the drug is from 12.5 to 100 mg per day once.
Modern drugs for depressive disorders and neurosis make it easier to survive a difficult time and get out of it with the least loss to health.Their appointment is carried out only by a doctor, since most of them can be purchased with a prescription. Timely treatment started is the key to a successful recovery, therefore, at the first signs of problems with the psycho-emotional state, you should consult a specialist.
