Vegetative-vascular dystonia is a polysymptomatic complex consisting of various groups of manifestations. Not the least role in this is given to psycho-emotional imbalance, which can lead to functional failures of many organs. Afobazole for VSD helps to cope with these kinds of symptoms: it eliminates anxiety and feelings of restlessness, and harmonizes the state of the nervous system. With the help of Afobazole, you will significantly ease the course of the disease and be able to avoid its crises.
More about vegetative-vascular dystonia
This is a syndrome accompanied by disruption of the autonomic nervous system and functional failures of many organs. Vegetative-vascular dystonia is not a separate disease, but is considered a complex of symptoms of various etiologies.
A similar condition was first described in 1918 in America by the doctor B. Oppenheimer, who called it “neurocirculatory asthenia.” In Soviet times, the syndrome was called vegetative-vascular dystonia.
In the modern world, its manifestations are united under the name “neurocirculatory dystonia”. According to the ICD-10 classification, this is expressed by the concept of “somatoform dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system.”
Symptoms of this condition are quite varied:
- pain in the heart area, palpitations;
- breathing disorders in the form of shortness of breath or suffocation, lack of air;
- constant headaches, dizziness;
- poor sleep;
- pain in joints, muscles;
- fatigue, weakness, malaise, loss of consciousness;
- convulsive twitching of arms and legs, tremors;
- violation of thermoregulation;
- low-grade fever up to 37°;
- increased sweating, sensations of heat, dry mouth.
Of course, such manifestations of VSD can have real causes: chronic infections, intoxication, hypoxia, prenatal and postnatal lesions, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine with impaired blood supply to the brain.
But most often such symptoms become a manifestation of neuropsychic disorders: hysteria, suspiciousness, increased impressionability, nervous exhaustion.
This is also facilitated by various kinds of events that cause emotional stress and throw the nervous system out of balance. In this case, a number of symptoms are joined by others that indicate mental imbalance:
- sense of anxiety;
- obsessive thoughts and phobias;
- fear of death;
- feeling like you're going crazy;
- disbelief in the reality of what is happening.
Rather, it is nervous disorders that cause painful and unpleasant sensations in other organs. This fact is confirmed by the fact that during the examination, organic disorders in the declared organ are not recorded.
In situations where nervous tension goes beyond acceptable limits and mental state is disturbed, Afobazol will help. The drug is an anxiolytic, that is, it has
ability to eliminate anxiety. Along with it, irritability, excessive concern and groundless fears go away.
Relieving nervous tension, the drug helps to relax, reduce anxiety and improve sleep, and eliminates obsessive fears. With the normalization of the nervous system, symptoms of dysfunction of internal organs disappear. In addition, cognitive functions improve: memory and concentration.
Reviews from people after use
Patients talk about the results of treatment with Afobazol:
Egor, 38 years old:
I recently became acquainted with Afobazol after visiting a neurologist. Regular stress at work led to insomnia, for which the specialist recommended Afobazol. Before starting therapy, I carefully studied what the drug helps with. One of the areas of action of the tablets is the normalization of sleep-wake patterns. 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:
After the birth of my child, I began to experience a postpartum crisis. When I realized that I couldn’t cope on my own, I turned to a neurologist. The doctor said that it is advisable to wait until the end of the lactation period and then begin therapy. 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.
How does Afobazol work?
The drug is classified as a tranquilizer, but it should be noted that it stands out compared to its other counterparts.
Most members of this group act on benzodiazepine receptors. In this regard, there are some side effects of such drugs, such as: drowsiness, muscle atony, decreased concentration. Cases of addiction and withdrawal syndrome are common. But Afobazol acts very gently, bypassing all of the above complications. It has no effect on benzodiazepine receptors, acting directly on GABA-sensitive neurons and increasing their sensitivity.
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) suppresses increased nervous excitability of the brain. This is the leading neurotransmitter that is responsible for inhibition processes in the central nervous system. It inhibits the action of acetylcholine and adrenaline, which cause emotional outbursts and pain. But at the same time, GABA activates the energy potential of brain tissue, stimulates blood circulation in it and the absorption of glucose and oxygen by cells, that is, it improves trophism or nutrition of the brain.
Afobazole reduces the activity of subcortical centers, such as the thalamus or hypothalamus, which are responsible for human emotions.
By taking Afobazole, you will protect your nervous system without falling into a stupor.
Instructions for use
How to take Afobazol tablets for adults:
- The drug is intended for oral administration.
- Doctors recommend taking tablets not on an empty stomach, but after meals. This will reduce the negative effects of medicinal components on the stomach.
- Do not chew or dissolve the tablet. Drink with a small amount of water.
- A single dosage should not exceed 10 mg.
- The optimal daily dose is 30 mg, divided into several doses.
Children/adolescents over the age of eighteen are not recommended to exceed the daily dose above 20 mg.
To achieve a positive therapeutic effect, it is necessary to follow a treatment course lasting 2-3 weeks.
For patients with severe forms of psycho-emotional disorders, the daily dosage can be increased to 60 mg, and the therapeutic course extended to 3 months.
Sphere of influence
The drug has a milder and more restrained effect than other tranquilizers. And the question of whether Afobazol will help with severe mental disorders remains open. But he is able to cope with nervous overstrain during VSD.
In addition, experts recommend taking Afobazol for:
- neurasthenia;
- anxiety disorders;
- with psychosomatics;
- alcohol and tobacco withdrawal;
- premenstrual syndrome.
Sometimes people cannot even explain what triggered the emergence of such feelings. However, at the physiological level, this is explained quite simply: a surge of adrenaline entails a sharp stimulation of nervous processes and the functioning of internal organs, and since its action is systemic, the entire body is involved.
PA is mainly mental in nature. It can be caused by stress, nervous overload, emotional tension, as well as hormonal imbalances, alcohol abuse and smoking.
But it should be noted that VSD and panic attack go hand in hand. And often the latter is a manifestation of neurocirculatory dystonia during its exacerbation.
The role of Afobazole during a panic attack is to suppress the release of adrenaline and maintain it at the proper level.
Price in pharmacies
How much Afobazol costs in a pharmacy depends on the region of sale.
In Moscow and the Moscow region, you can buy the medicine for an average of 360-420 rubles (60 tablets).
In St. Petersburg, a package of tablets will cost approximately 370 rubles .
It is sold without a prescription from a neurologist, but this is not the reason for the use of Afobazole in self-medication; therapy should be prescribed by a specialist.
Analogs are cheaper
The most popular analogs and substitutes for Afobazole:
- Tenoten. Has a homeopathic composition. The advantage of Tenoten over the original is the form of the drug not only for adults, but also for children from the age of three. Prescribed in the treatment of neurotic disorders, anxiety, insomnia against the background of psycho-emotional disorders.
The average cost for 40 tablets (for pediatric and adult forms of the drug) is 240 rubles.
- Adaptol. Latvian anxiolytic used for neuroses, unreasonable feelings of fear, irritability, emotional instability. Can be prescribed during pregnancy and lactation (at the discretion of the attending physician).
One of the few analogues that costs more than the original. 20 tablets can be bought for about 720 rubles. In addition, Adaptol is released strictly according to a prescription from a neurologist.
- Persen. The drug Persen is based on natural ingredients, which is its main advantage over the original. It can be prescribed in the treatment of anxiety, neuroses, and insomnia not only for adults, but also for children from the age of twelve.
20 tablets of a sedative can be purchased for an average of 270 rubles.
- Phenibut. The drug Phenibut is the most inexpensive analogue; 20 tablets can be purchased for about 120 rubles. It is used in the treatment of severe mental pathologies and is dispensed strictly with a prescription from a neurologist. It has many severe adverse reactions, so the therapeutic course must be accompanied by constant medical supervision.
- Novopassit. The drug Novopassit is another analogue based on natural ingredients. It is a mild sedative and is used for insomnia, stress, increased fatigue, and nervousness.
If we compare Afobazol and Novopassit , which is better, patients prefer the original. Novopassit is classified as a lighter sedative that is unable to cope with moderate psycho-emotional disorders.
The approximate cost for 10 tablets is 230 rubles. The method of use of the presented analogues and substitutes is selected by the attending physician for each patient individually.
Afobazole is a high-quality, modern anxiolytic used in the treatment of psycho-emotional disorders of mild to moderate severity.
Despite the fact that it is sold over-the-counter, it is strongly not recommended to use it for self-medication.
Reviews from doctors
Reviews from neurologists about the effect of the drug:
Kostenko B.A.:
Afobazole is a new generation selective anxiolytic used for mental disorders of mild to moderate severity. Requires strict adherence to dosage, depending on the patient’s diagnosis. It is strictly unacceptable to use the medicine for self-medication; how to take Afobazole should be determined by the attending physician depending on the patient’s condition.
Anisimova G.P.:
Therapy with Afobazol gives positive results in the treatment of 96% of patients. For severe forms of the disease, I prescribe complex therapy in combination with other antipsychotics. The advantages of the drug include good tolerability by patients and a minimal number of adverse reactions, which occur in no more than 20% of patients.
Neurologists speak positively about the effect of the drug, so they trust it with the health of their patients.
