Stimuloton is a drug belonging to the group of antidepressants that affect serotonin metabolism. It selectively acts on the structures of the central nervous system, primarily those responsible for the emotional sphere of human activity. This medication is used to treat several mental disorders.
Compound
The main active ingredient of the drug is sertraline. The dosage indicated on the package corresponds to the concentration of sertraline in each tablet. In addition to the active ingredient, each tablet contains a number of auxiliary components.
Excipients include cellulose and its compounds, magnesium, sodium and calcium compounds. The tablet shell is formed by macrogol, hypromellose and titanium compounds. All excipients have a very low concentration and have no effect on the body.
Indications for use
Most often, the drug "Stimuloton" is used to combat depression. The remedy works well in a variety of forms of pathological conditions. It can be used as a prophylactic agent, the basis for the treatment of recurring attacks.
The medicine relieves not only the main clinical signs of disorders, but also the anxiety, irritability, and aggressiveness that accompany them.
Also, Stimuloton tablets are prescribed for the following diagnoses:
- social phobia, problems with adaptation;
- panic attacks combined with and without phobias;
- anxiety;
- neuroses and obsessive states;
- severe stress after suffering psycho-emotional trauma.
Stimuloton tablets are also prescribed for anxiety conditions.
Any manipulations involving the use of medication must be agreed with a doctor. Self-administration of the composition can lead to negative consequences for the body, even if all instructions are followed.
Pharmacological group
The active substance of Stimuloton, sertraline, is one of the psychotropic drugs of the antidepressant group. Antidepressants are a large and fairly diverse group of medications that can influence the emotional sphere of the psyche, primarily improve mood.
Stimuloton is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). In the SSRI subgroup, there are many different drugs that share pharmacological properties.
Stimuloton differs from them in its high selectivity for serotonin and the absence of a significant effect on other brain monoamines.
This fact determines the fewer number of contraindications and the difference in side effects between Stimuloton and other SSRIs.
Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics
The medicinal effect of the Stimuloton product is due to the ability of its active component to selectively block the reuptake of serotonin. The substance has the same effect, but in a weaker form, on other neurotransmitters - dopamine and norepinephrine. In medicinal volumes, the antidepressant inhibits the uptake of serotonin by platelets in the blood plasma. The result of these processes is an increase in the volume of the neurotransmitter in the brain, and its deficiency is considered the main cause of depression.
The result of using the drug is an increase in the volume of the neurotransmitter in the brain, and its deficiency is considered the main cause of depression.
Taking the tablet orally leads to slow but almost complete absorption of the active substance into the blood. The maximum concentration of the composition in plasma is observed after 4.5-8.5 hours. Eating food accelerates the onset of this effect and increases the bioavailability of the composition by a quarter. During the first passage through the liver, the main metabolite of the drug is formed, which is less active than sertraline. The half-life of the drug is within 22-36 hours, and its metabolite is 62-104 hours, regardless of the patient’s age. The components of the drug are released in equal quantities through the intestines and kidneys.
Pharmacological properties
Stimuloton is a highly selective serotonin uptake inhibitor. The medication does not allow molecules of the mediator serotonin to enter cells from the intercellular spaces. This increases the concentration of serotonin between neurons and its effect on the nervous system.
Serotonin is one of the mediators that influence the emotional sphere of a person. Decreased mood, depression and anxiety are caused primarily by a decrease in the concentration of serotonin in the brain structures. Stimuloton increases the amount of this mediator and leads to normalization of a person’s emotional background. The difference between this drug and other SSRIs is its high selectivity for serotonin. Stimuloton has no effect on norepinephrine, acetylcholine and dopamine. It has virtually no effect on the autonomic nervous system, therefore it has fewer dangerous side effects.
Side effects of Stimuloton
The medication as part of an integrated approach or as monotherapy is well tolerated. Negative reactions from the body are rare, so they cannot be ignored. If alarming symptoms appear, it is forbidden to take independent actions; you should consult a doctor. Even if the symptoms are mild, it may be necessary to adjust the dosage of the composition or discontinue the product.
If alarming symptoms appear, it is forbidden to take independent actions; you should consult a doctor.
List of possible side effects of the drug:
- dizziness, daytime drowsiness, decreased performance, weakness. Sometimes headaches, tremors of the limbs, irritability, and sleep disturbances occur. There are rare cases of mania and hypomania, motor restlessness;
- dry mouth, increased or decreased appetite, abdominal discomfort, flatulence, nausea, change in stool quality;
- increased heartbeat without changing its frequency;
- weight loss not related to diets;
- nosebleeds;
- decreased clarity of vision;
- increased sweating, redness of the face and a feeling of warmth due to a rush of blood;
- yawning, movement disorders, changes in the menstrual cycle in women, skin reactions;
- with long-term use of the drug in large volumes after stopping therapy, withdrawal syndrome may develop.
In some situations, the reaction to an antidepressant manifests itself in the form of a result that is the opposite of what was expected. Instead of relief, the patient feels a worsening of the clinical picture, which at the initial stage of therapy is difficult to recognize as a side effect. Over time, the symptoms are supplemented by agitation, hallucinations, psychosis, and anxiety.
The drug may cause weight loss.
Indications
The drug is used primarily in the practice of psychiatrists. Available for outpatient and inpatient treatment. Prescribing stimoton is justified in the following cases:
- A single episode of depression of any severity;
- Recurrent depressive disorder, treatment and prevention of depressive episodes;
- Anxiety-phobic disorder, treatment and prevention of panic attacks;
- Combating clinically significant phobias;
- Stress disorders caused by traumatic factors (PTSD);
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder in adults and children;
- Treatment of treatment-resistant depression, in combination with drugs from other groups.
Features of the use of "Stimuloton"
There is currently no information available regarding the advantages and disadvantages of concomitant use of sertraline and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). In a relatively small group of patients (≈ 0.4%), Stimuloton (as, indeed, a lot of other antidepressants) can provoke the development of mania or hypomania. This is one of the reasons that it is very rarely possible to purchase antidepressants without a prescription from your doctor.
Depression is often associated with thoughts of suicide and attempts at such actions. Before the onset of remission, such actions are possible at any time. Therefore, careful medical monitoring is necessary throughout the entire treatment period until optimal effect is achieved. Unless we are talking about obsessive-compulsive disorder, Stimuloton is not prescribed to children under 18 years of age, because it is in this age group that suicidal thoughts and attempts, hostility (aggression, anger, disobedience) are more often observed. Such patients should be monitored for suicidal symptoms.
"Stimuloton" should not be prescribed to patients suffering from unstable epilepsy. If sertraline is prescribed to a patient with epilepsy without seizures, such a patient should undergo regular examinations. If seizures develop on the background of sertraline, treatment with Stimuloton should be stopped immediately.
Since the main metabolic processes of sertroline take place in the liver, patients with impaired functioning of this organ should take this medication with caution. The attending physician should consider options for either reducing the dose or increasing the time period between doses.
For patients diagnosed with moderate to severe renal failure, there is no need to reduce the dose of Stimuloton.
Contraindications
Contraindications to the appointment of stimoton are divided into two groups. The first group includes those conditions in which the use of the drug is absolutely contraindicated. The drug should not be taken by patients who have:
- Individual intolerance to the components of the medication;
- Bipolar affective disorder, current episode of mania;
- A single case of mania or hypomania of any severity;
- Liver failure in the stage of decompensation;
- Pregnancy or lactation.
In addition, taking Stimuloton with monoamine oxidase inhibitors, as well as with alcoholic beverages and narcotic substances is absolutely contraindicated.
Relative contraindications to the use of this drug include:
- Neurological diseases, including mental retardation, epilepsy, Tourette's syndrome;
- Anorexia;
- Age up to 6 years;
- Kidney failure.
Patients who have at least one of the relative contraindications should be prescribed Stimoton with caution and under strict supervision.
special instructions
During pregnancy, you should refrain from using Stimuloton, due to the lack of sufficient information about the safety of using the drug by women during pregnancy.
The main active ingredient can enter the child's body from the mother during feeding. If it is impossible to stop using the medication, then the woman must stop further breastfeeding.
People who have diseases related to liver or kidney dysfunction require careful attention and must consult a doctor before using the medicine. For liver diseases, the dosage is usually varied downwards or the time interval between doses is increased.
In the presence of diseases associated with impaired functioning of the body due to renal failure, it is possible to use the drug in general doses.
It is contraindicated to use Stimuloton with MAO inhibitors. This can lead not only to serious changes and disorders in the body, but even to the death of the patient.
Drinking alcohol or low-alcohol drinks during therapy is prohibited. This can cause a number of serious consequences, including death.
Side effects
Common side effects include decreased libido, tremor, dry mouth, and increased sweating. Bleeding from small capillaries may develop due to the effect of the drug on platelet serotonin receptors. In addition, some patients experience increased heart rate and decreased blood pressure. Allergic reactions to the components of the drug are possible.
In patients with neurological diseases, increased symptoms, impaired motor activity, and seizures are possible. In many patients, stimoton causes drowsiness. In rare cases, agitation, aggression, hallucinations and delusions may occur. Cases of the development of serotonin syndrome have been described.
In some patients, stimuloton causes a decrease in appetite and weight loss. In the treatment of bipolar affective disorder, affect reversal is possible. If you abruptly stop taking the drug, withdrawal syndrome develops.
Antidepressant Egis Stimuloton
Hi all! Today I will not write the most cheerful and happy review, but I hope to help someone. I’ll tell my story very briefly, as I described everything in detail here. In this review I will tell you my impressions of Stimuloton and the side effects that did not bypass me.
It all started after the exams, a lot of things piled up and my body simply couldn’t handle it. I was in the hospital (review here). I took Atarax and at one time it helped me a lot, but after a few months I needed more serious help. I went to a psychotherapist and he prescribed me this drug and “Phenebut” (I’ll write a review about it later). So why was I prescribed an antidepressant even though I'm under 18? (I'm 17 years old now).
I had increased anxiety, which really interfered with my life. Panic attacks Refusal to leave the house (since the slightest reason caused panic and fear, I felt more comfortable and calm at home). I began to fear that I was sick with something (I got a pain in my side, but I think that’s all, appendicitis, headache - cancer, well, you understand). I felt very bad being in a company of more than 20 people. I even felt uncomfortable sitting in class, although I communicate well with everyone.
Place of purchase: Healthy City Pharmacy. This medicine is quite difficult to find on sale.
Price: about 1000 rubles.
Manufacturer: Hungary
In a pack: 30 tablets.
Compound:
1 tablet of sertraline hydrochloride contains 55.95 mg or 111.9 mg.
Indications:
depressive states; recurrent (repeating) depression; prevention of episodes of depression; panic disorders; social phobia; anxiety and depression at the same time; obsessive-compulsive disorder; stress disorder after trauma.
Contraindications:
repeated attacks of epilepsy; taking MAO inhibitors; age under 18 years, except for patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder; hypersensitivity to the drug; pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Some caution should be exercised when prescribing Stimuloton for manic states, mental retardation, liver and kidney failure.
Side effect:
drowsiness, dizziness, insomnia, headache, tremor, hallucinations, irritability, restlessness syndrome, agitation; dry mouth, stomach cramps, decreased appetite, flatulence, abdominal pain, nausea; palpitations; weight loss; nosebleeds; blurred vision; dysmenorrhea, decreased potency, delayed ejaculation; skin hyperemia, rash, itching; increased sweating; increased AST and ALT; withdrawal syndrome.
Packaging: usual for a medicine, there is an embossed font for people with vision problems, all the necessary information is on the box. Inside there are blisters with tablets.
Tablet: small, white. It is bitter, but if you swallow quickly, you don’t notice it. I need to take one tablet once a day. First there is an adjustment period - for the first three days you need to drink only half a tablet. It is best not to drink 2 hours before bedtime and I was advised that it is better to drink after a meal, although there is no difference, it will be better.
So, my impressions:
The pill helps, my anxiety level has noticeably decreased. I calmly walk in crowded places and go to school, sometimes of course it is uncomfortable, but not the same as before. Thoughts about the fact that I was sick with something did not go away, but they greatly decreased. The panic attacks are almost gone. I have been taking these pills for two months now, the course will end in March. For the best effect, it is best to go to a psychotherapist once a week. I was lucky - my psychotherapist is a very good and cheerful woman and I feel comfortable and calm with her. In this matter, it is better to choose “your” person so that you can express everything to him.
And I was not spared the side effects:
Now this is going to be “fun.”
The first few hours after taking the pill you begin to feel a little nauseous and sometimes feel dizzy. This is not critical, but quite unpleasant. It doesn’t always happen, but more often than others. The most significant disadvantage for me is a decrease in emotions. I can only feel strong emotions; I can no longer feel smaller ones. It scares. Most often I have an even mood, as if I don’t care about everything. Drowsiness. I want to sleep, I get tired quickly. My heartbeat sometimes becomes faster.
So why did I give 3 stars, but recommend the product?
It helps, and this is the most important thing, side effects do not happen to everyone, I am the exception rather than the rule.
What are antidepressants and why are they needed?
Antidepressants are psychotropic medications used primarily to treat depression, affecting the levels of neurotransmitters, in particular serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. In a depressed patient, they improve mood, reduce or relieve melancholy, lethargy, apathy, anxiety, restlessness, irritability and emotional stress, increase mental activity, normalize the phase structure and duration of sleep, appetite.
This is the so-called thymoleptic effect (Latin thymoleptica, from ancient Greek θυμός “soul, mood” + ληπτικός “absorbing, drawing in”) - the term was proposed in 1958 by P. Kielholz and R. Battegai (German. ).
Many antidepressants do not improve mood in a non-depressed person[1]
I believe that antidepressants are friends, not enemies. They help, but you need to drink them if you really need them and only if a doctor prescribes them for you, otherwise you shouldn’t buy them. Also, you shouldn’t get carried away with them. They are needed to support your body and psyche.
I hope my review was useful to you! Be healthy, don’t be nervous about little things, go to the doctors on time and don’t be afraid of treatment! See you!!!
If you are interested, below you can find my other most useful and interesting reviews (in my very humble opinion).
I’ll put it in a quote to make it more convenient for you! Review of the fixed price. Lots of photos and mini reviews Review of my tattoos Review of an unpopular but very interesting book Review of my favorite cream for 55 rubles Review of my favorite band A book that outraged me! A huge review of lipstick from Avon with a bunch of photos The foundation that ruined my skin. An ideal pencil for a ridiculous price Liquid lipstick that is ideal even for damaged lips King’s favorite book Hair oil Lenses The best mascara.
Instructions for use
It is recommended to prescribe the drug with a gradual increase in dosage. For depressive disorders, the initial dosage is 50 mg per day. Every week you can double the dosage. The therapeutic dose is 200 mg per day and can be achieved after 4 weeks of administration. The drug can be taken in the morning or evening once or twice a day.
For obsessions and anxiety, it is recommended to start treatment with half the dose. The recommended therapeutic dose is 50 mg. If necessary, you can gradually increase to the maximum allowable dose.
During treatment, it is recommended not to drive a car and avoid activities that require concentration. Therapy should be started no earlier than 2 weeks after discontinuation of monoamine oxidase inhibitors. In cases of severe depression, there is a risk of an increase in the patient's suicidality at the very beginning of treatment.
Course of treatment and recommended dosages
You need to take Stimuloton only once a day, one tablet, preferably at the same time. The tablet should be taken with a glass of water. Taking the medicine is not determined by the time of eating.
It is necessary to take the drug only as prescribed by the attending physician, as well as within the dosage prescribed by him.
The required dosage for an adult is:
- 50 mg daily for depression or OCD;
- 25 mg for other types of disorders, including social phobias, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress syndrome.
Initial results are felt by the end of the first week of treatment. More significant changes are observed after 6 weeks of regular use of the medication. The maximum result is observed after approximately 3 months of continuous use of the drug. In OCD, there is a decrease in the severity of symptoms.
The use of Stimuloton in children under 6 years of age with OCD has not been studied. The medicine is not suitable for use by minors (under 16 years of age), except for patients who have a history of OCD.
It is not recommended to stop using the medication on your own, and its irregular use is also contraindicated. This may lead to a return of symptoms and relapse.
If the patient misses the time to take the medicine, then within a few hours it is necessary to take the pill that was not taken at the prescribed time. If a longer period of time has passed, then you should skip the dose and take the next tablet at the right time.
Do not make up for a missed dose by taking two tablets at a time. This can cause an acute overdose and corresponding body reactions.
Reviews from people
Tatyana K.: “I suffered from obsessive-compulsive disorder, for which I was treated with Stimuloton. My average dosage was 100 mg per day. I took pills in the evening before bed. I noticed that my quality of sleep quickly improved, and the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder gradually went away. I got a visible effect after about a month of use. The only side effect I had was dry mouth, but that went away with time.”
Lyudmila A.: “I took Stimuloton because of long-term depression. About two weeks after starting treatment, I began to notice a decrease in appetite. I read reviews on the Internet and realized that the drug was to blame. Subsequently, I didn’t feel hungry at all and could go days without eating anything. At first I was glad that I was losing weight, and then I was afraid of it. The drug was discontinued for me and I was transferred to another one. Because of this side effect, I couldn’t take Stimuloton.”
Psychiatrist: “Stimuloton is an antidepressant that allows you to fight several pathological conditions at the same time. This is very convenient in cases where the patient has a combined pathology. For example, depression and anxiety disorder or phobias and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Such combinations are common and require a combination of drugs. Stimuloton is convenient because it alone replaces such a combination, which increases patient adherence to treatment.”
Content
Practical application experience
Opinion of practicing doctors and reviews of patients who took Stimuloton as a course.
Recently I experienced an exacerbation of depression. There was complete apathy and no thirst for life. I went to the doctor who prescribed Stimuloton for me. The instructions indicate that the first effect should be expected after two weeks of use.
In my case, mild euphoria and a happy mood came already in the first week. I began to feel calm and balanced. The constant feeling of anxiety has disappeared. The medication almost completely relieved me of these types of problems.
Elena
Stimuloton was recommended to me by a neurologist in order to reduce the symptoms of OCD. I was extremely concerned about my appearance and worried about my less-than-ideal physical shape.
Suicidal thoughts, lack of self-confidence and problems with eating. The effect of using the medicine came after a month. I stopped worrying so fanatically about my physical condition. I started to take things more calmly.
This drug may be suitable for people suffering from various types of disorders or OCD, but before doing this, a necessary measure is to consult a doctor.
Catherine
Experts' opinion
Stimuloton is a worthy antidepressant, the effect of which is noticeable after a couple of weeks. Patients experience an improvement in mood, although at first they may feel worse due to a wide range of adverse reactions.
You need to take the tablet once a day, which is very convenient in the modern rhythm of life. Before using the medication, you should definitely consult a neurologist who can accurately determine the problem and dosage.
It is suitable for use by people with impaired liver or kidney function, as well as elderly people. The drug is well tolerated.
Neuropathologist, 12 years of experience
From the reviews you can highlight the following advantages of the medicine:
- is not addictive;
- efficiency;
- convenient to use.
Minuses:
- wide range of side effects;
- long period of admission;
- dulling of emotions.
General information about the drug Stimuloton
Stimuloton is one of the most powerful antidepressants of the new generation. In many countries around the world it is recognized as the “gold standard” in the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD).
Drug group, INN, scope of application
Stimuloton belongs to the pharmacological group of antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). In the international nomenclature it is known by the name of its active substance sertraline (Sertraline). The drug is used in psychiatry for the treatment of major depressive and anxiety-depressive disorders in adults and children.
Features of antidepressants
Release forms and prices for the drug, average in Russia
On the territory of the Russian Federation, the drug is available in the form of tablets with a dosage of 50 or 100 mg of sertraline. Tablets are white, biconvex, film-coated, oval, with stylized engraving “E 271” or “E 272” on one side and scored on the other side, odorless.
The medicine is dispensed only with a doctor's prescription, as it has a strong psychotropic effect.
Average prices for Stimuloton in Russian pharmacies:
Dosage of active substance, mg | Number of tablets per package, pcs. | Pharmacy | City | Price in rubles |
50 | 10 | DIALOGUE | Moscow | 390 |
50 | 30 | Beauty and health laboratory | Moscow | 900 |
100 | 28 | Samson-Pharma | Saint Petersburg | 1400 |
100 | 30 | Pharmacy 36.6 | Krasnoyarsk | 940 |
50 | 10 | Doctor Zhivago | Novosibirsk | 540 |
50 | 30 | GORZDRAV | Tomsk | 970 |
100 | 28 | Social Pharmacy | Rostov-on-Don | 1460 |
Compound
The basis of Stimuloton is sertraline hydrochloride in a dosage of 50 or 100 mg. The preparation contains as stabilizers and additional components:
- magnesium stearate;
- hydroxypropyl cellulose;
- sodium starch glycolate.
The tablet is coated on top with a film coating, which protects it from premature destruction under the influence of stomach hydrochloric acid.
Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics
Sertraline has properties unique in its class. Unlike other antidepressants, it inhibits only the uptake of serotonin, that is, it does not affect the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, as well as the biochemical metabolism of other catecholamines.
The pharmacological effect of the drug is the selective inhibition of serotonin in neuronal 5-HT receptors. This selectivity made it possible to eliminate toxic and iatrogenic effects on cells of the central nervous system, as well as reduce the risk of cardiotoxic effects. The drug does not show activity on other receptor systems of the central nervous system, such as serotonergic, muscarinic, dopaminergic, GABA and benzodiazepine receptors.
Mechanism of action
Sertraline does not cause increased anxiety and fear in patients, and also does not have a sedative effect, unlike other psychoactive substances. Also, patients taking the drug have the lowest risk of developing dependence on the drug.
The maximum concentration peak of sertraline in plasma occurs 4-8 hours after administration, after which almost 98% of the substance is bound to blood proteins. Then, entering the liver cells, under the influence of the cytochrome system, it undergoes intense first-pass metabolism - the first-pass effect. The half-life averages 24-26 hours, excretion is carried out primarily by the kidneys. Metabolites are excreted in urine and feces, and only 0.2-0.5% unchanged.
See also:
Trazodone - instructions for use, analogues and reviews of the drug
Analogues of the drug Stimuloton
The group of antidepressants includes a large number of drugs. However, when considering analogues of Stimuloton, one should take into account their effectiveness and safety, as well as the price category of the medicines.
Structural substitutes
Sertraline-based drugs are represented by both original Pfizer drugs and generics. Their pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics do not differ from each other. The difference between a generic and the original formula is the number of clinical studies completed, which ultimately affects the price. Thus, the drug Zoloft (Pfizer, USA) costs from 500 rubles per package, and Torin (Veropharm, Russia) – from 250 rubles.
Similar means by mechanism of action
Paroxetine inhibits serotonin reuptake, however, it is inferior in pharmacokinetic properties. The latter is characterized by a lower binding capacity, so a significant part of the drug will be excreted from the body unchanged.
The drug is also more strongly destroyed in the liver, which creates a non-linear proportion between the administered and effective dose, so titration should be carried out with extreme caution. The price of Paroxetine drugs ranges from 900 to 1500 rubles.
Escitalopram, unlike the other two SRIs, is the least studied.
It is also thought to act on 5-HT serotonin receptors, without affecting other neuroreceptor systems.
The drug is actively metabolized in the liver, its metabolites provide a therapeutic effect. However, a high concentration of the active substance significantly increases the half-life (on average up to 30 hours), which must be taken into account when developing the dosage regimen.
Escitalopram is characterized by an effect on the electrical activity of the heart, which should be taken into account when prescribing it to persons after a myocardial infarction and suffering from cardiac arrhythmias. At the same time, Escitalopram is the cheapest representative of the SSRI, its price ranges from 400 to 800 rubles.
See also:
Selectra - instructions for use, reviews from patients and doctors, analogues