Seduxen

Seduxen is a sedative drug that affects the central nervous system. Let's consider the features of this drug and the rules for its use.

The medication is prescribed for the treatment and prevention of neuropsychiatric diseases, various somatic pathologies and to relieve psychomotor agitation. It has a muscle relaxant effect, that is, it relaxes the muscular system. Anticonvulsant activity is also observed. The drug is used in pediatric neurological practice and in spastic conditions.

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Indications Seduxen

The main indications for the use of Seduxen are the treatment and prevention of the following pathological disorders:

• Neuroses, including psycho- and neurosis-like conditions with anxiety symptoms in endogenous diseases and organic lesions of the brain.
• Mental illnesses with motor restlessness, agitation and frequent anxiety attacks.
• Various convulsive conditions, tetanus.
• Adjuvant therapy for anxiety, psychosomatic diseases and endogenous psychoses.
• Epilepsy and its psychiatric equivalents, frequently recurring seizures.
• Anxiety when internal organs are affected.
• Pathologies with increased muscle tone, spasticity, hyperkinesis.
• Premature labor and its threat with muscle spasms (last trimester of pregnancy).
• Muscle rigidity, contractures, spasms.
• Induction of anesthesia, premedication during surgical operations.
• Eclampsia.
• Neurotic conditions in pediatric practice: headaches, sleep disorders, anxiety, enuresis, nervous tics, various bad habits.

Seduxen is used in combination therapy with other drugs. The drug is used to treat alcohol withdrawal syndrome. To prepare patients in anesthesiology practice, for various dermatological diseases with severe itching. The drug reduces gastric juice secretion, which has a positive effect on its hypnotic and sedative properties for patients with ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract. Normalizes the heart rate.

Release form

Seduxen is available in two forms: tablets and solution for intravenous and intramuscular administration.

• Tablets are white capsules, cylindrical, odorless. One package contains two blisters, each containing 10 tablets. Each capsule contains the active substance diazepam 5 mg and auxiliary components: talc, magnesium stearate, lactose monohydrate.
• The solution is a transparent liquid, released in dark glass ampoules. Each package contains 5 ampoules in a plastic case. 1 ml of the solution contains 5 mg of diazepam, ethanol 95%, water for injection, sodium citrate, nipagin, nipazole and other substances.

The form of the drug is selected by the attending physician, individually for each patient. The patient's age and indications for use of the drug are taken into account.

Pharmacodynamics

Seduxen belongs to the category of benzodiazepine tranquilizers, i.e. it has anxiolytic properties. It exhibits sedative-hypnotic, central muscle relaxant and anticonvulsant activity. Pharmacodynamics is associated with stimulation of benzodiazepine receptors of the supramolecular GABA-benzodiazepine-chloroionophore receptor complex. This leads to an increase in the inhibitory effect. The active component stimulates benzodiazepine receptors in the allosteric center of postsynaptic GABA receptors, significantly reduces the excitability of the limbic system, hypothalamus and thalamus, inhibits polysynaptic spinal reflexes.

• Anxiolytic activity is associated with the effect on the amygdala complex of the limbic system. This is manifested by a decrease in emotional tension and fear, and weakens anxiety and restlessness.
• The sedative effect is based on the reticular formation of the brain stem and non-specific nuclei of the thalamus. This is expressed in the reduction of neurotic symptoms, such as fear and anxiety.
• The hypnotic effect is due to the suppression of cells of the reticular formation of the brain stem.
• The central muscle relaxant effect is based on inhibition of polysynaptic spinal afferent inhibitory pathways. This leads to direct inhibition of muscle and motor nerve functions.
• Anticonvulsant activity is manifested by enhancing presynaptic inhibition. The active substance suppresses the spread of epileptogenic activity, but does not affect the excitation focus.

Due to its moderate sympatholytic action, the drug lowers blood pressure and dilates coronary vessels. Against this background, the pain threshold increases, vestibular and sympathoadrenal paroxysms are suppressed, and nocturnal secretion of gastric juice decreases. The effect of the drug is observed on the 2nd-7th day of therapy.

Pharmacokinetics

Regardless of the release form, after the active substance enters the gastrointestinal tract, its rapid absorption and high binding to blood plasma proteins are observed. The pharmacokinetics of diazepam indicate its two main metabolites: oxazepam and N-desmethyldiazepam.

The concentration of the active component decreases after rapid distribution (this phase lasts about 1 hour) and excretion within 24-48 hours. Metabolites are excreted by the kidneys. In newborns, elderly patients and with impaired renal and hepatic function, the half-life increases many times.

Dosing and administration

The method of application and dosage depend on the selected form of release of Seduxen. Tablets are taken orally, washed down with plenty of liquid. Treatment begins with low doses, gradually increasing them. It is recommended to divide the daily dosage into 2-4 doses.

• Psychosomatic diseases and neurological disorders – 5-20 mg per day.
• Treatment of convulsive syndrome – 5-40 mg per day.
• Mental disorders of organic origin – 20-40 mg per day.
• Rigidity, muscle contractures – 5-20 mg per day.

For elderly patients, I prescribe ½ of the recommended dosage. For children over 6 years old, the dosage is calculated based on the level of physical development.

If the solution is used for intravenous administration, the rate should not exceed 1 ml, i.e. 5 mg per minute. The drug should not be injected into the arteries or allowed to reach the tissue surrounding the vein. The dosage is calculated by the attending physician, based on the patient's condition and the characteristics of his body.

At the beginning of the drug use, that is, within 12-24 hours after taking it, it is forbidden to drive vehicles or other potentially dangerous mechanisms. It is also forbidden to drink alcoholic beverages during treatment.

Use Seduxen during pregnancy

According to pharmacological studies, the use of Seduxen during pregnancy is not recommended. In the early stages of gestation, the drug increases the risk of fetal abnormalities. The use of the drug in the last trimester of pregnancy leads to depression of the central nervous system and respiratory center in the fetus. The tranquilizer is also prohibited during lactation, as it penetrates into breast milk.

The use of this sedative is possible in cases where the expected benefit to the mother is greater than the potential risks to the fetus.

Contraindications

The main contraindications to the use of Seduxen are related to the properties of its active component. The drug is not prescribed for the following conditions:

• Individual intolerance to the components of the drug.
• Shock and coma.
• Sleep apnea syndrome.
• Closed-angle glaucoma.
• Depression of vital functions in a state of alcohol intoxication.
• Severe myasthenia.
• History of alcohol or drug addiction.
• Acute respiratory failure.
• Acute intoxication due to the use of sleeping pills, psychotropic or narcotic drugs.
• Severe obstructive pulmonary disease.
• Pregnancy and lactation.

The tablet form of the drug is not prescribed for patients under 6 years of age, and the solution for infants up to 30 days of life. The drug is used with special caution in cases of renal or hepatic insufficiency, epilepsy, organic pathologies of the brain, absence, for elderly patients. As well as in cases of hyperkinesis, depressive states and a tendency to abuse psychotropic drugs.

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Side effects Seduxen

A sedative, like any other medicine, can cause side effects. Most often, patients complain of the following reactions:

• Increased heart rate.
• Lowering blood pressure.
• Increased fatigue and drowsiness.
• Impaired concentration and slowing of mental and motor reactions.
• Headaches and dizziness.
• Attacks of nausea, vomiting, heartburn, hiccups.
• Increased activity of liver enzymes.
• Skin allergic reactions, itching.
• Leukopenia and blood count abnormalities.
• Libido disorder.
• Urinary retention or incontinence.

In addition to the above reactions, Seduxen can cause drug dependence, depression of the respiratory center, and various psychomotor agitations. When using the solution, lethargy, impaired coordination of movements, venous thrombosis, or phlebitis at the injection site are most often observed.

Overdose

When using high doses of the drug, various adverse symptoms may be observed. Overdose most often manifests itself as follows:

• Depressive state.
• Muscle weakness.
• Increased drowsiness.
• Psychotic disorders.
• Coma.
• Paradoxical arousal.

In case of excessive overdose, reflexes of the cardiac and respiratory systems are suppressed. Gastric lavage is recommended to eliminate side effects. It is also necessary to monitor respiratory parameters, kidney function and blood circulation. The use of hemodialysis is ineffective.

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Interactions with other drugs

Since Seduxen can be prescribed for combination therapy, it is very important to monitor its interactions with other drugs.

• When used simultaneously with oral contraceptives, erythromycin, estrogen-containing drugs, cotoconazole, propranolol, the metabolism of diazepam slows down and its concentration in the blood plasma increases.
• Strychnine and monoamine oxidase inhibitors counteract the effect of the drug, and antihypertensive drugs enhance its action.
• Antidepressants, sleeping pills, sedatives, narcotic analgesics, neuroleptics, and other tranquilizers significantly increase the depressant effect on the central nervous system.
• Cardiac glycosides increase the concentration of diazepam in the blood plasma, antacids slow its absorption from the gastrointestinal tract, rifampicin accelerates metabolism and reduces the concentration in the blood plasma, omeprazole slows down the process of diazepam elimination.

If the drug is used for premedication, the standard dosage of fentanyl for general anesthesia should be reduced, as the anesthetic effect will occur much faster. All possible interactions should be monitored by the attending physician.

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Storage conditions

According to storage conditions, tablets and solution must be kept in a cool place, protected from sunlight, moisture and out of reach of children. The recommended storage temperature for the tablet form of the drug is 15-30 °C, the solution - 8-15 °C. If these recommendations are not followed, the drug prematurely loses its medicinal properties and is prohibited for use.

Shelf life

Seduxen has a different shelf life for tablets and solution. According to the instructions, the oral form of the drug must be used within 60 months from the date of manufacture, and the solution within 36 months. After this period, the tranquilizer must be disposed of.