Soothing means for children of different age groups

Due to various reasons, the excitability of the central nervous system in children of different age groups can be increased, and sedatives for children are used to help the child get rid of unnecessary anxiety, anxiety, tension, irritability, panic attacks, difficulties with sleep. But to determine the presence of the problem and prescribe this or that sedative should a child neuropathologist or a psychoneurologist.

[1], [2], [3], [4]

Indications of the sedatives for children

We emphasize once again: any decisions about the use of medicines and specific indications for the use of sedatives for children are identified by the doctors after examination of the child or adolescent.

If serious psychiatric disorders, personality disorders (including conversion ones) and generalized hyperkinesias require the use of antipsychotics (antipsychotics), tranquilizers are used to reduce anxiety and nervous excitement, as well as reduce seizures and improve sleep. Along the way, tranquilizers inhibit all psychomotor reactions, relax muscles and reduce concentration of attention. Suitable soothing means for children in the treatment of teeth (a one-time appointment before a visit to the dentist or orthodontist), after severe stress; they are prescribed for the treatment of epilepsy, spastic form of cerebral palsy, enuresis.

Among tranquilizers there is a group of anxiolytics, which, relieving tension, nervous excitement and spontaneously arising increased motor activity, not paralyzing the basic motor and cognitive functions. And in some cases they are prescribed as sedatives for hyperactive children with attention deficit disorder.

In modern pediatrics, there is a tendency to use psycholeptics - lighter sedatives (sedatives). Typically, it is a sedative on herbs for children.

[5], [6], [7],

Release form

The form of release is different: tablets and capsules for oral administration, tablets for resorption, sublingual tablets or granules, drops, herbal dry mixtures (for preparation of decoction) or filter bags for the preparation of phyto tea.

Names of sedatives for children

We will give the names of sedatives for children, which in clinical practice are prescribed and used most often.

Soothing means for hyperactive children (with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, ICD-10 code - F90.0): Strattera (Atomoxetine), Mebikar (Mebiks, Adaptol), Pantokaltsin (Calcium Gopantenate, Pantogam) - help children calm down and concentrate, activating the brain areas responsible for the concentration of attention.

Soothing means for children up to the year: flowers of chamomile pharmacy (decoction), Viburkol (rectal suppositories).

Soothing means for children from 3 years: Valerian root infusions, Nervocheel (sublingual tablets).

Alternative sedatives for children: valerian officinalis (decoction of roots and rhizomes), chamomile (infusion of flowers), water infusions and decoctions of peppermint leaves, herbs lemon balm (lemon mint), motherwort.

A natural sedative for children: A sedative collection №3.

Soothing means for herbs for children: Persen (Relaxil), Soothing collection №3.

Homeopathic sedatives for children: Kindinorm (granules), Dormickind (tablets for the treatment of anxiety and sleep disorders in children under 6 years of age), Viburkol, Nervocheel.

[8], [9], [10]

Soothing means for hyperactive children

The review includes such sedatives for hyperactive children (increased nervous excitability of which is accompanied by concentration and attention-keeping problems), Stratter (Atomoxetine) - capsules of 10, 18, 25, 40 and 60 mg for children older than 6 years; Mebikar (Adaptol) - tablets of 300 and 500 mg for children over 12 years; Pantokaltsin (Calcium Gopantenate, Pantogam) - tablets of 0.25 g for any age. The pharmacological characteristics of these drugs are as follows.

Pharmacodynamics

Pharmacodynamics of the Stratter drug is based on the binding of the active substance of atomoxetine hydrochloride to proteins that carry the transfer of norepinephrine to the central nervous system. By blocking the transport of this hormone through the presynaptic slots of neurons, atomoxetine helps to increase its concentration, and the level of nervous excitability decreases.

Anxiolytic Mebikar stabilizes the membranes of nerve cells and acts adrenergic, stimulating the receptors of the neurotransmitter dopamine.

And the active substance of the neuro- and cerebroprotective agent Pantokaltsin-gopantenate calcium-normalizes the metabolism of glucose and tricarboxylic acids in the brain tissues, and inhibits the action in the synapses of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). As a result, the processes of carrying out nerve impulses in the central nervous system are normalized.

[11], [12]

Pharmacokinetics

The pharmacokinetics of these drugs are similar in relation to their ability to be absorbed in the digestive tract (after oral administration of tablets) and to bind to various levels of plasma proteins. Strattera and Mebikar begin to act after 20 minutes, and Pantokaltsin - about an hour later. These drugs do not split into metabolites, do not accumulate in the body and are excreted through the kidneys 36-48 hours after ingestion.

[13], [14], [15], [16], [17], [18]

Dosing and administration

The daily dose of Stratter is determined from the calculation of 0.5 mg per kilogram of body weight with a child weighing up to 70 kg (divided into two methods).

Mebikar priayetsya one pill twice a day, the maximum dose is 10 grams per day, the maximum course of treatment - three months.

Pantocalcin is recommended to take one tablet (0.25 g) three times a day; duration of admission - from 28 days to three months.

[27], [28], [29], [30], [31], [32], [33]

Contraindications

Stratter - pheochromocytoma (tumor of the neuroendocrine system), Pantokaltsin - intolerance of the compounds of gopanthenic acid, Mebikar - individual sensitivity to the active substance (2,4,6,8-tetramethylglycoluril) and kidney problems.

[19], [20], [21], [22], [23]

Side effects of the sedatives for children

Strattera - abdominal pain, intestinal disorders, loss of appetite, drowsiness, dizziness, increased heart rate;

Mebikar - dyspepsia, lowering blood pressure and body temperature;

Pantokaltsin - urticaria, drowsiness, headache.

[24], [25], [26]

Overdose

Stratter in high doses causes tachycardia, convulsions, dry mouth and dilated pupils. It is necessary to take sorbents and rinse the stomach. Mebikar does not have symptoms of an overdose, and excess of the dose of Pantokaltsin is expressed in an increase in side effects.

[34], [35]

Interactions with other drugs

The drug in question can not be used simultaneously with beta-adrenomimetics, tricyclic antidepressants, benzodiazepine tranquilizers and any neuroleptics.

[36], [37]

Storage conditions

The storage conditions for said medicinal products are at room temperature.

[38]

Shelf life

The shelf life of Stratter and Mebikar is 4 years, Pantokaltsina is 3 years.

[39], [40], [41], [42], [43]

Natural soothing for children

Agree that the best sedative for children is a natural, giving effect, but not complicating the child's condition by undesirable side effects. These include medicinal plants: roots and rhizomes of valerian officinalis, flowers of chamomile, leaves and tips of peppermint stalks, balm of medicinal and motherwort.

Pharmacodynamics. Calming action of valerian is promoted by a complex of active substances of essential oil of its roots, which includes valerenic and isovaleric acids, sesquiterpenoids (borneol, pinene and camphene), bornilovovalericanate, and also alkaloid isovalatrate, whose mechanism of action is similar to GABA alpha-receptors in the median and oblong brain .

Chamomile pharmacy gives a slight sedative effect due to niacin - nicotinic acid (vitamin PP), which activates the synthesis of serotonin and helps to reduce unnecessary neuro-reflex excitement. And containing Azulene compounds (chamazulene and matricin) in the flowers normalize the work of the intestines in infants (problems with which in most cases cause them anxiety and increased excitability). Pediatricians advise to give babies three months of a teaspoon of broth twice a day, after three months - a dessert spoon.

Menthol, which consists of essential oil of peppermint leaves, as well as terpenoids and flavonoids (hesperedin, eriocitrin, 7-O-rutinoside) block the tension of sensitive Na + channels and reduce the activity of neurons that can stimulate muscles. Also menthol can act as a modulator of gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors, providing an analgesic and sedative effect.

Sedative properties of lemon balm (lemon mint) are also found in its essential oil, which contains terpenic compounds (citral, citronellal, etc.). But in the part of the motherwort there are alkaloid L-stachydrin and diterpenes leonurin, isoleururin, etc. These are connected with the pharmacodynamics of this plant as an effective sedative and hypotensive agent. Acting on the receptors of the vascular endothelium and inhibiting the release of intracellular Ca2 +, the motherwort alkaloids reduce the increased vascular tone and heart rate.

Such sedatives on herbs for children, like Persen (Relaxil), contain valerian, peppermint and lemon balm, and in the Restorative collection No. 3 - beside the root of valerian - includes motherwort, oregano, thyme and sweet clover.

Contraindications to the use of Percene - increased sensitivity to herbs, for the drug in the form of tablets - age to three years, in the form of capsules - children under 12 years old.

The sedative collection №3 is not used for children under 12 years old, with increased acidity of the stomach, hypotension, inflammatory bowel diseases.

Side effects of sedatives on herbs for children: decreased blood pressure, lethargy, drowsiness, abnormalities of the digestive tract (constipation).

Dosage and administration: Persen - two tablets up to three times a day; children under the age of one - one tablet. An infusion of herbs collection is recommended to give to children 50-100 ml twice a day.

Overdose Persen and infusion from the collection of herbs can cause weakness, nausea, dizziness, tremor of hands and dilated pupils.

Interactions with other drugs. Both Persen and Sedative Collection No. 3 are not combined with other sedatives. And infusion from the collection of medicinal plants (due to the presence of motherwort) enhances the action of cardiac glycosides.

Homeopathic Remedies for Children

Pharmacodynamics of homeopathic sedatives in the instructions, as a rule, is not explained.

So the composition of the drug Kindinorm contains Calcium hypophosphorosum, Kalium phosphoricum, Valeriana, Cuprum metallicum, Chamomilla, Staphisagria.

Components of the Dormickind remedy: Cypripedium parviflorum (small-colored orchid family's slipper), magnesium sulfate and valerian-zinc salt (zincum isovalerianicum).

Vipurcool suppositories include Chamomilla recutita, Belladonna (Atropa belladonna), soda and other substances.

And the mechanism of action of the drug Nervocheel provide the plant with bitter ignition, cuttlefish ink, potassium bromide, phosphoric acid (diluted), and valerian-zinc salt.

The pharmacokinetics of homeopathic remedies are not described in the instructions.

Contraindications: Kyndinorm - age less than 12 months; Dormickind is a lactase deficiency.

The most common side effects of homeopathic sedatives include dermatological allergic reactions.

Method of administration and dose. Kindinorm - children under five years of age are recommended to take 5 pills under the tongue (three times a day, half an hour before meals), children 5-12 years - 10 pellets. Babies should be dissolved in boiled water.

Just before meals, Dormictin tablets are given - one unit three times a day.

Supplements Viburkol can be used for a day two to three times.

Sublingual tablets Nervochele take 60 minutes after eating, for 0.5-1 tablet.

Data on overdose and interaction of these drugs are absent.

Store homeopathic sedatives for children at room temperature, suppository Viburkol - in a dark place.

Shelf life: Viburkol - 3 years, Kindinorm - 4 years, Dormikind and Nervocheel - 5 years.