Heleks

Medication Helex acts on the central nervous system, is a psychotropic sedative, a tranquilizer. 

Helex is on the list of the No. 1 potent substances, therefore it is released strictly if there is a prescription.

Indications Heleks

As indications requiring the use of Helex, the following states are considered:

• expressed restless behavior against the background of signs of a depressed state, or without them;
• signs of increasing, sometimes unmotivated, anxiety, stress, phobia;
• violation of concentration of attention, attacks of irritability, sleep disorders, possibly combined with increased motor activity of the patient, which in the future can result from various physical disorders;
• signs of maturing or deep depression, perhaps on the background of restless behavior, which are manifested by apathy and depression, loss of interest and loss of opportunity to receive satisfaction from something, lack of energy potential and psychomotor activity;
• anxiety against a background of combined disorders, intermittent seizures and depression, which may accompany diseases of some organs and systems, or a chronic form of withdrawal syndrome (syndrome of stopping the use of alcoholic beverages and other stimulants of the nervous system);
• a state of panic.

[1], [2], [3], [4], [5],

Release form

Helex is a tablet form of the drug, the international and chemical term of which is Alprazolam.

Tablets can be produced in various dosages:

• 0.25 mg - round, white, slightly convex on both sides. The edges are slightly skewed, one side of the tablet has a dividing strip;
• 0.5 mg - round, pinkish, slightly convex on both sides. They have white dotted elements on the surface, slightly beveled edges and a dividing strip on one side;
• 1 mg - round, bluish with white dotted elements not surface, with a dividing strip on one side.

Each tablet contains 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg or 1 mg of the active ingredient of alprazolam, respectively. Additional substances are lactose, dye, polysorbate, povidone, corn starch, magnesium stearate.

Tablets are packed in 15 pcs. In cell packs placed in cardboard boxes.

[6], [7]

Pharmacodynamics

Helex is a psychotropic drug that also has some anti-depressant, hypnotic and anti-seizure effects. The active substance of this drug activates the inhibitory effect of γ-aminobutyric acid in the brain, increases the rate of GABA receptors response to this neurotransmitter by stimulating the benzodiazepine receptor receptors of the supramolecular biological regulatory complex of chloro-ionophore GABA.

Admission Helex can cause relaxation of the musculature. Also, the drug exhibits a slight anticonvulsant effect.

Helex can also be used as a mild hypnotic, which makes the process of falling asleep easier, lengthens the time of sleep and lowers the frequency of awakenings at night. The hypnotic effect of the drug is due to its properties to affect the neurons of the reticular formation in the brain and to lower the response to vegetative, emotional and motor stimuli that interfere with the process of normal sleep.

When using Helex in patients, there is a disappearance of signs of anxiety and phobia, as well as a weakening of psychological stress.

Helex has little effect on the heart, blood vessels and respiratory organs of a healthy person.

[8], [9]

Pharmacokinetics

After taking the drug inside, the active ingredient alprazolam is perfectly absorbed in the digestive system and reaches the maximum level in the serum for 60-120 minutes. The bioavailability of the drug is about 80%. The concentration of the active component in the blood can increase simultaneously with an increase in the dosage of the drug. About ¾ of the dose used comes into contact with plasma proteins.

The active substance of the drug is able to penetrate the placental and encephalitic barrier, and is also found in the composition of breast milk. Concentration equilibrium of the active component in blood serum is determined on the II-III days from the start of treatment.

Metabolism occurs in the liver with the formation of a biologically active component (α-hydroxo-metabolite).

The drug is excreted mainly by the kidneys, in the form of glucuronic compounds. The half-life of the active substance is up to 11-16 hours.

Alprazolam is almost incapable of accumulation in the body.

[10],

Dosing and administration

Helex is a means for oral administration. You can take it regardless of the meal.

Usually, the drug is taken 2-3 times a day. The duration of the course of treatment and dosage is selected individually.

During the determination of the treatment regimen, it is necessary to carefully evaluate the patient's condition, if necessary adjusting the number and frequency of the drug.

Adult patients for treatment of panic attacks and depressive conditions can be appointed Helex, starting with the minimum dosages of 0.25-0.5 mg / day. Then increase the dosage, first increasing the reception of the drug in the evening, then in the daytime. A gradual increase in dosage reduces the likelihood of side effects.

Further treatment is carried out according to the following scheme:

Symptoms	Initiation of therapy	Supportive treatment
The state of anxiety and / or depression	Adults: 0.25-0.5 mg three times a day. Elderly: 0.25 mg twice or thrice a day.	Adults: 0.5-4 mg / day, divided into three doses. Elderly: 0.5-0.75 mg / day, divided into three doses, or from 4 to 10 mg / day, dividing into more receptions.
Panic attacks	0.5-1 mg three times a day.	From 4 to 10 mg / day, divided into several methods.

If the initial treatment is already showing side effects, then the dosage of the drug is reduced.

Heleks treatment is terminated gradually, as abrupt withdrawal of the drug can lead to undesirable consequences. Gradual withdrawal from the drug should be carried out for a long time. For example, if a patient takes 0.5 mg of Hellex three times a day, then this dosage should be reduced by no more than 0.25 mg every three days. 

[19]

Use Heleks during pregnancy

Helex is prohibited for use during pregnancy and in the lactation period.

Moreover, immediately before the course of treatment, patients should be examined for lack of pregnancy, and also to prescribe a reliable contraceptive drug. If the pregnancy has nevertheless occurred against the background of Helex therapy, it is necessary to immediately inform the doctor about it: he will reconsider the possibility of abolishing the drug, which can harm the developing fetus.

If necessary, take the drug during lactation, breast-feeding should be discontinued. 

Contraindications

Helex is not recommended for patients who are prone to allergies to the active or auxiliary substance of the drug.

Helex is not recommended for the treatment of persons with lactose intolerance.

The drug is not used for the treatment of patients with insufficiency of the respiratory system, serious disorders of the functional capacity of the liver and urinary system, myasthenic syndrome, acute increase in intraocular pressure, acute alcoholic or narcotic intoxication, overdose of barbiturates and psychotropic substances.

Helex is not used during pregnancy and for the treatment of pediatric patients.

It is not recommended to appoint Helex to alcoholics, since during the course of treatment with the drug, alcoholic beverages, as well as preparations based on ethyl alcohol, are prohibited.

 During the treatment period, they are not advised to engage in activities that require increased attention and quick response.

[11], [12], [13], [14]

Side effects Heleks

At the initial stage of Helex treatment, patients can note the appearance of a feeling of unmotivated fatigue, drowsiness, inability to concentrate. Possible dizziness and inhibition of psychomotor. The most common side effects of Helex appear in elderly patients.

 Regardless of the age category and duration of therapy, the following side effects may occur:

• trembling in the hands;
• depressive conditions;
• pain in the head;
• obscurity of consciousness, forgetfulness;
• speech function disorder;
• aggressiveness, hallucinations;
• deterioration of vision;
• violation of taste;
• weight loss, anorexia;
• dyspeptic disorders;
• disorders of menstrual function;
• decreased sexual desire;
• retention of urination.

With a sharp withdrawal of the drug may appear a characteristic syndrome, which is expressed in muscle spasms, attacks of vomiting, convulsions and increased sweating. 

[15], [16], [17], [18]

Overdose

 Signs of an overdose can develop with the use of excessively large doses of Helex. The characteristic symptomatology of an overdose is as follows:

• disorders of motor coordination;
• impaired consciousness;
• drop in blood pressure;
• with a large overdose - coma, respiratory failure and cardiac arrest.

 What measures should I take with an overdose of Helex:

• a patient who has not lost consciousness should induce a vomitive reflex;
• the unconscious patient should undergo intubation and rinse the stomach.

After cleansing the stomach, you can give the patient activated charcoal and mineral laxatives.

A patient with an overdose should be observed by a doctor in a hospital. With a severe degree of overdose, it is possible to use a drug with the opposite effect of alprazolam - flumazenil. 

[20]

Interactions with other drugs

It is permissible to share Helex and antidepressants in patients with depressive states of endogenous nature.

With the joint use of Helex with neuroleptics, barbiturates, anticonvulsant drugs, narcotic analgesics, ethanol and central muscle relaxants, one intensifies each other's activity.

The combination of Helex with omeprazole may provoke the appearance of a toxic effect of alprazolam.

Decrease in the action of Helex can be observed with simultaneous reception with an induction preparation of microsomal oxidation.

The active substance Helex can increase the level of imipramine in the blood serum when taken together. 

[21], [22]

Storage conditions

Medication Helex is to be stored and transported in factory containers at temperature values of 15 ° -30 ° C.

The product should be protected from direct sunlight. Do not allow children to store their medicines.

Shelf life

Shelf-life is up to 5 years.

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