"Simbalta": instructions for use. Reviews, prices, indications

Today we will tell you about what the preparation of "Simbalta" is. Instructions for use of this medication, its composition, side effects and indications will be described below. Also from the presented article you will learn about the form in which this medication is issued, how much it costs, whether it has contraindications and how to apply it correctly.

Form of issue

In what form can I buy the preparation of "Simbalta", the instruction of which is enclosed in the packaging? Currently, this medication is available only in the form of intestine-soluble capsules. And each of them contains pellets, which have a white or grayish-white color.

Structure of the preparation

What components does the Simbalta medicinal product contain? Instructions for the use of capsules states that their main active element is duloxetine. It should also be noted that the composition of the drug in question includes additional substances in the form of sucrose, hypromellose, talc, succinate, white dye, hypromellose acetate, titanium dioxide, triethyl citrate, gelatin, sodium lauryl sulfate and iron oxide of yellow oxide.

Capsules can contain 60 and 30 mg of the drug. They are packed in blisters for 14 or 7 capsules. In one cardboard bundle there can be 1, 2 or 6 blisters.

Pharmacological characteristics of the drug

What is an active substance like duloxetine? Instructions for the use of medicinal capsules states that such a drug with the active ingredient is a very good antidepressant. It is a reuptake inhibitor of norepinephrine and serotonin. It slightly suppresses the seizure of dopamine, and also has no affinity with dopamine, histamine, cholino- and adrenoreceptors.

How does duloxetine work? The instruction contains the following information on this account: the principle of action of this substance is to suppress the re-uptake of norepinephrine and serotonin. As a result, noradrenergic and serotonergic neurotransmission in the nervous system increases markedly. It should also be noted that duloxetine quickly suppresses pain syndrome.

Pharmacokinetics of the drug

Drugs from depression like "Simbalta" are absorbed from the digestive tract, suction begins a couple of hours after ingestion. The maximum concentration is reached after 6 hours. Simultaneous intake of food does not affect the concentration, but increases the time it takes from 6 to 10 hours. Experts say that this indirectly reduces the degree of absorption (by 11%).

The binding of the drug to plasma proteins is high enough and reaches more than 90%.

The half-life of the drug is 12 hours. At the same time he goes along with urine in the form of metabolites.

According to the research, there are differences between the pharmacokinetic processes occurring in women and men. Thus, the average clearance of the active component is lower in the fairer sex. However, there is no need to adjust the dose.

It should also be noted that during the studies, differences were established between the pharmacokinetic processes that occurred in elderly and middle-aged patients. It was found that the half-life of the drug is higher in the elderly than in young people. A dose adjustment is also not required.

In patients with chronic renal failure at terminal stage who are on hemodialysis, the concentration and AUC of duloxetine increase exactly by 2 times. That is why it is recommended to consider the expediency of lowering the dosages of the drug in patients with severe renal dysfunction.

In patients with symptoms of liver failure, metabolism and half-life of duloxetine may be slowed.

Indications for use

When is the "Simbalta" medication prescribed? The instruction for use includes the following list of indications:

• Diabetic neuropathy of a painful form;
• Depression and depressive conditions;
• Anxiety disorder generalized;
• Chronic pain syndrome of the musculoskeletal system, including those caused by fibromyalgia and osteoarthrosis.

Contraindications to the use of the product

When you can not take the medicine "Simbalta"? Instructions for use include the following list of contraindications:

• Simultaneous application of powerful inhibitors of the isoenzyme CYP1A2 (eg, enoxacin, ciprofloxacin or fluvoxamine);
• Increased sensitivity of the patient to the components of the agent;
• Children under 18;
• One-stage administration with MAO inhibitors;
• Hypertension arterial uncontrolled;
• Glaucoma is closed-angle uncompensated;
• Severe CRF (with QC less than 30 ml / min);
• Deficiency of isomaltase or sucrose, glucose-galactose malabsorption and intolerance to fructose;
• Liver disease, which are accompanied by liver failure.

When to use with care the medicine

It is extremely accurate to use the drug in bipolar disorder and mania, convulsions, the risk of an attack of closed-angle glaucoma. Also, care must be taken with intraocular hypertension, suicidal thoughts, hyponatremia, impaired liver and kidney function.

The preparation of "Simbalta": instructions for use

The price of this drug is very high. However, its effectiveness is not subject to any doubts.

The presented medicine is prescribed only for oral administration. Capsules must be swallowed whole, without crushing or chewing them. It should be specially noted that in no case should you add the drug to the food or mix it with any liquids, since such an action can easily damage the enteric coating.

Drugs for depression should be taken at an initial dosage equal to 60 mg once a day. To achieve a positive result, some patients increase this volume to a maximum dose of 120 mg twice daily.

In patients diagnosed with chronic renal failure, which occurs in the terminal stage, the initial dosage of the drug should be 30 mg once a day. If the patients have liver function disorders, then the indicated amount of the drug is recommended to reduce or reduce the frequency of administration.

It should also be noted that it is necessary to avoid a sharp withdrawal of the medication. The amount of the drug should be reduced gradually over 1-2 weeks. If there are significant signs of withdrawal on this background, then it is recommended to continue treatment at the prescribed dosage. Subsequently, the doctor may continue to lower the dose, but even more slowly.

Cases of overdose

What do experts say about cases of overdoses with the drug "Simbalta"? The doctors' reviews contain the information that they have such data. To date, there are cases of overdose when taking the drug inside in an amount up to 3000 mg, as well as its combination with other means. By the way, one death was recorded.

Signs of combined or isolated overdose are the following conditions: clonic convulsions, drowsiness, vomiting, coma, tachycardia and serotonin syndrome. As for preclinical studies (animal experiments), the main symptoms of intoxication associated with uncontrolled medication use are disorders of the central nervous and digestive system. Also, patients may experience tremors, ataxia, clonic convulsions, vomiting and loss of appetite.

What to do in case of an overdose? With the development of serotonin syndrome , correction therapy with cyproheptadine should be immediately performed, and methods for normalizing the body temperature of the patient should be used.

The patient needs to provide fresh air. It should also monitor the work of his heart and monitor life. All this must be done in conjunction with supportive and symptomatic treatment.

If you have not had enough time since taking the medication, you should wash your stomach. Also, in order to limit the absorption of medication, the patient is encouraged to drink activated charcoal.

By-effect

Can the reception of the drug be negatively affected by human health? Consider the side effects of antidepressant drugs in more detail:

• Very often (in 10% of cases) in clinical trials, the following conditions were noted in patients: dizziness, headaches, dry mouth, sleep disturbance, insomnia, nausea, drowsiness and constipation.
• The most frequent (from 1 to 10% of cases) in patients were hot flashes, diarrhea, blurred vision, vomiting, sweating, tremors, increased anorgasmia, decreased appetite, decreased libido, weight loss, weakness, erectile dysfunction, and delayed or abnormal ejaculation.

One can not help saying that such a side effect, like dizziness (sometimes headaches and nausea), is often noted when the drug is drastically abolished. By the way, in patients with diabetic neuropathy of a painful form, an increase in fasting blood glucose can be observed.

Reviews about the drug

According to reviews of specialists and patients, the drug under consideration fully copes with the task. After taking it, it eliminates anxiety disorder, and also promotes the disappearance of the depressive state. In addition, this medication well removes pain syndromes in the musculoskeletal system.

Interaction with other means

Is it possible to conduct a joint intake of other drugs with the medicine "Simbalta"? Experts say that this remedy directly affects the effectiveness of certain medicines.

So, there is a risk of developing a serotonin syndrome if duloxetine is used in conjunction with MAOI.

In view of the fact that the CYP1A2 isoenzyme actively participates in the metabolism of the Simbalta preparation, their simultaneous use can lead to an increase in the concentration of the latter.

It is not recommended to prescribe this medication together with other medicines that affect the central nervous system. Also, during its reception should not drink alcohol.

Sometimes with the simultaneous use of SSRIs and serotonergic drugs in patients there is a serotonin syndrome. Therefore, extreme care should be taken when using this drug with serotonergic antidepressants.

In connection with the fact that there is a potentially increased risk of bleeding, do not simultaneously use duloxetine and anticoagulants (antithrombotic drugs).

Breastfeeding and Pregnancy

Can I use the drug "Simbalta", the price of which will be presented later, during pregnancy? Due to the lack of sufficient information on the use of duloxetine during the gestation period, this medication can be prescribed only if the benefit to the expectant mother is significantly greater than the risk for the baby.

It should also be noted that patients taking this remedy should be sure to warn their doctor about the onset or planning of pregnancy.

Studies have shown that taking antidepressants in women, especially in later periods, significantly increases the risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension in newborn babies. Moreover, withdrawal syndrome is also often observed in children in the event of a sharp cessation of the use of duloxetine by a prospective mother in late pregnancy. Most of the symptoms of this condition were observed during childbirth or in the first days after.

Due to the fact that duloxetine is able to penetrate into the mother's milk, it is extremely undesirable to breast-feed a child during therapy. Otherwise, the concentration of this substance in the fetus will be in the amount of 0.14% of the concentration in the mother.

Specific guidance on the use of the drug

Having appointed his patient a drug "Simbalta", the doctor is obliged to inform him that it is strictly prohibited to take this remedy immediately with MAO inhibitors. Otherwise, it can be fatal, as well as serious complications in the form of hyperthermia, myoclonus and pronounced excitement with the transition to coma.

It should also be noted that it is forbidden to take this drug for two weeks after the end of treatment with MAO inhibitors.

According to the research, in patients with manic conditions with the use of other medications that affect the nervous system, in conjunction with the "Simbalt" means, the existing disease can become aggravated.

In view of the fact that there is a probability of suicide attempts in depressive states, especially patients at risk should be observed.

Taking this medication can easily cause drowsiness. In this regard, patients who take this drug, you should take extra care when driving the machine and when working with dangerous moving mechanisms.

Price and analogues of the medicinal product

How much are the intestinal capsules of Simbalt? Their price can be different. It depends on the manufacturer and the mark-up of pharmacy chains. However, it should be noted that on average this drug costs about 1050 Russian rubles (30 mg, 14 pieces). If you need to buy a medicine in a similar amount, but at a dosage of 60 mg, then you will have to give about 1150 rubles.

Now you know how much duloxetine costs. The price of it may increase or decrease depending on some factors. Currently, the purchase of this drug is not difficult. However, you can buy it only by prescription.

But what if you for any reason could not buy the medicinal capsules of Simbalt? Analogs of this drug are available in almost every pharmacy. Although the acquisition of them will also require a prescription from the doctor.

What can replace the medication Simbalta? Among its counterparts, I would like to emphasize the following medicines:

• "Intrusion";
• "Azafen" (tablets);
• "Duloxetine canon" (enteric-dissolving capsules);
• "Venlafaxine Sandoz";
• "Alventa";
• "Mirtazapin Canon";
• "Bethol" (solution for iv and / m administration);
• "Wellbutrin";
• "Bethol" in tablets;
• "Waldoxan";
• "Neuroplant";
• Velafax;
• "Kaliksta";
• "Venlaksor";
• Venzuert;
• "Dapfix";
• "Venlift OD";
• "Deprim";
• "Efewelon retard";
• "Doppelherz Nervotonik" in the form of an elixir;
• "Inkazan";
• "Ephevelone";
• "Coaxil";
• "Esprital";
• "Lerivon";
• Trittico;
• Normazidol;
• Mirzaten;
• "Tetrindol";
• Mirtazonal;
• "Remeron";
• Mirtalan;
• "Pyrazidol";
• "Negrustin";
• Newvelong;
• "Noxibel."

Method of storage and shelf life

What is the shelf life of the Simbalta preparation? According to the instructions and the date on the package, this remedy should not be taken after three years. In this case, it is recommended to store it in a dark place, where the air temperature does not exceed 20 degrees.