There are several ways to deal with panic attacks. All of them can be divided into three types:
- Medicines;
- Psychological (psychotherapeutic) techniques and techniques;
- Other techniques typically used in specialized clinics (physiotherapy, biofeedback therapy, physical therapy, reflexology).
Below we will describe in detail the first group - medications for panic attacks.
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Like any medicine, drugs for panic attacks must be prescribed by a clinic doctor, who, before prescribing them, clarifies the patient’s condition and determines all indications and contraindications!
All medications that help with panic attacks are divided into two groups:
- Quick aid equipment (“ambulance”). Can be used once. Allows you to prevent or relieve a panic attack.
- Medicines for continuous use (preventive). Taking these pills helps prevent the development of a panic attack.
Quick help for a panic attack
Benzodiazepine tranquilizers
The most effective and fastest-acting medications for panic attacks are a group of benzodiazepine tranquilizers
. These include:
- alprazolam (Xanax),
- clonazepam,
- diazepam (Relanium),
- bromodihydrochlorophenylbenzodiazepine (phenazepam).
These are potent drugs and therefore are not commercially available. They can be purchased using special prescriptions, which can only be prescribed by certified doctors in licensed clinics.
The action of benzodiazepine tranquilizers provides rapid relief of anxiety, vegetative manifestations (rapid pulse and breathing, sweating, trembling, chills and heat waves, dizziness, etc.), normalization of sleep and appetite.
Since the basis of any panic attack is anxiety and excessive activation of brain structures responsible for the protective anxiety reflex, then, regardless of the causes, mechanism of development and manifestation of panic, tranquilizers always have a quick effect. They will either prevent the development of a panic attack, or (if it has already begun) stop it.
Benzodiazepine tranquilizers are used once - as an ambulance, or in short courses (usually no more than a week). With long-term use, dependence is formed, one of the manifestations of which will be “increasing tolerance” - the need to increase the dose to achieve an effect.
These drugs are often used in tablet form. As a rule, taking one tranquilizer tablet ensures the development of a therapeutic effect in 20-40 minutes.
Some of these drugs (diazepam, bromodihydrochlorophenylbenzodiazepine) exist in the form of a solution, which allows them to be used as injections intramuscularly or intravenously, in which case the effect occurs very quickly - from a few seconds to several minutes.
Advantages of benzodiazepine tranquilizers: pronounced anti-anxiety effect, rapid onset of action, well tolerated.
Disadvantages: difficult to purchase (you need a doctor's prescription, a special prescription form), a common side effect is drowsiness and lethargy; if taken regularly, they can cause physical and mental dependence.
Non-benzodiazepine tranquilizers
The next group is non-benzodiazepine tranquilizers
. They are distinguished from the first group by a different chemical structure. The most common representatives:
- hydroxyzine (atarax),
- mebicar,
- etifoxine,
- meprobamate.
In terms of potency, they are inferior to the drugs of the previous group. But they also have their advantages: they are well tolerated, do not cause drowsiness, do not develop dependence, and are easier to purchase in pharmacies (no special prescriptions are needed).
The most common remedy in this group is ATARAX
. They can be used once to prevent or relieve a panic attack. It is also used for long-term use, which can prevent the recurrence of a panic attack.
Thus, tranquilizers
- the most common and popular group of pills for panic attacks. It has been noticed that many people who have long gotten rid of panic attacks, but remember these unpleasant anxiety states, try to carry a tranquilizer pill with them “just in case.”
Neuroleptics
Neuroleptics with sedative action. This is the next group of drugs that have a sedative effect and can relieve a panic attack. The most common tablets are:
- Thioridazine (Sonapax);
- Periciazine (neuleptil);
- Chlorprothixene (Truxal);
- Quetiapine (Seroquel);
- Alimemazine (teraligen);
- Sulpiride (eglonil).
The general sedative effect of these drugs allows, when taken continuously, to prevent the development of panic attacks, and when taken once, to relieve a panic attack.
The disadvantage of this group of drugs is that, in addition to anxiety, other emotional reactions (joy, surprise, delight, pleasure, curiosity, melancholy, etc.) can be suppressed.
Antidepressants with sedative effects
Despite the fact that antidepressants are the most prescribed pills in the complex treatment of panic attacks, they can also be used as an “ambulance” - once to stop a panic attack. For this purpose the following are most often used:
- Amitriptyline;
- Clomipramine (Anafranil);
- Mianserin (lerivon)
Unlike antipsychotics and tranquilizers, the effect of antidepressants does not develop as quickly, but is longer lasting.
Other drugs for quick relief of an attack
- aminophenylbutyric acid (phenibut),
- glycine,
- ethyl alcohol (alcohol),
- valocordin or corvalol (and their analogues),
- beta-blockers (anaprilin, atenolol),
- alpha-blockers (clinidine), etc.
Release forms
There are 2 forms of Asparkam release: tablets and solution. Several pharmaceutical companies make this drug, so the name is often hyphenated by the manufacturer.
In tablets the ratio of potassium and magnesium is 1:1, so for 175 mg of potassium aspartate there is 175 mg of magnesium aspartate. This is the optimal ratio of the main active ingredients.
In solutions for intravenous injections, everything is a little different: 40 mg of magnesium aspartate and 45 mg of potassium aspartate per 1 ml. “Asparkam” is produced in ampoules of 5, 10 and even 20 ml. There are also solutions for intravenous infusions. There are already 7.9 g of magnesium aspartate and 11.6 g of potassium aspartate per 1 liter.
The price of Asparkam is different for all manufacturers, the cheapest tablets can be found from 30 rubles, the solution in ampoules from 110 rubles.
Medications to take regularly for panic attacks
Constant use of pharmacotherapy allows you to stabilize the biochemical and physiological processes in the nervous system that are responsible for the development of panic attacks.
Basically, such drugs act on specific receptors in the brain and restore the normal activity of neurotransmitters: dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, adrenaline, acetylcholine and others.
Antidepressants
Mainly affects serotonin receptors of the nervous system. They are used in courses of several months (from three to more than a year). The most “popular” and common antidepressants for preventing panic attacks:
- Escitalopram (cipralex, elicea);
- Paroxetine (Paxil);
- Amitriptyline;
- Sertraline (Zoloft);
- Fluvoxamine (fevarin).
Neuroleptics
They act predominantly on dopamine receptors in the brain. Prescribed in cases where panic attacks are a manifestation of an endogenous disease. Like antidepressants, they are taken for a long time from several months to several years.
Contrary to popular belief among people with anxiety disorders, they do not cause addiction. The most commonly used antipsychotics for long-term treatment of panic attacks are:
- Thioridazine (Sonapax);
- Sulpiride (eglonil);
- Quetiapine (Seroquel);
- Risperidone (rispolept);
- Flupenthixol (fluanxol).
Normotimic drugs
Their mechanism of action is the normalization of the ratio of excitation and inhibition processes in the brain. Most effective for panic attacks due to encephalopathy, consequences of traumatic brain injuries, strokes, and hypoxia.
The most common representatives of normotimics:
- valproic acid (Depakine Chrono),
- lamotrigine (Lamictal),
- carbamazepine (finlepsin).
To summarize, it can be noted that among the above-listed medications there are several drugs with a universal effect: they are suitable both for a single dose to quickly relieve a panic attack, and for long-term use. These are the antidepressant amitriptyline and the antipsychotics quetiapine, thioridazine and sulpiride.
This material is for informational purposes only. Under no circumstances should you use the medications described above for panic attacks on your own. Any use of the drug should only be as prescribed by a doctor! Don't self-medicate!
What is Asparkam used for?
Potassium, together with sodium, regulates water-salt metabolism in the body; its deficiency or excess negatively affects human health. In addition, potassium promotes the transmission of nerve impulses in the heart muscle, so its deficiency can cause disturbances in the functioning of the heart, and in particular arrhythmia, aggravate hypertension, and provoke the risk of stroke.
The microelement magnesium is part of all cells and tissues, enzymes, activates phosphatase in blood plasma and bones, participates in the process of neuromuscular excitability, promotes energy production and has a sedative (calming) effect.
In addition, magnesium helps the body absorb the required amount of potassium. Therefore, these two substances must be taken together. It has been proven that potassium and magnesium in the form of asparagines are best absorbed, so Asparkam is an excellent and effective drug for treating deficiency of such microelements.
Indications for use
Cardiologists most often prescribe Asparkam for hypokalemia. This condition occurs due to:
-lack of potassium content in food;
-vomiting and diarrhea, in which the microelement is quickly eliminated from the body;
- taking diuretics that promote the excretion of potassium in the urine;
- long-term use of corticosteroids, insulin and a number of other drugs;
- some genetic congenital diseases that are accompanied by impaired absorption of potassium;
- prolonged stress.
Hypokalemia is a very dangerous condition, often accompanied by muscle pain and weakness. In more severe cases, the functioning of the heart and vascular system deteriorates, heart rhythm disturbances, and tachycardia appear. In addition, with a lack of potassium, an increase in urine production occurs (polyuria), the density of urine decreases, and as a result, end-stage renal failure can occur.
Doctors prescribe potassium to patients whose blood levels of this element are below 3.5 mmol/liter.
There are also conditions that are accompanied by magnesium deficiency, in these cases “Asparkam” is also prescribed. Such diseases include: hypertensive crisis, late toxicosis in pregnant women, convulsive symptoms, and also as part of combination therapy for the relief of epilepsy.
According to the instructions, Asparkam tablets must be taken after meals so that gastric juice does not reduce its effectiveness. Usual regimen: 1-2 tablets 3 times a day for 3-4 weeks. but a cardiologist can provide individual treatment for each patient, which depends on the severity of the condition.
Asparkam tablets can only be used by adults; for children under 18 years of age, doctors prescribe solutions that are administered intravenously in the treatment room.
The injection solution is administered intravenously. The contents of the ampoule must first be diluted with a 5% glucose solution and then administered slowly and dropwise. Usually 1 injection per day is enough; if necessary, a subsequent injection can be given 4-6 hours after the first. The duration of treatment is always determined by the attending physician.
It is worth remembering that Asparkam is always used in complex therapy, because its action alone is not enough to normalize the functioning of the heart muscle.
Self-use of the drug without a prescription from a specialist is prohibited; pharmacies can dispense this drug only with a prescription.
What to choose: “Panangin” or “Asparkam”
The buyer always asks the question which medicine is better to choose. in this case, doctors first of all prescribe the drug “Panangin”, because they value its European quality, many years of experience in using patients, and a low number of contraindications and side effects. In addition, it is under the Panangin brand that a strengthened form of forte and enriched with vitamins B6 is produced.
Since “Panangin” is produced in Hungary, its substance is of European origin and quality, as well as a high degree of purification. The effect of the drug is cumulative, even when the drug is discontinued, patients note rhythm stability. After 1-2 weeks from the start of the course, the effect begins. Tachycardia disappears, plus a calm and balanced state appears.
Some patients note that after taking Asparkam they feel very sleepy. This is a significant disadvantage for working people.
The consumer decides which drug to choose. The doctor can only give his recommendations, prescribe the dosage and course of treatment. The only thing you need to understand is that if a package costs 30 rubles, it is possible that the manufacturer has saved significantly on the quality of raw materials. Namely, this factor can lead to side effects.
Analogues of "Asparkam"
Like many other drugs, Asparkam has analogues. For example, doctors very often prescribe Panangin. This is a time-tested and very high-quality Hungarian drug. Of course, this product is more expensive than Asparkam, but at the same time it has a large number of positive reviews from specialists and patients.
"Panangin" is available in the form of tablets and solution for intravenous injection. 1 tablet of "Panangin" contains magnesium aspartate 140 mg, and potassium aspartate 158 mg. There is also an increased dosage - forte: potassium aspartate 316 mg, and magnesium aspartate 280 mg.
Cardiologists prescribe Panangin for:
- chronic diseases of the heart muscle;
- heart rhythm disturbances;
- treatment with cardiac glycosides;
-replacement therapy for lack of potassium and magnesium in food.
Recently, the manufacturer released a new form of “Panangin”, enriched with vitamin B6. It contains magnesium aspartate 140 mg, potassium aspartate 158 mg, plus pyridoxine hydrochloride 0.6 mg. This dietary supplement is intended as an additional source of vitamin B6, potassium and magnesium.
As a result, the tone of the heart muscle and blood vessels is normalized, the risk of developing atherosclerosis is reduced, resistance to stress increases, the functioning of the nervous system improves, and anxiety decreases.
