Uses and side effects of Anxit tablets

Anxit is an Indian brand name of Generic Alprazolam manufactured by Micro pharmaceuticals. It is prescribed for anxiety disorders and in sleep problems. At lower doses it is helpful in reducing anxiety while causing minimal drowsiness. Most common side effects are drowsiness, fatigue and addiction. This medication can be habit forming in long term use. 

Anxit tablets

Uses of Anxit tablets

This tablet is primarily used to treat anxiety. At 0.25mg thrice a day, it is effective in treating sudden anxiety. It is helpful for people who experience anxiety in social situations such as social phobia. In addition, it is helpful in treating sudden panic attacks. However, it is not recommended to long term use in panic attacks.

In addition to above uses it can be used in treating epilepsy. However, it is rarely used for this purpose. 

This medication is used primarily to reduce anxiety

Dose range and use of Anxit tablets

This medication comes in 0.25mg and 0.5 tablets. Usually it is used thrice a day. It should not be crushed before use as it will increase the side effects. In addition, it should be taken with full glass of water.

This medication should not be used as a long term anti-anxiety medication. It is because it has habit forming properties and it can cause adverse effects upon discontinuation. In addition, in long term use some people may need increasing doses to get the same effect. So it is advisable to take it short term (Usually less than 3 months).

Common side effects

This medication is known to cause sedation and drowsiness. It can interfere with operating machinery and driving. Therefore, it is very important not to operate machinery or drive while on this medication. In addition, please state your occupation before getting the prescription from your doctor.

This medication interfere with normal sleep pattern. Therefore, some people may not experience natural sleep while on this medication. They may not feel refreshed following sleep.

This medication can cause problems with operating machinery

Some people may get suicidal ideation and this medication is known to precipitate depressive episodes. Other common side effects are impairment in memory, confusion, and fatigue. Confusion is much more common among elderly people who takes this medication.

This medication can interfere with driving

List of common side effects of Anxit tablets

1.       Sedation

2.       Drowsiness

3.       Dizziness

4.       Loss of quality sleep

5.       Depression

6.       Disinhibition

7.       Aggression

8.       Memory impairment

9.       Confusion

10.    Fatigue

Rare side effects of Anxit tablets

1.       Sexual difficulties

2.       Allergic reactions

3.       Headache

4.       Difficulty in walking

You need to discuss following information with your doctor before getting prescription

1.       Kidney disease

2.       Pregnancy status

3.       Breastfeeding

4.       Liver disease

5.       Breathing problem such as Asthma

6.       Clinical depression

7.       Myasthenia gravis

Summary

Anxit is a prescription only benzodiazepine class medication. Its generic name is Alprazolam. It is prescribed in Anxiety disorders and prescribed to induce sleep as well. Its main side effects are sedation, drowsiness, confusion and memory impairment.

Venlift OD uses and side effects

Venlift OD ("Once daily") is a medication prescribed for major depression and anxiety disorders. It is an Indian brand name of Venlafaxine manufactured by Torrent pharmaceuticals. This medication is a SNRI or selective serotonin and noradrenalin reuptake inhibitor class medication.

This medication acts by increasing serotonin and noradrenaline in nerve terminals.
Its commonest side effects are dry mouth, reduced sleep and constipation. Venlift OD is the extended release preparation of the Venlift. Venlift OD has to be given less frequently than Venlift.

Sections

1. Side effects of Venlift OD

Uses of Venlift OD

This medication is prescribed for depressive disorder, anxiety disorder such as panic disorder and social phobia.

Venlift OD capsules

Depression is characterized by persistent low mood, difficulty in enjoying pleasure and inability to work due to lack of energy. In addition, patients with severe form of depression get suicidal ideas and can end their lives.

Venlift OD is prescribed for depression

In addition to depression, this medication is useful in treating anxiety disorders such as social phobia and panic disorder. Panic disorder is characterized by sudden onset out of the blue attacks of anxiety associated with fear of death, fear of suffocation or fear of heart attacks. It is common for general medical clinic to get patients with panic disorder.

Social anxiety disorder is characterized by severe disabling anxiety in social situations. They become severely anxious to talk to strangers and participate in social events.

How to take Venlift OD

This medication should be taken with a full glass of water. In addition, it should be taken with food to minimize side effects. Since this medication comes as a capsule, you should not break or remove the cover of the capsule.

Always follow your doctor’s advice and do not stop taking this medication without medical advice.

Usual dose range of this medication is 37.5mg to 375mg per day. Venlift OD preparation can be given once daily but most of the time prescribed twice daily to minimize side effects.

Take this medication with full glass of water to minimize side effects

Taking this medication after a meal would reduce side effects

What are the things you should tell your doctor before getting the prescription?

1. High blood pressure
2. Heart disease
3. Bipolar disease
4. Liver and Kidney failure
5. Myasthenia gravis
6. Hyperthyroidism

It is very important to tell your doctor whether you have hypertension as this medication is known to increase blood pressure.

High blood pressure is a common side effect

How Venlift OD works

Venlift increases serotonin and noradrenaline neurotransmission in the brain counteracting changes that are occurring in depression and other conditions. Compared to SSRI medications, this medication increase both noradrenaline and serotonin levels at higher doses. Which explains its higher efficacy.

What are the common side effects of Venlift OD?

This medication can cause nausea, and sometimes vomiting. In addition, it can cause heart burn and gastric irritation. It can also cause significant sexual dysfunction including lack of desire and erectile dysfunction in men.

At the initial part of the therapy you would experience increase of anxiety symptoms including dry mouth, increased heart rate, sweating and mild tremors. But they will usually goes off as time pass. In addition, you may experience sleep problems with this medication and some will experience poor sleep. In such patients it is advised to take this medication at morning.

Sleep problems are common side effect

Common side effects

1. Nausea
2. Gastric irritation
3. Headache
4. Sexual dysfunction
5. High blood pressure
6. Sleep problems
7. Dry mouth
8. Sweating
9. Increased anxiety

Sexual side effects can be annoying - But successful treatment of depression would improve sexual function

What are the more serious side effects associated with Venlift OD

This medication can cause manic shift in patients with bipolar disorder. It is characterized by increased energy, increased wellbeing and increased activity followed by more disinhibited behavior which is out of character.

In addition, certain group of people would develop serious complication called serotonin syndrome. It is characterized by high fever, sweating, course tremors and confusion. It usually occurs when you were changed from one medication to another or in case of rapid increase in dose.

List of serious side effects associated with Venlift OD

1. Serotonin syndrome
2. Bipolar mania
3. Increased bleeding
4. Increased gastric ulceration
5. Dangerous increase in blood pressure (Usually in over dose)

This medication can become toxic in overdose and therefore doctors prescribe Venlift carefully to patients with high suicidal risk.

Summary

Venlift OD is a SNRI class medication. Its generic name is Venlafaxine. It is prescribed for major depression and anxiety disorders. Its main side effects are nausea, gastric irritation, increased blood pressure, sexual dysfunction and sleep problems.

Librium for alcohol withdrawal

Librium is a benzodiazepine class medication commonly prescribed for alcohol withdrawal. It reduces symptoms of alcohol withdrawal such as tremors, sleep problems and visual disturbances. In addition, it reduces chances of getting alcohol withdrawal seizures (fits).

Librium is the generic name of Chlordiazepoxide. It acts via activating GABA type A receptors in the brain. In addition, Librium is the first benzodiazepine to hit the market.

What are alcohol withdrawal symptoms?

Alcohol withdrawal is experienced by people who are dependent on alcohol. Once they stopped alcohol suddenly, they will experience tremors, poor sleep, nausea, fever and increased heart rate. Withdrawal symptoms usually develop within 6 - 12 hours from the last  drink.

Sometimes alcohol withdrawal can become dangerous. It is dangerous when you develop a condition called delirium tremens. Delirium tremens is characterized by severe withdrawal symptoms associated with perceptual disturbances such as visual hallucinations. In addition, during the phase of delirium tremens, person will experience severe fluctuations in blood pressure and body temperature.

Any type of alcohol can cause dependence and withdrawal

They behave aggressively toward imaginary visual hallucinations and could easily misinterpret other stimuli as strange and threatening. They show marked behavioural problems, especially at night.

Patient with a delirium tremens should be managed in an inward setting with a high dependency unit.

In addition, sometimes alcohol dependent person can develop alcohol withdrawal seizures or fits. It can also be harmful.

Because of these harmful withdrawal effects, alcohol dependent people should first consult a medical doctor before stopping alcohol.

Who are alcohol dependent people?

Alcohol dependent people have following symptoms,

1. Craving for alcohol
2. Tolerance for alcohol : Need large amount of alcohol to get intoxicated
3. Getting withdrawal symptoms described above
4. Continued alcohol use despite harmful consequences (Losing job, liver damage, family disharmony)
5. Unable to control alcohol taking behaviour
6. Loss of other pleasurable activities

If a person has three of above symptoms together at sometime during last year they have dependence.

Is Hangover alcohol withdrawal?

This alcohol withdrawal syndrome is not to be confused with hangover that occur after a episode of binge drinking. Hangovers are usually due to reduced blood sugar due to how body metabolises alcohol and due to alcohol metabolites accumulating in the body (Aldehyde).
 It is helped by taking milk with sugary drink.

Alcohol withdrawal is no to be confused with Hangover : Courtesy : Pixabay.com

Why people develop severe alcohol withdrawal reaction?

Brain adapts to alcohol in dependent person. Once alcohol is withdrawn from his/her blood stream, those adaptable changes become unopposed. These changes can become so severe it can kill the person.

How Librium helps?

Librium is acting similar to alcohol. Once alcohol is not in the system Librium keep those adaptive changes in check. Then librium is gradually reduced. So body has enough time to readapt itself.

How Librium is given for alcohol withdrawal?

Librium is usually started in a high dose and then gradually the dose will be tailed off. Common doses to start with are (30mgs 6hrly, 20mg 6hrly). Then the dose is gradually reduced until the withdrawal features are disappeared.

Usually Librium is tailed off within five days. But a night dose is continued for sometime to help sleep disturbance associated with alcohol withdrawal.

It usually takes one to two weeks to completely detoxify alcohol dependent person. However, his/her craving for the alcohol will not subside with Librium. It needs careful psychotherapy and medications such as Acamprosate.

Problems associated with Librium?

Librium can cause drowsiness, sedation, cognitive impairment, and motor coordination difficulties. Due to this reason a Person who is on Librium should not operate machinery or drive vehicles. But they can do these tasks once he/she is off drugs for more than a week, so the drug is cleared from the body. 

Nodict is a medication used by doctors to prevent an alcohol dependent person going back to alcohol taking behaviour. It is an anti craving medication. 

Uses and side effects of Manorest

Manorest is a trade name of the generic medication Alprazolam. It is manufactured in India and popular in Indian sub-continent. It is prescribed for Anxiety disorders and to help sleep problems. This medication is known to cause fatigue, drowsiness and dizziness. This medication should not be used in long term as it is habit forming and causes addiction.

Uses of Manorest

Manorest is prescribed primarily in anxiety disorders such as social phobia, simple phobia, agoraphobia and panic disorder. Addition to above use this medication can help to reduce seizures. But it is rarely used for this purpose.

This medication should not be used long term, by people with anxiety disorders, as they will need higher doses to control anxiety. In addition, they become more anxious when they are not on medication.

Sudden discontinuation of Manorest after prolonged use can cause severe withdrawal syndrome. It is similar to alcohol withdrawal reaction and should be treated by medical professionals.

Manorest 0.5mg tablets

What are the dose range of Manorest?

This medication is usually prescribed in the range 0.25mg to 1mg. It should be taken as a complete tablet with full glass of water. Never crush the tablet before taking as it will increase the side effects.

What are the common side effects of this medication?

Drowsiness is a commons side effect of Manorest

Most common side effects are sedation, dizziness and drowsiness. These side effects can go on to next day morning, when you takes the medication at night (It is prescribed at night). Therefore it is very important you should avoid operating machinery and driving vehicles, when you are on Manorest. However, after sometime you may find the side effects become tolerable.

Operating machinery can be dangerous if you took this medication at night

Driving can be dangerous if you are on Manorest

If this medication is taken to induce sleep, you may find the quality of sleep is less than the natural sleep. It is because this medication is known to disrupt natural sleep cycle.

Few people have reported that taking this medication can cause depression and suicide tendencies. In addition, some people will lose their social inhibition and can become irritable and aggressive. In addition, it can increase risk taking behavior in certain individuals.

Other common side effects are memory impairment, confusion, and fatigue. Confusion is more common among elderly people who take this medication.

List of commons side effects of Manorest

1.       Sedation

2.       Drowsiness

3.       Dizziness

4.       Loss of quality sleep

5.       Depression

6.       Disinhibition

7.       Aggression

8.       Memory impairment

9.       Confusion

10.    Fatigue

Clinical depression is a common side effect

Rare side effects of Manorest

1.       Sexual problems

2.       Allergic reactions

3.       Headache

4.       Walking difficulty

5.       Urine incontinence

Information you need to give to your doctor before getting your prescription

1.       Kidney disease

2.       Pregnancy status

3.       Breast feeding

4.       Liver disease

5.       Breathing problem such as Asthma

6.       Clinical depression

7.       Myasthenia gravis

Summary

Manorest is a prescription only benzodiazepine class medication, its generic name is Alprazolam. It is prescribed for Anxiety disorders and to induce sleep. Its main side effects are sedation, drowsiness, confusion and memory impairment.

Sources

Drug treatment for anxiety - Australian prescriber

Uses and side effects of Sizodon

Sizodon is a brand of Risperidone manufactured by the Sun Pharma, India. It is an atypical antipsychotic medication prescribed primarily for Schizophrenia, Delusional disorder and Bipolar disorder. Main notable side effects of Sizodon are movement problem called acute dystonia and drug induced Parkinsonism.

Uses of Sizodon

Sizodon is prescribed primarily for psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar mania and delusional disorder. In addition, it is prescribed for acute and transient psychotic disorders. It is available as tablets and usual dose range is 0.5mg to 16mg. But it is usually prescribed in the range 2mg – 8mg.

Sizodon 1mg tablets

Sizodon 2mg tablets

Schizophrenia is a psychiatry disorder characterized by delusions and hallucinations. Delusions are strongly held beliefs that are culturally unacceptable and not amenable to logical arguments. Hallucinations are perceptions (sounds, visions and sensations) without a stimulus (e.g hearing voices when nobody is talking). It is found scientifically, that patients with schizophrenia experience above symptoms due to abnormalities in their brain chemistry.

Artists Depiction of Schizophrenia

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder where the patients experience extreme mood swings. They sometime become severely depressed with ideas of worthlessness, having inability to experience pleasure, and hopelessness. Some patients commit suicide when the depression overwhelms them. In addition, at other times they have normal mood and sometimes get very high elevation of mood. At the time of elevation of mood they can become destructive, over spend their money and have sexual misadventures.

Having both happy and sad moods in Bipolar disorder

Sizodon is especially effective in the mood elevated phase or the manic phase. In addition, it has some mood stabilizing properties. Therefore, some doctors prescribe it after their manic phase.

This medication is also prescribed in Delusional disorder. It is a disorder characterized by persisting delusions. Common example of Delusional disorder is morbid jealousy. Here the person suspects his/her sexual partner fidelity without any adequate evidence.

Side effects of Sizodon

Sizodon is an antipsychotic medication and it shares side effects of other anti psychotics. Most common side effects are nausea, gastric upset and drowsiness. They are common to most of western medications.

Most notable side effects are movement problems named acute dystonia and drug induced Parkinsonism. Acute dystonia occurs within hours of taking the medication and Parkinsonism occur within days of taking it. These side effects are common in higher doses of the medication (Usually more than 4mg).

It can cause restlessness in legs and the person gets a feeling that he need to continue to move. It is very distressing symptom and if you get this symptom, you need to meet your doctor.

These movement related side effects are described in the following post.

Causes, symptoms and treatment of extrapyramidal side effects

In addition, Sizodon is known to aggravate glaucoma, cause acute urine retention, cause constipation and male erectile dysfunction. It is also causes menstrual problems in women. Some people experience severe drowsiness and sedation.

Sexual dysfunction is a common cause for discontinuation of medication. It can be addressed by doctors. 

Some people would experience weight gain, increased blood sugar and increased blood lipid levels with this medication. It is called metabolic syndrome.

A list of common side effects

1. Anxiety
2. Changes in vision, including blurred vision
3. Difficulty concentrating
4. Difficulty speaking or swallowing
5. Inability to move the eyes
6. Loss of balance and control
7. Mask like face
8. Memory problems
9. Muscle spasms of face, neck, and back
10. Problems with urination
11. Need to keep moving the legs
12. Shuffling walk
13. Skin rash or itching
14. Stiffness or weakness of the arms or legs
15. Tic-like or twitching movements
16. Trembling & shaking of the fingers/hands
17. Trouble sleeping
18. Twisting like body movements

How to minimize side effects

You should take the dose recommended by your doctor. You should also take the medication with a full glass of water. Take the medication after a meal. In addition, never crush the medication before taking it. If you experience abnormal movements, inability to keep still (constantly in need of moving the legs) or drooling of saliva or severe constipation then you need to meet your doctor again.

Sometimes your doctor would prescribe medications that would alleviate or prevent you from getting side effects. Common such medication is Benzhexol (or Trihexyphenidyl).

What are the rare but dangerous side effects?

Most significant dangerous side effect would be neuroleptic malignant syndrome. It is characterized by fever, muscle rigidity, confusion and can cause multi organ failure. It is a serious complication of all the antipsychotic medications including Sizodon.

Symptoms of Neuroleptic malignant syndrome  

Summary

Sizodon is an antipsychotic medication called risperidone. It is prescribed for schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. Main side effects are movement abnormalities called acute dystonic reaction and drug induced parkinsonism.

Uses and side effect of Zosert tablets

Zosert is a brand of Sertraline manufactured by the Sun Pharmaceuticals, India. It is a SSRI (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) class medication. It is prescribed for major depression, Obsessive compulsive disorder and other anxiety disorders. Most common side effects are nausea, gastric irritation and reduction in sexual desire. In addition, Zosert is one of the safest SSRI medication for patients with com morbid heart disease.

Zosert 50mg tablets

Depression is associated with many physical problems. Recent study has identified prolonged depression can cause heart problems such as heart attacks. 

Depression can cause Heart problems 

Uses of Zosert

This medication is mainly used for depressive disorder. Depression is characterized by more than two weeks period of low energy, low mood and lack of pleasure (unable to get pleasure from previously pleasurable activities). Zosert is given to patients with moderate to severe depressive episodes. A person need to take the medication for at least 7 – 10 days to experience a response.

In addition, Zosert is prescribed for obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders such as panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Depression is one of the  most common indication of Zosert

How Zosert is available and how should it be taken?

Zosert is available as tablets. Usually it is available as 25mg, 50mg and 100mg tablets. Maximum dose is 200mg. Maximum doses are tried for patients with obsessive compulsive disorder.

To minimize side effects, it should be taken fully without crushing after a meal. In addition, a full glass of water should be taken with it.

Another brand of Sertraline common in India

What are the common side effects associated with Zosert tablets?

One of the most common side effect is heart burn and nausea. It can be minimized by taking it after a meal. In addition, some people develop headache especially after several days. Paracetamol (Acetaminophen 1g for an adult) can be taken as a treatment for this side effect.

In addition, sleep disturbances are common with this medication. Some people will experience poor sleep and others may experience drowsiness. Depending on the type patient can adjust the dosage time. E.g if it causes drowsiness take the medication in the evening.

Other more side effect of concern is sexual dysfunction. It can manifest as lack of sexual desire or erectile dysfunction (Impotence).

Summary of common side effects

1.       Nausea

2.       Heartburn

3.       Headache

4.       Sleep problems

5.       Sexual dysfunction

6.       Weight loss and loss of appetite

What are the serious side effects associated with Zosert tablets?

Zosert increases serotonin neurotransmission in the brain. Therefore, it can rarely cause serotonin syndrome. It’s a life-threatening side effect associated with initiation, dose escalation and mixing serotonergic medications. Common symptoms of serotonin syndrome are fever, tremors, muscle rigidity, confusion, delirium, sweating and changes in blood pressure/ pulse rate. Patients with serotonin syndrome should be managed in an Intensive care unit.

In addition, this medication can cause bleeding due to interference with platelet function. It is significant in patients with bleeding disorders, but it is rare.

When Zosert is given to bipolar affective disorder, it can precipitate manic episode. It is a common problem as many patients with bipolar affective disorder presents to doctors in their depressive phase.

In addition, when this medication is given to patients with gastric ulcers, they can be aggravated and sometimes can cause serious bleeding.

There is also concern that SSRI class medications increase suicidal risk when given to teenagers. But the research findings are conflicting.

Summary of serious side effects of Zosert

1.       Serotonin syndrome

2.       Bleeding problems

3.       Aggravation of gastric ulcers

4.       Precipitation of manic symptoms

5.       Increased suicidal risk when given to teenagers

6.       SIADH – Syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion. This can cause reduced serum Sodium level and it’s a cause for mental confusion.

Summary

Zosert is a SSRI class medication and its generic name is Sertraline. It’s mainly prescribed for major depression anxiety disorders. This is the most cardiac safe drug in SSRI class. Its main side effects are nausea, headache and heartburn. In addition, it can cause serotonin syndrome and can aggrevate gastric ulcers.