The process of bearing a child proceeds differently for each woman. Some expectant mothers experience serious psycho-emotional discomfort during this period. Usually you can get rid of unpleasant manifestations with the help of yoga, proper nutrition, meditation, breathing exercises, and natural traditional medicine. In exceptional cases, medications selected by a doctor taking into account the specifics of the situation are used. Experts rarely prescribe Afobazole during pregnancy, despite the product’s short list of contraindications and many positive consumer reviews.
Afobazole is rarely prescribed to pregnant women, despite a short list of contraindications.
Brief description of the drug
The medicine is available in tablet form.
Flat-cylindrical pills have a cream color. One tablet contains 5 mg or 10 mg of fabomotizole. Additional components included in the product:
- E 572
- Starch
- Povidone
- MCC
- Lactose.
The pharmacological action of the anxiolytic is based on its effect on the σ1 receptors of nerve fibers in the brain. The drug stabilizes and restores the sensitivity of receptors to neurotransmitters. Fabomotizol also increases the energy biopotential of nerve cells.
The therapeutic effect of Afobazole occurs on days 5-7 of treatment. The maximum effect can be achieved only after 1 month of taking the medicine. It is noteworthy that the therapeutic effect lasts for 7-14 days after stopping taking the tablets.
After use, the medicine is quickly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Afobazole is excreted in feces and urine.
Characteristics and effect of the medicine
Afobazole is an anti-anxiety drug that has proven itself in Russia as a reliable assistant for anxiety and stress. This is the only medicine that restores nerve cells by acting on receptors and helping them remember how they functioned before stress. Afobazol has a unique formula; it is based on the substance fabomotizol developed in Russia.
The drug Afobazol does not dull the symptoms of stress, but treats it and protects nerve cells from subsequent disorders. The drug is very mild, it does not affect the central nervous system, and does not cause drowsiness, and it can be purchased at a pharmacy without a doctor’s prescription. This is precisely the reason for the misconception of many girls that they can take Afobazole during pregnancy.
Despite the high safety profile, taking Afobazole during pregnancy is contraindicated. During animal studies of the drug, it was found that it does not have a negative effect on the fetus, but the effect of the drug Afobazole during pregnant women has not been sufficiently studied. Therefore, expectant mothers will have to resort to other methods of dealing with stress during pregnancy instead of Afobazole, although there is no analogue to it on the Russian market, because Afobazole is the golden mean between ineffective but safe folk remedies and tranquilizers that affect the central nervous system and cause addiction .
Afobazol tablets contain fabomotizole dihydrochloride. This substance gives the product the properties of a tranquilizer and anxiolytic. That is, the medicine can calm the human nervous system, while eliminating the feeling of anxiety. The drug stands out from other analogues due to its selective effect on parts of the brain. Its peculiarity lies in its ability to suppress pathological nervous activity in certain areas of the central nervous system without inhibiting the functions of the organ.
Theoretically, taking Afobazole during pregnancy should improve the mood of the expectant mother, relieve her of unreasonable fears and anxieties, and irritability. Due to the specificity of the effect, these effects are not accompanied by apathy, drowsiness or lethargy. The drug does not provoke a decrease in muscle strength and does not cause decreased physical or mental activity of the patient.
It is taken in a course of 2-4 weeks and during this time it should not cause a decrease in performance or concentration. With an adequate reaction of the body, on the contrary, there is an improvement in memory, an increase in reaction speed, and activation of brain activity.
“Afobazole” is often prescribed to suspicious, vulnerable, psycho-emotionally unstable people. The medicinal composition helps to cope with stress, emotional and physical overload.
The medicine helps cope with stress.
Studies have proven the absence of toxic effects on the body. Its components are quickly absorbed in the intestines, entering the blood, and with its help, the brain. After this, they are destroyed in the liver and excreted by the kidneys within a few hours. This eliminates the possibility of accumulation of the main substance in tissues - the medication is not addictive and does not provoke withdrawal symptoms.
Indications for use during pregnancy
Afobazole is prescribed to pregnant women only in exceptional cases. In this case, treatment should be carried out under close medical supervision.
Calming pills are indicated if a woman suffers from anxiety and stress during pregnancy. The drug is used to improve sleep, attention and memory, and treat autonomic disorders accompanied by dizziness, hyperhidrosis, and dry mouth.
The therapeutic effect of Afobazole is most effective in the treatment of patients with asthenic type of NS. Such people are characterized by excessive suspiciousness, emotional instability, and low self-esteem.
Afobazole is also indicated in the following cases:
- Adjustment disorder
- Astheno-neurotic syndrome
- Asthma
- Bad dream
- Arterial hypertension
- Cardiopsychoneurosis
- Arrhythmia
- Cardiac ischemia.
Other techniques
If necessary, during pregnancy, the use of Afobazole can be replaced with aromatherapy, because the beneficial effects of essential oils of some plants on the body and psycho-emotional state of pregnant women have been known for a long time. However, we must not forget that different aromas can have different effects: the same smell can calm someone down, but on the contrary, invigorate someone.
Nevertheless, “universal” aromas that have calming properties do exist. These are the smells of lavender, pine, mint and sandalwood. Essential oils of these plants can be purchased at any retail pharmacy outlet.
In some cases, the doctor may recommend homeopathic medicines as a sedative during pregnancy.
Only a doctor can decide which means to eliminate psycho-emotional instability during pregnancy. Self-prescription of any medications is highly undesirable. First of all, this applies to any sedatives of chemical origin: the use of barbiturates and tranquilizers, including Afobazol, is prohibited.
We must not forget about their harm to the health of the fetus, as well as the possibility of provoking abnormal deviations in the intrauterine development of all body systems, and especially the central nervous system.
Often, nervous conditions are provoked by a lack of vitamins. Therefore, instead of a woman drinking Afobazol during pregnancy (as, indeed, any other synthetic drug), it may be enough to ensure a balanced diet and regular intake of vitamins.
How to take Afobazol for different periods
All women know that medications, including Afobazole, cannot be used in the early months of pregnancy. After all, synthetic drugs can harm the health of the fetus.
If sedatives are unavoidable, they should be prescribed by a doctor in individual cases. It is recommended to consult with different specialists.
Especially the use of Afobazole is not advisable in the first trimester at the time of active fetal formation. This is explained by the fact that in the initial stages the systems and organs of the fetus are formed. And taking medications in the first week of pregnancy and the next 3 months can harm the baby and disrupt the development of the child, which often leads to congenital pathologies.
However, the use of the drug Afobazole during pregnancy is undesirable only because the effect of the drug on the health of the baby and the expectant mother has not been well studied. Therefore, despite the fact that the Anxiolytic is contraindicated throughout pregnancy, it is often used to treat anxiety in women carrying a child. Moreover, doctors are trying to select a minimal but effective dosage and shorten the course of treatment.
Planning a pregnancy is an important moment in a woman’s life, but it is not uncommon for an unexpected situation to arise. If therapy with Afobazole was carried out at this time, then its use should be stopped immediately. Nona should worry about “withdrawal syndrome,” because the drug does not cause addiction.
In addition to pregnancy, the use of fabomotizole is contraindicated during lactation. And you can continue taking Afobazole only after breastfeeding has ended.
Features of taking Afobazole during pregnancy:
- The pills are taken after eating in full dosage, without chewing and with water.
- Often the pills are taken three times a day
- Therapy time is 14-28 days.
During pregnancy, Afobazole is taken in the usual dosage, since the tablets have a mild effect and are not addictive. But in the early stages, the doctor can change the duration of the course and adjust the dose.
In what cases should it be used?
Indications for the use of Afobazole correlate with the problems that women often experience during pregnancy:
- excessive vulnerability and emotionality;
- constant fears for no reason;
- insomnia;
- uncontrollable state of anxiety;
- arrhythmia, hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome and other somatic diseases;
- nervous state during the period of quitting cigarettes;
- anxiety associated with various stressful situations;
- poor concentration;
- memory losses.
Afobazole is prescribed for oral administration. The patient takes one tablet after meals three times a day. Treatment usually lasts 2-4 weeks.
Sometimes – up to 3 months. Using alcohol together with the drug will not cause poisoning. However, the healing properties will decrease to zero.
According to the instructions, Afobazole should not be used by children under 18 years of age, pregnant or lactating women. And also for those who cannot tolerate the components of the drug.
Overdose, side effects, contraindications
In case of overdose, the sedative effect of Afobazole increases and drowsiness occurs. Therapy consists of subcutaneous administration of caffeine sodium benzoate (twenty percent solution) 1 ml three times a day.
There are almost no adverse reactions after taking Afobazole. But sometimes allergies may occur, manifested by vasculitis, itching, dermatitis, urticaria, runny nose and sneezing. Occasionally, a headache occurs after taking the pills.
Regarding drug interactions, you should know that Afobazole increases the anticonvulsant effect of Carbamazepine and enhances the anxiolytic effect of Diazepam. It should not be taken together with antidepressants.
Contraindications to taking Afobazol during pregnancy:
- Fabomotizol intolerance
- Lactase deficiency
- Glucose-galactose malabsorption
- Galactose intolerance.
Opinion of practicing doctors
The instructions included with Afobazole do not say that the medicine disrupts embryogenesis and leads to developmental pathologies. But insufficient study of the drug gives doctors the right to prohibit its use during pregnancy. In addition, it has been proven that fabomotizole crosses the placenta to the fetus.
Therefore, when planning pregnancy, the use of fabomotizol should be discontinued 2-3 weeks before conception. But if during this period the woman’s emotional state is very difficult that it is impossible to do without tranquilizers, then doctors recommend postponing pregnancy and continuing therapy until improvement.
However, many pregnant women still take Afobazole. At the same time, they have virtually no adverse reactions. Therefore, the attending physician prescribes medicine to pregnant patients who are in an unstable emotional state.
If Afobazol is contraindicated during pregnancy, then doctors advise replacing the drug with natural sedatives:
- Melissa
- Valerian
- Mint
- Hawthorn
- Motherwort.
Opinions of practicing doctors:
- Psychiatrist Alexander Dyatchin. I do not recommend taking Afobazole to pregnant women, as its safety has not been proven. Often anxiety and nervousness arise due to a deficiency of B vitamins. Therefore, it is better to replace synthetic sedatives with dietary supplements and healthy foods.
- Psychiatrist Ivan Ansimov. I do not recommend using the drug for pregnant women, as it can penetrate the placenta. Its safety has not been fully studied, and some sedative medications can even cause heart disease.
Our experts also have their own opinion about whether Afobazole can be taken during pregnancy.
I would not advise pregnant women to take this drug. The safety of its use for mother and child has not been confirmed. Therefore, it is not worth the risk.
I note that constant nervousness and anxiety can be a consequence of a lack of B vitamins. I would recommend pregnant girls under stress to consume more vitamins. It is possible to introduce additional additives. Change your surroundings, do something enjoyable, like swimming. And all anxiety will go away. Take care of yourself and your baby.
Psychiatrist Alexander Dyatchin
Regarding this drug, I want to say that people have too little knowledge about it. Relying on chance and recommending Afobazol to an expectant mother means taking responsibility for her health and the successful development of the fetus.
Would I take this on my conscience? No. Because I am aware that exposure to certain medications can affect the development of the placenta. And not only.
We invite you to read: Folic acid during pregnancy and when planning and preparing for it
Some even cause defects of the heart and other organs. I don't want to say anything bad about this product. In ordinary life, it helps well to cope with worries and depression. But not in the life of an expectant mother.
Psychiatrist Ivan Anisimov
- Melissa
- Valerian
- Hawthorn
- Motherwort.
Pregnancy is an exciting process full of anticipation for the baby and quite often, unfortunately, filled with anxiety and fear. In addition, hormonal storms force the entire body (and in particular the nervous system) to work to the limit, and therefore very often expectant mothers are emotionally labile.
Constant stress during pregnancy can cause hypoxia in the baby, and in some cases, premature birth. There are various ways to deal with stress in pregnant women (with the help of drugs, gymnastics, and so on). Is it possible to take Afobazol during pregnancy? This article will tell you.
