Analeptics: what is this and what is their effect?

The human body can strongly weaken and lose resistance to infections as a result of the development of diseases. This interferes with the normal functioning of all systems and leads to failures in providing the body with useful substances. To restore all functions and return the body to life force, a special group of medicines was developed, which was called an analeptic. However, in addition to the therapeutic effect, such drugs have a lot of pretty serious contraindications, which severely limits their use in therapeutic practice.

Analeptics - are medicines, the main purpose of which is to stimulate and restore the functions of the brain.

How do they work?

Most of these medications affect the medulla oblongata, which is responsible for respiratory function and circulation. There are also analeptic drugs that can excite other areas of the brain. Active elements cause receptors to respond briskly to substances that enter the body or are produced by themselves.

If you take more than the prescribed dose, you need to take into account that the substances contained in analeptics are able to affect the motor functions of a person, which, in turn, can lead to convulsive syndrome.

What are these tools?

Analeptics - is a group of drugs whose sequence of effects on the brain and the central nervous system is not fully understood and studied. Until recently, they were used quite widely, but now they are becoming second only to the fact that more modern and safe counterparts have come to the pharmaceutical market. Specialists often criticize analeptics for the high probability of side effects in the form of hypoxia and seizures.

Classification of analeptics

The most common classification of analeptics is the effect they have on the respiratory center of the brain:

1. Direct stimulants or respiratory analeptics. They act directly on the neurons of the brain, namely the respiratory center. These include "Caffeine", "Strichnin", "Bemegrid", "Securinin", etc.
2. N-holinomimetiki. They have a reflex effect, exciting the corresponding receptors in the central nervous system. These include "Tsitizin", "Lobelin" and others.
3. Complex analeptic drugs, combining the two previous types. The most common among them are "Cordiamin" and "Camphor".

Most popular drugs

The pharmaceutical market offers a wide range of medicines for this pharmacological group, however the following are the most popular and widely distributed:

1. "Etymisol" - anaplegic respiratory drug. Stimulates the respiratory center of the brain and simultaneously has a calming effect on the cerebral cortex of the brain. The main difference between this drug and its analogues is the softness of the action and the absence of depletion in the work of the respiratory center.
2. "Camphor".Creates several versatile effects, exciting and anesthetizing areas of the brain, including the respiratory center. This drug is effective in the treatment of pneumococci.
   
3. «Cordiamin».The drug increases the sensitivity of neurons in the brain, stimulates the nervous system and receptors.
4. "Caffeine".In limited quantities, activates the activity of the heart and affects the psyche. However, in some patients it is possible to cause a slowing of psychomotor functions and inhibition.

How do they work?

Analeptics - is a special group of drugs. It has already been said above that medicine has not studied to the end the processes of their impact on the brain and central nervous system of man. The only obvious fact is their opposite effect: in some patients they stimulate the work of some areas of the brain, while in others they are depressed. However, the main task of these medicines is to facilitate neural connections and to activate the transmission of nerve impulses between them.

The action of analeptics actually extends to all areas of the brain and CNS.Depending on the type of medication taken, the effect is on the medulla oblongata, the cerebral cortex, etc. The effect is approximately as follows: after taking an analeptic, it excites the area of ​​the nervous system for which it responds, which makes the neurons more sensitive in it. Thus, the susceptibility of the selected area of ​​the brain to substances that irritate it increases. As a result, breathing normalizes and blood pressure rises. Despite the fact that each analeptic stimulates its part of the brain, the process itself is approximately the same.

Concealed influence of

In addition to the obvious effects, the preparations of the analeptic series may influence the body in another way:

1. Increased vascular resistance.
2. Oppression of the effect of taking drugs that can suppress the psyche.
3. Suppression of the effect of taking hypnotic drugs.

Analeptics: indications for use

These medications are recommended for use in the following cases:

1. Therapy for asphyxia of newborn infants. This type of treatment has already receded into the background, as there were other methods without the use of synthetic drugs.
2. Intoxication with narcotic, hypnotics, and also with ethyl alcohol and alcoholic beverages.
3. Depressive state after the patient has had anesthesia.
4. Cardiovascular failure.
5. In exceptional cases, these drugs are used to treat impotence, paralysis and paresis, as they stimulate muscle activity.
6. Sometimes neuroleptics and patients with hearing and vision pathologies are prescribed.

Popular analeptics

Although many experts criticize the drugs, some of them remain quite popular. Some of them should be considered.

"Etymizol". The main active substance of the drug is a caffeine molecule in which the pyrimidine ring is ruptured. It mainly affects the area of ​​the respiratory center of the brain, without affecting the vasomotor area, which excludes the appearance of seizures on the background of taking the drug. In addition, "Etimizol" is able to raise the mood, stimulate the function of memory. Due to its reception, hypothalamus secretion increases, which allows the body to produce more corticotropin, which is a releasing hormone.

This drug is also able to perform a regenerative function, affecting the damaged parts of the gastric mucosa, increasing the production of protein. The drug rarely causes side effects.

What other analeptics in pharmacology exist?

"Camphor". Belongs to the terpene group ketones and is hexagonal crystals of a translucent white hue. In addition to the positive effect on respiratory functions, the drug creates an antiarrhythmic effect and normalizes the heartbeat. In addition, against the background of the reception of "Camphor" due to the expansion of blood vessels, the need of the heart for oxygen saturation increases. Opposite to the expanding coronary arteries in the abdominal cavity, the vessels of the heart become narrower when taking the drug. Due to this, a number of substances necessary for the body, such as glycogen, creatine phosphate, etc., are developed. The use of analeptics should be justified.

Most commonly used to excite the central nervous system in order to increase the physical and mental performance of a person "Caffeine-sodium benzoate" .This drug acts anti-sedating, reducing fatigue and drowsiness. For the most part, the active substance acts on the vasomotor and respiratory centers of the human brain. Caffeine has a positive effect on the functioning of the heart, namely it increases heart rate and increases the impact force. Promotes the expansion of the vessels not only of the brain, but also of the kidneys, heart and other organs. This is the most optimal choice for the treatment of drug intoxication, vasospasms and cardiovascular insufficiency.

The action " Cordiamina " is similar to the previous ones. It affects the vasomotor and respiratory center of the brain. The closest to the effect is the "Caffeine".It differs in that it can be prescribed for the removal of symptoms of asphyxia, collapse of blood vessels, as well as in complex therapy of diseases of infectious origin.

"Bemegrid" is an drug that has a directional effect. It is chosen if the effect should be exerted only on the respiratory function, but not on the vascular system. Used in the following cases:

1. Minor intoxication.
2. Overdose with drugs that can suppress the work of the central nervous system.
3. Excretion from anesthesia.

Conclusion

Analeptics - are tools that are widely used to solve various tasks aimed at improving the patient's condition. They are still often prescribed by doctors to restore respiratory function and trigger recovery processes throughout the body. Some of them are gradually being replaced by more modern and safe analogs. However, analeptics still play a significant role in the treatment of patients with different diagnoses, and in the near future the situation is unlikely to radically change.