Fenaglicodol: uses and side effects of this drug

Fenaglicodol is an anxiolytic, hypnotic and sedative drug., very similar to meprobamate. He meprobamate It forms, along with benzodiazepines and barbiturates, the only group of anxiolytics that also have hypnotic and sedative effects.

In this article we will learn about some of the characteristics and properties of fenaglycodol, what other substance it is derived from, and what its effects are. Finally, we will talk about other anxiolytics, and the similarities and differences of phenanglicodol with meprobamate.

• Related article: "Types of psychoactive drugs: uses and side effects"

Fenaglicodol: characteristics

Fenaglicodol is a little-known tranquilizer and sedative drug that has anxiolytic (reduces anxiety) and anticonvulsant (prevents epileptic seizures) properties.

The anticonvulsant properties also have other types of anxiolytics; benzodiazepines; specifically. These act as antiepileptics and are used for the acute treatment of malaise and to prevent epilepsy (prophylactic treatment).

Specifically, fenaglycodol is a minor tranquilizer; A minor tranquilizer is an anxiolytic, which

has a CNS depressant action (Central Nervous System). The so-called major tranquilizers are neuroleptics or antipsychotics.

On the other hand, and as a curious fact, fenaflicodol It is on the list of prohibited substances for the composition of cosmetic products.

effects

Fenaglicodol produces central nervous system (CNS) depression, but it also has other effects on the body: digestive intolerance, cholangiolitis and rashes.

The usual dose of fenaglycodol is between 450 and 1,200 mg, divided into three doses every 8 hours.

Pharmacology: relation to meprobamate

Chemically and structurally, fenaglycodol is related to meprobamate, another carbamate-derived anxiolytic drug. Also, fenaglycodol is a derivative of propanediol, just like meprobamate.

More specifically, fenaglycodol belongs to the group of drugs called ectilurea (anxiolytic). On the other hand, it has more hypnotic action than meprobamate.

Both substances (fenaglycodol and meprobamate) have practically the same actions (at the experimental and clinical level); Furthermore, their clinical indications are also almost the same.

Anxiolytics

As we have seen, fenaglycodol is an anxiolytic drug. Anxiolytics are mainly used to treat anxiety, either as a symptom of other existing conditions (for example, depression), or as an anxiety disorder itself (generalized anxiety disorder, for example).

But what exactly are anxiolytics? These are various groups of medicines; two of the most important are benzodiazepines and meprobamate (similar to fenaglycodol):

1. Benzodiazepines

the best known are benzodiazepines. The most commonly used are the high potency ones (for example Diacepam, Cloracepam or Loracepam). In addition, they produce a calming and sedative effect. They can reduce anxiety symptoms in minutes or hoursdepending on the type of medication.

Benzodiazepines, however, have the disadvantage of generating significant tolerance (as well as dependence), a fact that significantly limits their therapeutic effectiveness.

• You may be interested in: "Benzodiazepines (psychopharmaceuticals): uses, effects and risks"

2. Meprobamate

Another group of anxiolytics are those that contain meprobamate, indicated to treat insomnia and anxiety, like benzodiazepines. These two groups (meprobamate and benzodiazepines), they are also hypnotic-sedatives, along with barbiturates (only these three groups of drugs are).

In addition, meprobamate, as we have already said, is structurally and chemically related to fenaglycodol (they are very similar). However, it should be noted that meprobamate is currently being used less and less due to its low efficacy.

Side effects

Fenaglicodol, as an anxiolytic that it is, can have certain adverse effects. The main adverse effects of anxiolytics are alterations in memory, attention and concentration, as well as excessive sleepiness.

However, cognitive disturbances are experienced during treatment (and with high doses), but once it is interrupted or finished, they disappear; that is, they are reversible.

In addition, they can also generate tolerance and dependency. The first involves needing more doses of the drug to produce the same effect, and the second involves developing an addiction to the substance, that is, "needing" it to live.

Use or abuse of anxiolytics?

Anxiolytics are prescribed more and more frequently, and currently a very large part of the population has consumed or consumes this type of drug. Faced with psychological suffering, many people end up agreeing to take psychotropic drugs because, in Actually, for practical purposes it is easier to take a pill than to reflect on what happens to us for inside.

But, To what extent is it "healthy" to take anxiolytics? From a psychological point of view, these drugs should be considered as a therapeutic option to help or support psychological therapy; Perhaps it could be considered as a step prior to therapy when anxiety is so high that it cannot be controlled and therefore it is very difficult to work.

Once the anxiety subsides, it is now possible to start working with the patient through a psychological intervention appropriate to her needs and concerns.

The use of anxiolytics should never be understood as the only tool to manage anxiety and other psychophysiological states of the body (as well as emotional ones), but rather as a tool that complements psychological intervention. Anxiolytics can help many people at specific times or periods, but their exclusive use (without another type of approach) and in the long term it will only generate dependency and a possible abuse of this type of approach. substances.

Bibliographic references:

• Velasco, F. A. (1988). Compendium of psychoneuropharmacology. Ediciones Diaz Santos, S.A.: Madrid.
• Pita, e. and Manzanares, J. (1992). Anxiolytic and hypnotic drugs. Rev. Assoc. Esp. Neuropsych. XII, Supplement 1.
• Sanchez, b. (1962). Tranquilizers in Medicine. Royal National Academy Medicine.
• Victor Alexander Drill (1958). Pharmacology in Medicine: A Collaborative Textbook. McGraw-Hill.