Insomnia is the main complaint of patients who come to see a psychiatrist or psychotherapist for the first time. It often prevents patients from leading an active lifestyle, and as a result requires special treatment. Sedatives or hypnotics in this case are the drugs of choice. One such remedy is Persen Night.
Pharmacology
Tablets are a medicinal product with a sedative and antispasmodic effect. Melissa, valearian and mint extract provides a calming and antispasmodic effect.
In general, after taking the drug there is a decrease in feelings of anxiety and nervousness. There is a noticeable improvement in the condition of people in an excited and emotional state. With insomnia, the patient falls asleep much easier and faster, sleeps more soundly, and does not feel drowsy throughout the day.
Persen has a general effect on the human body due to its constituent components. Therefore, no clinical studies have been conducted. It is not possible to determine the metabolites of the drug.
Persen
Persen from the Slovenian pharmaceutical is a patented combined herbal remedy that has a sedative effect. Natural sedatives are one of the main attributes of the recently popular trend towards naturalization of the healing process. According to a WHO survey, about 80% of the world’s population prefer “natural products” to medicines. And the patient’s high trust in the treatment method used can significantly increase the effectiveness of the latter. Persen contains three plant extracts: valerian, lemon balm and peppermint. Valerian extract has long gained fame as a sedative. The conducted studies indicate that the action of valerian is aimed at stimulating GABAergic mediation. This is due to a decrease in the reflex reactivity of the central nervous system with a simultaneous increase in the processes of neuronal inhibition. Such qualities of valerian make it possible to use it as a sedative for excessive nervous excitement. Valerian has a positive effect on sleep, increasing its quality. Moreover, it is absolutely non-toxic and even in high doses does not cause surges in blood pressure. The list of adverse events that can be observed when taking valerian is limited to allergic reactions. The second “whale” on which the sedative effect of persen is based is lemon balm. Which, in itself having a sedative effect, potentiates that of valerian, which makes these two plants a truly “shock” combination used in many sedative herbal preparations.
Scientists suggest that the effect of lemon balm on the central nervous system is mediated by its interaction with acetylcholinesterase in the brain and suppression of the activity of muscarinic and nicotinic receptors in the cerebral cortex. The last member of this natural sedative triumvirate is peppermint, which has a wide range of uses: this plant object is used as an antispasmodic, sedative, vasodilator and analgesic. There is information that peppermint in the form of essential oil eliminates nervous tension, increases vitality, and relieves stress. Persen is widely used in pediatric practice because dThis drug is considered “pure”, not containing synthetic products and ethyl alcohol. Its use can be successfully combined with almost any psychotropic drug. The undeniable advantage of Persen is its good tolerability, which sets it apart from other drugs used to correct sleep disorders and anxiety conditions.
Persen is available in tablets and capsules (in the latter case, the drug contains a larger amount of valerian and “forte” is added to its name). It is recommended to take this medication 2-3 tablets 2-3 times a day (for increased excitability) and 2-3 tablets 1 hour before going to bed for insomnia. For children, the optimal dose is selected by the doctor. Capsules are taken in slightly smaller quantities: 1-2 at a time.
Instructions for use
The tablets are intended for internal use. Can be taken at any time, regardless of meals. You need to drink enough water.
From 12 years old you can take 2 tablets 2 times a day. The attending physician will be able to prescribe the correct course of treatment.
If a person has insomnia, then you need to take 2 tablets in the evening an hour before bedtime. The maximum permissible dosage is 12 tablets per day.
The duration of continuous treatment should not exceed more than 45 days. After finishing taking the pills, withdrawal symptoms do not appear.
Reviews
Irina A .: “The doctor prescribed another sleeping pill for my husband, but I didn’t find it in the pharmacy. I bought Persen Night on the recommendation of the pharmacist at this pharmacy. At first, only my husband took it, he liked the effect, and his insomnia disappeared. Then I also decided to try to normalize my sleep, since I fell asleep quickly, but often woke up at night. I am satisfied with the effect of the product: I began to sleep like a baby, and now it is difficult to wake me up. I get up in the morning well-rested, and during the day I don’t feel sleepy and my head doesn’t hurt.”
Polina K .: “I developed insomnia after a sad event in my life. The maximum I could do was fall asleep for one hour in the evening, and then wake up and lie there until the morning, without closing my eyes. In the morning, when it was time to get up, I began to feel sleepy. Persen night was recommended to me by a pharmacist at a nearby pharmacy. The product started helping me only after a week of use and only if I took 2 tablets. Overall I'm happy with the effect, but it's very expensive. I think I need to switch to cheaper analogues, since my budget has suffered significantly.”
Doctor's review: “Persen night is a good herbal preparation that has a sedative effect. It is often prescribed to patients whose only symptom is insomnia. Based on the experience of use, we can say that it has a mild hypnotic effect and provides easy awakening in the morning. It can also be prescribed in combination with other drugs used by psychiatrists. However, it is not recommended to prescribe Persen nightly on your own. The fact is that it can affect some internal organs and you should make sure you are in good health before using it. In addition, insomnia can be a symptom of dangerous mental disorders and if it occurs, it is better to consult a doctor first.”
Content
Adverse reactions and overdose
When taking pills, negative reactions may occur in the form of:
- allergies, manifested by hyperemia, bronchospasms and skin rash;
- Long-term use may cause constipation.
Cases of overdose are possible. Usually happens if more than 60 tablets have been taken. Nausea, vomiting, lethargy, pain inside the body, and dizziness may occur. 24 hours after taking the drug in large quantities, the signs of overdose disappear. No toxic effects are observed. If necessary, you can do symptomatic treatment.
Use of sedatives in children
Children are subject to stress to a much greater extent than parents realize. Before the age of 5, a child is not yet fully aware of what is happening around him. At this time, the development of depression is impossible, since children do not fix their attention on problems. They may scream and cry if they don't like something and then quickly forget about it.
For the first time, the threat of developing depressive and anxiety states arises at the age of 6-7 years. A child goes to school, where a new environment, new people, and a heavy workload await him. Parents often believe that children's problems are trifles that are not worth paying attention to. In fact, even a small stressful situation can harm a child's psyche at this age.
Another dangerous period for the development of mental disorders is adolescence. Children often become irritable, get into conflicts, and have trouble sleeping. All this is a direct indication for the prescription of a sedative. In addition, sedatives can be used in stressful situations in children, starting from early school age. Preschoolers are prescribed such drugs when they have problems sleeping.
Other information
The drug should be stored at room temperature. Shelf life – 36 months from the date of release. Sold in pharmacies without a doctor's prescription.
Before taking Persen, you need to familiarize yourself with the features of its action and in what cases the tablets will be effective. If during therapy the symptoms do not disappear or the condition becomes even more severe, then you need to seek help from a specialist.
In patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease, the condition may only worsen during treatment.
After taking the pills, it is better to stop driving a vehicle and other dangerous mechanisms.
The duration of the treatment course should not exceed 60 days. If negative reactions occur, you should immediately inform a specialist.
Operating principle
The mechanism of action of Persen night is based on the summation of the effects of each of the components of the drug. Valerian extract affects the brain by activating gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors. GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter of the nervous system. The components of valerian extract act on the receptors with which this mediator usually binds, and in the brain inhibitory processes begin to prevail over excitatory ones. This provides a powerful sedative and hypnotic effect of the drug.
Melissa extract is also responsible for activating inhibitory processes in the brain. However, its mechanism is based on interaction with acetylcholine receptors. Acetylcholine is the second most powerful inhibitory neurotransmitter after GABA. This enhances the sedative, hypnotic and anti-anxiety effect of Persen nocturnal.
Mint is responsible not so much for sleep, but for reducing anxiety and improving mood. Cineole, which is included in mint extract, is a plant analogue of mild antidepressants. This component can help a person who is kept awake by sad or anxious thoughts. Persen night allows you to cope with insomnia, regardless of the causes of its occurrence.
How to drink Persen during pregnancy
There have been no studies on the use of Persen during pregnancy. Therefore, Persen is not prescribed to pregnant women. If necessary, the specialist determines the possible risks and benefits. If the benefit to the mother significantly outweighs the possible risk to her and her baby, the drug may be prescribed. The doctor must constantly monitor the condition of the pregnant woman at the time of medication treatment.
Persen should also be taken with great caution during lactation.
Indications and contraindications
Indications for the use of the drug Persen night are two conditions:
- Sleep disorders, including difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or frequent awakenings at night;
- Increased excitability, nervousness.
The list of contraindications to the use of the product is somewhat longer. It includes the following states:
- Allergic reactions to drug components;
- Lactic sugar intolerance;
- Diseases of the gallbladder and biliary tract;
- Persistent decrease in blood pressure;
- Age up to 12 years.
Pregnant women and nursing mothers should take Persen Night with caution.
Drug interactions and price
When Persen is combined with other drugs that have hypnotic, antihypertensive, sedative, and analgesic effects, an enhanced effect of all drugs is observed. In this case, consultation with your doctor and dosage adjustment are required.
It is strictly forbidden to take Persen simultaneously with alcohol, since such a combination can lead to unpredictable side effects and a decrease in the therapeutic effect. Large doses of ethyl alcohol contained in alcoholic beverages, in combination with the main components of the drug, lead to extremely negative consequences, even death.
The cost of Persen depends on the number of blisters in the package, the type of drug, as well as the pricing policy of a particular pharmacy chain. So, the average price ranges from 320 to 360 rubles for 40 tablets. The price for Persen Night is about 200−220 rubles for 10 capsules. The drug Persen Cardio is not sold in Russia.
Release form
Persen's release form is tablets or capsules. Capsules contain a higher concentration of active ingredients, so less is required to produce the desired effect. The cost of this form of Persen is higher than that of tablets; the trade name of this product is Persen Forte.
There are also night and day formulas of the drug. Reviews of Night Persen emphasize its ability to easily cope with insomnia and get rid of the problem of sleep disturbances and bad dreams. The daily form is designed to combat stress during the day.
Is it possible to take Persen in childhood?
Persen, as a sedative of plant origin, is a fairly mild drug. It has a relatively small number of side effects and contraindications. However, not all herbal substances can be prescribed to children.
The instructions for Persen indicate that the medication can be taken from the age of three.
This is acceptable for Persen, which contains 50 mg of valerian and 25 mg of mint and lemon balm.
Persen forte differs from persen in the content of valerian. It contains a dosage of this herb of 125 mg in one tablet. Persen Forte should not be prescribed to children under 12 years of age. This concentration of valerian can cause many side effects in a child.
