Egilok: description of the medicine and how long you can take the drug

The drug Egilok (the active ingredient is metoprolol tartate) belongs to beta-blockers.

It is used to treat hypertension, heart failure, and angina pectoris.

The clinical pharmacokinetics of Egilok is described by the fact that metoprolol is largely absorbed intestines, and more than 95% of an oral therapeutic dose is usually excreted in the urine as metabolites. The remaining 5% is excreted as unchanged metoprolol.

Since food can increase the bioavailability of metoprolol, it is advisable to take the drug during or after meals.

The drug is distributed very quickly between the blood and various extravascular (extravascular) areas, and only 1 to 2% of the total amount of the drug in the body is localized in blood. Serum protein binding is about 10%.

The drug easily crosses the placenta and the concentration in the umbilical and maternal venous blood is approximately the same. In spite of 3-to4x the accumulation of Egilok in breast milk, adverse reactions when breastfeeding a child seem unlikely if the child's liver function is not strongly developed.

Renal dysfunction has little effect on the bioavailability of metoprolol, but affects the excretion of metabolites from the body through the kidneys. However, approximately 50% of metabolites are excreted from the body of patients with a removed or absent kidney during 5-hour dialysis period. Liver cirrhosis increases bioavailability and decreases the total clearance of metoprolol.

Β-blocking effect is linearly dependent on dose and plasma concentration of the drug. The rate of decline in the effect can be slowed down by administering the drug in the form of controlled release drugs (for example, Egilok Retard).

The principle of action of Egilok: the active component of the drug reduces the need for the myocardium (heart muscle) in oxygen due to a decrease in intravascular blood pressure, heart rate and contractility myocardium. Thanks to this, the period of relaxation of the heart muscle with a heartbeat when taking Egilok is lengthened, and this, in turn, improves blood supply and oxygen uptake by the myocardium with impaired blood flow.

Egilok medicine: indications and contraindications

The drug Egilok is sold in the form of biconvex round white tablets of 25, 50 and 100 mg, intended for oral administration.

The drug is indicated for the following conditions: high blood pressure, chest pain after a heart attack, prevention of migraine, symptoms caused by overactive thyroid gland (thyrotoxicosis), myocardial infarction (as a secondary prophylaxis in complex therapy), ischemic disease hearts, ventricular premature beats and supraventricular tachycardia.

You should not take Egilok medicine for those who:

• is allergic to metoprolol or any of the other components of this drug;
• has severe heart failure;
• Has a blockage in your blood vessels, which can cause cyanosis or tingling sensations in your fingers and toes
• suffered a heart attack complicated by a significant slowdown in heart rate;
• suffers from painful sensations in the chest during rest (Prinzmetal's angina);
• suffers from an untreated pheochromocytoma (high blood pressure due to a tumor near the kidneys);
• suffers from increased blood acidity (metabolic acidosis);
• has low blood pressure;
• has or has had breathing difficulties or asthma in the past, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;
• suffers from diabetes with frequent episodes of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia);
• has liver or kidney disease;
• has difficulty urinating;
• has low potassium levels (hypokalemia; in this case it is worth using Kalinor) or sodium (hyponatremia) in the blood;
• has high calcium levels (hypercalcemia);
• suffers from gout due to high levels of uric acid (hyperuricemia), crystals of which settle in the joints of the hands or feet, causing pain;
• is taking other medicines to lower blood pressure by injection, especially medicines such as verapamil, diltiazem, or disopyramide.

Egilok drug: drug interactions and the possibility of taking during pregnancy

Medicines that can interact with Egilok include those described below.

Inhibitors of reserpine and monoamine oxidase (MAO). May enhance the effects of metoprolol. They can also increase the feeling of dizziness or slow down your heart rate even further. MAO inhibitors include: Isocarboxazid, Fenelzine, Selegiline, Tranylcypromine.

Drugs to normalize heart rate. Taking digitalis (Lanoxin) together with metoprolol can slow down the heart rate too much.

Calcium channel blockers. Like metoprolol, these drugs are taken by hypertensive patients and people with various heart problems. In combination with metoprolol, calcium channel blockers can reduce heart contractions and slow heart rate. Doctors sometimes use this combination, but only under close supervision. These medications include: Amlodipine, Diltiazem, Felodipine, Isradipine, Nicardipine, Nifedipine, Nimodipine, Nisoldipine, Verapamil.

Drugs that are processed in the body by the same organs as metoprolol. Their combination with metoprolol can increase the level of metoprolol in the body. The most common: Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline, Bupropion, Clomipramine, Desipramine, Aminazine, Fluphenazine, Haloperidol, Thioridazine.

Alpha blockers. Lower blood pressure and may lower blood pressure too much when combined with metoprolol. Alpha blockers include: Guanethidine, Reserpine, Clonidine, Prazosin.

Stopping taking Clonidine while taking metoprolol can cause a sharp jump in blood pressure.

Many pregnant women with hypertension are concerned about the question: is it possible to take Egilok while carrying a baby? Metoprolol is a Category C drug. This means two things: Animal studies have shown adverse effects on the fetus when the mother takes the drug. However, there have not been enough human studies on Egilok. Reception is justified only if the benefits to the mother are higher than the risks to the fetus.

Metoprolol passes into breast milk and can enter the newborn's body if the mother is breastfeeding. This can lead to the development of bradycardia in the child (slow heart rate). Therefore, if it is impossible to discontinue the drug, it is recommended to stop breastfeeding. Children aged 1-17 years, it is recommended to choose another drug.

How long can you take Egilok, side effects and the correct dosage of the drug

The most common side effects of Egilok are presented below.

Fatigue. Metoprolol slows down the heart rate by blocking the effect of adrenaline. As a result, blood does not travel to the brain as quickly as usual. This can make you feel tired. This side effect usually goes away after the first few days of taking metoprolol, once the body gets used to its effects.

Light dizziness. By lowering blood pressure, Egilok medicine can lead to slight dizziness, especially with sudden movements. This side effect often goes away once the body gets used to the dosage. However, in some cases, metoprolol can lower blood pressure too much, making dizziness difficult to tolerate and requires medical attention.

Diarrhea or constipation. Metoprolol can block nerve signals from the brain to the intestines. It can speed up or slow down digestion in the intestines. Rapid digestion causes diarrhea; slow - constipation.

Breathing problems. Metoprolol can block signals from the brain to the muscles that form the walls of the bronchioles. This interferes with the relaxation of the bronchioles, causing symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing.

Slowing down the heart rate (bradycardia) due to the slowing down of nerve impulses that travel from the brain to the heart.

In men, metoprolol can interfere with the part of the brain that signals an erection. Egilok sometimes leads to a decrease in potency and difficulty in achieving orgasm, both in men and women.

An allergic reaction to metoprolol can cause various types of skin rashes, along with itching.

Serious side effects of Egilok that require urgent medical attention include:

• low blood pressure (hypotension);
• cold and soreness in the hands and feet;
• very slow heart rate (severe bradycardia);
• extreme tiredness;
• severe depression. Some studies have shown a clear link between metoprolol use and depression, while others have shown no association. If the patient has already had depression, this drug can make it worse.

How long can you take Egilok and the correct dosage

Egilok can be taken indefinitely if there are no contraindications to this. However, the exact course, as well as the dosage, is calculated only by the attending physician, and not by the patient himself.

Dosage for adults (aged 18-64 years old) usually starts at 50 mg, twice a day. It is gradually adjusted if necessary.

The long-acting drug often starts at 25 mg once a day or more. This dose is also gradually increased if necessary.

The dosage for people under the age of 18 has not been established, since Egilok is not prescribed to them.

The dosage for people aged 65 and over may be lower than for adults, as their body "assimilates" the drug more slowly.

Overdose symptoms:

• low blood pressure (with tiredness and dizziness);
• slow heart rate;
• cardiac conduction problems;
• heart failure;
• shock caused by heart problems;
• dyspnea;
• loss of consciousness;
• coma;
• bluish skin tone;
• low blood sugar and high blood potassium.

Most popular analogues of Egilok are: Egilok Retard (price in pharmacies from 225 rubles. for tablets 50 mg), Egilok S (price from 230 rubles. for tablets 50 mg), Betalok (price from 290 rubles. for tablets 50 mg), Vasokardin (price from 80 rubles. for tablets 50 mg), Metocard (price from 70 rubles. per 50 mg tablets).

Often patients ask therapists and cardiologists which is better: Egilok or Egilok S, and also compare Egilok with Concor.

Egilok and Egilok S are practically the same medicine, only in the first the active ingredient is metoprolol tartate, and in the second - metoprolol succinate. Egilok S is available in the form of prolonged-release tablets (they last a little longer), Egilok - in the form of conventional tablets.

How long can you take Egilok S? As long as Egilok is.

Concor has other active ingredients (beta-blocker bisoprolol and a calcium channel blocker - amlodipine) than in Egilok. It is a more selective and more effective drug, but it has its own contraindications. It is impossible to switch from Egilok to Konkor without a doctor's approval.

Concor, like Egilok, can be taken indefinitely.

Most of the patients speak well of Egilok. This remedy is praised for its quick effect on tachycardia and hypertension, its low price, and the absence of an addictive effect. Of the negative impact, headache and allergic reactions are often noted, and sometimes depression (apathy, despondency). In addition, the remedy is not suitable for asthmatics and hypotonic patients.