Adaptogens drugs. Seniors list

The accelerated rhythm of life, mental stress and increasing environmental pollution contribute to a decrease in functional activity human immunity, which leads to various diseases. In this regard, it becomes necessary to mobilize the body and strengthen its resistance to external factors.

For this, drugs are used adaptogens, the name of which is derived from the Latin word "adaptation". These funds must be harmless and have a wide range of effects. How they work, how to use them and what is the list of topical drugs will be discussed in the article.

The principle and mechanism of action of adaptogens

The mechanism of action of adaptogens is not well understood. There is a hypothesis that these drugs enhance the adaptive synthesis of specific RNA synthetase, a number of protein structures and enzymes involved in energy metabolism and regenerative processes.

Another theory is related to the production of cortisol. It is directly related to the development of protective reactions in response to external threats and stimuli, and therefore is called the "stress" hormone. Initially, it promotes the conversion of fat into energy. But if a high level of cortisol persists long enough, it begins to receive energy from proteins and negatively affects all metabolic processes. In this regard, the increased production of cortisol becomes the cause of the development of pathologies. Adaptogens, in turn, reduce the level of cortisol in the blood, while simultaneously activating the body's reserve forces, without the participation of this hormone.

The principle of action of adaptogens consists of 3 key pharmacodynamic effects:

• Stimulating the immune system and increasing resistance to the effects of infectious agents.
• An increase in the degree of human tolerance to various unfavorable factors of his environment.
• Decreased susceptibility to stress from physical or psychological stress, combined with an acceleration of the recovery period after them.

Along with this, drugs contribute to the process of restructuring metabolic processes by stimulating lipid metabolism, reducing the consumption of organic compounds of muscle structures, optimizing the synthesis of amino acids and their transport to cells. All this leads to an increase in performance, by increasing the amount of energy in the body.

Also, there are several phases of action of adaptogens, provided they are used as a prophylaxis.

The first phase is aimed at stimulating performance and consists of 2 stages:

1. Preparation of all systems.
2. Mobilization of systems.

The second phase is focused on counteracting external stress and includes 3 stages:

1. Preparation of the whole body.
2. Impact protection.
3. Stimulation of recovery processes.

Adaptogens are drugs, the list of which includes drugs in various forms of release that have different effects on the human body. Therefore, their effects, principle and speed of exposure are different, which should be taken into account when choosing a tool.

Advantages and disadvantages of a group of drugs

Positive qualities that release adaptogens:

• Complex effect on the body.
• Improving not only physical, but also psychological condition.
• Improving performance.
• Harmlessness.
• A wide range of actions.

The disadvantages of the group are:

• Possibility of developing addiction.
• Lack of instant effect.

Indications for use

Adaptogens are drugs, the list of indications for which is quite wide:

• Stressful conditions.
• Asthenia.
• Increased fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome.
• Disruption of the sleep-wake cycle.
• Decreased function of the sex glands.
• Increased irritability.
• Anorexia.

In addition, they are used for:

• Improving the performance of the immune system and increasing its resistance to infectious agents.
• Facilitation of the rehabilitation period after suffering serious illnesses.
• Restoration of the normal functioning of the cardiovascular system.
• Stabilization of blood pressure in case of hypotension.
• Facilitate and accelerate the adaptation process when moving and traveling or changing working conditions.

Also, adaptogens are often used as tonic and general strengthening agents for the body.

When deciding on the use of any adaptogen, you must carefully familiarize yourself with its indications and effects. Taking medications of different groups may differ in the presence or absence of any of the above results and the sequence of their occurrence.

Contraindications

The most common contraindications for the use of adaptogens include:

• Pregnancy and lactation period.
• Hypertonic disease.
• Epilepsy.
• Individual intolerance to the components of the product.
• Arrhythmias.
• The patient's age is less than 16 years.

The doctor can prescribe adaptogen preparations with caution to patients with pathologies included in the following list:

• Fever.
• Acute infection.
• Myocardial infarction (excluding the acute phase).
• Increased neuropsychic irritability.

Contraindications for drugs in this group may differ. This is due to the peculiarities of their structure and effect on the body. Therefore, for some adaptogens, the only limitation to use is allergic reactions to components.

Side effects

Adaptogens in rare cases can cause side effects in the form of:

• Sleeplessness when taking medicine in the evening and night.
• Excessive nervous excitement.
• Headaches.
• Tachycardia.
• Increased blood pressure.

All these effects are reversible, and therefore they disappear after dose adjustment or drug withdrawal.

Overdose

There is no information about cases of overdose with adaptogens. But it is known that the drugs of the group can be addictive. Therefore, their use should be coordinated with a doctor and systematized into courses of about 1.5 months in length, with interruptions from several months to a year.

Precautions and special instructions

Adaptogens are drugs, the list of which is quite large. They are not recommended for use in the evening due to possible disturbances in the process of falling asleep or disturbed sleep. The appearance of side effects, in turn, requires an urgent visit to a doctor in order to reduce the dosage, change or stop taking the drug.

Patients during the therapeutic intake of adaptogens are advised to follow a diet with a high intake of carbohydrates. It is also necessary to limit the use of caffeine, as this combination can lead to overexcitement, insomnia and high blood pressure.

Why are adaptogens prescribed more often to older people?

As they grow older, various changes constantly occur in the human body, which are most pronounced in the elderly. Their immunity undergoes changes at the cellular level, since degeneration processes affect various organs of the immune system. This leads to a decrease in the body's ability to resist infectious agents and destroy cancer cells. At the same time, the incidence of autoimmune inflammation increases, as an altered and weakened immune system attacks the cells and tissues of its own body.

As a result of all these processes, changes can be distinguished regarding the health of an elderly person:

• The frequency of colds and other pathological processes is increasing.
• Complications of even mild diseases are more common.
• Difficulty in the processes of absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drugs from the body due to changes in organs and systems.
• The number of chronic diseases and episodes of their exacerbation is increasing.
• The psycho-emotional state worsens due to frequent illnesses, sleep disturbances and other factors.
• There is a high chance of problems or deterioration in the functioning of the liver and myocardium.
• The risk of adverse reactions and side effects from the drugs used to combat chronic and acute pathologies increases.

All this leads to a decrease in the quality of life of the elderly. And to minimize such processes and phenomena, as well as improve well-being in general, the elderly are prescribed adaptogens.

The best drugs in the group

Adaptogens are drugs, the list of which includes an extensive number of names.

They are classified by origin:

• Vegetable - often sold in the form of extracts, tinctures, syrups, tablets and capsules, they are also sold in juices, tonic drinks and teas.
• Mineral and extracted from minerals.
• Animal origin - these drugs are most often used for patients with cardiovascular pathologies, arthritis, neurasthenia, impotence and a number of other diseases.
• Synthetic.

In each group, drugs can be distinguished that are distinguished by the highest efficiency in combination with safety.

Herbal products

Name	Forms of issue	Content	Price for 1 package / bottle	Main effects
Eleutherococcus extract	Film-coated tablets	Pack of 30 tablets, 100 mg	60 to 100 rubles.	Toning. General strengthening. Improving performance. Reduced fatigue. Improving resistance to stress. Increased visual acuity and hearing. Improving the functioning of the vestibular apparatus. Acceleration of tissue growth (especially muscle) and regeneration.
Oral liquid extract	A 50 ml bottle with a dark brown liquid with a specific odor.	40 to 100 rubles.
Rose Rhodiola Rhizome Extract	Oral liquid extract	A 30 ml bottle with a light or dark brown solution with a characteristic odor.	40-60 rub.	Toning. Improving adaptation to extreme conditions. Increase in energy reserves. Stimulating mental performance. Improving regenerative functions.
Tincture for oral administration	200 ml bottle	400-600 rub.
Capsules	40-60 capsules per jar, 400-500 mg	400 - 1600 rubles.
Ginseng root extract	Tincture for oral administration	Bottle of 25 ml with a yellow liquid with a pronounced odor	RUB 30-60	Increased tone. Improving adaptation to stress. Improving mental and physical performance. Immunomodulatory effect.
Capsules	Packing for 30-60 capsules, 180-350 mg	RUB 150-600
Pills	Pack for 20-40 tablets, 500-550 mg	80 -200 rub.
Chinese lemongrass	Tincture for oral administration	Bottle of 25 ml with a lemon-yellow liquid with a specific aroma	30-100 rubles	Increased endurance. Acceleration of adaptation to external conditions. Improving visual acuity. Psychostimulating action. Acceleration of recovery processes. Strengthening resistance to stress.
Holy basil or tulsi	Capsules	60-120 capsules per jar, 400-500 mg	RUB 800-3000	Reducing the frequency of headaches. Increased stress resistance. Cleansing the body of toxins. Improving digestion. Restoration of skin health. Improving immunity. Strengthening the cardiovascular system.
Oral drops	Vials with extract, 20-30 ml	RUB 300-2000

Mineral origin

Name	Forms of issue	Content	Price for 1 package / bottle	Main effects
Mumiyo.	Pills	Pack of 20-60 pieces, 200 mg.	100-500	Restoration of the skin and mucous membranes. Reducing the frequency of headaches. Restoring the nervous system. Detoxification. Anti-inflammatory action. Stabilization of metabolic processes. Strengthening the immune and cardiovascular systems.
Humivit (based on humic acids)	Pills	Jar of 20 tablets, 500 mg	RUB 300-550	Improving metabolism. Increase in energy reserves. Strengthening the immune system. Protection of cellular structures. Suppression of viral and bacterial agents. Removal of heavy metals.
Drink	A jar or bottle with a capacity of 330-500 ml	400-500 rub.
Fulvomil (fulvic acid derivative)	Tincture	Vials of 150-300 ml	RUB 300-600	Cleansing the body of heavy metals and toxins. Increased energy reserves. Stabilization of metabolic processes. Suppression of signs of inflammation. Strengthening the immune system.

Animal origin

Name	Forms of issue	Content	Price for 1 package / bottle	Main effects
Pantokrin (obtained from non-keratinized maral antlers)	Pills	30-40 tablets per pack, 200 mg	RUB 300-500	Stimulation of mental and physical performance. Blood pressure normalization. Improving the functioning of the digestive system.
Oral extract	Bottle 50-250 ml with clear light yellow liquid	RUB 250-1500
Apilak (obtained from royal jelly)	Pills under the tongue	Pack of 25-50 pieces, 10 mg	RUB 100-550	Strengthening the immune system. Stimulation of metabolic processes. Improving the functioning of the nervous system. Stabilization of the endocrine system. Fight fatigue.
Deoxinate (extracted from salmon milk)	Solution for external use	Bottle 50 ml	RUB 200-2000	Reducing signs of inflammation. Stimulates the immune system. Improving hematopoiesis. Strengthening regenerative functions. Healing wounds.
Solution for intramuscular or subcutaneous administration	Packing, 10 ampoules with colorless transparent liquid, 5 ml each	RUB 1500-3000
Cerebramine (from Bovine Brain)	Film-coated tablets	Pack of 40-50 tablets, 15 mg	400-600 rub.	Normalization of brain functions. Strengthening recovery processes. Improving blood supply to the brain. Toning the body.

Synthetic drugs

Name	Forms of issue	Content	Price for 1 package / bottle	Main effects
Dibazol	Pills	Pack of 10-80 tablets, 20 mg.	50-70 rubles.	Removal of pain syndrome. Expansion of blood vessels. Stabilization of blood pressure. Stimulates the immune system. Suppression of viral agents.
Solution for intramuscular or intravenous injection 0.5-1%	Ampoules 5-10 pieces of 1-5 ml each with a colorless liquid without impurities and suspensions	20-60 rub.
Trekrezan	Pills	Pack of 10-50 tablets, 200 mg	RUB 380-1300	Stimulates the immune system. Suppression of viral infection. Adaptation of the body to the peculiarities of the climate. Increased endurance.
Bemitil or its analogue Metaprot	Capsules	10-100 capsules per pack, 250 mg	RUB 200-3000	Improving mental performance. Acceleration of recovery processes. Stabilization of the endocrine system. Stimulation of the hematopoietic and immune system. Increased physical endurance.
Tonsilgon N	Oral drops	Dropper bottle with 50-100 ml of clear or slightly turbid yellowish-brown liquid.	RUB 200-400	Suppression of inflammation. Strengthening immunity. Stabilization of the functioning of the respiratory system.
Pills	25-100 pcs. packaged	RUB 300-500

Adaptogens are drugs that are not a universal drug that has a huge list effects and guaranteeing the elimination of diseases, instant recovery or quick adaptation to any conditions. Instead, they boost immunity and strengthen all body systems without stressing it. Their harmlessness and broad spectrum of action also help to safely increase the effectiveness of other drugs.

Adaptogen video

School of Health. How adaptogens work: