Etifoxine
About Etifoxine
Etifoxine is used in the treatment of Psychosomatic manifestations of anxiety, such as autonomic dystonia (a movement disorder characterised by involuntary muscle contractions). Anxiety disorder is a mental health disorder characterised by feelings of anxiety, worry, or fear that are strong enough to interfere with one’s daily activities.
Etifoxine contains Etifoxine, which is assumed to work as a direct potentiation of GABA (A) receptor activation.
In some cases, you may experience certain common side effects such as drowsiness, sleepiness, watery diarrhoea, skin rash, itchy skin, allergic symptoms or nausea. You are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
Take Etifoxine as directed by your doctor. You are advised to take Etifoxine for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical condition. Do not chew, crush, or break the medicine.
Avoid taking Etifoxine if you are allergic to it or any of its components. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should consult a physician before taking Etifoxine. Etifoxine contains lactose; hence, let your doctor know if you are lactose intolerant. Inform your doctor if you have severe liver or kidney disease or myasthenia before taking Etifoxine.
Medicinal Benefits
- Etifoxine is an anxiolytic medicine that causes GABA(A) receptor activation.
- This medicine contains etifoxine, used in the treatment of anxiety.
- Etifoxine benefits people who struggle with anxiety and worries in daily life.
- Regular intake of the prescribed dose of Etifoxine improves social life and your ability and performance at work and general wellbeing.
Directions for Use
- Etifoxine should be taken with food as advised by a doctor.
- It should be taken once daily, in the morning or evening, at the same time each day for the best effect.
- Swallow Etifoxine as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew, or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Etifoxine
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Itchy skin
- Watery diarrhoea
- Nausea
- Skin rash
Drug Warnings
- Do not take Etifoxine if you are known to be allergic to Etifoxine or any of its components.
- Etifoxine is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age without a doctor's prescription.
- Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking Etifoxine.
- Etifoxine should be used with caution in elderly patients above 65 years, as there is an increased risk of adverse reactions such as drowsiness, dizziness, and muscle weakness.
- Inform your doctor if you have myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness), severe kidney/liver problems, stroke, or heart-related problems before taking Etifoxine.
- Etifoxine should be avoided in patients who have a history of alcoholism or drug abuse.
- Avoid driving or operating machines, as Etifoxine can cause dizziness or drowsiness in some patients.
- Inform your doctor if you are taking any CNS depressant medicines before starting treatment with Etifoxine, as it can lead to serious adverse effects.
- During the treatment, the patient should be observed for any symptoms like watery diarrhoea, jaundice, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, swelling of legs, or any allergic symptoms. If any such symptoms occurred, Etifoxine should be stopped immediately and consult the physician.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Etifoxine may have interactions with any other medicines like pain killers (morphine, codeine, dihydrocodeine, buprenorphine), antihistamines (chlorphenamine, diphenhydramine, promethazine), hypnotics (alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem), medicines used for angina and high blood pressure (diltiazem), medicines used to treat various heart conditions (digoxin).
Drug-Food Interactions: Etifoxine may interact with grapefruit, so grapefruit juice or drinks should be avoided as they can affect the working of Etifoxine.
Drug-Disease Interactions: If you have myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness), severe kidney/liver problems, inform your doctor before taking Etifoxine.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol with Etifoxine as it may increase the risk of drowsiness and other adverse effects.
Pregnancy
consult your doctorInform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant before taking Etifoxine.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorInform your doctor if you are breastfeeding before taking Etifoxine.
Driving
unsafeEtifoxine may cause dizziness, double vision, or drowsiness in some people. Therefore, avoid driving if you feel drowsy, dizzy or experience any vision problems after taking Etifoxine.
Liver
cautionTake Etifoxine with caution, especially if you have or have had a history of liver disease. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required. Etifoxine is not recommended for use in patients with severe liver impairment.
Kidney
cautionTake Etifoxine with caution, especially if you have or have had a history of kidney disease. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required. Etifoxine is not recommended for use in patients with severe renal insufficiency.
Children
consult your doctorIt is unknown whether Etifoxine is recommended for use in children or not. Therefore, please consult your doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Do regular exercise, which can help lower anxiety by releasing endorphins and improving your sleep and self-image.
- Find the humor in your daily life. Try to watch a comedy show to help relieve stress.
- You can try increasing your mindfulness by including yoga, meditation, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction.
- Drink enough water to stay hydrated, and limit or avoid alcohol and caffeine to relieve anxiety.
- Include a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. This is a healthier option than eating a lot of simple carbohydrates found in processed foods.
- Herbs like turmeric, ginger, and chamomile contain anti-inflammatory properties. Including these kinds of stuff in the meal can reduce inflammation caused by anxiety disorders.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Anxiety disorder: It is a mental health disorder characterised by feelings of anxiety, worry or fear that are strong enough to interfere with one’s daily activities. Anxiety is the body’s natural response to stress, in which the feeling of fear may be intense and debilitating. It is the most common form of emotional disorder and can affect anyone, at any age. The exact cause of anxiety is unknown, but it might be due to genetic or environmental factors. Symptoms of anxiety include rapid breathing, increased heart rate, restlessness, trouble concentrating and difficulty falling asleep.
Autonomic Dystonia: It is a neurological condition that occurs due to the involuntary contraction of muscles. This causes twisting of limbs and abnormal postures.
FAQs
Etifoxine is used in the treatment of Psychosomatic manifestations of anxiety, such as autonomic dystonia (a movement disorder characterised by involuntary muscle contractions)
The exact mechanism of Etifoxine is not known. However, it is said to directly potentiate GABA(A) receptor activation.
If intake of Etifoxine makes you feel sleepy or dizzy, do not drive a motor vehicle or operate machinery. Let your doctor know if you feel such symptoms after taking this medicine.
Etifoxine should be avoided during pregnancy unless recommended by the physician.
No, Etifoxine does not cause any dependence. However, take Etifoxine only in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor.
The side effects of Etifoxine include drowsiness, sleepiness, watery diarrhoea, skin rash, itchy skin, allergic symptoms or nausea. Consult the doctor if any of these symptoms persist or worsen.
