For various diseases of the heart and blood vessels, doctors prescribe antihypoxic drugs. What it is? Such remedies help reduce oxygen starvation and help improve gas exchange in the tissues. How do such drugs affect the body? And in what cases should they be taken? We will consider these issues in the article.
The danger of oxygen deficiency
Doctors call hypoxia a lack of oxygen in the body. This condition very rarely develops as an independent pathology. However, it accompanies many diseases. Due to oxygen deficiency, nutrition of tissues deteriorates, and the healing process is delayed.
Hypoxia leads to the following negative consequences for the body:
- The blood supply to the brain is deteriorating, which causes various neurological disorders.
- Cells do not produce enough energy necessary for the life of the body. A person experiences severe weakness and fatigue.
- Free radicals accumulate in the body, damaging the cell membranes.
Oxygen deficiency most often develops with diseases of the heart and blood vessels, as well as with intoxications and pathologies of the respiratory system. In these cases, doctors prescribe antihypoxants.
The principle of action of antihypoxants
What is the antihypoxic effect of the drug? Medicines in this group have the following effects on the body:
- Antihypoxants improve energy metabolism in cells affected by hypoxia.
- The drugs prevent a decrease in the production of adenosine triphosphoric acid (ATP) in the cells. This substance is a source of energy for various biochemical reactions in the body.
- Medications stimulate glucose metabolism and thereby improve cellular respiration.
- Antihypoxic drugs strengthen cell membranes.
It is important to remember that hypoxia never develops in a healthy person. This condition is only one of the manifestations of many diseases. Medicines that improve the absorption of oxygen by the body can be used only for symptomatic therapy. Antihypoxants do not affect the very cause of oxygen deficiency. These drugs can only be used as part of a comprehensive treatment.
Antioxidants and antihypoxants: differences
To eliminate the effects of oxygen deficiency, antioxidant and antihypoxic drugs are used. What it is? Antioxidants inhibit the formation of free radicals. Thus, they are struggling with the effects of a lack of oxygen. Antihypoxants improve energy metabolism and tissue nutrition. Both groups of drugs eliminate the negative effects of hypoxia, but in various ways.
To draw a clear line between these two types of drugs is quite difficult. Many antihypoxic drugs have an additional antioxidant effect. They can not only improve cellular respiration, but also bind harmful radicals. Indications for the use of antioxidants and antihypoxants are approximately the same.
Types of drugs
Most often, doctors prescribe direct antihypoxic drugs to patients. What it is? Such drugs improve metabolism in damaged cells, stimulate glucose metabolism and excrete lactic acid metabolism products. Often, such drugs have an additional antioxidant effect. They increase human performance and activity. This group of drugs includes:
- "Meldonium".
- "Actovegin".
- "Cytoflavin".
- "Preducted."
- "Cytochrome C".
- nootropic drugs ("Vinpocetine", "Piracetam", "Phezam").
This is not a complete list of antihypoxic drugs. There are many such drugs. We cited only those funds that are most often used in medical practice.
In more rare cases, doctors prescribe indirect antihypoxic drugs. What it is? Medicines of this group reduce the oxygen demand of tissues by reducing the intensity of metabolic processes. As a result, a person has increased resistance to hypoxia, but at the same time, working capacity and activity are significantly reduced. Such drugs help the body undergo temporary hypoxia without adverse effects. This group of drugs includes sleeping pills, tranquilizers and other medications with a sedative effect.
Indications
The main indication for the use of antihypoxants is a deterioration in the supply of body tissues with oxygen. These drugs are prescribed for the following pathologies:
- heart failure;
- cerebrovascular accident;
- shock and coma;
- diseases accompanied by respiratory disorders;
- anemia of various etiologies;
- acute poisoning;
- collapse;
- fetal hypoxia in pregnant women.
Next, we give a short overview of the most common antihypoxic drugs.
"Meldonium"
The active ingredient in this medication is gamma-butyrobetaine. This substance has a natural origin, it is present in the cells of the human body. The drug has a direct antihypoxic effect, it stimulates the flow of oxygen into the tissues. Most often, "Meldonium" is prescribed for cardiovascular pathologies:
- myocardial infarction;
- cardiomyopathies;
- angina pectoris;
- stroke.
Taking the drug is indicated for reduced performance, overwork, and also during withdrawal from alcoholism. It should not be used by people with increased intracranial pressure and pregnant women.
This medicine is forbidden to be taken by athletes before the competition, as the drug has a pronounced stimulating effect and refers to doping. It is important to remember that when taking high doses of the drug, its active component can be determined in the body for 6 months.
The price of "Meldonium" in pharmacies is from 120 to 270 rubles. The drug can also be found on sale under the trade name "Mildronate" or "Mildrocard".
"Actovegin"
This product has a natural composition. It is made from the blood of calves. The drug has pronounced antihypoxic properties. It improves the absorption of oxygen by cells. Actovegin also protects neurons from damage, stimulates blood microcirculation in vessels, and has a positive effect on cognitive functions.
The drug is most often used in neurological practice with the following pathologies:
- ischemic stroke;
- cerebrovascular disorders;
- senile dementia;
- diabetic polyneuropathy.
This tool has low toxicity and has a small list of contraindications. It can not be used only for allergies to the active component. For pregnant women, the drug can be taken only as directed by a doctor and under close medical supervision.
This tool is produced in the form of tablets, a solution for injections and ointments. The price of the medicine is from 500 to 2000 rubles. It depends on the dosage and form of release of the drug.
"Cytoflavin"
This is a combination drug that contains several active ingredients:
- Vitamins B2 and PP. These substances stimulate the production of enzymes involved in cellular respiration.
- Succinic acid. This compound is found in the cells of the human body. It is necessary for tissue gas exchange and energy synthesis.
- Inosine. This ingredient promotes the production of ATP in the cells.
The drug improves metabolism in the brain, stimulates mental activity and eliminates memory impairment. It is used for the following pathologies:
- consequences of a stroke;
- cerebral ischemia;
- atherosclerosis;
- encephalopathies of various origins;
- asthenia.
The medicine should not be taken during pregnancy and lactation, as well as with gout and kidney disease. Such contraindications are indicated in the instructions for use of "Cytoflavin". The price of the drug in pharmacy chains is from 500 to 1000 rubles.
"Preducted"
The active substance of this medication is trimetazidine. The drug primarily affects the heart muscle. It supports metabolism in myocardial cells during ischemia. "Preductal" is used in cardiology practice for the treatment of the following pathologies:
- angina pectoris;
- myocardial infarction.
This medicine does not stop pain in a heart attack. It only improves the oxygen supply to the tissue. Therefore, this tool is not considered. as a first-line drug for myocardial ischemia. It is used only as part of complex treatment.
“Preductal” can cause unwanted symptoms. It can provoke motor disturbances, such as restless legs syndrome, tremors, manifestations of parkinsonism, and motor coordination disorders. Therefore, the drug must be used with caution. This medicine is strictly contraindicated in patients with Parkinson's disease, renal failure, as well as pregnant women.
The price of medicine in pharmacies is 1400 - 2000 rubles. On sale, you can also find its analogue - "Trimetazidine-MV", which costs much cheaper (about 150 rubles).
"Cytochrome C"
The drug contains a protein that is similar in structure to blood hemoglobin. This substance is obtained from the heart muscle of pigs or cattle. "Cytochrome C" accelerates cellular metabolism and eliminates oxygen starvation of tissues.
The medicine is released in the form of a solution for injections. It has a fairly wide spectrum of action. It is used not only for myocardial and cerebral ischemia. "Cytochrome C" reduces hypoxia in the following diseases:
- asphyxia in infants;
- poisoning with ethanol and psychotropic drugs;
- pneumonia;
- bronchial asthma;
- injuries
- viral hepatitis.
The drug is contraindicated in case of allergies to animal sera, as well as during pregnancy and lactation. The price of medicine in pharmacies is about 1100 rubles.
Nootropics
This group of drugs improves blood supply to the brain and thereby eliminates hypoxia. Nootropics stimulate the central nervous system, improve memory and mental abilities. They are used as part of the complex treatment of cerebrovascular disorders, as well as monotherapy for asthenia and overwork.
The list of antihypoxic drugs of nootropic action includes:
- Vinpocetine (Cavinton). This medicine is based on periwinkle extract. It selectively stimulates cerebral circulation. As a result, oxygen enters precisely those tissues that are particularly affected by hypoxia. The drug should not be taken with severe forms of stroke, cardiac ischemia, arrhythmias, and during pregnancy.
- Piracetam (Nootropil). This tool improves metabolism in brain cells. It has a positive effect on memory, performance and thinking. Piracetam prevents the negative effects of hypoxia. The drug is used in practice by doctors of various specialties: neurologists, psychiatrists, narcologists. However, patients with atherosclerosis should avoid taking such a medicine, as it can accelerate the development of dementia. Also, the drug is contraindicated in neurosis, as it can increase anxiety.
- Fezam. Combined medicine based on piracetam and cinnarizine. This is one of the most powerful antihypoxants among nootropics. It simultaneously stimulates the metabolism in the brain and dilates blood vessels. A side effect of the drug is increased drowsiness. This effect is associated with the sedative effect of cinnarizine.
Conclusion
Antihypoxic drugs are needed in the treatment of ischemic conditions. They prevent the dangerous effects of oxygen starvation of tissues. However, such funds should in no case be used on their own. After all, each antihypoxant has a number of contraindications and undesirable effects. They can be taken only as prescribed by the doctor, after hypoxia is confirmed by diagnostic studies.