Mexidol is a new generation domestic drug with antioxidant effects. Due to the fact that this medicine normalizes metabolic processes in the body and protects cells from free radicals, it has a wide range of uses. Most often, Mexidol is used in neurology, narcology, and surgery. But this drug is able to normalize the work of almost all organs and systems. Despite these properties, not everyone can use Mexidol in treatment. Contraindications to its use limit its frequent use. The drug is still little studied, since it began to be widely used only in 2003.
Drug characteristics
The development of this tool was started back in the 80s, but Mexidol was introduced into medical practice only after 20 years. Scientists received a prize for creating such a unique drug. Now Mexidol is recognized as the best tool in neurological practice. Its properties make it possible to alleviate the patient’s condition in many diseases, to use it for prevention, as well as for the relief of acute neurological disorders and intoxications. The drug is available in tablets and solution for injection. In a pharmacy, it can only be purchased with a prescription. After all, when prescribing the drug "Mexidol", contraindications to it are necessarily taken into account.
Drug properties
The main active ingredient of the drug is ethyl methylhydroxypyridine succinate. This substance is actively involved in all metabolic processes in the body, normalizing them. Therefore, the drug regulates the work of many organs and systems. Normalization of metabolism in the body occurs due to the fact that the active substance of the drug has the following properties:
- inhibits the activity of free radicals and protects cells from their effects;
- reduces oxygen demand of cells, which makes tissues easier to tolerate hypoxia;
- improves the condition of the walls of blood vessels;
- stabilizes the membranes of red blood cells and platelets, preventing the formation of blood clots and preventing the destruction of blood cells;
- improves the condition of brain cells and mental abilities;
- regulates the effect of the autonomic nervous system;
- protects brain cells from damage;
- enhances the effect of tranquilizers, sleeping pills, antidepressants and antipsychotics, which reduces their dosage.
Action Features
Before prescribing the drug "Mexidol", the doctor must take into account contraindications. But the low toxicity of the drug allows you to use it in many cases. This tool was widely used due to the peculiarities of its effect on the patient's body:
- normalizes blood circulation;
- improves blood circulation and tissue nutrition;
- increases the degree of concentration of attention;
- improves memory;
- normalizes blood cholesterol;
- increases hemoglobin level;
- stimulates the production of dopamine hormone;
- relieves headaches;
- restores the work of the heart muscle;
- increases the body's resistance to stress;
- normalizes the composition and properties of blood, improves its fluidity;
- restores normal sleep;
- slows down the aging process of the body.
Indications for use
Despite the fact that the drug appeared recently, the range of its use is quite wide. Doctors of various specialties prescribe Mexidol to patients. Application and contraindications allow it to be used in such cases:
- with vegetative-vascular dystonia ;
- after traumatic brain injury;
- with a violation of cerebral circulation;
- with epilepsy, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease;
- in the complex treatment of hypertension, atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease;
- with frequent headaches;
- with depression, stress, neurosis and other psychiatric disorders;
- during recovery from a stroke or myocardial infarction;
- with hypoxia, shock;
- with alcohol intoxication and withdrawal syndrome;
- in acute inflammatory processes in the abdominal cavity, for example, pancreatitis.
The drug "Mexidol": contraindications
Side effects of this remedy are rare, which allows it to be used for many patients. Nevertheless, this medicine also has contraindications. First of all, it is an individual intolerance. Therefore, before using it, it is advisable to conduct an allergic reaction test. In addition, the drug "Mexidol" contraindications are as follows:
- children's age up to 14 years due to insufficient knowledge of the drug;
- pregnancy and lactation;
- impaired renal function, inflammatory diseases;
- any liver disease, especially hepatitis;
- high blood pressure;
- with caution should be used in patients with asthma.
Features of the use of tablets
After the acute state subsides and with a mild illness, Mexidol is prescribed orally. The features of the drug include the fact that it can be used for a long time - up to 3 months. At the same time, its effect does not decrease, side effects and withdrawal syndrome do not develop. Mexidol (tablets) is often prescribed for elderly patients. In this case, contraindications must be taken into account, since the drug is poorly tolerated with high blood pressure and serious violations in the liver or kidneys. Tablets are usually used for 1-2 pieces 3 times a day. The duration of treatment is from 5 days to 2 months. Moreover, the drug should be discontinued with a gradual decrease in dosage. With prolonged use, the risk of side effects does not increase if all contraindications have been taken into account.
Mexidol: injections
In acute conditions, the drug is used as an injection. Enter it intramuscularly or intravenously. Dosage is determined individually. But the maximum per day can not be entered more than 0.8 g. The active substance is rapidly absorbed and distributed in the tissues. Its properties last 4-5 hours, therefore, a medicine is prescribed 2-3 times a day. Most often in drug addiction, neurological and surgical departments of hospitals injections of the drug "Mexidol" are used. Side effects and contraindications are necessarily taken into account.
With purulent processes in the abdominal cavity - pancreatitis, peritonitis, with severe intoxications and acute cerebrovascular accident, the drug is administered drip or jet intradermally. With a milder course of the disease, as well as for the treatment of alcoholism, senile dementia or Parkinson's disease, intramuscular injections are used. The course of treatment in this way usually lasts from 3 to 10 days. But sometimes the treatment lasts up to a month, and then they switch to the oral administration of the drug.
Side effects
The positive properties of the drug include the fact that it is not addictive, it can be canceled at any time, without fear of the consequences. But since Mexidol has recently been used, the contraindications, side effects and features of its use in various diseases are still poorly understood. The drug is considered safe and has almost no toxic effects on the body. Only such side effects were noticed:
- allergic reactions with individual intolerance;
- nausea, dryness and a metallic taste in the mouth when administered intravenously;
- severe drowsiness, impaired coordination of movements and decreased activity in case of an overdose.
All these consequences pass quickly and usually do not require discontinuation of the drug, with the exception of allergic reactions.
The use of the drug in sports
The property of Mexidol to regulate metabolic processes in the body allows it to be used for athletes. But even to these people, the drug is prescribed by a doctor. You should consider such a feature of this tool as a decrease in the level of the hormone cortisol. It is formed during physical exertion and promotes the active release of glucose from the liver. This leads to increased performance and endurance, which is necessary during training. Only in some athletes, cortisol levels are constantly increased, which causes headaches, insomnia, and increased pressure. In this case, the doctor prescribes Mexidol, the dosage and features of which are selected strictly individually.
Alcoholism treatment
In narcology, the drug "Mexidol" is often used. Its use and contraindications in this area have been studied quite well. And this tool is considered one of the best for the treatment of alcoholism. "Mexidol" not only removes toxins and relieves intoxication. It helps to relieve withdrawal symptoms, restores vegetative functions, and is used for behavior disorders. The advantages of its use include the fact that it is compatible with ethanol and even reduces its toxic effects, allowing the patient to gradually abandon alcohol. Treatment lasts from 2 weeks to 2 months, and the withdrawal of the drug should be gradual.