Which is better - "Actovegin" or "Cortexin": a comparison of drugs, formulations, instructions for use

In the article, we consider what is better - “Cortexin” or “Actovegin”.

Currently, in the field of cardiology and neurology, these medicines are often used. Both drugs are representatives of the group of nootropics, they have similar indications for use. In order to understand what is better - “Cortexin” or “Actovegin”, you should analyze in detail the characteristics of each of them.

General characteristics of Cortexin

The drug is a polypeptide bioregulator, as it is of animal origin. Cortexin contains extracts from the cerebral cortex of calves and piglets. The active component is cortexin, which is a polypeptide fraction. As an additional substance, glycine is used, which is able to regulate metabolic processes.

Pharmacological form - sterile lyophilized powder, which is packaged in bottles of 5, 10 ml. Before use, it must be diluted with saline.

General characteristics of Actovegin

He also represents a group of nootropic drugs. The medication is also of animal origin. It is made by filtration from the blood of calves. The hood is completely purified from protein compounds, therefore, it practically does not provoke allergic reactions.

This is confirmed by the instructions for use. The price of Actovegin, according to consumer reviews, is quite reasonable.

The manufacturer produces it in the form of:

1. Tablets intended for oral use.
2. Liquid suspension, packaged in dropper bottles.
3. An injection solution packaged in ampoules and intended for intramuscular injection.
4. Ointment, gels intended for external use.

The medication is available in finished form, that is, its preliminary dilution is not required.

Drug exposure mechanism

Let’s figure out why Cortexin helps? It contains soluble neuropeptides that quickly act on the central nervous system and the system of the heart and blood vessels. The drug is able to regulate neurotrophic brain factors and the normal balance of amino acids in the brain.

The following properties are characteristic of Cortexin:

1. Nootropic.
2. Neuroprotective.
3. Antioxidant.

Against the background of its use, the intensity of metabolic processes in the peripheral and central NS increases, the processes of repair in the central nervous system are stimulated, and the functional state of the cerebral cortex improves. In addition, the medicine favorably affects the autonomic and somatic systems.

Actovegin is a universal means of stimulating metabolic processes. Allows you to provide improved tissue nutrition, their saturation with oxygen. In addition, the drug promotes the synthesis of ATP, which are responsible for the normal functionality of all body systems.

The effect of the active component in local application promotes rapid healing of wounds, while the scar remains invisible. Also, against the background of the use of the drug, tissue respiration processes are activated. The distribution of oxygen throughout the body occurs evenly.

The process of collagen fiber formation, growth, division, distribution of cell structures improves. Under the influence of the medication, energy exchange in the brain improves, its need for glucose is provided, the activity of the central nervous system is normalized.

Indications, contraindications to the use of medicines

Cortexin is intended to eliminate the following conditions:

1. Vegetative cerebral disorders. Together with other pharmacological agents it is used in the treatment of epilepsy, acute, chronic forms of pathologies of the spinal cord, brain.
2. Diffuse brain damage of a diverse nature.
3. Traumatic brain injuries of varying degrees of complexity, the consequences resulting from a head injury.
4. Impaired blood flow in the tissue structures of the brain.
5. CNS pathology of bacterial, viral origin.

The medicine can be used to treat patients not only in adults but also in children. Cortexin is recommended for young children in order to increase mental abilities, with various forms of cerebral palsy, delays in speech or psychomotor development.

Actovegin is used much more often and is indicated for use in the following situations:

1. Radiation skin lesions.
2. Burns.
3. Pressure sores.
4. Angiopathies of various etiologies.
5. Endarteritis.
6. Varicose veins.
7. Ulcers.
8. Encephalopathy
9. Skull injuries.
10. Stroke.
11. Endocrine, neurological disorders. The drug is indicated for the threat of miscarriage, complex pregnancy. Favorably affects the health of the fetus and expectant mother. In childhood, therapy should be carried out under the strict supervision of a pediatrician.

The main contraindications for the use of "Cortexin" are:

1. Pregnancy, lactation period.
2. Hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.

Actovegin, in turn, should not be used for:

1. Fluid retention in the body.
2. Heart failure.
3. Pathology of the kidneys.
4. Pulmonary edema.

In addition, the use of the drug is not possible if patients have ordinary intolerance to the components. In this regard, before starting therapy, a control sample should be made. In particular, this applies to pediatric patients.

Also, you should not use "Actovegin" in the lactation period, since harm to the child is likely. Is it possible to use Cortexin and Actovegin injections together?

Possibility of simultaneous use

Drugs can be used simultaneously. Their combined introduction is allowed in order to enhance their therapeutic effect. However, experts do not recommend mixing drugs in one syringe and injecting a mixture of drugs at the same time. It is worth noting that the parallel use of these funds often provokes the development of allergic reactions. Therefore, before starting joint therapy, it is indicated to conduct preliminary allergy tests.

Drug use

The use of drugs is carried out according to certain schemes.

For adult patients, intramuscular administration of "Cortexin" is carried out once a day, using a dose of 10 mg. The duration of the therapeutic course is 10 days. In complicated situations (for example, with a stroke), the daily dosage can be doubled. The treatment lasts in this case the same time - 10 days. After this time, the treatment is repeated.

In the field of pediatrics, the medication can be used from the first days of the baby's birth. With a body weight of less than 20 kg, up to 5 mg of Cortexin should be administered, with a weight of 20 kg or more - 10 mg. The duration of therapy is 10 days. After a six-month interval, treatment should be repeated.

The tool is so safe that it can be used for the treatment of newborn babies. When treating older children, there is one significant drawback - the drug does not have a tablet form. This drawback is especially apparent when reuse of the drug is recommended.

"Actovegin" in tablet form should be taken three times a day, 1-2 tablets. Intravenous drip should be carried out during the first three days, after which therapy is continued using tablets. With intramuscular administration, up to 5 ml of solution should be administered in one application. The duration of treatment is 10 days.

If concurrent therapy with both medicines is performed, they should not be administered together. Specialists recommend the administration of Cortexin in the morning, and Actovegin in the evening (or vice versa). The therapeutic course lasts 10 days. After a six-month interval, if necessary, treatment can be repeated.

"Cortexin" and "Actovegin" - what is the difference between them?

Despite the great similarity, there are certain differences between the drugs.

Cortexin has been used quite successfully for the treatment of discirculatory encephalopathy. This cannot be said about Actovegin - it can be used to treat this pathology exclusively in combination with Cortexin. Specialists often practice the alternate administration of drugs every other day.

Let's continue the comparison of “Cortexin” and “Actovegin”.

Cortexin is the only drug that can be used to treat CNS injuries in children. As a rule, such treatment is highly effective.

In addition, "Cortexin" faster copes with chronic fatigue, but it is contraindicated during pregnancy, in the lactation period. Actovegin has no such restrictions.

Medicines differ in cost - “Actovegin” is much cheaper. So, the packaging of “Cortexin” will cost about 820 rubles, and the price of “Actovegin” starts from 230 rubles.

Cortexin is highly effective for hypoxic and traumatic brain injuries. Despite the fact that Actovegin has proven itself in the treatment of VVD, it is able to provoke a nervous-reflex over-stimulation. In this regard, it is not recommended for patients prone to nervous attacks, hysteria. In this case, Cortexin should be preferred.

Two drugs are rarely used at the same time, but such an appointment is not excluded.

Which is better - "Cortexin" or "Actovegin"?

Which of the drugs is more suitable for a particular patient, the doctor must decide. Despite the fact that the drugs are very similar in many respects, they have specific differences that determine the possibility of using a particular drug in a given situation. For certain pathologies, both remedies may be suitable, but in some cases one of them is less effective or contraindicated.

Reviews

Patients and doctors respond well about both medicines. They are highly effective when used as directed. If there is a possibility of using Actovegin, patients prefer it because it is cheaper, it has more pharmacological forms. If there are no indications for the use of this drug, the therapy is rather successfully carried out by Cortexin.

In the article, we found out that Cortexin or Actovegin is better.