Drugs from the group of neurometabolic stimulants are able to have a specific effect on brain performance. They are used to treat various neurological disorders and to improve mental capabilities. Hopantenic acid, a substance used to produce certain nootropics, has a neurotrophic and neuroprotective effect. Let us consider in more detail the mechanism of action and the most popular medicines based on it.
What is hopantenic acid?
Nootropic drugs in modern neurology are used quite often. Hopantenic acid may be present in the preparations as the main active ingredient. Instructions for use informs that this substance is most often represented by calcium salt. The white powder in the form of which this substance is synthesized is well soluble in pure water. Component-based medicinal medicines have a moderate sedative and stimulating effect.
The calcium salt of hopantenic acid is rapidly absorbed in the gastric tract and excreted unchanged after 48 hours (mostly with urine).
How does it work?
Nootropic drugs containing hopantenic acid have neurotrophic, neuroprotective and neurometabolic properties. The substance significantly improves the mental performance of the brain, reduces excitability and normalizes the level of aminobutyric acid. Against the background of therapy, physical and mental performance is significantly increased.
The substance also has an anticonvulsant effect, increases the ability of brain tissue to withstand toxic effects. Oxygen requirements of the brain are also significantly reduced. According to the manufacturers, hopantenic acid has an analgesic effect. However, in the process of treatment, this property is weakly manifested.
Indications for appointment
An integral part of normal development and human life is mental health. To eliminate cognitive deficiency, medications from the category of nootropics are called on. Despite the fact that you can buy them without a doctor’s prescription, it is not recommended to prescribe such drugs for yourself.
Calcium salt-based nootropic drugs have a very wide range of indications for use. These drugs can have a therapeutic effect if the patient has the following disorders:
- delayed physical (or speech) development;
- post-vaccine encephalitis;
- cerebrovascular insufficiency;
- Parkinson's disease;
- neuroleptic extrapyramidal syndrome;
- epilepsy;
- urinary incontinence, urination disorder;
- Huntington's chorea (hereditary pathology of the nervous system);
- impaired concentration of attention;
- psycho-emotional overload;
- organic cerebral insufficiency (most often seen in patients with a history of schizophrenia);
- residual brain damage;
- severe head injuries;
- residual effects of neuroinfection;
- oligophrenia;
- subcortical hyperkinesis.
Is hopantenic acid used to treat children?
Instructions for use allow the appointment of drugs based on calcium salt for the treatment of children. The main indications for the use of nootropics in pediatrics include attention deficit disorder, inhibition of speech development, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, the clonic form of stuttering, perinatal encephalopathy.
Hopantenic acid for children can be used in the form of syrup or tablets. Many experts and parents have already managed to verify the effectiveness of nootropics and their safety. Side effects during therapy with calcium salt preparations and other nootropics are extremely rare. This allows you to prescribe medications to treat the smallest patients.
The effectiveness of calcium salt preparations
Neurological abnormalities affect mental abilities and development. To a greater extent, memory, the ability to concentrate, the ability to perceive information, intelligence, speech suffers. If indicated, the specialist may recommend therapy with nootropic drugs. The most effective medicines are based on hopantenic acid.
Instructions and recommendations of a specialist should inform the patient about the correct use of a neurometabolic stimulator. Only observing all the requirements can achieve a positive result in the treatment process. The ability of drugs to affect brain structures is successfully used to eliminate various neurological disorders. Positive dynamics are observed both in the treatment of adults and in pediatric practice.
Contraindications
Before starting treatment with the drug, the contraindications described in the instructions should be studied. Hopantenic acid is not used for treatment in the first trimester of pregnancy. The drug is not suitable for patients with severe kidney pathologies and in the presence of hypersensitivity to the components.
Calcium Salt Preparations
Pharmaceutical companies offer several drugs based on hopantenic acid. All of them have a nootropic effect and almost the same indications for use. Such medicines are available in liquid form (syrups) and tablets. The following drugs of hopantenic acid have a beneficial effect on intellectual abilities:
- "Calcium hopantenate."
- Pantogam.
- Pantocalcin.
- Gopantam.
- Cognum.
The intake of any nootropics should first be discussed with your doctor. With prolonged treatment with medications based on calcium salt, it is forbidden to take drugs with a similar mechanism of action. Hopantenic acid practically does not cause side effects, however, it is necessary to strictly observe the dosage regimen.
Nootropic agent "Pantogam"
One of the most popular means to improve brain function is Pantogam. For a sufficiently long time, the nootropic is used to eliminate neurological disorders in children of a younger age group. The therapeutic effect is provided by the active substance - calcium hopantenate (hopantenic acid). The instruction reports that Pantogam is available in the form of syrup and tablets.
Tablets for oral administration may contain 250 or 500 mg of the active ingredient. In this form, the drug is preferably taken by adult patients and children older than three years. For babies from birth, experts prescribe a medication in the form of a syrup.
Reviews about the drug
Many neuropathologists recommend taking this particular nootropic to normalize cognitive functions. A decrease in motor excitability, a moderate sedative (sedative) effect, activation of anabolic processes, and a decrease in convulsive syndrome occur due to the presence of calcium salt (hopantenic acid). Patient reviews in the majority confirm an improvement in well-being after undergoing special therapy.
It is proved that the drug significantly improves memory, mental abilities, increases vitality. The drug earned positive recommendations mainly from parents whose children suffer from neurological disorders. Only in rare cases, the absence of the therapeutic effect declared by the manufacturer is recorded.
How to take hopantenic acid?
The dosage of the substance will depend on the age of the patient. For adults, it is recommended to take from 500 mg to 1 g of the drug (at one time). In this case, the daily dose should not exceed 3 g of active substance. In pediatric practice, the dose of the drug is reduced to 250 mg at a time. The dosage regimen at its discretion can only be adjusted by the attending physician.
The duration of therapy is usually at least 2-3 months. In more severe cases, for example, with epilepsy, treatment should last at least six months. Hopantenic acid (in syrup and tablets) is taken half an hour after a meal. Tablets prescribed for children can be ground into powder and mixed with water.
Calcium salt is a low-toxic substance that is well tolerated by the body during treatment. However, side effects can still be observed. Basically, the negative effect is manifested in the form of insomnia, skin allergic reactions, the appearance of drowsiness.
Hopantenic acid: analogues
At the pharmacy shelves you can see a wide selection of nootropic drugs that can replace hopantenic acid. All of them have the same therapeutic effect - they improve and stimulate the brain. The drugs of this group are really able to positively affect the speed of transmission of impulses to the central part of the nervous system, and enhance protein synthesis. It should be borne in mind that only a neurologist should choose a remedy with such a therapeutic effect.
The progenitor of all neurometabolic stimulants is Piracetam, which is based on the same active substance. Currently, this tool is considered one of the most effective nootropics. The tool has its own indications and contraindications for use, with which you should first familiarize yourself.
High rates of therapeutic effect shows the drug "Glycine". The tool can regulate metabolic processes, improve mental abilities, relieve psycho-emotional overstrain. The active substance of the sedative drug - glycine - is an amino acid. The medicine has an antioxidant and antitoxic effect. It is often prescribed to patients with various vegetovascular disorders. If necessary, “Glycine” can replace a medicine based on hopantenic acid. The reviews of specialists and many patients indicate that one of the safest medicines of the nootropic group, which is often prescribed for the treatment of children of different age categories.