Disorders of cerebral circulation, from which only the elderly suffered before, are now increasingly found in young people and even in children. They can cause serious illness and health problems. Therefore, medications that help with problems with the vessels of the brain are becoming more and more popular. One of the most popular was the drug "Vinpocetine Forte." The instructions for use describe it as very effective for various diseases and a fairly safe medicine. It helps with any cerebrovascular accident and is prescribed even for children. And more and more people are interested in what is Vinpocetin Forte. Instructions for use describe in detail which drug has an effect, when and how to take it.
General characteristics of the drug
"Vinpocetine", the price of which is low - about 100 rubles, belongs to the group of psychostimulating and nootropic drugs. The main active ingredient effectively improves cerebral blood flow, dilates blood vessels and reduces blood viscosity.
This is due to the composition of the drug "Vinpocetine Forte." Instructions for use most often do not decrypt it, calling the main component the substance is vinpocetine. It is a synthetic analogue of the alkaloid from the leaves of small periwinkle. This substance has a positive effect on brain tissue, rarely causing any side effects. The drug is available in tablets or solution for injection. The most common dosage of Vinpocetine is 5 mg. But recently, 10 mg tablets have become more popular, used for more serious brain damage. It is this form of release of the drug that is called "Vinpocetine Forte". In addition to dosage, these tablets are no different from the more common ones.
What is the effect of "Vinpocetine Forte"
Instructions for use call the main indication for using the drug a violation of cerebral circulation. But "Vinpocetine" has a complex effect on the body:
- improves blood circulation and accelerates blood circulation in the brain tissue;
- dilates blood vessels and relaxes their smooth muscles;
- improves the transport and absorption of glucose by tissues;
- increases the resistance of nerve cells to a lack of oxygen;
- improves metabolism and metabolism in the brain;
- has an antioxidant effect;
- stimulates the production of norepinephrine and serotonin;
- reduces blood viscosity, positively affecting platelets and red blood cells;
- Helps in the enrichment of brain tissue with oxygen, improving its absorption;
- slightly reduces blood pressure.
When is the drug prescribed
It is these properties that explain the high popularity of the drug "Vinpocetine". Indications for its use are discussed in detail in the instructions:
- various diseases associated with impaired cerebral circulation: ischemic stroke, encephalopathy, atherosclerosis, vascular dementia ;
- cerebrovascular spasms;
- mental and neurological disorders: memory impairment, dizziness, headache, noise and ringing in the ears;
- eye vessel diseases: secondary glaucoma, vascular thrombosis, macular changes;
- senile disorders of memory, hearing and vestibular apparatus associated with circulatory failure in the brain;
- Meniere's disease ;
- menopausal syndrome;
- A state of recovery after brain injury.
Quite often, doctors prescribe "Vinpocetine" to improve memory and reduce mental abilities in children. This property of the drug is sometimes used by students, taking it during sessions. But such use of the drug without a doctor's prescription can be dangerous.
In which cases you can not take it
But not everyone can use Vinpocetine for treatment. Many people like the indications for its use and lead to the fact that sometimes the drug is drunk without a doctor’s prescription. This can not be done, since it is undesirable to interfere with the brain without special needs. In addition, the drug has contraindications:
- you can not drink it to people with individual intolerance, since the main active substance of the drug can cause a strong allergic reaction;
- patients with coronary heart disease and severe arrhythmia will not be able to take advantage of the positive effects of the drug;
- do not prescribe the drug with increased intracranial pressure;
- you can not drink "Vinpocetine" in the first week after a hemorrhagic stroke;
- it is not recommended to use the drug for treatment for those whose blood pressure is unstable and vascular tone is low;
- the active substance easily penetrates through the placental barrier and into breast milk, therefore, it is not prescribed during pregnancy and lactation;
- the drug is not used in the treatment of children under 18 years of age, since its effect at this age has not been studied.
Side effects
Vinpocetine is generally well tolerated by patients. The most common allergic reactions after the use of the drug: rash, skin itching or dyspeptic disorders. But sometimes there may be other side effects:
- dizziness, drowsiness, and weakness;
- headache;
- insomnia;
- sweating and redness of the skin;
- a strong decrease in pressure;
- cardiopalmus;
heartburn, nausea, abdominal pain and dry mouth.
How to take "Vinpocetine"
Use such a drug only as directed by a doctor. The dosage is also determined by a specialist based on the characteristics of the disease and the patient’s health status. If the drug is prescribed in the form of "Forte", then you need to take no more than 1 tablet 3 times a day. Drink them after eating. The duration of treatment is usually up to two months. For prophylactic purposes, for example, to improve memory, mental activity or with hearing loss, Vinpocetine Forte is not taken. In these cases, you need to take 1 tablet of 5 mg 3 times a day. In acute cerebrovascular accidents in hospitals, the drug is used as an injection for treatment. The solution is administered only drip intravenously at 20 mg once a day. With good tolerance, after 2-3 days you can gradually increase the dose, but not more than 60 ml.
Features of the drug
Before treatment, you need to carefully study the information on how to take "Vinpocetine" correctly. You can find out about this from your doctor or in the instructions. After all, when using this drug, there are some features:
- usually in the form of tablets, the drug “Vinpocetine” is prescribed for the chronic course of the disease, while injections are used in case of acute cerebrovascular accident only in the hospital;
- a sharp withdrawal of the drug is very dangerous, so you need to stop treatment, gradually reducing the dosage;
- with a hemorrhage in the brain, the drug can be used no earlier than a week later;
- you can not use "Vinpocetine" in conjunction with "Warfarin" or "Heparin", as bleeding may occur;
- it is not recommended to prescribe the drug to patients taking antihypertensive drugs, "Loratadine" or "Erythromycin";
- the drug can cause a decrease in concentration, therefore, during the treatment period it is not recommended to drive a car and work with dangerous devices.
Reviews about "Vinpocetine"
The drug is prescribed by doctors quite often. And despite the fact that the instruction does not recommend its use for children, there is experience of successful use at an early age with a delay in speech development and other neurological disorders. Parents like the effect that "Vinpocetine" has. Its price is low - in pharmacies it costs from 80 to 200 rubles (depending on the number of tablets and the manufacturer's company). After treatment, children feel better: they become calmer, sleep better and begin to talk. Improvements are noted and adult patients. Most often, this is the cessation of headaches, improving mood and performance. Many also like the low price of the drug compared to its counterparts.
How can I replace the drug
There are drugs based on the same active ingredient as Vinpocetine: Cavinton, Corsavin, Bravinton and Vincentin. But, despite this, the question of choosing a drug should be decided only by a specialist. Therefore, thinking what to take - "Cavinton", "Vinpocetine" or another medicine - you need to consult a doctor. In some cases, analogues of the drug are prescribed to improve cerebral circulation, containing other components, but with the same effect. It can be such means as "Glycine", "Lutzetam", "Nootropil", "Pantogam", "Piracetam", "Fezam" and others. But in any case, such drugs can be drunk only after the appointment of a doctor.