Actovegin is an injectable drug that belongs to the pharmacological class of peptides. When patients find out that the main active component of the drug is the extraction of calves from the blood, they are at least surprised. However, there is nothing strange in this composition - peptides have long established themselves as a class of effective and safe drugs for nervous, mental and cognitive disorders. How to inject "Actovegin" intramuscularly, which indications and contraindications are for this, as well as what side effects are possible, are described in the article.
Composition and form of release
The drug is available in the form of ampoules for injection in volumes of 2, 5 and 10 ml. There are also other forms of release: gel, ointment, tablets, solution for infusion. Can I inject Actovegin intramuscularly? Yes, this method is recognized as the most effective in terms of achieving a therapeutic effect. This fact does not negate the effectiveness of other forms of drug release, but when injected, the drug enters directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the organs of the gastrointestinal tract. The solution of the drug in ampoules is a clear or pale yellow liquid, without a pronounced odor.
The solution is not only intended for intramuscular administration; intravenous injections can also be administered. How to inject "Actovegin" intramuscularly: to breed or not? Instructions for use with the drug reports that there is no such need: inside the ampoules, the solution is already completely ready for administration. Just open the ampoule, take the solution into the syringe and make an injection.
Regardless of the volume of the ampoule (2, 5 or 10 ml), the concentration of the active substance is always the same - 40 mg per ml. Thus, in ampoules with 2 ml of solution contains 80 mg of active substance, in ampoules of 5 ml - 200 mg, and in ampoules of 10 ml - 400 mg, respectively.
The composition of the solution for injection also contains (in addition to the main active ingredient - deproteinized hemoderivative) sodium chloride and water. Patient reviews indicate that the introduction into the muscle, as a rule, occurs almost painlessly, if the injection is correct.
Therapeutic and pharmacological effects of the drug
Regardless of the form of release, the drug has the same active substance - deproteinized hemoderivative obtained from blood taken from healthy calves that received milk food. This substance is obtained by special purification from large protein molecules - this process is called deproteinization. After it, a medium-sized aggregate is formed by weight of active calf blood molecules, which, in turn, have the ability to "start" the metabolism in almost any organ or tissue of the human body. The process of deproteinization allows you to create a ratio of molecules of this size, thanks to which it became real to avoid negative allergic reactions to the drug. Chemists managed to ensure that each milliliter of the solution contained an equal amount of deproteinized hemoderivative, which was synthesized from the blood serum of dairy calves. All fractions have an equal mass of the active component and are able to exert a therapeutic effect with the same and stable intensity in a wide variety of diseases and conditions.
In some instructions (depending on the form of release and time of packing), the active component of the drug is called "Actovegin concentrate" - for brevity and in order not to scare away the uninitiated in the subtleties of pharmacology and chemistry of the patient. The drug has a number of contraindications, in rare cases, the development of some side effects is possible (mainly in the neurological part).
However, Actovegin (how to inject intramuscularly, described below) is most widely used in the treatment of neurological diseases. They successfully treat not only adults, but also children with adolescents. The drug is also used both as an independent tool and as part of complex therapy in ophthalmology, cardiology, psychiatry, and dermatology.
Indications for use of the drug
Instructions for use informs that the drug has the following indications for use in dermatology:
- increase in the rate of regeneration of the skin and the surface of the mucous membranes due to various kinds of injuries (abrasions, cuts, burns, surgery, etc.);
- acceleration of tissue regeneration after burns and wounds;
- accelerated healing of wet wounds;
- mitigation of the reaction to radiation of a radiation nature;
- prevention of pressure sores.
In neurology, the drug is most often used as an intramuscular injection for the following diseases and pathologies:
- disorders of the brain due to vascular or metabolic abnormalities (traumatic brain injuries, strokes, blood flow disorders of other origin);
- impaired memory and attention due to vascular diseases of the central nervous system;
- as part of complex therapy for peripheral vascular disorders, their complications and as a prophylaxis of their consequences (angiopathy, various trophic ulcers, endarteritis, etc.);
- polyneuropathy due to chronic alcoholism;
- delayed psycho-speech development;
- withdrawal and post-withdrawal syndrome in chronic alcoholism and drug addiction;
- restoration of cerebral circulation due to traumatic brain injuries;
- recovery period after chronic stress, overwork, hypoxia, radiation, hypothermia, burns.
The overall effect after a course of injection of Actovegin can be described by the following points:
- Regeneration is accelerated after any kind of injury, damage to blood vessels, skin, tissues of internal organs.
- The process of tissue respiration is activated, the rational use of oxygen by the cells, which is delivered with blood to each part of the human body, is ensured. Due to this, it is possible to mitigate the effects of circulatory disorders and hypoxia.
- The use of glucose by body cells is normalized, which are in a state of hypoxia (oxygen starvation), as well as tissues that, for one reason or another, experience metabolic depletion.
- The synthesis of protein, in particular collagen, fibers is normalized. Thanks to this, the process of cell division and restoration of all body tissues is accelerated. The process of division of blood vessel cells is also stimulated, which inevitably leads to the normalization of blood supply to all organs and the brain.
Contraindications to the use of the drug
Instructions for use warns that, regardless of the form of release, the drug has the following contraindications for use:
- oliguria;
- decompensated heart failure (in particular, if the drug is used in the form of droppers);
- fluid retention of various etiologies;
- pulmonary edema;
- anuria
Is it possible to inject Actovegin intramuscularly in the presence of chronic renal failure? The exact answer depends on what stage the disease is and what is the advisability of using the drug. It is necessary to consult a treating nephrologist. if the patient has chronic pyelonephritis in the acute stage, a consultation with a doctor is also necessary before the course of Actovegin. Self-administration can in some cases aggravate the patient's condition.
Can I inject Actovegin intramuscularly after consultation with a hepatologist if the patient has been diagnosed with cirrhosis? According to experts, sometimes the drug is able to improve the clinical picture, but only if the tests are not too critical (to conclude that the injection course is advisable, you need to consult a doctor).
Feasible side effects
How many days to inject Actovegin intramuscularly to prevent overdose and the development of side effects? Only the doctor who prescribed the drug can answer this question. Many people try to prescribe the drug and dosage themselves, as a result they suffer from pronounced side effects. Therefore, the package also contains information that the drug is dispensed strictly according to the prescription.
Instructions for use warns that it is possible to develop the following side effects against the background of injection (the development is also possible when using a gel, infusion or tablets):
- allergic reactions: swelling, urticaria, dermatitis, pruritus, increased sweating, hot flashes, hyperhidrosis, fever;
- from the digestive tract: nausea after administration, pain or pulling sensations in the epigastric region, digestive upset, problems with the production of bile are possible;
- from the cardiac system: pain in the heart, shortness of breath, hypotension, tachycardia, hypertension;
- on the part of the central nervous system: headache, weakness, drowsiness, nausea, dizziness, tremor of the extremities, loss of consciousness, in some patients, on the contrary, hyperactivity and problems with concentration on the background of the injection course are observed (especially if the dosage was not chosen correctly);
- on the part of the skeletal and muscular system: pains of an unclear etiology in the lumbar region, pulling pains in the joints, in bone tissue.
Can I inject injections of Actovegin intramuscularly on my own?
This question worries many patients after they have been prescribed the drug. Let's try to answer the most common questions:
- How to inject "Actovegin" intramuscularly - to dilute or not - before taking the medicine into the syringe? No, you should not dilute the solution from the ampoule. It is already ready for use, just select it with a needle in a syringe and make an injection.
- Is it possible to inject 5 ml of Actovegin intramuscularly at a time? It happens that such a relatively large volume of ampoules scares patients. But do not worry. It is possible to make such an injection, only you should choose a large muscle for an injection. Optimal - large gluteal. The injection should be placed in the upper outer region of the buttock, as if it were divided by two intersecting perpendicular lines.
- How often can I inject Actovegin intramuscularly? The attending physician can answer this question based on the clinical picture of each individual patient. As a rule, injections are prescribed daily for 10 or 20 days. The exact duration of the course depends on the diagnosis, health status and individual characteristics of the patient.
- How to inject intramuscular injections "Actovegin" yourself, yourself? It is quite possible to do this if you have the necessary skills. Many people can successfully inject as skillfully and safely as nurses with many years of experience in such procedures do. It is necessary to wipe the injection site with alcohol (where exactly to inject it is shown in the figure below), then with a sharp movement insert the needle and, pushing the piston, inject the drug. In this case, there should be no pain (with the exception of slight discomfort when inserting a needle from a syringe).
Features of the use of the drug: time of day, alcohol, nutrition
What time to inject Actovegin intramuscularly - in the morning, at lunch or in the evening? It is optimal to perform the procedure in the first half of the day, as some patients develop such side effects as hyperactivity and arousal. Other people, by contrast, suffer from drowsiness. If a person feels weakness and a desire to sleep after an injection, then it is permissible to make an injection in the second half of the day. Thus, the answer to the question of what time of day to inject “Actovegin” intramuscularly depends on the individual state of the body and the reaction to the drug.
Against the background of the course of treatment, the intake of alcoholic beverages should be completely excluded, since their action can negate the therapeutic and pharmacological effect of the use of the drug. Actovegin promotes better nutrition of brain cells, while ethyl alcohol very actively destroys neurons and has a very strong toxic effect on the whole organism. not for nothing that "Actovegin" is often prescribed during the period of withdrawal syndrome during the period of remission in chronic alcoholism.
Against the background of the course of treatment, you should adhere to a proper diet, which would not create obstacles in the process of body restoration. The optimal balance in the diet of proteins, fats and carbohydrates should be observed. This is especially important for those who use Actovegin to restore the functions of the nervous system and to recover from various kinds of tissue and dermatological pathologies.
Injections "Actovegin" for children and adolescents
How to inject "Actovegin" intramuscularly into children? The drug is often prescribed by neurologists with a delay in psycho-speech development. Only a doctor should prescribe the child a dosage. In addition, it is almost always difficult to give an injection to a child - therefore, independent use of the drug by parents is not welcome. It is optimal to visit the treatment room with the child daily so that the person with the necessary skills puts the injections.
How much to inject "Actovegin" intramuscularly to a child with a delay in psycho-speech development? Usually the total course duration is 10 days. However, in some cases, it may vary. Sometimes a neurologist at his discretion can reduce the daily dosage (for example, only 2 ml), but at the same time extend the total course time - 20 days instead of 10, prescribe nootropics or anticonvulsants along with injections. It is imperative to consult a doctor about the features of treatment, and in no case do not make an independent decision on the need for therapy for a child or teenager.
How often to inject Actovegin intramuscularly to a child? You should consult with your doctor about this issue. Usually, one injection is prescribed once every 24 hours.
Doctors advice on the dosage of the drug
Actovegin may be administered intramuscularly or intravenously.
Patients with ischemic stroke or with arterial angiopathy are injected with a dropper of 20-50 ml of the drug, previously diluted in the infusion solution recommended by the doctor. According to the doctor’s prescription, the drug can be administered both every other day, and only two to three times a week.
How to inject "Actovegin" intramuscularly in patients with dermatological diseases? As a rule, 5 ml is prescribed intramuscularly once a day for 10-20 days daily or two to three times a week for a month.
Intramuscularly, you can enter the drug quickly. If there is a need for intravenous administration, then you should be patient and achieve the slowest possible administration, it is not in vain that a drug diluted with any medical solution is used in droppers. This is necessary so that too much concentration of the drug does not immediately enter the blood.
How many days to inject Actovegin intramuscularly?
Depending on the clinical picture, the drug can be prescribed on a daily basis (as a rule, this method is practiced with neurological and psychiatric pathologies), or several times a week (usually this method is more effective for dermatological and cardiological diseases).
It is forbidden to independently decide how many days to carry out therapy. The information given in the instructions is for guidance only and is not a call for self-medication. Only after receiving an accurate diagnosis and identifying concomitant diseases, the attending physician can draw up the most effective course of treatment, which includes “Actovegin” injections.
Drug Interactions with Injection
How to inject “Actovegin” intramuscularly so that it does no harm? It should take into account its interaction with other drugs (if any).
With simultaneous administration with sedatives, drowsiness, weakness, and inhibitory effect on the nervous system may intensify.
While taking it with antidepressants, no exact data on the consequences was revealed, but it is recommended to carefully monitor the dosage of Actovegin and increase it gradually.
Since the interaction of peptides with most pharmacological preparations has not yet been fully studied, the instructions do not have accurate data on the possible consequences. Therefore, the drug is dispensed strictly according to the doctor’s prescription in Latin, while the dosages and duration of administration, as well as a comprehensive course of drugs should be discussed with a specialist.