Health problems associated with a violation of the supply of oxygen to the brain and other necessary substances concern not only the elderly, but also young people. A whole complex of special preparations, which includes Vinpocetin, helps to solve them. Instructions for it, form of release, features of use, as well as similar medicines are discussed below.
Medicine for the mind
The supply of blood to the brain, which delivers the necessary and discharges waste components, is one of the main physiological processes, the quality of life and human health depends on its quality. For many reasons, this process may be violated to one degree or another. Normalize blood circulation in the brain help drugs that belong to different pharmacological groups and have their own characteristics in the rendered action. Only a competent specialist can determine the problem and choose adequate therapy for cerebrovascular insufficiency. Very often, Vinpocetine is prescribed for such treatment. The instruction for this medicine tells about its composition, indications and contraindications for use, the features of treatment with this tool.
What works in the drug?
The composition of the drug "Vinpocetine" is quite simple - it has one active component, the name of the drug is named - vinpocetine. It can be considered a natural substance, since its basis is vincalin - an alkaloid obtained from the plant Vinca minor. It was first extracted from the plant by the Hungarian chemist Santa Chaba (Csaba Szántay) in 1975. The substance was called vinpocetine, it went through the process of researching properties, as well as the process of obtaining it by artificial means (synthesis).
After 3 years, in 1978, Gideon Richter began production of a medicine called Vinpocetine, which has become widely used in medical practice in Europe, the Soviet Union, and then in the CIS countries and in Russia. The chemical formula of the substance is: C 22 H 26 N 2 O 2 . The medicine itself is included in the list of vital and most important drugs in Russia. In America, a substance obtained from a plant is considered only a biological food supplement.
What is the pharmacological form?
One of the medications often used in the practice of Russian medicine for activating cerebral circulation is Vinpocetine. The form of the drug is as follows:
- tablets in which 5 or 10 mg of the active ingredient may be contained in one piece;
- concentrate for the preparation of a solution for infusion containing 1 ml of 5 mg of vinpocetine.
In addition to the active component, formative ingredients are also contained in each form of the drug. In tablets, it will be colloidal silicon dioxide, potato starch, lactose, magnesium stearate. The dosage form of the concentrate for the preparation of the solution is created by water, citric acid, hydrochloric acid, sodium disulfite, propylene glycol, sorbitol, sodium sulfite, disodium edetate.
Typically, injections of this medication are used to treat acute forms of diseases associated with cerebrovascular problems. The tablet form is accepted by patients with both inpatient and outpatient treatment.
The form of the drug is chosen by the attending physician for the treatment of a disease, taking into account the state and characteristics of the patient’s health.
How does the active component work?
Many people who have used drugs to activate cerebral circulation in their treatment praise Vinpocetin tablets. Indications for use of this medication are quite extensive. How does this substance work, which helps in normalizing the functioning of the vascular system of the brain?
The functionality of vinpocetine is multifaceted: under its influence, blood flow to the brain normalizes, metabolic processes and rheological properties of blood improve. This substance blocks the channels of Na + - and Ca 2+ , which affects the NMDA and AMPA receptors working in the brain. The same vinpocetine has a neuroprotective effect.
Preparations based on a synthetic derivative of vincamine improve metabolic processes in brain tissue by enhancing the uptake and processing of oxygen and glucose, which is the only energy source for every brain cell. They contribute to resistance to oxygen deficiency - hypoxia. In addition, vinpocetine contributes to a shift in the metabolic processes of glucose towards a more energy-efficient aerobic pathway. It activates and increases the metabolic processes associated with norepinephrine and serotonin in the brain, normalizes the functional of the norepinephrine neurotransmitter system. Vinpocetine is also an antioxidant.
Once in the bloodstream, it activates microcirculation in the brain, prevents clumping, i.e. platelet aggregation, disrupting the formation of blood clots. It also helps to thin the blood, increase the level of deformability of red blood cells, as well as their affinity for oxygen, which inhibits the reuptake of adenosine, which is involved in many physiological processes. The entire functionality of the drug is aimed at improving blood rheology. By reducing cerebral vascular resistance, the substance activates cerebral blood flow. In addition, vinpocetine has no effect on such biological indicators as arterial pressure, cardiac output, heart rate, and general peripheral vascular resistance. Another plus in the work of the substance of vinpocetine is the absence of the so-called robbery effect when using it.
The pathway of the drug in humans
Many people suffering from various manifestations of cerebrovascular accident are interested in: “What is Vinpocetine prescribed for?” Pills or injections of this name help to solve many health problems, but only the attending physician leading the patient can prescribe them for use. the specialist must take into account the pharmacokinetics of the active substance.
Vinpocetine tablets are taken orally. They quickly dissolve and absorb in the intestine, concentrating as much as possible in the blood plasma after 1 hour. Penetrating through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream, vinpocetine does not undergo metabolic changes. The active component also crosses the blood-brain barrier.
When taken orally, the bioavailability of the drug is about 7%. The clearance tells about the extrahepatic metabolism of vinpocetine - its level is almost 67%. Metabolites are excreted in urine and feces.
Since the drug does not accumulate, has metabolic features, dosage adjustment of the drug in patients with impaired liver and kidney function is not required.
When is the use of the drug indicated?
Vinpocetine injections or tablets are often used to treat some problems caused by cerebrovascular accidents. The following diseases or pathological conditions may be indications for the use of this medication:
- angiospastic changes in the retina, as well as the choroid;
- apraxia;
- arteriolosclerotic retinal changes;
- atherosclerotic pathologies of cerebral vessels;
- aphasia;
- Meniere's disease;
- stroke;
- vasovegetative manifestations of menopause (in conjunction with hormone therapy);
- vertebro-basilar insufficiency;
- secondary glaucoma on the background of vascular obstruction;
- headache;
- dizziness (including labyrinthine origin);
- motor disorders;
- degenerative changes in the macula;
- brain injury;
- memory impairment;
- hearing impairment vascular, age-related, toxic (including medication);
- cochleovestibular neuritis;
- intermittent cerebrovascular insufficiency;
- vascular dementia;
- cerebral vasospasm;
- thrombosis of arterial and venous vessels of the eye;
- partial arterial occlusion;
- noise in ears;
- hypertonic encephalopathy;
- encephalopathy post-traumatic.
Only a doctor can prescribe Vinpocetin to take a pill or injection. Dosage and administration for each patient are selected individually, although the instructions for use with the drug give instructions on this subject.
How to correctly take the drug?
Many patients who need normalization of cerebral circulation are prescribed by doctors the drug "Vinpocetine". How to take this medicine, the specialist must tell, and instructions also give instructions about this.
In the form of tablets, the drug is taken 1 to 3 times a day. The dosage is determined by the attending physician. Tablets are produced in a dosage of 5 mg or 10 mg of the active ingredient in 1 unit, therefore, as many patients note, it is quite convenient to take them. The medicine is drunk immediately after a meal. The maximum allowable daily dose of this drug is 30 mg per day. "Vinpocetine" is recommended to stop taking gradually, gradually lowering the daily and single dose of the active substance.
If the medicine is prescribed by a specialist for use in ampoules, then the features of use will be as follows: in the acute development of pathology, a single amount of the drug will be 20 mg of the active component. With good drug tolerance, the daily dosage is gradually increased to the maximum allowable, calculated depending on the patient’s body weight - 1 mg of the active component per 1 kg of body weight. Having reached a maximum, the course of treatment lasts 10-14 days, depending on the course of the disease and the patient's well-being. Then the drug is gradually stopped taking, gradually lowering the daily rate.
And if you can’t take the medicine?
A popular drug in the treatment of conditions caused by pathologies of cerebral circulation is Vinpocetine. Contraindications to the use of this medication must be taken into account by a specialist when prescribing treatment. It:
- severe arrhythmias;
- pregnancy;
- hemorrhagic stroke (acute phase);
- hypersensitivity;
- children under 18 years old;
- severe coronary heart disease;
- the period of breastfeeding of the newborn.
For the drug "Vinpocetine" there are several conditions for use that must be considered. If a person who is shown treatment with this medication also takes antihypertensive drugs that increase the QT interval, then Vinpocetin therapy is carried out extremely carefully under constant monitoring.
Adverse reactions
A drug often used in the treatment of certain diseases is Vinpocetine. Side effects with its use rarely occur, some of the following are not always manifested. This is noted not only by patients, but also by clinical trials and observations of specialists. As side effects noted:
- erythrocyte agglutination;
- amnesia;
- anemia;
- anorexia;
- arrhythmia;
- arterial hypertension;
- arterial hypotension;
- asthenia;
- insomnia;
- abdominal pain;
- bradycardia;
- vertigo;
- excitation;
- hemiparesis;
- hyperacusia;
- conjunctival hyperemia;
- hypercholesterolemia;
- hypersensitivity to the components of the drug;
- hypoacusia;
- hypothermia;
- headache;
- dizziness;
- depression;
- dermatitis;
- diarrhea;
- dyspepsia;
- dysphagia;
- constipation;
- tinnitus;
- itching
- myocardial infarction;
- heart ischemia;
- fluctuations in blood pressure;
- hives;
- leukopenia;
- taste disturbances;
- sleep disturbances;
- restlessness;
- swelling of the optic disc;
- palpitations
- diabetes;
- decreased appetite;
- drowsiness;
- cramping
- angina pectoris;
- stomatitis;
- dry mouth
- rash;
- tachycardia;
- nausea;
- tremor;
- thrombocytopenia;
- thrombophlebitis;
- atrial fibrillation;
- euphoria;
- erythema.
Also noted the effect of taking "Vinpocetine" on such results of laboratory tests and instrumental studies of patients, such as:
- increase in blood pressure;
- ST segment depression on an electrocardiogram;
- increased serum triglycerides;
- change in the number of white blood cells;
- decrease / increase in the number of eosinophils;
- a change in the activity of liver enzymes;
- decrease in the number of red blood cells;
- thrombin time reduction;
- weight gain.
Some application features
For many drugs, there are some features of therapy that must be considered when conducting treatment. Many patients are interested in Vinpocetine, for which purpose it is prescribed and whether it is possible to treat this drug with other drugs. When conducting therapy with several drugs at the same time, several features should be considered. So, you can not use solutions containing amino acids for the preparation of the drug "Vinpocetine" for infusion.
You can not combine the use of heparin and vinpocetine in the same infusion solution, as this causes complications. But other anticoagulants can be used with this drug with caution and constant monitoring.
For patients with established syndrome of an extended QT interval and undergoing treatment with agents that extend the QT interval, it is necessary to regularly monitor the ECG.
Drug Interactions
The drug for the normalization of cerebral circulation under the name "Vinpocetine" has long been used in the treatment of many diseases and has become very popular. Its active component has been well studied, but studies on its ability to influence memory and concentration have not been conducted. But since the active substance passes through the blood-brain barriers, affecting the nervous system, driving, as well as the performance of work associated with a high concentration of attention, should be limited. You can not combine "Vinpocetine" and alcohol because of their active effect on the nervous system.
How to buy and store the drug?
Quite often, pharmacists and pharmacists in pharmacies hear requests to let Vinpocetin be released to customers. Instructions for use stipulate that this medicine is sold only by prescription. In addition, it is impossible to take it without an adequate diagnosis and appointment of a specialist!
The cost of packing 50 tablets of 5 mg is about 110-120 rubles. A package of 10 ampoules of 2 ml costs about 90 rubles.
For the drug "Vinpocetine", the instruction specifies a shelf life of 4 years. After its expiration, the tool can not be used.
Are there any analogues?
The choice of a drug for the treatment of a disease should be carried out by the attending physician. Moreover, he takes into account the disease itself, and the patient’s history, his current condition. Analogues of the drug "Vinpocetine", working on the same active component, are "Cavinton", "Corsavin", "Telektol".
Vinpocetin analogs in tablets and ampoules should have the same effect as the drug in question. There are many such drugs. For example, "Piracetam" based on the same substance; "Karnitsetin" in which acetylcarnitine works; combined medicines "Fezam" and "Piracezin" based on piracetam and cinnarizine.
Detailed information contains on the preparation "Vinpocetine" instruction. But to recommend it for treatment, to appoint a regimen and duration of admission can only be the attending physician!