This nootropic, which improves brain function by normalizing blood circulation and supplying the body with pantothenic acid, began to be used in Soviet times. For almost fifty years, Pantogam has been helping people improve their cognitive abilities, memory, and attention. The drug did not immediately, but rather quickly began to be used also for the treatment of children and adolescents with ZPR and mental retardation. The results exceeded all expectations: in some cases, Pantogam was an incentive, thanks to which the child spoke. This article provides information from instructions and reviews on the Pantogam for children and adults. Possible side effects, special instructions for taking, drug interactions and doctors' opinions about the drug are all that you need to know before you start taking it.
Composition and form of release
The drug is available in the form of:
- white tablets without taste and odor;
- sweetened syrup for children;
- capsules for adults "Pantogam Active".
Each release form contains a different amount of calcium hopantenate. This is the main active ingredient of the drug. The nootropic effect of this substance was first discovered in the Soviet years. Since then, the drug has undergone many studies and is still actively used in neurological and psychiatric practice to treat children and adults.
Indications for use
Instructions for use "Pantogama" for children (reviews confirm the effectiveness of the drug for the diseases listed below) reports that the drug has the following indications for use:
- impaired mental function;
- delayed speech development;
- mental retardation;
- general speech underdevelopment;
- early childhood autism;
- hyperactivity disorder and attention deficit disorder.
For babies from two months, you can use the drug in the form of a syrup. From five years and older - in tablet form (it is advisable to use a dosage of 250 mg, since a dose of 500 mg is too high for a child).
Instructions for use "Pantogama" (reviews confirm the effectiveness of the drug for the diseases listed below) reports that the drug has the following indications for use for adults:
- period of withdrawal and hangover;
- restoration of cognitive functions and memory after a stroke, head injuries, spine;
- impaired memory, speech, attention for unknown reasons;
- prevention of extrapyramidal syndromes that arose during the administration of antipsychotics;
- atherosclerotic changes in cerebral vessels, followed by circulatory disorders in it;
- problems with urination and defecation of neurogenic origin.
Side effects
The drug often causes side effects in the first week of admission, this is confirmed by numerous reviews. The instruction to Pantogam reports that the following negative reactions may occur:
- from the digestive tract: diarrhea, nausea, epigastric pain, slight toxic effect on the liver, rarely - violation of the outflow of bile, constipation;
- from the endocrine system - loss or weight gain due to appetite changes;
- from the nervous system: increased anxiety, suspiciousness, causeless irritability and aggression (especially in the first two weeks of admission), in some patients - drowsiness and excessive manifestation of a sedative effect;
- allergic reactions may develop with individual intolerance to calcium hopantenate (rash, skin itching, urticaria, nausea).
Contraindications
In the presence of the following diseases and conditions, taking the drug is prohibited even in small doses:
- chronic renal failure at any stage;
- chronic pyelonephritis and glomerulonephritis during exacerbation;
- psychotic conditions;
- the state of acute alcoholic delirium;
- pregnancy; children's age up to two years (when taking the tablet form).
Special instructions for admission
Neuropathologists emphasize that one should not expect miracles from taking Pantogam, a noticeable effect begins only after two to three weeks of therapy. During this time, the body adapts to doses of calcium hopantenate, which often leads to side effects.
Doctors note that Pantogam usually goes well with many psychotropic drugs - antipsychotics, tranquilizers, antidepressants. It is strictly forbidden to independently prescribe such a course of treatment for yourself, since some drugs can enhance or completely negate the effect of Pantogam. Only an experienced psychiatrist or neuropathologist can draw up a solid course based on Pantogam and other psychotropic drugs in such a way that it benefits the patient.
Tips of neuropathologists: how to make the reception more effective
Reviews about the use of Pantogam are often negative due to many side effects and lack of therapeutic effect. Here is a list of simple tips from neuropathologists and psychiatrists, when completed, you can get the maximum therapeutic effect from taking the drug:
- Pantogam should never be combined with alcohol. Moreover - during treatment it is best to completely abandon the use of alcohol. Ethyl alcohol is the strongest depressant and makes Pantogam intake almost completely useless. This medicine is often prescribed as part of complex therapy for people with alcohol dependence to restore damaged brain cells after hard drinking.
- Often there is a need to take "Pantogam" in conjunction with tranquilizing drugs, especially in the first weeks. You can not choose drugs on your own, since all tranquilizers and sedatives are very different according to the principle of action on the nervous system.
- Against the background of taking "Pantogama" you can not sit on a strict diet. The brain will starve without enough carbohydrates, and there will be no sense in taking the medicine. It is necessary to ensure a balanced diet, which in abundance contains fats, and proteins, and carbohydrates. If “Pantogam” is taken by a child, it is necessary to ensure that he fully eats.
Reviews of neuropathologists about the treatment of children with ZRR
Delayed speech development is a common pathology in children from one to five years. Sometimes babies outgrow the problem, and sometimes not. The success of therapy depends largely on the environment and occupations with speech therapists.
Reviews of Pantogam for children with speech development retardation confirm that babies get better imitation of articulation, they begin to more actively memorize and enter new phrases into the dictionary. In some cases, the drug helps the child finally speak up with sentences. Reviews about Pantogam for children with speech problems are mostly positive, but some parents were unhappy with the effect of the drug. This is due to a lot of side effects.
Reviews of psychiatrists about the treatment of children with ZPR
The delay in psycho-speech development in a child is expressed not only in problems with speech, but also in problems with self-care, adequate behavior, and learning. This is a difficult diagnosis, which over time can result in mental retardation. Reviews of Pantogam syrup for children report that the remedy does not always help with ZPR. In some cases, improvements are noticeable, and sometimes not.
Pantogam tablets are given to older children. Reviews of this therapy are mostly positive: high dosages of the active substance usually make the child more adapted to life if side effects do not develop. Alas, sometimes when taking Pantogam, there is excessive hyperactivity, and some babies, on the contrary, are drowsy. Therefore, the drug has to be canceled.
Pantogam for children with autism: reviews of doctors
Autism is a complex diagnosis, which, alas, cannot be treated. Reviews of the Pantogam syrup by psychiatrists confirm that in some cases, with a diagnosis of RDA, the drug helps to stimulate the development of speech.
For older children with autism, tablets are prescribed. If the child does not have side effects, the therapy has its fruits: the quality of articulation improves, the baby becomes more adapted to society. In parallel with Pantogam, Glycine, Sonapax, and Picamilon are often prescribed to treat small autistic patients.
Reviews of narcologists about Pantogam
The drug is used in the treatment of people recovering from alcoholism and drug addiction. It is especially good during the period of withdrawal syndrome, which can last several months after the fact of drinking heavily. This condition is characterized by a decrease in working capacity, attention, memory, and cognitive functions.
Reviews about Pantogam are positive among narcologists: tens of thousands of patients were able to get to work and not lose their mental abilities after severe intoxication with psychoactive substances. During the period of withdrawal symptoms, the dosages are rather high: this is due to the fact that the brain needs nutrition more than ever. The patient quickly recovers and returns to a full life if he does not reach for his addictions again.
Reviews of child and adult psychiatrists on the action of Pantogama
The drug is often prescribed not only by a neuropathologist, but also by a psychiatrist. A clinical psychotherapist can also prescribe a prescription for a medicine.
Reviews about the "Pantogame" psychiatrists are positive. The medicine does not cause either physical or psychological dependence. It perfectly restores attention and cognitive abilities, has a very mild sedative effect. If it were not for the rather high incidence of side effects, Pantogam could be called an ideal nootropic. Pantogam usually goes well with many psychotropic drugs - antipsychotics, tranquilizers, antidepressants. It is strictly forbidden to prescribe such a course of treatment yourself, as some drugs can enhance or completely negate the effect of Pantogam. Only an experienced psychiatrist can draw up a solid course based on medication and other psychotropic drugs in such a way that it benefits the patient.
Reviews about the analogues of "Pantogama" are positive. They are more expensive, so most often there is no sense in replacing. Pantokaltsin is a little cheaper than Pantogama - it is the only substitute, similar in structural formula, with a lower price. Alas, it is not always available in pharmacies. "Gopantam" is another popular analogue, the action of which is completely similar to "Pantogam".