Alzepil is one of the most popular treatments for dementia. One of the advantages of this medicine is that it can not only affect the central nervous system, but also inhibit the peripheral effect. This drug, judging by the reviews, is high-quality and effective. However, in some cases, various analogs are used instead. If desired, Alzepil can be replaced, for example, with medicines containing ginkgo biloba or any other active substance.
What is dementia
From the Latin language, the name of this disorder is translated as "loss of mind." Dementia develops most often in older people and is characterized by a progressive decrease in cognitive functions. Of course, like most other mental disorders, it is completely impossible to cure this disease. However, with the right therapy, the progress of dementia can be significantly slowed down. There are several types of this disorder. The medicine "Alzepil" is used for Alzheimer's type dementia.
Composition and form of release
The drug Alzepil is supplied to the market in the form of white coated tablets. They can be designated in different ways. On the Alzepil preparation 10 mg the letter “E” with the numbers 382 is stamped, on the 5 mg variant “E381”. These tablets are usually packaged in blisters of 14 pieces. The latter are stacked in cardboard boxes in two pieces.
The active substance of the drug is donepezil hydrochloride. In one tablet it contains 5 or 10 mg. Also, the composition of the medicine includes such additional substances as cellulose, magnesium stearate, titanium dioxide and some others. The price of Alzepil is approximately 1900 p. for 28 tablets. This, of course, is very expensive. Therefore, many patients are looking for effective analogues for this medication.
Contraindications and side effects
Unfortunately, Alzepil may not be taken in all cases. Contraindications to its use are the period of pregnancy and lactation, the age of up to 18 years, hypersensitivity to the components. With caution, this remedy is prescribed for bronchial asthma, general anesthesia, heart rhythm disturbances, gastric and duodenal ulcers, obstructive pulmonary disease. It is also quite rare that this drug is prescribed for patients taking anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs.
Side effects of this tool can cause quite a lot. These may include, for example:
- slow heart rate;
- fainting
- vertigo, headache, fatigue;
- nausea, diarrhea;
- vomiting, dyspepsia;
- itching
Instructions for use "Alzepila"
Take this medicine orally. Usually, doctors prescribe one tablet per day to patients. It is believed that it is best to take the medicine "Alzepil" in the evening - before bedtime. The initial dose of this drug is usually 5 mg. In this amount, the medicine is drunk at 1 tab. per day for 4 weeks. After this time, the daily dose of the drug may be increased to 10 mg. Next, maintenance therapy is prescribed. The maximum allowable daily dose of the drug is 10 mg.
pharmachologic effect
Once in the patient’s body, the drug "Alzepil" begins to affect the processes of mediators in the nervous tissue. Under the influence of this medication, the amount of choline and lecithin increases in the central nervous system cells. It is known that the concentration of just such mediators in the tissue also affects the person’s ability to learn, as well as reproducing the acquired skills.
Reviews about the drug "Alzepil"
In most cases, relatives of patients with Alzheimer's disease find this drug really effective. With its use, the degenerative processes of the psyche actually noticeably stop. For example, patients taking the drug begin to navigate well within the apartment. Also, most older people with Alzheimer's improve sleep.
Many patients who were previously not capable of this, when undergoing therapy using this tool, remember their name and address of residence. Side effects when taking this medication are rare. But the instructions for the use of Alzepil, according to many relatives of patients, should be observed exactly when treating with its use. This drug should be taken exclusively under the supervision of a physician. Otherwise, it can easily harm the patient's body.
The best analogues
Instead of Alzepil, doctors can prescribe such substitutes for patients:
- Memoplant forte;
- Vitrum Memori;
- "Donepezil";
- "Abyx";
- "Ginkgo Biloba Forte."
Memoplant forte medicine: description
The main active ingredient of this analog of Alzepil is the natural substance of ginkgo biloba. It is a dietary supplement made on the basis of the plant of the same name. This natural component, among other things, is able to stimulate blood circulation in the brain. Also, this substance can slow down the development of edema of a different nature.
Use this analog of "Alzepil" can be with both organic and functional brain damage. It is also often prescribed for diseases of the legs of a vascular nature and disorders of the inner ear.
Instructions for use "Memoplant forte" for dementia
For patients with similar problems, this natural medicine is usually prescribed in 1 tablet (2-3 times a day). The course of treatment when using this drug usually lasts 6-8 weeks. Chewing Memoplant tablets is undesirable. Drink them should not be too much water.
This is such an instruction should be observed when using the Memoplant medicine. The price of this medicine is relatively low. The drug costs about 800 rubles. for 30 tablets.
Contraindications to the use of "Memoplant"
In some cases, this analogue of Alzepil cannot be used to treat dementia and dementia. Contraindications to its use are:
- low blood coagulation in the patient;
- acute circulatory disorders in the brain;
- acute heart attack;
- pregnancy and lactation.
For children, this medicine, unlike Alzepil, can be prescribed. But only if they are already 12 years old.
The analogue of "Ginkgo biloba forte"
The composition of this drug is somewhat richer than that of Memoplant. In addition to ginkgo biloba, its components are: green tea extract, dried onions and pollen. Use this tool for dementia, mainly to improve cerebral circulation. The medicine is available in the form of 10 mg capsules.
The drug "Ginko biloba forte" is prescribed with a decrease in mental activity in adults - 1 tablet 2 times a day. It should be taken with meals. There are quite few contraindications for this medicine. You can not use it only during pregnancy and lactation. It can be prescribed to children from the age of 14. The price of Ginkgo Biloba Fort is about 250-300 rubles. for 60 tablets.
Means "Vitrum Memories"
This medicine, like Alzepil, is supplied to pharmacies and clinics in the form of coated tablets (in blisters). The main active ingredient in it, as in the two drugs described above, is ginkgo biloba. In addition, Vitrum Memori includes a vitamin complex.
Like the synonyms discussed above, this drug improves cerebral circulation in patients with mental disorders. Also, the medicine is able to support the body's antioxidant system and provide tissue with glucose and oxygen.
Instructions for use "Vitrum Memories"
Doctors prescribe this drug to patients with dementia. It can also be prescribed for discirculatory encephalopathies of various origins, tinnitus, dizziness.
Take Vitrum Memori tablets orally. This medicine is prescribed, like Alzepil, usually 1 tablet per day. The duration of the course of treatment using such a tool is determined by the attending physician.
Contraindications Vitrum Memori and side effects
Children can take this drug from the age of 12. It is not prescribed for intolerance to patients with lactose and fructose, as well as pregnant and lactating women. Contraindications to its use are metabolic disorders of iron and copper, thrombophlebitis, serious kidney disease, nephrolithiasis. For ulcers, the Vitrum Memori drug is prescribed with caution.
Side effects in some cases, this medicine may cause these:
- headache, vertigo;
- diarrhea, vomiting, nausea;
- rash, Quincke's edema, bronchospasm.
Also, the drug sometimes, unfortunately, reduces blood coagulation.
Ginkgo biloba drug reviews
The opinion of patients and their relatives about all the natural remedies described above was relatively good. Judging by the reviews, such drugs can simply perfectly improve the state of memory and the ability to concentrate. Some patients exhibit drugs with ginkgo biloba and, in general, almost a panacea for stimulating the brain. There are really good reviews about such drugs on the Web.
According to many patients, is the advantage of drugs with ginkgo biloba and their price. Such drugs cost an order of magnitude cheaper than Apezil and some of its analogues. But, despite the fact that these drugs are natural, with uncontrolled intake, they, like any other medicines, can harm the body, not benefit. Therefore, you should not drink them without a doctor’s prescription.
The tool "donepezil"
This drug has the same composition as Alzepil. In fact, this is the same medicine. In the USA and Europe, Donepezil is called Alzepil. That is, it is simply the international name of the drug. Indications and contraindications, as well as the instructions for Donepezil, respectively, are exactly the same as those of Alzepil. Take it once a day with an initial dose of 5 mg.
The medicine "Abyx": description, composition
The main active ingredient of this analogue of "Alzepil" is memantine hydrochloride. It is also prescribed most often with Alzheimer's type dementia. You can use such a drug, both for mild and severe or moderate disorders of this type.
Abix is available in the form of 10 mg tablets. Take this medication, therefore, orally. Treatment with the use of this drug is allowed only under the strict supervision of a doctor.
Once in the patient’s body, the active substance of this agent (memontin) blocks the effects of glatumate. As a result, the patient improves both the general and functional spheres of brain activity.
Instruction manual
Like Alzepil, Abix is usually prescribed to patients at an initial dosage of 5 mg (½ tablet). You need to take it once a day - in the morning. After a week, the doctor can increase the dosage to 10 mg per day. The patient should take half a tablet 2 times a day. After another 7 days, the dose increases to 15 mg. In this morning, the patient should drink 1 tablet, and after lunch - ½ tab.
Maintenance treatment is prescribed from 4 weeks. The dosage of the drug is 20 mg (2 tablets per day).
Contraindications for Abiksa
Unlike Alzepil, this drug is allowed to be taken during pregnancy. But only in case of emergency. Contraindications to the use of "Abix" are hypersensitivity to its components and severe kidney disease. With caution, this drug is prescribed for patients with epilepsy and seizures.
Side effects that the drug can cause:
- anxiety;
- spontaneous emptying of the bladder;
- insomnia;
- Dizziness
- hallucinations;
- cough;
- chair retention.
Reviews about the "Abyx"
The relatives of patients with Alzheimer's disease have a positive opinion about this medicine. With prolonged use, the human brain activity can significantly improve. However, this medicine, judging by the reviews, in some cases causes quite unpleasant side effects. Most often it is a headache or nausea.
Many relatives of people with disorders advise taking a brand-name, cleaner version of Aksura instead. This drug (with the same active substance) is more expensive than Abiksa. But it also causes side effects much less often.