"Vinpocetine": reviews, indications for use, instructions, composition, analogues, side effects and contraindications. Vinpocetine tablets: indications for use and real reviews Vinpocetine instructions for the use of tablets for children

Vinpocetine is a drug that improves metabolic processes and blood circulation in the brain. The drug is included in the complex therapy of cerebral ischemia to eliminate neurological symptoms and improve the general condition. Vinpocetine is not prescribed for children at any age, pregnant women, women during lactation.

Dosage form

Vinpocetine is available in tablets for oral administration and in solutions for intravenous drip infusions. Tablets of 5 mg No. 10, No. 30 in contour cells, white, flat, round, have a risk for dividing the dosage in half. Ampoules of 2 ml No. 5, No. 10, 1 ml of the solution contains 5 mg of the active substance. For intravenous drip infusions, the ampoule of the drug is dissolved in 250 ml of saline or glucose solution.

Description and composition

The active substance of the drug is vinpocetine, which has a vasodilating, antiplatelet, antihypoxic effect. The chemical substance improves cerebral blood flow in areas of ischemia, which occur due to a lack of nutrients and oxygen in conditions of impaired patency of cerebral vessels. Vinpocetine normalizes metabolic processes in brain tissues and prevents the death of neurons.

Tablet excipients: lactose, magnesium stearate, starch. Excipients solution for infusion: propylene glycol, aminoacetic acid, water for injection, hydrochloric acid solution.

Pharmacological group

Vinpocetine is a cerebrovasodilator. Refers to drugs to improve cerebral blood flow and neuronal metabolism. It affects the arterial and venous vessels of the brain, the blood coagulation system (platelets), metabolic processes in the brain tissue.

Pharmacodynamics

The drug expands the lumen of cerebral vessels by reducing the tone of smooth muscle muscles. As a result, the resistance of the arteries of the brain decreases without affecting the indicators of systemic circulation: blood pressure, pulse, total peripheral resistance, cardiac output. The improvement of blood flow occurs mainly in areas of the brain with the development of ischemic foci against the background of impaired patency of the cerebral arteries.

Vinpocetine has a cerebroprotective effect by increasing the uptake of oxygen and nutrients (glucose) from the blood by neurons. The drug activates the transport of glucose to the brain tissues and the penetration of nutrients through the blood-brain barrier. The drug regulates glucose metabolism and shifts it towards the aerobic pathway, enhances the metabolic reactions of catecholamines, and has an antioxidant effect.

Vinpocetine reduces platelet aggregation on the walls of blood vessels, increases the elasticity of erythrocytes, which accelerates the speed of their movement along the microvasculature of the brain. The drug thins the blood, prevents pathological thrombosis, improves venous outflow.

Pharmacokinetics

After taking the tablets, they are completely absorbed in the initial sections of the intestine. The maximum dose of Vinpocetine when taken orally is observed one hour after administration. With intravenous injections, the drug appears in the brain tissue 2-4 hours after the start of the infusion. Regardless of the route of administration, the active substance is 65% bound to blood transport proteins.

Vinpocetine is metabolized in the liver and forms metabolites, the main of which is considered to be apovincamic acid. The half-life is 3-5 hours. Most of the drug (up to 60%) is excreted by the kidneys, the rest is excreted through the intestines with feces. The drug does not accumulate in tissues, which makes it possible to prescribe standard doses to elderly and senile patients, patients with impaired renal and hepatic function.

Indications for use

For adults

Vinpocetine is prescribed for ischemic processes in the brain to normalize the function of neurons and eliminate neurological symptoms.

  1. Transient violation of cerebral circulation (transient ischemic attacks).
  2. Pre-stroke state, ischemic stroke.
  3. Atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels.
  4. vascular dementia.
  5. encephalopathy.
  6. Vascular pathology of the retina.
  7. Vascular or toxic hearing loss.
  8. Meniere's disease.
  9. Dizziness due to pathology of the inner ear.
  10. climacteric syndrome.
  11. Traumatic brain injury.

In the pathology of cerebral vessels, the administration of the drug leads to the weakening or elimination of mental and neurological symptoms.

For kids

For the treatment of a child, the drug is not used.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the drug is not prescribed.

Contraindications

To prevent the development of complications when prescribing Vinpocetine, contraindications for use are taken into account.

  1. Hemorrhagic stroke in the acute stage (7-10 days after a stroke).
  2. Severe coronary heart disease (CHD).
  3. The period of gestation.
  4. Breastfeeding.
  5. Arrhythmias.
  6. Individual intolerance to the ingredients of the drug.

The drug is prescribed with caution to elderly and senile patients due to the high risk of side effects.

Application and doses

For adults

Vinpocetine tablets are used after meals, 5-10 mg 2-3 times a day. The daily dose does not exceed 30 mg. In case of chronic insufficiency of kidney or liver function, dosage adjustment is not required.

The drug for infusion is administered only by intravenous drip slowly at a rate of 80 drops / minute. Vinpocetine solution (1 ampoule = 2 ml) is diluted in saline or 5% glucose solution. Do not mix the drug with solutions containing amino acids. The maximum daily dose should not exceed 1 mg/kg of body weight. Usually prescribed 20 mg Vinpocetine in 0.5 liter solution for infusion.

For kids

Vinpocetine is not used to treat children.

For pregnant women and during lactation

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, Vinpocetine is not prescribed.

Side effects

Side effects occur early in therapy and usually resolve on their own within the first week of treatment.

  1. Anorexia.
  2. Irritability.
  3. Depression.
  4. Decreased visual acuity.
  5. Noise in ears.
  6. Violation of the heart rhythm.
  7. Nausea, heartburn, salivation.
  8. Fluctuations in blood pressure (hypertension, hypotension).
  9. Dermatitis, itching of the skin.
  10. Feeling hot.

When the above symptoms appear, therapy is stopped and replaced with another drug.

Interaction with other drugs

It is recommended to prescribe Vinpocetine with caution simultaneously with fibrinolytics, antipsychotics, antihypertensive and antiarrhythmic drugs due to increased pharmacological effect. The drug should not be taken with alcoholic beverages.

special instructions

In patients with prolongation of the Q-T interval on the ECG, cardiac arrhythmias, increased intracranial pressure, labile blood pressure and concomitant use of antihypertensive drugs, Vinpocetine is prescribed with caution in individually selected dosages. The drug does not affect the reaction rate while driving.

Overdose

Overdose does not develop with the introduction of the drug in standard doses. The effect of high dosages of the drug on the body has not been studied.

Storage conditions

The drug must be stored in a dry place, avoid direct sunlight, at a temperature not exceeding +30 degrees.

Analogues

The following analogues of Vinpocetine are on sale:

  1. is an original drug containing vinpocetine. The drug comes in tablet and ampouled form. It cannot be prescribed to minors and during lactation. Prescribing the drug during the period of gestation can cause bleeding and abortion.
  2. happens in solution for oral administration, intramuscular and intravenous administration, capsules and tablets. The drug can be prescribed to patients older than 3 years, women in position. At the time of therapy, breastfeeding should be interrupted.
  3. refers to Vinpocetine substitutes in the therapeutic group. As active ingredients, the drug contains and. It is produced in tablets, which are contraindicated in patients under 5 years of age, women in position, during lactation.

Price

The cost of Vinpocetine is an average of 100 rubles. Prices range from 35 to 165 rubles.

- This is a medicine aimed at correcting blood circulation and metabolism in the brain. This tool improves the quality of glucose transportation to brain tissues, and also increases the level of glucose and oxygen consumption by tissues. Get the drug from the alkaloid of the plant periwinkle through synthesis.

The Hungarian scientist Ksaba Szantai was the first to obtain Vinpocetine from a medicinal plant in 1975. And three years later, a company in Hungary began to produce the medicine.

Similar brain disorders were more common in the elderly, however, now the drug is in demand among young people and children. The drug is used for various brain disorders, and it is safe.

- is a psychostimulant, fruitfully facilitates cerebral blood flow, dilating blood vessels and reducing blood viscosity.

The drug has positive action on brain tissue and does not entail any side effects. The drug is produced in the form of tablets or solution for injection.

Absorbed quickly. This action takes place in the proximal gastrointestinal tract. Passing through the intestines, does not undergo metabolism. It is excreted through the intestines and with the help of the kidneys. The bioavailability of the drug is 70% . The active substance is able to cross the placenta and pass into breast milk.

The most popular dosage of Vinpocetine is 5 mg. However, more often they began to buy tablets with a dose 10 mg, which are used in cases of severe brain damage. The name of this form of release of the drug is "Vinpocetine Forte".

These tablets do not differ from standard tablets, except for the dosage. The course of treatment may take up to three months. If necessary, the course is repeated up to three times a year.

The injection form of the drug includes 0,5% solution according to 2 ml in an ampoule. Used intravenously. The initial dose per day is 20 mg. The average dose per day - 50 mg. If the drug is tolerated without problems, then after three days the dose is increased to a maximum - 1 mg/kg per day.

Treatment lasts 10 to 14 days. As soon as the patient gets better, he is transferred to the oral medication.

Instructions for use

Vinpocetine provides treatment for the body in the complex:


Indications

Vinpocetine is used for chronic or acute circulatory disorders in the brain, including:

  • stroke;
  • brain injury;
  • vascular dementia;
  • hypertensive encephalopathy.

The drug is also productive in the reduction of cerebral vessels.

Also, this medicine is prescribed:

  • in vascular diseases of the eye
  • the drug helps to relieve the symptoms of Meniere's disease
  • relieves tinnitus and senile hearing loss, memory impairment
  • with climacteric syndrome

For children, the drug is often prescribed to improve memory and increase mental abilities. This function of the drug is sometimes used by students, using the drug during the examination time. However, such use of Vinpocetine without a doctor's prescription can be extremely risky.

You can read more about memory enhancing drugs.

Contraindications

Not everyone can use the drug. Many are attracted by its indications for use, and people themselves take the medicine inside without a doctor's prescription. It is impossible to do this, because it is extremely undesirable to interfere with the work of the brain unnecessarily.

In addition, the drug has contraindications for taking:


Dosage

There are several methods of taking the medicine, for each patient the doctor prescribes individually. The dosage depends on the forms of the disease and the general health of the person.

The main method is intravenous, but also used inside the pill 5 mg 3 times a day after eating. The maximum dosage per day should not exceed 30 milligrams. Average treatment time 2-3 months. The drug should be discontinued gradually, reducing the amount of use.

In acute forms of the disease, injections are given for treatment in the hospital. The drug is administered intravenously with a dropper. infusion should be limited 80 drops per minute.

It is forbidden to use the following methods:

  • Inkjet
  • Subcutaneous
  • Intramuscular

Start doses with two ampoules, in total this is 20 mg medicines. If the drug is well tolerated by the patient, the dose is gradually increased, but no more than 60 ml.

special instructions

It is not recommended to use Vinpocetine for people driving a vehicle, as well as for those whose work requires increased attention. For children, the doctor may prescribe the drug at his discretion. But you should know that there are no studies on the use of this medicine in childhood.

Side effects

This medicine may cause side effects such as:

  • Headache, weakness, dizziness, sleep disturbance, low blood pressure, palpitations.
  • Dry mouth, nausea, sweating, and heartburn may also occur.
  • Most often, allergic reactions occur in the form of itching and rashes on the skin.
  • On the part of the nervous system, depression, impaired coordination of movement, hallucinations, and an irritable state may appear.

To eliminate side effects, it is necessary to wash the stomach, drink activated charcoal and carry out symptomatic treatment. However, in most cases, the drug is well tolerated by people.

Vacation from pharmacies

The drug is dispensed from pharmacies only with a prescription from a doctor.

Price

  • The drug Vinpocetine in tablets costs about 200 rubles .
  • Vinpocetine Forte (10mg tablets) – approx. 100 rubles.
  • The drug in the form of injections is a 0.5% solution of 2 ml in ampoules. The cost of a package containing 10 ampoules is over 50 rubles.

The cost directly depends on the brand of the manufacturer, the dosage of the drug and its quantity.

Analogues

There are drugs based on the same active ingredient as Vinpocetine.

Among these drugs:

  • Bravinton- available in tablets and concentrate
  • - produced in tablets and in concentrate for infusion solution. The price of the drug starts from 250 rubles .
  • Vinpocetine Sar- is available in the form of a concentrate for the preparation of a solution and in the form of tablets.
  • Vinpocetine-Eskom- Produced in tablet form and in the form of a concentrate.
  • Ceraxon- detailed instructions for the use of the drug.

Despite such a variety of drugs, only a specialist should prescribe which drug you should take.

Sometimes, in order to improve blood circulation in the brain, drug analogues are prescribed, which contain other components, but have the same effect:

  • Pantogam
  • Glycine
  • Piracetam
  • Lucetam
  • Phezam
  • Nootropil and others.

It is very important that any of them be taken only after consulting with your doctor.

Vinpocetine is a drug that helps to eliminate circulatory disorders in the brain caused by various causes and external factors.

The active substance (vinpocetine) is produced from vincamine (a vascular agent) and organic matter (an alkaloid of the herbaceous plant periwinkle small).

In this article, we will look at why doctors prescribe Vinpocetine, including instructions for use, analogues and prices for this drug in pharmacies. Real REVIEWS of people who have already used Vinpocetine can be read in the comments.

Composition and form of release

The drug Vinpocetine is available in the form of tablets for oral administration. Tablets are packed in 10 pieces in blisters, 1-5 in a carton box.

  • Each tablet contains an active ingredient - vinpocetine 5 mg and a number of auxiliary components: potato starch, lactose, silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, talc.

Clinico-pharmacological group: a drug that improves blood circulation and brain metabolism.

Indications for use

This drug is prescribed to patients with the following conditions:

  • Ophthalmology: vascular eye diseases caused by angiospasm of the choroid and retina (including secondary glaucoma, degenerative diseases of the choroid, macula or retina; venous and arterial embolism or thrombosis).
  • Otology: hearing impairment of toxic (including drug) or vascular origin, dizziness of labyrinthine origin, idiopathic tinnitus, cochleovestibular neuritis, Meniere's disease, senile hearing loss.
  • Neurology: acute and chronic cerebrovascular insufficiency (mental and neurological symptoms of cerebrovascular accident, post-traumatic and hypertensive encephalopathy, ischemic stroke, multi-infarct dementia, transient ischemia, post-stroke condition and traumatic brain injury, cerebral artery atherosclerosis, vertebrobasilar insufficiency).


pharmachologic effect

Vinpocetine has a vasodilating and antihypoxic effect as a result of increased transport of oxygen and glucose across the blood-brain barrier, as well as an increase in the proportion of aerobic glucose metabolism.

Helps to improve cerebral circulation, selectively expands the affected blood vessels in the ischemic focus of the brain. At the same time, there is no significant effect on the work of the heart and peripheral blood supply.

The active substance leads to an increase in blood flow primarily to the affected ischemic areas with low perfusion. At the same time, vinpocetine activates the metabolism of the brain, which occurs as a result of an increase in the utilization of oxygen and glucose, an increase in the level of serotonin in the brain.

Instructions for use

The dosage of the drug and the duration of the course of therapy with Vinpocetine are prescribed by the doctor, depending on the severity of the clinical symptoms of the disease, the characteristics of the patient's body, tolerability, the presence of complications and other factors.

  • According to the instructions for use, Vinpocetine should be prescribed 5-10 mg 3 times / day for 2 months. Before discontinuing the drug, the dose should be gradually reduced.
  • Repeated courses are possible 2-3 times a year.

Vinpocetine tablets must be taken orally, regardless of food, without chewing, drinking plenty of liquid.

Contraindications

When not to take medication:

  • sensitivity to one or more components of the drug;
  • severe form of coronary heart disease;
  • pronounced arrhythmia;
  • pregnancy and breastfeeding period;
  • recent transfer of cerebral hemorrhagic stroke;
  • high intracranial pressure;
  • age up to 18 years.

With long QT syndrome, the drug is prescribed with caution.

Side effects

According to reviews of Vinpocetine, this drug is capable of causing extrasystole, a decrease in pressure, inhibition of intraventricular conduction, and tachycardia. There is also evidence that Vinpocetine and analogues that enter the body parenterally can cause flushing of the skin on the face, a feeling of heat, thrombophlebitis at the injection site, dizziness and nausea.

Vinpocetine analogs

Structural analogues for the active substance:

  • Bravinton;
  • Vero-Vinpocetine;
  • Vinpoton;
  • Vinpocetine forte;
  • Vinpocetine AKOS;
  • Vinpocetine Acry;
  • Vinpocetine ESCOM;
  • Vincetin;
  • Cavinton;
  • Cavinton forte;
  • Telektol.

Attention: the use of analogues must be agreed with the attending physician.

The drug Vinpocetine is intended to stimulate the processes of blood circulation and metabolism in the brain. It improves blood circulation in the brain (mainly in ischemic areas), dilates its blood vessels, promotes the supply of brain cells with glucose and oxygen. The drug improves the exchange of serotonin, norepinephrine. Vinpocetine is prescribed for brain injuries, conditions after a stroke, atherosclerosis, encephalopathy, dementia. The drug helps with mental and neurological disorders with dizziness and headaches, in the treatment of vascular eye diseases, hearing loss, tinnitus. For 2 months, it is necessary to take 1 tablet three times a day, and if necessary, several times a year, it is necessary to repeat the course of treatment.

Vinpocetine for children

The instructions for the drug say that children are not recommended to take it, and even more - it is prohibited for children under 18 years of age. But many doctors still prescribe this drug to young children. The main indications for use are perinatal lesions of the nervous system. In this case, Vinpocetine serves as a stimulator of cerebral circulation and has a positive effect on those places where vascular changes have occurred. Children usually undergo long courses of treatment. In child psychiatry, the drug is used for manic-depressive psychosis and epilepsy, in otolaryngology - with hearing loss in children, as well as visual impairment. Perhaps doctors believe that the deterioration in health due to the fact that Vinpocetine was not used will be worse than the risk of side effects due to taking the drug. In principle, the drug is not recommended, not because it has a negative effect, but because there have been no specific studies and tests on children.

Cavinton or Vinpocetine

And Cavinton and Vinpocetine are essentially the same drug. The active ingredient in both drugs is vinpocetine. The difference is the different excipients. Cavinton has: talc, corn starch, anhydrous colloidal silicon dioxide, lactose monohydrate. Venpocetine has lactose (milk sugar), magnesium stearate, potato starch, magnesium carbonate, talc. Conclusion: the active substance is the same, but the excipients are different, that is, the effect on the body as a whole, the drugs will have a different effect (some may cause allergies or side effects, or vice versa - enhance the therapeutic effect of the active substance). Of course, it is up to you to decide which drug to choose, but you should not focus only on the price (Cavinton is much more expensive than Vinpocetine), you may need to consult a doctor.

Vinpocetine improves microcirculation in the brain by inhibiting platelet aggregation and adenosine reuptake, increasing erythrocyte deformability, and reducing blood viscosity. Provides the transfer of oxygen to the cells.

The active ingredient of Vinpocetine is vinpocetine, a semi-synthetic derivative of the alkaloid devincan, which is found in periwinkle minor. Combines vascular and metabolic action.

The drug inhibits the activity of the enzyme phosphodiesterase and increases the content of cAMP in the cells of the smooth muscles of the vessels of the brain, reduces the content of calcium in the cytoplasm of the smooth muscle cells of the vessels.

Due to this, under the action of Vinpocetine, the vessels of the brain expand, cerebral circulation improves, mainly in ischemic areas, and the supply of oxygen to the brain improves.

Vinpocetine improves oxygen delivery to cells, increases adaptation to hypoxia. Increases glucose uptake and utilization.

Summing up, we can say that this is a drug with a complex mechanism of action that favorably affects the metabolism in the brain and improves its blood supply, as well as improves the rheological properties of the blood.

Indications for use

What helps Vinpocetine? The drug is prescribed for the following diseases or conditions:

  • Decreased memory and concentration due to overwork or constant stress;
  • Treatment of the consequences of an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke;
  • As part of complex therapy for angina and migraine attacks;
  • Treatment of acute and chronic cerebrovascular insufficiency;
  • Encephalopathy of various origins, including abnormalities in the work of the brain against the background of alcohol intoxication of the body;
  • Postponed traumatic brain injury as part of complex therapy;
  • Significant fluid loss due to which a change in the water-salt balance is observed;
  • Vascular disorders in the eye, atrophy of the optic nerve;
  • Violations of the labyrinth of the ear, accompanied by a decrease in hearing acuity;
  • Meniere's disease;
  • Complex treatment of neurocirculatory dysfunction with panic attacks.

The kinetics of vinpocetine in elderly patients does not differ significantly from the kinetics of vinpocetine in young people and, in addition, there is no cumulation. In case of impaired liver or kidney function, the usual doses of the drug can be used, since the active substance does not accumulate in the body of patients, which makes it possible to take the drug for a long time.

Instructions for use Vinpocetine and dosage

More:

The drug is administered intravenously-drip. Initial daily dose - 20 mg - 4 ml (dissolve in 0.5-1 l of 0.9% sodium chloride solution or solutions containing dextrose). The average daily dose with a body weight of 70 kg is 50 mg. With good tolerance within 3-4 days, the dose is increased to a maximum of 1 mg / kg / day. The course of treatment is 10-14 days.

After achieving clinical improvement, they switch to taking Vinpocetine orally, 5-10 mg 3 times a day. Maintenance dose - 5 mg 3 times a day for a long time. Before canceling the dose should be gradually reduced without stopping the reception immediately.

Contraindications for use

According to the instructions for use, Vinpocetine is contraindicated against the background of:

  • Severe cardiac arrhythmias;
  • Acute stage of hemorrhagic stroke;
  • Severe course of coronary heart disease;
  • Hypersensitivity to the active or excipients that make up the drug.

In addition, a contraindication for use is pregnancy and breastfeeding. Due to the lack of necessary clinical data, Vinpocetine is not recommended for children.

Overdose

Information about overdose is limited. Symptomatic therapy, activated charcoal, gastric lavage are recommended as treatment.

Side effects

Possible transient arterial hypertension, insomnia, dizziness, headache, weakness, dry mouth, nausea, ST segment depression, prolongation of the QT interval, tachycardia, phlebitis, skin flushing.

Rarely noted - extrasystole.

Vinpocetine analogues, list of drugs

You can replace Vinpocetine with the following drugs, structural analogues:

  1. Bravinton

According to a similar mechanism of action, the following analogs can be distinguished, a list:

  1. Lucetam
  2. Nootropil

When choosing analogues, it is important to understand that the instructions for the use of Vinpocetine, the price and reviews of drugs of similar action do not apply. It is important to consult a doctor and not to make an independent replacement of the drug.

The price of Vinpocetine in Russian pharmacies: a package with 10 ampoules (0.5%, 2 ml) costs about 50-60 rubles. Tablets - 130-150 rubles.

To store in the place protected from light at a temperature from 15 °C to 30 °C. Shelf life - 3 years. It is released in pharmacies by prescription.

Cavinton or Vinpocetine - which one is safer?

Quite a fair question of many patients - which is better: Vinpocetine or Cavinton? In terms of the best, one should consider the drug that is less safe for health.

Initially, it was believed that both medications are identical in everything, but this is not so. Although these drugs contain the same active ingredient (the dosage is also no different), they have different effects on the body in terms of toxic effects.

For example, during the synthesis of the active substance, the alkaloid undergoes a complex purification process, which makes it safer for the patient's health. That is why neuropathologists prefer this drug. It costs much more than Vinpocetine (almost three times).