"Mexidol" refers to medicines that can be resorted to in various situations associated with deviations in the functioning of the nervous system. The drug has a wide list of indications, but on its own, without consulting a doctor, it is not worth making a decision on the start of such treatment. Why is Mexidol prescribed, the features of its effect on the body, how to use the drug correctly, what it consists of - useful information in our article.

Composition and release forms

The active component of the drug is ethylmethylhydroxypyridine succinate, a substance whose main function is to protect the cellular structure of the body from external influences.

In the prevention and treatment of a wide range of diseases, different forms of the drug are used, depending on the indications and characteristics of the pathology.

Pills are a more convenient form that the patient can take on his own. Convex white tablets, in addition to the main component (125 mg), have excipients.

Among them:

  • lactose;
  • calcium stearate;
  • starch;
  • titanium dioxide;
  • White clay;
  • talc;
  • octadecanoic acid.

There are 10 tablets in one blister, 3 or 5 blisters in a package.

Also, the drug is available in the form of a solution for injections. In ampoules with a clear liquid is 2 or 5 ml of the drug.In 1 ml - 50 mg of succinate, as well as sodium metabisulfite (1 mg) and water for injection. Ampoules are packaged in 5 pieces in one cell blister, in a pack of two.

Pharmacological action and pharmacokinetics

The active substance of the drug is a membrane protector that protects the cells of the body from the negative effects of all kinds of toxic substances, especially free radicals, which cause intoxication.

Due to this characteristic, the drug is a powerful antioxidant that provides reliable protection against oxidative processes in tissues that cause oxygen starvation and disorders of the central nervous system.

Mexidol is able to:

  • inhibit the processes of hypoxia;
  • improve the functioning of cell membranes;
  • increase dopamine levels in the brain;
  • normalize cerebral circulation;
  • stabilize cholesterol;
  • reduce manifestations of intoxication;
  • improve energy balance in cells;
  • eliminate cramps;
  • restore the electrical activity of the heart;
  • protect from emotional changes, reduce susceptibility to stress;
  • overcome panic attacks, anxiety;
  • improve attention and memory.

The speed of the therapeutic effect depends on the method of administration of the drug. Intravenous infusion or injection is effective after 2 hours. Oral or intramuscular use provides a maximum concentration of the substance for 4 hours.

The metabolism of the drug occurs in the liver with the help of glucuronic acid. For 12 hours, the metabolites and substance are unchanged excreted in the urine.

What is Mexidol prescribed in different dosage forms?

Indications for taking one of the two forms of the drug are almost similar. The severity of the pathology and the need for a high speed of the effect produced influence the choice.

The drug in tablets first enters the digestive tract, from where it is absorbed into the bloodstream and reaches the goal, and injections and infusions deliver the active substance directly into the bloodstream.

But an injection at home is not always realistic, and it is convenient to carry pills with you to use if necessary.

The tablet form of Mexidol is prescribed:

  • with failures in the brain associated with oxygen starvation;
  • after traumatic brain injury;
  • for the treatment of encephalopathy, a vascular lesion in the brain;
  • with ischemia (after a stroke, with frequent attacks for prevention);
  • to relieve signs of intoxication with medication;
  • after a hangover to get rid of the characteristic "breaking";
  • to increase resistance to stress, depression.

Indications for therapy using injectable solutions are:

  • glaucoma;
  • atherosclerosis;
  • withdrawal syndrome;
  • cerebrovascular accident;
  • neurosis;
  • myocardial infarction;
  • vegetovascular dystonia with panic attacks;
  • encephalopathy;
  • necrotic pancreatitis;
  • cognitive impairment in the elderly (memory loss, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's).

Doctors recommend taking the drug with increased mental or physical stress. Students during the session or athletes before the competition with the help of Mexidol will be able to improve their results.

Instructions for use of the drug

Since the range of indications for using the drug is wide, the exact dosage in each individual case is selected individually.

The doctor takes into account not only the severity of the pathology, but also the age of the patient, the characteristics of the body and the clinical manifestations of the disease.

All forms of drugs can be used only after reaching the age of 12.

Mexidol tablets

The standard dosage depends on the diagnosis. Usually it is 1 - 2 tablets (125 - 250 mg of succinate) twice a day. The maximum daily dose is 6 tablets (750 mg).

The tablets should be swallowed whole, without chewing, washed down with a sufficient amount of clean water.The use of the drug is not dependent on food intake.

The duration of the course of treatment is affected by the indications for admission. A week is enough to eliminate the symptoms of a hangover, with coronary disease and traumatic brain injuries, treatment can last up to two months. In other cases, doctors indicate a two-week course of therapy.

In ampoules for injections

Injection solution is a quick way to deliver the active substance to the body.

In therapy, at the first stage, intravenous droppers are prescribed to ensure maximum effectiveness. Before use, the drug is diluted with water for injection. The speed of this introduction is 60 drops per minute, if you carry out inkjet manipulations - no more than 7 minutes.

On the 5th day, you can switch to Mexidol injections. For intravenous injections, you need to dilute the drug with glucose, and if you do it intramuscularly, you do not need to enter anything else.

The daily dose is calculated based on the patient’s body weight. For every kilogram of weight - 7 - 9 mg of the active ingredient. Three injections or infusions are given at regular intervals throughout the day.

The course of therapy varies depending on the diagnosis:

  • circulatory disorders of the brain - 10 - 14 days;
  • atherosclerosis - 30 to 40 days;
  • encephalopathy - 2 weeks;
  • antipsychotic poisoning - 7 to 10 days;
  • necrotic pancreatitis - until the manifestations decrease.

You can not abruptly stop treatment, it is necessary to gradually reduce the number of tablets or solution, so as not to cause unpleasant side effects.

During pregnancy and lactation

The manufacturers of the drug did not conduct studies on how it affects the body of a pregnant woman, whether it crosses the placental barrier, or passes into breast milk.

Therefore, Mexidol cannot be called safe for this category of patients. Doctors forbid women to use the medicine during gestation and lactation, in order to avoid possible deviations in the development of the child.

If there is an urgent need to take the drug by a nursing mother, she needs to abandon the period of treatment from feeding, and then resume it.

Drug interaction

Most often, the drug under discussion is used as part of the complex treatment of various diseases. Therefore, the doctor takes into account the combination of medicines, calculating the dosage and duration of the course.

Mexidol has the ability to enhance the effect of such drugs:

  • tranquilizers;
  • antidepressants;
  • benzodiazepine derivatives;
  • nootropic medicines;
  • anticonvulsants;
  • antipsychotics.

If a person takes any of these drugs, before using Mexidol, you must inform your doctor about it in order to adjust the dose.

Mexidol Compatibility with Alcohol

A feature of the drug is its positive effect on the body during the period of withdrawal syndrome. That is why it is prescribed for the treatment of alcoholism in order to eliminate unpleasant symptoms during therapy.

The medicine reduces the severity of such signs:

  • rapid pulse;
  • headache;
  • digestion problems;
  • swelling of tissues;
  • trembling in the limbs.

The medicine is most often prescribed intravenously. They put droppers so that the active substance gets into the blood faster. It removes toxins that poison the body, and helps the liver cope with increased stress.

Take the drug only after the abolition of alcohol! Concomitant use with alcohol-containing drinks will only aggravate the condition.

Contraindications, side effects and overdose

To get the most benefit from taking the drug, you must carefully read the list of contraindications. He is not big.

A categorical ban on the use of "Mexidol" have:

  • children under 12 years old;
  • patients with exacerbation of chronic renal failure;
  • pregnant women;
  • nursing mothers;
  • people with lactose intolerance (for taking pills, they can be injected).

Care should be taken in hyper- and hypotensive patients, drivers and people who manage complex equipment. The last two contraindications are associated with the peculiarity of the effect of the drug on the body. It reduces concentration, causes drowsiness.

Other side effects are rare, because the medicine is characterized by low toxicity.

It:

  • dry mouth
  • phenomena of dyspepsia - constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain;
  • blood pressure differences;
  • trouble sleeping;
  • allergic skin rashes, edema.

With the right dosage, unwanted symptoms are rare. If you exceed the recommended dose or arbitrarily increase the course of treatment, symptoms such as nausea, heartburn and vomiting are possible. It is necessary to immediately stop taking the drug and turn to doctors for help.

Analogs

Among the full analogues of Mexidol, presented in the pharmacy network, there are drugs with the same active component.

Namely:

  • Mexicor;
  • Neurox
  • Mexidant
  • "Cerecard";
  • Mexiphil;
  • Mexipridol;
  • Mexibel.

Medicines are presented in tablet form or as injectable solutions. Indications for the use of synonymous drugs are almost identical.

The doctor may also prescribe other drugs that are similar in effect to the drug in question.

The most common analogs in tablets:

  • "Glycine";
  • "Polyneurin";
  • Cerebronorm;
  • "Cytoflavin";
  • Venokor;
  • "Actovegin";
  • "Elfunat";
  • Armadin
  • "Dinar";
  • "Zameksen."

Medicines in the form of a solution for injections:

  • "Riluzole";
  • Vitagamma
  • "Combilipen";
  • Emoxibel
  • Compligam B;
  • "Trigamma";
  • "Hypoxene";
  • "Cytoflavin."

The choice of analogue depends on the characteristics of the treatment, because each of them differs in its effect on the body. The medicine is prescribed only by a doctor, based on the clinic of the disease.

Proper use of the drug will effectively eliminate the symptoms of diseases of the central nervous system and improve overall health.

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