Regeneration stimulating agents Nycomed Takeda ACTOVEGIN, solution for injection - review

Category: Published 03/18/2017 · Comments: · Reading time: 8 min · Views: 3,690

A modern, highly effective remedy that can activate metabolic processes in tissues is the drug “Actovegin”. What does the medicine help with? Against the background of its use, there is a significant improvement in trophism, as well as stimulation of regeneration processes. Ointment, injections, tablets "Actovegin" instructions for use suggest use for vascular pathologies.

Use of the drug in special groups of patients

According to the instructions, the drug should not be prescribed in pediatrics due to the lack of a sufficient number of relevant studies.
But in practice, many doctors use Actovegin to treat infants and children. Intramuscular injections of the drug are practically not used in this category of patients due to the painfulness of the procedure. The exception is infants with consequences of intrauterine hypoxia. But such injections are administered only in a hospital setting under constant medical supervision.

Actovegin is prescribed to pregnant women with caution, after assessing the possible consequences for the fetus. If it is necessary to administer the drug to such patients, preference is given to intravenous administration at the beginning of treatment with a further transition to intramuscular administration or taking tablets when the condition improves.

Indications for use include: threat of miscarriage, feto-placental insufficiency, placental abruption, Rh conflict, slow fetal weight gain or low motor activity.

The use of the drug during lactation is also allowed, but only if its therapeutic effect on the mother’s body exceeds the potential risk for the baby.

In geriatrics, the drug is used quite often. At the same time, judging by the reviews, it is in old age that the positive effect of Actovegin is best manifested.

Sources:

Vidal: https://www.vidal.ru/drugs/actovegin__35582 GRLS: https://grls.rosminzdrav.ru/Grls_View_v2.aspx?routingGuid=d7775767-e199-4063-9531-bbe08c17f7c7&t=

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Our specialists

Andrey Igorevich Volkov

Neurologist, Candidate of Medical Sciences

Daria Dmitrievna Eliseeva

neurologist, candidate of medical sciences

Tatyana Aleksandrovna Kosova

Head of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Physiotherapy Physician, Neurologist, Reflexologist

Elena Gennadievna Petrova

Physiotherapist, Candidate of Medical Sciences

Maxim Vladimirovich Chulkov

Instructor-methodologist in physical therapy, kinesiotherapist

Sergey Olegovich Molchanov

Instructor-methodologist for physical therapy

Indications for use

Treatment with Actovegin is indicated for neuropathies, with numbness of the extremities, and impaired sensitivity.
Actovegin is indicated for the complex treatment of degenerative-dystrophic changes in osteochondrosis, with pain syndrome, impaired blood circulation in the spine and nearby tissues.

The drug Actovegin is indicated for circulatory disorders in the brain and spinal cord, disorders in arterial and venous circulation, and pathologies of vascular tone.

Actovegin is indicated for pathologies of metabolic cellular processes, burns, trophic and ulcerative formations on the skin. The drug is prescribed in ophthalmology for damage to the cornea and sclera.

Actovegin is used for treatment in obstetrics for special indications and under strict control. Indications: pregnancy with threatened miscarriage, pregnancy with diabetes mellitus, placental abruption, placental insufficiency

Cream Actovegin 5

The cream has a pronounced regenerating effect, promotes metabolic processes and ATP energy metabolism. The affected skin, under the influence of these processes, begins to renew itself successfully, the cells are saturated with oxygen and glucose. Blood circulation improves in the treated area of ​​skin.

Composition and indications

Cream 5% is packaged in 20 grams and has a uniform white consistency. This product promotes the activation of cellular metabolism, which has a positive effect on the regeneration processes of damaged skin.

The cream consists of the following components:

• deproteinized hemoderivative of calf blood (active component);
• benzalkonium chloride;
• glycerol monostearate;
• macrogol 4000;
• macrogol 400;
• cetyl alcohol;
• purified water.

Indications for use:

• wound skin lesions (scratches, abrasions, cuts);
• inflammatory rashes on the surface of the skin;
• burns of various origins, 1st and 2nd degree;
• therapeutic and preventive measures against bedsores;
• increasing the rate of skin regeneration;
• weeping ulcers;
• for the treatment and prevention of various rashes and lesions on the skin after radiation exposure;
• varicose veins in the legs, combined with trophic ulcers and other diseases of the peripheral circulatory system.

• allergic reactions;
• individual intolerance to the components of the cream.

A small amount of the cream’s components can pass into breast milk, so the use of the cream during this period is possible if there is no individual intolerance to the product in the mother and child.

Instructions for use

Shallow wound lesions and skin burns require applying a thin layer of cream to clean, dry skin at least twice a day. The duration of use should not be less than 14 days.

Preventive measures against bedsores involve applying the cream 2-3 times a day to the skin surface where lesions are most likely to form, while the patient is turning over.

In case of radiation exposure, the cream is applied in between radiation therapy sessions. The cream is applied to areas of the skin that have been directly exposed to radiation.

Open deep wounds and ulcers must be treated at least 2 times a day. The cream is applied in a thick layer to the damaged part of the skin; to avoid dust and dirt getting into it, it is necessary to bandage the wound with a clean or sterile gauze bandage.

It is recommended to treat weeping ulcers and wounds with an antiseptic solution (hydrogen peroxide), then carry out the procedure described above. Such lesions are treated 3 times a day.

Elimination of the effects of radiation exposure on the skin and their prevention are carried out by applying a thin layer to the irradiated parts of the skin. The procedure must be performed immediately upon completion of the session or during the break between courses.

Side effects and some features of therapy

Basically, the cream does not cause any adverse reactions, even with increasing dosage. If sensitivity or intolerance to the components of the cream appears, then the following symptoms are likely to appear:

• redness of the treated areas;
• local burning sensation and itching;
• in exceptional cases, urticaria appears.

If there is no therapeutic effect, then you need to consult a specialist. In case of advanced diseases with resulting complications, there may be a need for triple therapy using Actovegin gel, cream and ointment. This type of therapy requires the following conditions to be met:

• in the presence of open wounds and ulcers, it is recommended to make a compress from the gel, since its effect begins instantly;
• to stimulate the healing process and regeneration of the skin with weeping wounds, it is recommended first of all to use Actovegin cream;
• The final stage of triple long-term therapy is ointment. It promotes increased formation of epithelial cells and restoration of the skin surface.

Composition, physical and chemical properties, price

The drug is available in five dosage forms:

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Why does a pregnant woman need Actovegin?

If you take medicine when something hurts or bothers you, then no questions arise. But the expectant mother feels well, and she is prescribed Actovegin during pregnancy. Why is this remedy prescribed if nothing unusual seems to have happened? The woman begins to doubt the advisability of its use.

There is no doubt that the doctor did everything right! There are many indications (related specifically to the special situation of women) for the use of the drug Actovegin. Why is this medicine prescribed to pregnant women? It will help with the following problems with bearing a child:

• with fetoplacental insufficiency (to put it more simply, this is oxygen starvation);
• if a pregnant woman suffers from diabetes, bronchial asthma, varicose veins, then she needs Actovegin to avoid dangerous complications;
• if the expectant mother has already had miscarriages or the pregnancy had an unfavorable outcome;
• if fragmentary detachment of the ovum or placenta has occurred;
• with gestosis in the 2nd half of pregnancy.

But even if no such problems are found, Actovegin may still be needed during pregnancy. Why is it prescribed to expectant mothers in the absence of a pathological course of pregnancy? Typically, the prescription indicates that a woman has circulatory problems. But this drug is not called “vitamin” for nothing. It supports the woman’s body, which is forced to work for two, and has the most beneficial effect on the development of the baby. It is also prescribed for preventive purposes, to help the baby adapt to childbirth, or in the early stages of pregnancy to improve arterial and venous blood flow.

Pregnant women have another question: if there are Actovegin tablets, then why are the injections prescribed? Although the drug is natural, its delivery into the body through injections, bypassing the gastrointestinal tract, minimizes the load on the digestive system and protects against side effects from these organs. The injection method allows you to achieve a faster effect of the drug. This is necessary, for example, if there is a threat of spontaneous abortion.

The benefit of Actovegin for those who are happily expecting a baby is that it stimulates metabolism, increases the concentration of oxygen and glucose in tissues, and improves blood supply to the placenta. That is, the baby who grows in his mother’s tummy will receive more nutrition and oxygen.

Ointment, injections, tablets "Actovegin": what is the medicine prescribed for?

Only a specialist should recommend the use of the drug “Actovegin” - after confirming the preliminary diagnosis with information from the studies performed. Main indications indicated in the instructions:

1. For tablet form:

• complex therapy of various vascular pathologies and metabolic disorders occurring in the structures of the brain - for example, the course of an ischemic variant of stroke, severe dementia, circulatory failure in the VB, the consequences of a TBI;
• moderate and severe diabetic polyneuropathy;
• arterial as well as venous disorders - trophic ulcerative tissue defects, angiopathy.

By

Composition and release form

The main ingredient of natural origin, it is obtained from the blood of dairy calves - deproteinized hemoderivate (hemodialysate), or Actovegin concentrate. The main advantage of the drug is the ability to saturate cells with oxygen. This improves the quality of glucose transport; against this background, the amount of nucleotides and amino acids in cells increases. By improving the quality of metabolic processes, the general condition of the body is improved.

Release forms are intended for internal administration of the drug and for external use.

For application to the skin, use gel, ointment, cream.

Actovegin is available for IV drips in 250 ml bottles. It comes in two dosages - 25 and 50 ml of the active ingredient, and does not require additional preparation.

Actovegin solution in ampoules is available in 2, 5 and 10 ml. They contain 80, 200 and 400 mg of the working component. In addition to the main element, the composition includes auxiliary components.

Actovegin in the form of tablets comes in a single concentration - 200 mg of deproteinized hemoderivative. The composition also contains other components.

Local remedies

Actovegi is also available in local form. Among the most common analogues are Solcoseryl and Algofin.

Solcoseryl

The only complete analogue of Actovegin in terms of active substance is Solcoseryl ointment. It consists of 2.07 g of hemoderivat. The substance is obtained from the blood of calves, which is previously purified from proteins. The drug is prescribed for diagnosing pathologies that were caused by oxygen deficiency in cells, as well as for the treatment of burns, frostbite and dry wounds.

Description of the drug

Cosmetologists began to use ointment to prevent skin aging. To date, there is no accurate information that would confirm its effectiveness in this area. However, the fair sex who tested the product on themselves were satisfied with the result.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, experts recommend stopping the use of the medication.

Algofin

Among products similar in action can be called Algofin gel. It is characterized by antibacterial and antiseptic effects. It is based on chlorophyll-carotene paste. Used for skin diseases and skin irritations. Relieves discomfort (itching, burning) and swelling. The product also protects the skin from exposure to direct sunlight and helps slow down the aging process.

How much do drug substitutes cost?

There are no more exact analogues of the drug in medicine, but pharmacies have drugs that are considered substitutes for Actovegin. These are medications that have similar indications and mechanisms of action on the body. They are used to improve metabolic and trophic processes in tissues, as well as to improve blood circulation and reduce the manifestations of hypoxia. Among them there are both cheap and more expensive drugs of Russian and Western origin.

Substitutes for Actovegin are not its complete analogues. They have different compositions, lists of indications and side effects, so before replacing one medicine with another, you should consult your doctor. The cost or availability of the drug should not become the main selection criteria - the drug should be selected depending on the clinical course of the disease and the condition of the patient’s body.

Pharmacological mechanisms of action

The instructions for use attached to the drug "Actovegin" provide detailed information about the available pharmacological mechanisms of action on the human body.

The medicine actively stimulates metabolic processes occurring in tissues - by increasing the movement, accumulation and utilization of glucose, as well as oxygen. The energy potential of cells increases significantly, which is important in situations with its insufficiency.

The medicine is also capable of improving blood supply, both general and local. Against the background of its use, regeneration processes are accelerated - tissue defects heal and are actively restored.

Stimulation of the processes of assimilation by cells of substances coming from outside is observed. Negative symptoms formed due to insufficient energy supply to tissues are best reduced. The general psychological state of the patients is corrected.

Dosage regimens

Depending on the form, the medicine is used in the following dosages:

• tablets: 1-2 capsules in 3 divided doses before meals. They should be taken whole and washed down with a small amount of liquid;
• injections. The initial dose is, depending on the patient’s condition, from 10 to 20 ml, then it is reduced to 5 ml. Injections are given once a day intravenously or intramuscularly (the medicine must be administered slowly);
• droppers. They are priced 1 rub. per day or 2-3 times a week. A single dose is 250 ml. The solution should be dripped at a rate of 2 to 3 ml per minute. The treatment course includes 10-20 procedures. They are only allowed to be done in a hospital setting, because there is a danger of a severe allergic reaction, even anaphylactic shock. Water and electrolyte balance must be monitored;
• gel. It helps heal ulcers and wounds. If a person has suffered from radiation or thermal burn, then the product is applied to the surface of the skin in a thin layer. To treat an ulcer, the gel is applied more thickly, after which a compress with Actovegin ointment is applied to the affected area;
• ointment. It promotes the regeneration of damaged tissues and reduces their healing time. To do this, simply apply a small portion to a wound, bedsore or ulcer;
• eye gel. It is used like this: squeeze out a drop of the product from the tube, carefully apply it to the eyelid 2-3 rubles. per day.

Side effects

If you use Actovegin incorrectly and do not follow the prescribed dosages, you can develop one of the many complications. Because of them, the patient’s condition will worsen, and the treatment process will be delayed indefinitely.

Main side effects:

1. Allergic reactions. In some cases, patients may experience a rash on the surface of the skin, severe itching, and hives. All these symptoms are accompanied by fever and heavy sweating.
2. Gastrointestinal tract. The digestive system also suffers from improper use of the drug. Patients often experience abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, and attacks of nausea and vomiting.
3. The cardiovascular system. Due to the excessive amount of medication used, tachycardia, arterial hypertension, and shortness of breath may develop. In addition, pain in the heart area often occurs.
4. Nervous system. Actovegin can cause frequent headaches and severe dizziness. In extreme cases, tremors, paresthesia and loss of consciousness may occur.
5. Respiratory system. There is often a feeling of suffocation, difficulty swallowing, and pain in the chest area.
6. Musculoskeletal system. The consequences of using Actovegin can be pain in the joints, lower back and bones.

1. Allergic reactions. In some cases, patients may experience a rash on the surface of the skin, severe itching, and hives. All these symptoms are accompanied by fever and heavy sweating.
2. Gastrointestinal tract. The digestive system also suffers from improper use of the drug. Patients often experience abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, and attacks of nausea and vomiting.
3. The cardiovascular system. Due to the excessive amount of medication used, tachycardia, arterial hypertension, and shortness of breath may develop. In addition, pain in the heart area often occurs.
4. Nervous system. Actovegin can cause frequent headaches and severe dizziness. In extreme cases, tremors, paresthesia and loss of consciousness may occur.
5. Respiratory system. There is often a feeling of suffocation, difficulty swallowing, and pain in the chest area.
6. Musculoskeletal system. The consequences of using Actovegin can be pain in the joints, lower back and bones.

Use of tablets

In addition to ointments and injections, the drug is available in tablet form. What are Actovegin tablets used for?

• dementia;
• cerebral hemorrhage;
• cerebral ischemia;
• encephalopathy;
• skull injury;
• angiopathy;
• skin damage;
• bedsores;
• ulcers.

Take 1-2 tablets before meals, without chewing, with a small amount of water. Repeat the procedure three times. The duration of treatment with Actovegin is one month. In severe cases, taking pills can continue for up to 45 days. The course of treatment and dose is determined only by the doctor, based on the patient’s condition.

The drug is well tolerated by patients, with the exception of rare cases of allergic reactions that disappear after discontinuation of the drug. Actovegin has contraindications:

• moderate and severe CV dysfunction;
• pulmonary edema;
• kidney pathologies;
• intolerance to the components of the drug.

Use in childhood and pregnancy is carried out under the supervision of a physician. If negative reactions of the body to the substance appear, you should stop taking it and tell your doctor about it.

What is important to know about contraindications

The instructions for use attached to the drug "Actovegin" note that it has the following contraindications:

• presence of oliguria;
• acute pulmonary edema;
• sudden urinary retention;
• individual hyperreaction to the active and auxiliary components of the drug "Actovegin", from which tablets, ointments or injections can cause allergies;
• decompensated heart failure - if infusion therapy with medication is carried out.

The drug "Actovegin" is prescribed with caution to people who have disorders of the liver structures or other conditions that affect the excretion of drug metabolites.

Origin, purpose, action

Actovegin is a medicine that affects metabolic processes. It is produced by the Austrian company. It is produced from calf blood extract. Since the drug contains a natural component, it is safe for both adults and children and does not have a serious negative effect on the body. It is well tolerated by adults and small patients.

What exactly is the effect of taking this medicine? It activates intracellular and general metabolism (due to the fact that it accelerates the transfer of oxygen and glucose), normalizes anabolism (the process of absorption of substances) and increases blood circulation.

This pharmacological agent has a decent history of use. It is widely used in ophthalmology, neuropathology, and cardiology. It helps pregnant women give birth to a healthy baby. Available in the following versions:

• 5 percent ointment in a tube of 20 g;
• gel 20% in a tube (20 g);
• cream 5% in a 20 gram tube;
• oval tablets, 100 pcs. in a jar;
• composition for injection - ampoules of 2.5 and 10 ml;
• solution for infusion use 10 and 20% with saline (250 ml bottle).

Thus, this drug can be used orally, externally and in injections.

Dosage

The course of treatment is at least 12 days and continues throughout the entire period of active regeneration.
Frequency of application – at least 2 times/day. Ulcers, wounds and inflammatory diseases of the skin and mucous membranes: as a rule, as the last link in a step-by-step “three-step treatment” using Actovegin 20% in the form of a gel and 5% cream, Actovegin 5% ointment is applied in a thin layer.

To prevent bedsores, the ointment is rubbed into the skin in high-risk areas.

In order to prevent the occurrence of radiation injuries, Actovegin 5% ointment is applied in a thin layer immediately after radiation therapy and in the intervals between sessions.

If there is no or insufficient effect from using Actovegin 5% in ointment form, you should consult a doctor.

Instructions for use of Actovegin and dosage regimen

Concentrated animal blood plasma comes in a variety of forms. There are tablets, there are injection solutions. Is it possible to administer Actovegin intramuscularly? Of course you can! It can also be administered intravenously or even intra-arterially. It is used for injection and infusion, and is sold in the form of tablets and creams, ointments and eye gels.

It seems that the release form in the form of rectal suppositories will soon be established, since the manufacturer somehow undeservedly ignored hemorrhoids and chronic proctitis

As for the dosage regimen, it is described in extremely detailed and varied ways. For example, in case of a stroke, it is recommended to first carry out an intravenous drip infusion (from 20 to 50 ml of the drug diluted in an isotonic solution) for 7 days. Then you need to reduce the dosage by half and drip for another two weeks, and only then switch to tablets.

There is no doubt that this is all empirically selected and does not stand up to criticism. After all, no one knows not only the mechanism of action of the drug, but also its exact composition and even the period of removal from the body. It is also unknown whether the improvement and regression of neurological symptoms will be caused by Actovegin or other drugs.

How long to treat with Actovegin? You can also paraphrase: “how long can you inject a component of calf blood into human blood”? The manufacturer hints that the duration of the course can be individual.

If we compare, for example, with diclofenac, then everyone knows that its injections for more than 3 to 5 days in a row increases the risk of developing stomach ulcers, erosive gastritis and other pathologies. This risk is calculated using mathematical statistics methods, and is reliable - everything is known about the molecule of this substance. And in the case of Actovegin - again, nothing specific.

Contraindications and side effects

If we look at the instructions not for Actovegin tablets, but for the more serious parenteral form, we will read that contraindications to “droppers” are conditions such as pulmonary edema, congestive heart failure, and fluid retention in the body. As you can see, all this does not relate to Actovegin at all, but to the volume of liquid that is about to be infused. Thus, the contraindications are no different from those for the administration of ordinary water (isotonic solution of 0.9% sodium chloride). As they say, arguments are unnecessary.

As for side effects, the manufacturer carefully advises that you first carry out a drug tolerability test (2 ml intramuscularly): what if allergies and anaphylactic shock occur? The use of Actovegin “injections”, that is, intramuscular injections, is limited to 5 ml for a single dose, after all, it contains a foreign protein. And indeed, 5 kDa seems safe, but what if it’s not? Do you think the manufacturer is confident in himself? The official instructions do not even indicate the frequency of development of these reactions: “allergic reactions up to anaphylactic shock”

In milder cases, it is a rash, fever (pyrogenic reaction to foreign proteins). When applied topically it causes burning and itching

And indeed, 5 kDa seems safe, but what if it’s not? Do you think the manufacturer is confident in himself? The official instructions do not even indicate the frequency of development of these reactions: “allergic reactions up to anaphylactic shock.” In milder cases, it is a rash, fever (pyrogenic reaction to foreign proteins). When applied topically, it causes burning and itching.

What is Actovegin ointment used for?

Actovegin was developed as a means of neurological treatment. However, it quickly expanded beyond its original boundaries and became a means of widespread use in various medical fields. It is prescribed by almost all doctors - diabetologists, ophthalmologists, dentists, cosmetologists, surgeons.

We have already become familiar with the general theory of treatment with biological stimulants. Now let’s turn to the instructions for use, which describe in detail what Actovegin ointment treats in humans.

• Actovegin ointment is prescribed for various skin injuries (minor abrasions and scratches, deep wounds). It is applied to open wounds up to 6 times a day.
• For any burns - thermal (hot water, steam, electricity), chemical (acid), solar, etc.
• For frostbite.
• For the treatment of bedsores (damage to soft tissue due to impaired blood supply, constant compression in bedridden patients).
• To treat skin irradiation (during radiation therapy), as well as to prevent the consequences of irradiation of the skin or mucous surfaces, it is better to use a gel, but ointment is also possible.
• For the treatment of trophic ulcers (their therapy is usually complicated by vascular disorders).
• For varicose veins, the ointment is applied to the bulging veins under a bandage at night. This increases blood flow and reduces blood stagnation in the veins, reducing their bulging.

The instructions for use for Actovegin ointment say that the effect of its application occurs within 20-30 minutes. In this case, the effectiveness of treatment is determined by the weakening of painful symptoms. Monitoring the presence of therapeutic components in tissues and blood is difficult. They are biological substances and themselves are also present in the human body. At the same time, they are no different from human enzymes, peptides, and trace elements.

Actovegin ointment in cosmetology

Actovegin facial ointment is used as a remedy for acne, blackheads, ulcers, peeling and wrinkles.

Important: the drug contains foreign biological components, which in some cases can cause an allergic reaction. Therefore, if you are using the composition for the first time, do not apply it all over your face at once.

Limit yourself to a small area of ​​skin on your cheek or wrist.

The action of Actovegin anti-wrinkle ointment is based on its ability to stimulate the regeneration (formation) of new cells. The ointment composition is effective for fine wrinkles and expression lines, and is weakly effective for deep wrinkles.

Actovegin also restores skin elasticity and improves complexion (due to normalization of blood flow).

In addition to the cosmetic effect, Actovegin is used to treat skin inflammation. The ointment composition is applied to the face to treat acne and acne.

Actovegin ointment in gynecology

The regenerating properties of the ointment and a slight anti-inflammatory effect have found application in the treatment of cervical erosion. The properties of the composition are most fully manifested after the cauterization procedure. For two weeks after it, women are advised to place the ointment with a tampon inside the vagina.

Actovegin ointment is also used to treat ruptures and other perineal injuries after childbirth. The composition of the ointment is approved for the treatment of pregnant and lactating women. At the same time, it has a high wound healing ability.

Actovegin ointment during pregnancy

Actovegin in tablets and injections is often prescribed during pregnancy to normalize placental circulation. The biological substances of the drug are of natural origin and are found in the human body. Therefore, they are not dangerous for the child developing in the womb.

Actovegin ointment is applied to abrasions and cuts in pregnant women. As well as wounds on the skin and mucous membranes in diabetic women.

Actovegin eye ointment in ophthalmology

In addition to skin ointment, the pharmaceutical industry produces Actovegin eye ointment. In fact, the composition is a gel and is correctly called Actovegin eye gel. Eye gel differs from skin ointment, firstly, in the concentration of Actovegin (it contains 20% of the active substance)

. And, secondly, the components of the base (less petroleum jelly and fatty components).

Actovegin eye ointment is used to treat burns of the cornea (eyes with acids or alkalis, electric arc welding). And also for the treatment of traumatic lesions of the cornea from putting on and wearing contact lenses.

Use of the drug

The antihypoxant is widely used in the complex therapy of various conditions accompanied by impaired peripheral circulation and hypoxia.

Action of the drug:

• improvement of oxygen and glucose transport;
• regulation of calcium metabolism;
• stimulation of nucleic acid synthesis;
• antioxidant cell protection.

Areas of application include neurology, cardiology and endocrinology. Tablets can be prescribed as part of complex therapy, or as a prophylactic agent.

Application in neurology and cardiology

In neurology, the drug is indicated as part of complex therapy:

• stroke;
• encephalopathy;
• vascular dementia;
• disorders of the blood supply to the brain;
• cerebrovascular disease;
• neuropathy;
• cognitive impairment.

The drug helps minimize the negative consequences of a cerebral stroke. Widely used to treat cognitive impairment and vascular dementia in elderly patients.

The use of Actovegin for neuropathy reduces the severity of pain and helps restore the conductive function of the damaged nerve.

The medicine normalizes the functioning of the peripheral nervous system and is often prescribed to patients with vegetative-vascular dystonia. Treatment with an antihypoxant normalizes blood pressure in patients with VSD and improves mental state due to the normalization of cerebral circulation.

Diseases of the cardiovascular system, such as coronary heart disease and angina, are accompanied by hypoxia

Taking Actovegin in such cases is an important part of complex therapy.

The antihypoxant is also successfully used to treat patients with arterial hypertension, reducing tolerance to antihypertensive drugs and allowing for a sustained reduction in blood pressure. The medicine is prescribed to normalize blood flow after a myocardial infarction.

Place in diabetes therapy

The drug is characterized by an insulin-like effect and increases cell tolerance to glucose. This explains the widespread use of Actovegin in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

One of the serious complications of diabetes is polyneuropathy. Taking an antihypoxant reduces this condition and helps delay the development of diabetes complications.

Actovegin 200 mg tablets as part of complex therapy for diabetes mellitus contribute to:

• acceleration of regeneration;
• reducing pain in the lower extremities;
• improving tactile sensitivity of the lower extremities.

For type 2 diabetes mellitus, taking the drug can reduce glycemic levels.

Thanks to its regenerating properties, the antihypoxant accelerates the healing of wounds of the lower extremities in patients with diabetes. In the treatment of this disease, Actovegin 200 is used both in tablet form and in the form of ointments and gels to treat damaged areas of the skin.

Use during pregnancy

Actovegin 200 mg tablets are a natural remedy that is completely absorbed by the body. Prescribing medication during pregnancy helps to avoid a number of complications due to placental insufficiency.

The drug is prescribed during pregnancy to improve uteroplacental blood flow and is used when there is a threat of miscarriage and intrauterine fetal hypoxia. To prevent thrombosis, it is prescribed for varicose veins and lymphostasis of the lower extremities in pregnant women. The drug is used to minimize complications during pregnancy in patients with diabetes mellitus. It is absorbed at the level of the capillaries of the placenta and does not have a negative effect on the fetus.

There is evidence that an antihypoxic agent during pregnancy smoothes out the manifestations of toxicosis.

Despite the natural composition and lack of effect on the fetus, the drug should be used during pregnancy only as prescribed by a doctor.

Treatment of children

An antihypoxic agent is used to treat newborns with central nervous system pathologies caused by intrauterine hypoxia or complications during childbirth. In this case, an intravenous solution is used.

Children over three years of age are prescribed Actovegin tablets for the treatment of:

• traumatic brain injuries;
• cerebrovascular accidents;
• metabolic disorders.

The antihypoxant can be used as part of complex therapy for neurological disorders caused by perinatal pathologies.

Domestic and foreign substitutes in tablets

In most cases, patients prefer to replace the drug due to its cost. In some cases, allergic reactions to its components are observed. Before choosing an analogue of Actovegin in tablets, you should consult your doctor.

Vero-trimetazidine

Available in tablet form based on trimetazidine (0.02 g). It has antihypoxic, antianginal, cerebrovasodilating and vasodilating effects on the body. Provides and maintains normal myocardial homeostasis. Indications for use are:

• frequent dizziness;
• angina pectoris;
• ischemic diseases;
• impaired coordination, ringing/tinnitus.

Properties of Trimetazidine

Not used in pediatrics. Also, the medicine is not recommended for pregnant women and nursing mothers.

Noben

Manufacturers produce drugs in the form of capsules. The main ingredient is idebenone. One capsule contains 30 mg of active substance. The medicine helps to activate the processes of glucose and ACE synthesis, saturate the brain with oxygen, and improve blood circulation.

It has nootropic, psychostimulating and neuroprotective effects. From the first days of administration it has anti-asthenic, psychostimulating and antidepressant effects.

Action of nootropics

Prescribed for:

• attention/memory disorders;
• emotional disorders;
• depressive states;
• headaches.

The list of contraindications includes increased susceptibility to the components and renal failure. Pediatricians can prescribe a drug only in cases where its benefits are higher than the risk of negative reactions. Lactation and pregnancy are included in the list of contraindications.

Omaron

The drug is available in tablet form. The drug is a combination drug, since it is developed on the basis of two active ingredients - cinnarizine (25 g) and piracetam (400 mg). The tablets are characterized by vasodilating, antihypoxic and nootropic effects.

pharmachologic effect

The medicine helps to increase the body's defense reactions to hypoxia and activates metabolic processes in the brain. The components of the drug block slow calcium channels and lead to relaxation of the smooth muscles of arterioles.

Indications for prescription are pathologies of the central nervous system, which entail mnestic-intellectual disorders:

• depression;
• encephalopathy (post-intoxication or post-traumatic);
• mental development disorder in childhood;
• Meniere's syndrome;
• asthenia.

Effects of the drug

In pediatrics, it is prescribed to children over 5 years of age. It is not advisable to use the tablets during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Stugeron

The tablets are developed on the basis of cinnarizine. The drug helps improve cerebral circulation. The medication is prescribed for:

• headaches, increased irritability, ringing in the ears;
• motion sickness syndrome (if a person does not tolerate long trips or suffers from seasickness);
• presence of vestibular apparatus disorders;
• peripheral circulatory disorders.

Pediatricians recommend taking half the adult dose for children from 5 to 12 years old. Administration to children under five years of age is contraindicated. Also, expectant mothers should not take the drug during lactation.

Memoria

Drug Memoria is developed based on natural ingredients. It includes:

• ginseng;
• St. John's wort;
• spotted hemlock;
• mountain arnica;
• ginkgo biloba;
• purified water;
• ethanol.

Medicine is indicated for:

• having memory problems;
• migraines;
• headaches;
• atherosclerotic disorders.

The use of the drug is contraindicated:

• pregnant women;
• children and teenagers.

Tanakan

The tablets contain ginkgo biloba leaf extract. The drug belongs to the group of drugs with angioprotective properties. These medications help improve cerebral circulation.

The drug is used by elderly patients with cognitive disorders. The drug is also prescribed for the treatment of Raynaud's syndrome or disease, dizziness, and ringing in the ears.

Properties of the main components of the drug

The list of contraindications includes pregnancy and lactation. Also, the product is not used to treat children under 18 years of age.

Composition and release form

Actovegin produces almost all forms of release and has a huge selection of drugs.
In the pharmacy chain, Actovegin injection solutions and tablets are available with a prescription, external products are available for free sale. Forms of the antihypoxant drug:

1. Injection solutions; 4% (for intramuscular injections), 10% (for intravenous infusions), 20% (for intravenous drip infusions). Packing: ampoules 2.5, 10 ml, packed in a box of 5 or 25 pcs. Infusion solutions are bottled in 250 ml bottles.
2. Solid dosage form of a tablet in a shell or dragee. One tablet contains 200 mg of the active ingredient. Packaging: dark glass bottle with 10, 30, 50 tablets.
3. External dosage forms: cream and ointment with 5% content of the active ingredient.
4. The external dosage form is a gel with 20% content of the active ingredient. External dosage forms are produced in aluminum tubes of 20,30,50,100 g.
5. Eye gel with 20% content of the active ingredient. Tube 5 g.

Directions for use and doses

Initially, Actovegin gel is used in the treatment of ulcerative lesions. It is applied to the skin in a thick layer and covered with a compress with 5% Actovegin ointment or a gauze bandage soaked in ointment. The dressing is changed once a day; for very wet ulcers, the dressing is done several times a day. Actovegin cream is then used. Treatment is completed in the form of 5% Actovegin ointment. Both cream and ointment are applied in a thin layer. The cream has a pronounced cosmetic effect.

To prevent bedsores, 5% cream is applied to the skin in an area at increased risk of developing bedsores. For burns and radiation injuries, 20% gel is used at the beginning of therapy. It is applied to the skin in a thin layer, and then 5% Actovegin cream is used for a long time. In order to prevent radiation injuries, 5% Actovegin cream is applied in a thin layer immediately after radiation treatment and in the intervals between sessions.

Actovegin cream according to the instructions should be stored at a temperature not exceeding 25°C out of the reach of children. The shelf life of the cream is 5 years. Their pharmacies are dispensed without a doctor's prescription.

Author

Irina Gennadievna Smolentseva

Head of the Research Center for Parkinson's Disease, neurologist, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor

Actovegin contraindications and side effects

The use of Actovegin for medicinal purposes is prohibited only in a situation where an allergy to the components of the drug was previously identified

There are conditions in which the medication should be taken with caution, namely:

• heart problems;
• weak evacuation of urine for 12 hours;
• diabetes;
• swelling of any area of ​​the body;
• excessive blood sugar;
• pregnancy and lactation;
• children under 3 years old.

According to statistics, patients tolerate Actovegin normally, but in medical practice there were situations when minor pain appeared in the area of ​​inflammation, which was eliminated independently after 10-30 minutes. If unpleasant signs remain, discontinue the drug and consult a doctor.

Sometimes side effects appear, both when administered by injection and when taken orally:

• excessive sweating, shortness of breath;
• itching, burning of the skin;
• pain in the heart area;
• attacks of pain in the head;
• convulsions;
• rapid heartbeat, breathing;
• anaphylactic shock, fainting.

Often, such signs indicate individual intolerance to elements of the medication. The doctor selects medications similar in properties to those listed below.

Treatment of children

The instructions for the drug do not provide for its use for treating children. But neurologists often prescribe Actovegin even to infants from the second week of life. Moreover, the drug is used by injection, since it is easier to calculate the correct dosage.

Actovegin is prescribed to children with impaired cerebral circulation and slow mental development. This can happen due to prenatal hypoxia and birth injuries. Treatment is necessary if the child twitches his neck, has tics and convulsions, and leans on his toes when standing up. At an older age, this is manifested by a lag in mental and physical development, speech delay, and increased excitability.

The dosage for a child under 6 years of age is calculated individually. Children from 1 to 3 years old need 0.5 ml of the drug per day per 1 kg of weight. From 3 to 6 years 0.2-0.4 ml daily. The drug is administered intramuscularly or intravenously. It is recommended to mix it with Novocaine before the injection so that the injection is less painful for the child. This is done at the rate of 1.5 ml of 0.5% solution per 2 ml of Actovegin.

There are many drugs with a similar effect, for example, Curantil, Mexidol, Cerebrolysin or Solcoseryl. They are cheaper than Actovegin, the minimum course of treatment for which will cost at least 1000 rubles. But still, this remedy is considered the most effective for serious skin lesions and cerebral circulation disorders.

Is it possible to give Actovegin injections intramuscularly on your own?

This question worries many patients after they have been prescribed the drug. Let's try to answer the most common questions:

1. How to inject Actovegin intramuscularly - dilute it or not - before drawing the medicine into a syringe? No, you do not need to dilute the solution from the ampoule with anything. It is already ready for use, you just need to select it with a needle into the syringe and inject it.
2. Is it possible to inject 5 ml of Actovegin intramuscularly at a time? It happens that such a relatively large volume of an ampoule frightens patients. But there is no need to worry. It is possible to make such an injection, you just need to choose a large muscle for the injection. Optimally - gluteus maximus. The injection should be placed in the upper outer region of the buttock, as if it were divided by two intersecting perpendicular lines.
3. How often can Actovegin be injected intramuscularly? The attending physician can answer this question based on the clinical picture of each individual patient. As a rule, injections are prescribed daily for 10 or 20 days. The exact duration of the course depends on the diagnosis, health status and individual characteristics of the patient.
4. How to give Actovegin intramuscular injections to yourself, on your own? It is quite possible to do this if you have the necessary skills. Many people can successfully administer the injection as skillfully and safely as nurses with years of experience performing such procedures. It is necessary to wipe the injection site with alcohol (where exactly to inject is shown in the figure below), then insert the needle with a sharp movement and, pressing the piston, inject the drug. There should be no pain (except for slight discomfort when inserting a needle from a syringe).

Reviews

Zhanna, Volgograd
The instructions for Actovegin ointment do not prohibit its use during pregnancy. The gynecologist confirmed this and allowed the burn from boiling water to be treated with the drug. After 5 days, only slight redness remained on the skin.

Valentina, Nizhny Novgorod

I could not find substitutes cheaper than Actovegin with a similar effect. And the ointment itself quickly helped me with a deep cut. The wound healed and there were no scars left on the skin. So, I didn’t bother looking for analogues.

Actovegin ointment (review) from 150 rub.

Overall

4.3

• Efficiency
• Price
• Safety
• Availability

Pros

• Efficiency
• Minimal side effects

Cons

• Availability

Actovegin - application

How to take Actovegin, in what dosages and for how long, should be determined by the doctor, taking into account the diagnosis and severity of the pathology. If parenteral administration of the drug is necessary, before starting therapy, an allergy test should be performed by injecting a small amount of the drug intramuscularly and monitoring the body's reactions. The recommended initial therapeutic dosage per day is 10-20 ml intravenously or intraarterially, and subsequently 5 ml intravenously or intramuscularly.

The tablets are taken with a small amount of water and without chewing, before meals, 1-2 tablets three times a day. Depending on why Actovegin is prescribed, the course of treatment can range from several weeks to six months. For the use of local forms, the following recommendations exist:

1. The gel is applied in a thin layer for burns and radiation injuries, in a thick layer for ulcers, covering with a compress soaked in the ointment form of the drug.
2. The cream is used to heal weeping wounds, bedsores, and prevent radiation injuries, applying in a thin layer.
3. The ointment is used after gel or cream therapy to continue treatment.
4. The eye gel is applied to the affected eye, 1-2 drops up to three times a day from a tube, being careful not to touch the eyeball with the neck.

Actovegin during pregnancy

Although the list of prescriptions for the drug in question does not include the pathological course of pregnancy, doctors often prescribe it to expectant mothers. Considering the therapeutic effect of the drug, it is able to normalize the uteroplacental blood flow, thanks to which the necessary exchange is carried out between the organisms of the mother and the fetus. Dosages and duration of therapy are determined individually.

Tablet or injectable Actovegin is prescribed for polyhydramnios, oligohydramnios and other conditions that threaten fetal hypoxia, abnormalities in its development, termination of pregnancy, including:

• infections;
• fetoplacental insufficiency;
• placenta previa (complete and incomplete);
• malnutrition and dystrophy of the fetus;
• late gestosis;
• a history of spontaneous abortion, premature birth;
• diabetes mellitus and other severe somatic pathologies in the mother.

Actovegin for VSD

Not all patients understand why Actovegin is prescribed for vegetative-vascular dystonia, because there is no such diagnosis in the list of indications for use in any of the forms of the drug. Since the symptoms of this pathology are largely associated with disturbances in the tone of blood vessels, leading to difficulty in blood supply to the brain, other organs, and limbs, this medication can be beneficial for VSD by acting on the underlying causes.

A course of taking the drug (tablets or injections) helps improve metabolic processes, normalize vascular tone, and ensure adequate supply of oxygen and nutrients to all tissues of the body. Therefore, Actovegin improves the condition of dizziness, chilliness of the hands and feet, sleep disorders and other vegetative-vascular manifestations.

Actovegin for stroke

Effective use of Actovegin injections is found at different stages of providing care to patients with ischemic stroke, in which there is a disruption or cessation of blood supply to one of the areas of the brain. Due to the rapid improvement of blood circulation and normalization of energy supply to tissues observed under the influence of the drug, in a short time, patients experience a significant improvement in the restoration of neurological functions.

The medicine helps to normalize cognitive and motor abilities and has a positive effect on the emotional state of patients. Often, at the beginning of treatment, Actovegin is administered intravenously, and after one to two weeks, administration is continued in tablet form. The course of treatment is determined by the doctor taking into account the severity of damage to brain functions.

Actovegin for osteochondrosis

The disease osteochondrosis is characterized by pinching and spasming of blood vessels. A number of tasks in the treatment of pathology include normalizing blood circulation, for which Actovegin is prescribed. Actovegin will be especially useful for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, which for many patients threatens a lack of oxygen and nutrients to the brain. Often, a tablet form of the drug is prescribed for treatment.

Actovegin for hair

Some women, on the recommendations of trichologists or cosmetologists, use Actovegin against hair loss, which gives good results. By stimulating the energy work of tissues, increasing the consumption of glucose and oxygen, the nutrition of the hair follicles is improved and dormant follicles are awakened. Due to this, hair growth resumes. You should consult a specialist about the method of using Actovegin for alopecia (it is used both externally and internally).

Actovegin for facial skin

Due to its regenerative properties, the ability to improve collagen production and saturate tissues with oxygen, we use Actovegin for wrinkles to improve the condition of sagging, tired skin. In addition, the drug can help in the treatment of skin rashes and post-acne. Use Actovegin ointment, cream or gel 1-2 times a day, applying a thin layer to a cleansed face.

Precautionary measures

To ensure maximum effectiveness and safety when treating with Actovegin injections, you must adhere to the rules for its use.

Before starting full therapy, the presence of individual intolerance should be determined. To do this, 2 ml of medication is injected intramuscularly over 1-2 minutes. Long-term administration allows you to observe the body's response to the drug and, if anaphylaxis develops, you can stop the injection in time and begin resuscitation of the patient.

From the above, the following rule of admission follows: injections must be given in a medical institution, where, if necessary, emergency care can be obtained. If home treatment is still intended, then at least the first dose should be administered in the hospital under the supervision of medical staff.

Actovegin can be administered intramuscularly in a dose not exceeding 5 ml, since the solution is hypertonic and can provoke a sharp jump in blood pressure.

It is important to create the most sterile conditions possible when administering the drug. An open ampoule must be used immediately, since the medicine does not contain preservatives that would ensure longer storage

Therefore, the drug should be purchased in ampoules of the volume that needs to be injected at a time. After all, storing an opened ampoule is prohibited.

Actovegin should be stored in the refrigerator, so before use, the ampoule should be slightly warmed in your hands to ensure more comfortable administration.

A solution with visible sediment or if it is cloudy must not be used. The contents of the ampoule should be yellowish in color and transparent.

Actovegin may be included in complex treatment regimens for diseases, since no negative interaction reactions with other medications have been established. It should be borne in mind that mixing it with other drugs in one bottle or syringe is strictly prohibited. An exception is solutions of sodium chloride and glucose, which are recommended for the preparation of infusion solutions. It is also prohibited to drink alcohol during treatment with the drug.

Reviews from patients and doctors

Reviews from practicing doctors and parents of their patients are presented so that information about the medicine is more complete.

Irina Mikhailova, a neurologist with 13 years of experience, talks about the use of the drug in the first days of a child’s life:

“Neonatal ischemia is a disease that can occur even during normal pregnancy and childbirth. The risk of pathology increases with malpresentation of the fetus, entanglement of the umbilical cord and many other factors. Such patients need drug treatment that restores cerebral circulation. I prescribe Actovegin injections in the first days of life. The drug is safe and does not cause side effects.”

Newborns tolerate treatment with Actovegin well.

Anna, the mother of 4-year-old Egor, recommends Actovegin for ZRR:

“Until one year my son had no abnormalities. He already knew simple words and was very sociable. Over the next year, speech development seemed to stop. He didn’t learn new words, and he almost didn’t use the ones he already knew—he communicated more with sounds. We made an appointment with a neurologist. He explained that this situation could arise due to poor blood supply to the brain, and prescribed Actovegin. The course of treatment lasted 2 months, after which I noticed positive changes. Now Egor is developing on par with his peers, and his speech is understandable not only to me, but also to those around him.”

Elena left a review after treating her 6-month-old daughter:

“My daughter was born with minor hydrocephalus. Doctors reassured me that the disease can be treated at an early age and does not cause consequences in the future. We were prescribed Actovegin with vitamins, injections were given every day for a month. At the end of the course, the child was examined again; there were no longer any signs of the disease. The daughter is developing normally, calm, inquisitive.”

At Dr. Komarovsky E.O. I have formed my own opinion about Actovegin:

“Doctors like to prescribe Actovegin as a solution to all problems. It is used both for actual circulatory disorders in the brain and in any other cases - for example, if the child is restless and sleeps poorly. The only advice for parents is to give their children medications only after the clinical picture of the disease is supported by test results, otherwise the therapy will be ineffective.”

Results and conclusions

Actovegin is used in pediatrics to treat diseases associated with insufficient oxygen supply to the brain. It is prescribed from the first days of life in case of congenital hypoxia, as well as in older childhood in case of cerebrovascular accidents. The drug eliminates symptoms of delayed mental and speech development, stimulates blood supply and metabolic processes in cells and tissues. The duration of treatment and dosage is determined by a neurologist.

Elizaveta Kobeleva

2017-09-15

baby

Cost and available analogues

Actovegin is included in the register of medicines, therefore it is permitted throughout Russia. You can buy it only by prescription, not only in large cities, but also in smaller ones. The price of Actovegin tablets ranges from 500 to 1200 rubles. The ampoules with the solution cost about the same. Ointment, gel and cream are a little harder to find. Their price starts from 100 rubles and can reach 200.

Medicine manufacturers have come up with many substitutes for Actovegin. They all have a similar composition, but slightly different characteristics. The most well-known and accessible analogues are:

• Cortexin;
• Cerebrolysin;
• Solcoseryl;
• Stizamet;
• Redecil.

Actovegin is a high-quality medicine that helps get rid of a large number of ailments. If you use it correctly and follow the dosage, you can avoid side effects and speed up the healing process.

Intravenous administration

Actovegin is administered intravenously by drip or stream.
It is very important that all manipulations are carried out under sterile conditions. It is forbidden to use a cloudy solution with signs of sediment.

The contents of the ampoule should be transparent, from colorless to light yellow.

Due to the possible development of anaphylactic reactions when using the drug, it is recommended to first test for sensitivity to the drug before intravenous administration.

The preparatory stage of administering the drug into a vein by any method is the same:

• Before the procedure, you need to prepare all the necessary materials and medications;
• Immediately before the manipulation, you need to wash your hands and treat them with an antiseptic.

Instructions for administering Actovegin intravenously:

• First, prepare the system and the injected solution;
• If a ready-made solution for infusion is used, it can be administered immediately. Otherwise, Actovegin is diluted with the solution specified by the doctor;
• The patient is placed horizontally and a tourniquet is applied 5 cm above the venipuncture. After this, they are asked to clench and unclench their fist several times to fill the vein;
• The puncture site is wiped with alcohol and the needle is inserted into the vein 1/3 of the way (before this, you need to release a few drops of the solution to make sure there is no air in the system);
• After blood appears in the tube, open the clamp on the system, remove the tourniquet and secure the needle with an adhesive plaster;
• Regulate the rate of drug administration and monitor its consistency. Intravenous drip administration of Actovegin should be carried out at a rate of 2 ml per minute;
• Stop the infusion at the moment when some liquid remains in the bottle. This is necessary to prevent air from entering the vein;
• During the procedure, you need to monitor the needle insertion site. If tissue swelling occurs, intravenous administration should be interrupted and resumed in another vein using a new sterile needle.

If the infusion of the drug will be carried out for several days in a row, then it is recommended to use special intravenous catheters, which eliminate the need for daily puncture of the vein.

Intravenous drip administration of Actovegin should only be carried out by medical professionals.

Struino Actovegin is administered intravenously in undiluted form:

• After the preparatory stage, the patient is laid horizontally or seated;
• The required amount of medicine is drawn into a syringe;
• A tourniquet is applied to the patient's arm. They ask a person to work with his fist to fill the vein with blood;
• The needle insertion site and the area of ​​the elbow are treated with cotton wool or a napkin moistened with alcohol;
• The needle is inserted into the vein 1/3 of the way, the tourniquet is removed and the drug is administered;
• After administration, a cotton swab moistened with alcohol is applied to the injection site and the patient is asked to bend his arm at the elbow until the bleeding stops.

According to patient reviews, this administration of the drug causes pain and discomfort. Therefore, it is better to choose infusion administration of the drug into the body.

Therapeutic and pharmacological action of the drug

Regardless of the form of release, the drug has the same active ingredient - a deproteinized hemoderivative obtained from blood taken from healthy calves that received milk nutrition. This substance is obtained by special purification from large protein molecules - this process is called deproteinization. After it, a medium-sized set of active calf blood molecules is formed, which, in turn, have the ability to “start” metabolism in almost any organ or tissue of the human body. The deproteinization process makes it possible to create a ratio of molecules of such a size that it becomes possible to avoid negative allergic reactions to the drug. Pharmacist-chemists were able to ensure that each milliliter of solution contained an equal amount of deproteinized hemoderivative, which was synthesized from the blood serum of dairy calves. All fractions have an equal mass of the active component and are capable of providing a therapeutic effect with the same and stable intensity for a wide variety of diseases and conditions.

In some instructions (depending on the form of release and time of packaging), the active component of the drug is called “Actovegin concentrate” - for brevity and in order not to scare off the patient who is uninitiated in the intricacies of pharmacology and chemistry. The drug has a number of contraindications; in rare cases, it is possible to develop some side effects (mainly neurological).

However, Actovegin (how to inject intramuscularly is described below) is most widely used in the treatment of neurological diseases. It successfully treats not only adults, but also children and adolescents. The drug is also used both as an independent remedy and as part of complex therapy in ophthalmology, cardiology, psychiatry, and dermatology.

Forecast

After Actovegin, a child begins to recover faster in the presence of traumatic brain injuries. It also reduces oxygen deficiency, accelerates the formation of thinking, improves memory and increases attention. In rare cases, children experience a local allergic reaction to Actovegin (urticaria, itching). In these cases, the medicine is either replaced with an analogue, or antihistamines are prescribed. The side effect of increased overall body temperature is also rare. If a negative effect of the medication Actovegin appears, it is canceled.

"Actovegin": analogues, price, reviews

The drug has certain substitutes, for example:

1. "Solcoseryl".
2. "Mexidol".
3. "Courantil".
4. "Semax".
5. "Cortexin".
6. "Cavinton".
7. "Omaron."
8. "Cerebrolysin".
9. "Piracetam."
10. "Trental."

Before replacing the original medicine with an analogue, you should consult a specialist.

The cost of the drug "Actovegin" varies from 500 to 1600 rubles.

Today there are many reviews about Actovegin injections, in which patients talk about their effectiveness in the treatment of various diseases. In certain situations, a significant improvement in the condition of neurological diseases was noted.

Some parents who used this medication for children, including infants, noted that it was difficult for their babies to tolerate intramuscular injections, as they were painful. Sometimes allergies occurred.

Feedback on Actovegin when women are in an interesting position is good. In them they talk about how, after courses of intravenous or intramuscular injections, they managed to give birth to a completely healthy baby, despite the threat of termination of pregnancy.

There are also reviews of Actovegin in tablet form. They are usually positive. Patients' opinions about the ointment and gel indicate that both dosage forms, as well as the cream, stimulate the healing process of wounds and ulcers. The drug is easy to use.

Diavitol

Generic local forms of Actovegin also include the Belarusian drug Diavitol, which is produced by the Dialek Unitary Enterprise. Its structure includes a deproteinized concentrate from the blood of cow embryos and the blood of young calves.

The drug must be used as a wound-healing drug for inflammatory lesions of the skin, as well as mucous cavities, and for trophic ulcers.

The medication is used for the following pathologies:

1. Diseases of the organs of vision that are accompanied by tissue hypoxia.
2. Diabetic retinopathy (one of the types of microangiopathy that develops against the background of long-term diabetes mellitus and affects the blood vessels of the retina).
3. Long-term non-healing wounds of the skin and mucous membranes, including ulcers of the mucous membrane of the organ of vision.
4. Trophic ulcers of various origins.
5. Bedsores (for prevention and treatment).
6. Radiation damage to the skin and mucous membranes.
7. The need for skin grafting.

The drug is contraindicated in case of individual intolerance to any substance.

Side effect:

1. Redness of the skin around the application site.
2. Itching.
3. Hyperthermic reaction (violation of thermoregulation, which appears due to the influence of environmental factors, or a violation of the internal mechanisms of heat production, as well as heat transfer).
4. Allergic reactions that require intensive treatment.
5. Pain in the gastrointestinal tract.
6. Nausea.
7. Vomiting.
8. Loose stools.
9. Shortness of breath (one of the adaptive functions of the body, which is characterized by a change in the frequency, as well as the rhythm and depth of breathing, usually accompanied by feelings of air deficiency).
10. Tachycardia (sharp increase in heart rate, a symptom of serious diseases).
11. Hypotension (a long-term pathological condition of the body, which is characterized by a decrease in blood pressure and various vegetative disorders, for example, a decrease in body temperature, as well as sweating of the feet and palms, pale skin).
12. Headache.
13. Dizziness.
14. Impaired consciousness.
15. Tremor (fast, rhythmic movements of the limbs, which are provoked by muscle contractions and are associated with a time delay of corrective afferent signals).
16. Paresthesia (sensitivity disorder, which is characterized by a sharply appearing burning sensation, as well as tingling and crawling).

Without a doubt, if any unpleasant sensations occur, you should stop administering the drug and begin symptomatic treatment.

Diavitol gel is applied to the wound surface with a glass rod, which is pre-treated with a 40% ethanol solution or boiling water. First, the wound surface is treated with a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide or a 0.1% aqueous solution of chlorhexidine digluconate. The course of treatment with the gel is fourteen days. It is advisable to use the drug before granulation appears.

If there is a threat of bedsores, the gel is rubbed into the skin in areas of increased danger. It can also be used on the skin between radiation treatments for preventative purposes.

Intramuscular injection solution is administered no more than five milligrams per day very slowly. In order to administer the drug into the venous bed, it should be diluted in a physiological solution of sodium chloride or glucose. The recommended concentration is from 20 to 50 milliliters of product per 250 ml of solution.

Dosage depends on the severity of the disease. As a rule, five or ten milliliters of medication are initially administered intravenously, and then daily intramuscular or intravenous injections of Diavitol are performed. It can be used several times a week.

In case of severe illness, intravenous drip infusions of the medication are administered daily. If the patient's condition is moderate, the solution is administered intravenously or intramuscularly for up to seventeen days. The duration of therapy is six weeks, the medicine is administered at the rate of 2.5 milligrams per day.

Active substance and mechanism of action

Actovegin, photo of ampoules for injections

The drug is a solution, tablets or local preparations that contain dry “deproteinized hemoderivative” of calf blood. This means literally; calf blood serum proteins. All proteins heavier than 5 kDa (kilodalton), which can cause immune reactions (anaphylactic shock, fever, allergies, etc.), have been removed from it.

Science believes that the lightest protein weighs about 6 kA, and therefore no proteins at all can pass into the finished product. However, manufacturers explain that before the first use of the drug, an intramuscular test must be performed to assess tolerability. And this is surprising: if almost all the proteins that induce an immune response are removed, then why is it needed?

However, the residue consists of an extremely large number of compounds, and even the properties of the residual low molecular weight plasma are not fully understood. For example, the mass of an average-sized amino acid molecule is 150. Yes (dalton), and “scraps” of protein 30 to 40 amino acid sequences long may well bypass this production filter. In any case, such a blood derivative, although devoid of most proteins, is still an incompletely studied, complex compound.

However, the company states that this drug:

• capable of activating metabolism in tissues (too general a concept);
• stimulates regeneration;
• helps improve trophism.

It is also impossible to classically study how a drug behaves in the body. After all, indicators such as half-life, association with plasma proteins, transformation in the liver, and other indicators of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics can be determined for specific molecules, for example, for acetylsalicylic acid. And “Actovegin”, being introduced into the blood, is immediately lost in it, since it contains practically the same thing that is present in human blood.

The developers claim that the drug fights hypoxia, normalizes acid-base balance, improves blood circulation, facilitates energy-consuming processes, and so on. But the criteria of evidence-based medicine are not applicable to this remedy.

Special instructions for use

In the instructions, the manufacturer of Actovegin did not indicate any special recommendations for taking the drug. For example, in case of diabetes mellitus, the patient must take the medicine under the supervision of a doctor, since this medicine can retain water, which is very harmful to the diabetic’s body.

In addition, Actovegin solution is classified as hypertonic, so its dosage should not exceed 5 ml per day.

There is also a risk of getting anaphylactic shock. To prevent this from happening, each patient must undergo preliminary testing for the body’s sensitivity to the components of the drug. The test is performed intramuscularly by injecting 2 ml of solution followed by monitoring the body's reaction.

Drug interactions

In one container (syringe, dropper), Actovegin injection solution cannot be mixed with other solutions. The exception is isotonic solutions of glucose or sodium chloride.

Is it possible to inject Combilipen at the same time as Actovegin? Yes, you can. There are no contraindications in this case; on the contrary, their combined use promotes a speedy recovery. Kombipilen contains a complex of B vitamins, it enhances the pharmacological effect of Actovegin.

There is no information on the interaction of the drug with other drugs.

Compatibility of the drug and alcohol

Most nootropic medications, including Actovegin, are incompatible with alcohol, as they place additional stress on the kidneys and liver.

In case of impaired renal and liver function

As mentioned earlier, the drug puts a lot of stress on vital organs - the liver and kidneys. Therefore, for the treatment of neuralgic or other diseases, it is necessary to use analogue drugs whose effects on organs are not so pronounced.

Actovegin is contraindicated for anuria and oliguria.

During pregnancy and lactation

Actovegin should not be taken by pregnant and lactating women, as this may negatively affect her hormonal levels.

The drug during pregnancy and lactation is prescribed exclusively for health reasons.

Treatment of children

The instructions for the drug do not say that Actovegin can be used to treat children. However, neurologists often prescribe this remedy even to infants who are barely two weeks old. In this case, the drug is used specifically in injections, because this makes it easier to determine the correct dosage.

Actovegin is prescribed to children if they have impaired cerebral circulation or mental retardation due to prenatal hypoxia or injuries received during delivery. The doctor prescribes treatment with this drug if he notices that the baby is twitching his neck, periodically he has convulsions and tics, and if you put him on his feet, he leans on his toes. In older children, this is expressed in delayed mental, physical, speech development, and increased excitability.

For each child’s age (up to 6 years), the dosage is calculated individually:

• children from one to three years old - 0.5 ml of solution per 1 kg of weight per day;
• children from 3 to 6 years old - 0.2-0.4 ml per 1 kg of body weight per day.

Actovegin injections are given intravenously or intramuscularly. To ensure that the injection is not painful for the child, it is recommended to dilute the drug with Novocaine in the ratio of 2 ml of Actovegin per 1.5 ml of 0.5 percent solution.

The drug has several analogues of similar action (“Curantil”, “Solcoseryl”, “Mexidol”, “Cerebrolysin”), the cost of which is lower than the price of the original. However, Actovegin is the most effective remedy for treating serious skin lesions and cerebrovascular accidents.

Conditions for dispensing from pharmacies

Actovegin is sold only by prescription.