Generic
Vinpocetine
17 brands available in the market
At a glance
Vinpocetine is a prescription medicine used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, stroke and memory loss in Parkinson's disease. It can also be used to treat age related memory loss and head injury.
Description
Vinpocetine is derived from vincamine. It increases cerebral circulation and utilisation of oxygen and is used in a variety of cerebral disorders. Shown to inhibit cGMP phosphodiesterase that may result in increased cerebral blood flow.
Indications
- Alzheimer's disease
- Stroke
- Dementia in Parkinson's disease
- Age related memory loss
- Head injury
- Cerebral arteriosclerosis
- Multi-infarct dementia
- Hypertensive encephalopathy
- Visual disorder
- Hearing disorder
Therapeutic class
Cerebral vasodilator & Neurosensory oxygenator drugs
Pharmacological class
Cerebral Vasodilator
Pharmacology
Vinpocetine increases cerebral metabolism; it increases glucose and O2 consumption; improves cerebral hypoxia tolerance; shifts glucose metabolism to the energetically more favourable aerobic pathway; it elevates the ATP concentration and the ATP/AMP ratio in the brain, and elevates the cerebral norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin levels.
Mechanism of action
Increases cerebral blood flow and inhibits voltage-dependent neuronal sodium channels, enhancing intracellular cGMP levels.
Dosage
Adult Dose (Oral):
- Tablet: 1-2 tablets thrice daily; maintenance dose is 1 tablet thrice daily
Adult Dose (IM):
- Daily dose of 20-40 mg until improvement of symptoms (for not longer than 10 days), then oral treatment
Adult Dose (IV Infusion):
- Daily starting dose is 20 mg in slow drip infusion (2 ampoules in 500-1000 ml infusion solution); can be increased to 1 mg/kg body weight during 3 to 4 days; continue for 10-14 days
Administration
- May be taken with or without food
- Swallow whole; do not chew, crush or break
- Take at the same time each day
Missed dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember; if almost time for next dose, skip it; do not double the dose.
Side effects
Common Side Effects:
- Dizziness
- Dryness in mouth
- Flushing
- Headache
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Nervousness
- Transient hypotension
- Tachycardia
Precautions & warnings
- Unknown if alters ability to drive; caution advised
- Take with food or as suggested by your doctor
- May make you feel dizzy; do not drive or do anything requiring mental focus
- Avoid alcohol; may cause increased dizziness
- Inform doctor if you suffer from any bleeding or heart disorder, hypertension or are taking anticoagulant medications
- Consult doctor if pregnant or breastfeeding
Contraindications
- Severe ischaemic heart disease (parenteral treatment)
- Severe rhythm disorders (parenteral treatment)
- Pregnancy
- Lactation
Drug interactions
- Warfarin: possible decrease in anticoagulation effect
- Heparin: chemically incompatible; do not inject in the same syringe
Food interactions
It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Vinpocetine; consult your doctor.
Use in pregnancy
Use in Pregnancy: Information not available; consult your doctor. Contraindicated in pregnancy.
Pregnancy Category: C — always consult a doctor before taking during pregnancy.
Use in lactation
Use in Lactation: Information not available; consult your doctor. Contraindicated in lactation.
Pediatric use
Safety and efficacy not established in children
Geriatric use
Safe for elderly
Renal / hepatic impairment
Renal Impairment: Limited information; consult your doctor
Hepatic Impairment: Limited information; consult your doctor
Overdose effects
Symptoms: Transient hypotension, tachycardia.
Treatment: Supportive care.
Storage conditions
Store in a cool and dry place, protected from light and moisture.