If, for some reason, very little oxygen is supplied to the child's brain, this can lead to serious disorders that can even leave a mark on the child's life. To eliminate this problem, drugs are often used that are called antioxidants and antihypoxants. One of them is Mexidol.
This remedy is often prescribed by neurologists for adult patients with acute circulatory disorders in the brain tissues and various problems with speech, memory and other functions, which led to atherosclerosis.
With regard to the use in children, among the contraindications for the use of "Mexidol" can be seen in children's age, but in some cases this medication is still prescribed to the child.
Release form
"Mexidol" is produced in two dosage forms.
- One of them is pills, which have a convex round shape and a dense cream-white shell. One pack contains 10-50 of these tablets, packaged in blisters of ten pieces.
- The second form of the drug is injection... These are glass ampoules, inside of which there are 2 or 5 ml of a transparent sterile solution that has no color or has a yellowish tint. One box contains from 10 to 100 ampoules.
In the form of syrup, capsules, drops and other forms "Mexidol" is not available.
Composition
The active ingredient in both forms of "Mexidol" is called ethylmethylhydroxypyridine succinate. Its amount in one coated tablet is 125 mg, and the content in solution for injections is 50 mg per milliliter.
In the manufacture of a solid form, povidone, milk sugar and magnesium stearate are added to such a substance, and the drug shell is made from macrogol, titanium dioxide, lactose, hypromellose and triacetin. In the injectable form, the auxiliary ingredients are water for injection and sodium metabisulfite.
Operating principle
The main component of "Mexidol" is noted for its ability to influence cell membranes and protect them from harmful effects, which is especially important for the tissues of the nervous system. This drug has several properties.
- It increases the activity of an enzyme called superoxide dismutase and inhibits lipid oxidation. This helps to suppress free radical processes, that is, to protect cells from reactive oxygen species. It is this action that is called antioxidant.
- The drug is referred to as membrane protectors, because under its influence the cell membranes become more fluid and viscous, their structure is stabilized. This has a positive effect on the functioning of cells, promotes the transmission of nerve impulses and improves blood flow.
- Under the influence of "Mexidol", the cells of the brain and other organs become more resistant to various damaging factors, including not only hypoxia and circulatory disorders, but also intoxication with drugs or alcohol.
- The active substance of the drug has a positive effect on mental functions (this action is called nootropic), associated with the effect on metabolic processes and blood circulation in the brain. The use of "Mexidol" improves memory, mental activity, learning and so on.
- The medication can also reduce anxiety (this effect is called anxiolytic) and help manage stress. After taking "Mexidol", behavior and sleep are normalized, and the effects of exposure to stress factors are smoothed out.
Indications
The reason to prescribe "Mexidol" may be:
- traumatic brain injury or its consequences;
- dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system;
- encephalopathy, which was caused by various factors;
- anxiety and fears in neurosis-like states and neuroses;
- overdose of drugs that affect the functioning of the central nervous system;
- severe stress;
- asthenic condition;
- open-angle glaucoma;
- acute purulent inflammation in the abdominal cavity (the drug is included in the complex of therapy).
Are children prescribed?
It was already mentioned above that children's age is included in the contraindications for the appointment of both forms of "Mexidol". This is due to insufficient study of the effect of the active substance of tablets and solution on a growing organism. In practice, however, neurologists often take responsibility and prescribe this medication for young patients.
According to their reviews, the use of "Mexidol" in injections, and then orally, accelerates recovery in case of brain damage during head injuries or neuroinfections. At the same time, the risk of long-term negative consequences, for example, decreased attention, hyperactivity or increased aggressiveness, is reduced during treatment with Mexidol.
The antihypoxic effect of the drug is the reason for its use even in newborns who have suffered a lack of oxygen in utero or during childbirth. According to doctors, thanks to "Mexidol" it is possible to avoid the appearance of cerebral syndrome, developmental problems (RRP) and other consequences of the negative effect of hypoxia on the central nervous system.
At the same time, it is permissible to use "Mexidol" in children only as directed by a doctor. The famous pediatrician E.O. Komarovsky also focuses on this.
In a children's form, this medication is not available, and the dosage should be selected strictly individually. It is prohibited to give pills to children for preventive purposes (for example, to improve memory and attention in adolescents) without a doctor's prescription.
Contraindications
Both types of "Mexidol" are not used if the patient is diagnosed with hypersensitivity to such a drug, acute renal failure or severe liver dysfunction.
In case of other serious pathologies, the question of using this drug is decided by the attending physician.
Side effects
An allergic reaction may occur to both the injection solution and the tablet form. In addition, sometimes "Mexidol" badly affects the patient's digestive tract, for example, causes diarrhea, stomach discomfort, heartburn and other symptoms of dyspepsia.
Application
According to the instructions, the scheme for the use of "Mexidol" for children is selected for each small patient separately. When using pills, the dose of the drug is usually gradually increased, and at the end of the prescribed course, it is gradually reduced (in 2-3 days).
Injectable "Meksidol", depending on the indications and age, can be injected into a vein slowly in a stream or through a dropper, as well as intramuscularly. Most often, treatment begins with intravenous injections, and then the patient is transferred to intramuscular injections or oral administration of the drug.
Terms of sale and storage
Both forms of medication are only sold with a doctor's prescription. The average price of 30 tablets is 250-290 rubles, and for 20 ampoules of 5 ml you need to pay about 1600 rubles.
It is recommended to store the drug at temperatures up to +25 degrees, placing the package in a dry place. Shelf life of "Mexidol" is 3 years.
Reviews and analogues
There are many good reviews about the use of the drug from doctors and parents, in which "Mexidol" is called an effective remedy that has a positive effect on the brain. Among the advantages of the drug, a minimum of contraindications and rare side effects are noted. Its disadvantages include little knowledge of the effect on the child's body, a fairly high price and the risk of allergies.
If it is necessary to replace “Mexidol” with another medicine, the doctor may prescribe an analogue for the active substance, for example, “Mexicor”, “Neurox”, “Mexiprim”, “Cerecard” or “Medomeksi”. Among them there are both solutions for injections and tablets and capsules. All these drugs act in the same way as "Mexidol", and the contraindications to them indicate the age of up to 18 years, therefore it is permissible to use them in children only under the supervision of a specialist.
Drugs with similar effects on brain tissue can also be used instead of these drugs.
- "Cortexin"... This solution for injection contains low molecular weight proteins that can stimulate the brain and protect nerve cells from damage. The remedy is often prescribed to children for the treatment of encephalopathy, ZRR, epilepsy, encephalitis and other diseases. It can even be used in newborns.
- "Gliatilin"... The effect of such a solution and capsules on brain cells is provided by choline alfoscerate, which improves metabolic processes and conduction of nerve impulses. The medication is used for nervous tics, birth injuries of the central nervous system, developmental delay, and so on. Such a nootropic agent is prescribed to patients of any age.
- Actovegin. Made from calf blood, this medication is available in injections, tablets, and topical treatments. Under its action, brain cells absorb oxygen and glucose better. The medication is used in children of any age, but only if there are serious indications.
- Cerebrolysin. Such a nootropic agent is represented only by a solution for injections containing low molecular weight peptides. They affect energy metabolism and protein synthesis in neurons, and also protect them from harmful factors. The drug is prescribed even to infants, for example, with brain injuries during childbirth, cerebral palsy or mental retardation.
- Elkar. The basis of such a solution, permitted from birth, is levocarnitine. The medicine is used in neurology if a child has suffered a brain injury and is gaining weight poorly, as well as with developmental delay, reduced muscle tone and significant stress.
- "Kudesan". Such a solution, prescribed to children over 1 year old, contains ubiquinone (coenzyme Q10), therefore it affects cellular respiration and other metabolic processes in cells. The additive is in demand for VSD, asthenia, encephalopathy, high loads and other indications. For adolescents 14-16 years old and adults, the drug "Kudesan Forte" is separately produced in the form of a solution and tablets, which also contains vitamin E.
You will learn more about the action of the drug "Mexidol" in the following video.
