Nootropic drugs have a positive effect on the state of the nervous system and are often prescribed for neurological pathologies. One of these tools is Pantogam. When is it prescribed to children, in what dosages is it prescribed, how long is it given in childhood and what analogs are it replaced with?
Release form
The drug is produced in two versions:
- Syrup. It is a thin, clear liquid with a cherry scent, packed in 100 ml glass bottles. The bottle comes with a plastic spoon that holds 5 ml of syrup and has divisions for 1.25 ml and 2.5 ml.
- Pills. They are flat and round, white, and at risk. One blister contains 10 tablets, and one package contains 50 pieces.
Composition
Both forms of the drug contain hopantenic acid as the main component. This acid is presented in Pantogam in the form of calcium hopantenate. It was this compound that was patented and called "pantogam". One milliliter of syrup contains it in the amount of 100 mg, and one tablet - in a dose of 250 mg or 500 mg.
In addition to calcium hopantenate, the syrup contains sorbitol, glycerin, sodium benzoate, aspartame, purified water, citric acid, and cherry flavor. Solid excipients are represented by magnesium hydroxycarbonate, talc, calcium stearate and methylcellulose.
Operating principle
Pantogam has a nootropic effect, since calcium hopantenate protects neurons from harmful factors such as toxic substances or lack of oxygen. The use of the drug has a positive effect on metabolic processes in the brain cells, as a result of which the drug improves performance and normalizes the excitability of brain tissue.
Pantogam also possesses some anticonvulsant effect, what is used in the treatment of epilepsy.
In addition, it was noted that treatment with such a nootropic suppresses the gallbladder reflex (if it is pathologically increased) and lowers the tone of the detrusor of the bladder.
Both syrup and tablets are absorbed in the digestive system very quickly, after which hopantenic acid is transferred to the cells of the brain, kidneys, skin and others. This substance is not metabolized in the body and is completely excreted unchanged in about 48 hours. In this case, 1/3 of the drug passes into the feces, and most of the drug leaves the body with urine.
Indications
The medication is prescribed for:
- mental retardation;
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder;
- stuttering;
- nervous tics;
- epilepsy;
- Cerebral palsy;
- neurological disorders of urination;
- developmental delay;
- reduced performance;
- schizophrenia;
- concussion;
- extrapyramidal disorders;
- perinatal brain damage;
- enuresis;
- mental overload;
- problems memorizing new material;
- traumatic brain injury;
- cognitive impairment caused by neuroinfection;
- brain lesions by toxic compounds.
At what age is it allowed?
Pantogam in syrup has no age restrictions and can be prescribed for infants, preschoolers, and school-age children. The medication in tablets is not used in patients under 3 years of age. If the child is not yet three years old, he can only be given liquid Pantogam.
In the case when the patient is older than 3 years, but it is difficult for him to swallow solid medicine, syrup is also used.
Contraindications
Both forms of Pantogam are not assigned:
- In case of intolerance to any of the components of the selected medicine.
- With serious kidney pathologies.
Syrup should also not be given for phenylketonuria, because one of its ingredients is aspartame.
Side effects
While taking Pantogam, negative symptoms from the nervous system may appear, for example, insomnia, restlessness, headache, noise in the head. Some children, on the other hand, become lethargic, lethargic, drowsy. Most often, when these side effects are detected, the dosage is lowered and the unwanted reaction disappears.
Sometimes, during treatment with Pantogam, such a syrup or tablet occurs allergic reaction. If, after the first application or several doses, the child's conjunctiva becomes inflamed, a skin rash, a runny nose or another symptom of allergy appears, the medication must be canceled.
Using
Instructions for use recommend taking syrup or Pantogam tablets only after meals. According to the annotation, the medicine is best drunk 15-30 minutes after the child has had breakfast or lunch. Reception later than 5 pm is not recommendedas it can affect the child's activity in the evening and disrupt his sleep.
The syrup is dispensed using a spoon that the manufacturer attaches to the bottle. You can also use a syringe that does not have a needle to measure milliliters of liquid Pantogam.
It is not necessary to dilute the drug, but sometimes it is easier for a child to swallow a syrup to which a little pure water has been added. The tablets are swallowed and washed down with water.
Pantogam is usually prescribed for a long time. The minimum duration of the course of treatment is 1 month. Most often, the drug is prescribed for a period of 30-60 days, but some children are given the medicine longer (up to 6 months, and sometimes up to a year). If you need to repeat the course, it is recommended to do this, at least 1-3 months after the completion of the previous therapy.
In the treatment with Pantogam is used special reception scheme. The first days the drug is given in the lowest dose and gradually in 7-12 days it is increased to the maximum dosage, which is prescribed for a certain pathology. Taking such a high dose continues, depending on the duration of treatment, from 15 days (for a course lasting 1 month) to 40 days (if the drug is prescribed for 60 days). Further, the amount of medicine is gradually reduced. It takes 7-8 days to reduce the dosage until Pantogam is completely canceled.
The single and daily dose of the medication is influenced by the child's age and diagnosis. The average single dosage of syrup is 2.5-5 ml, and tablets - 0.25-0.5 g. The syrup is prescribed to children in an amount of 5 to 30 ml per day, and the solid form is from 0.75 to 3 g. More accurate determination of the required dose of medication is the task of the treating person. doctor.
Overdose
If by chance the dosage of Pantogam is exceeded, then one can expect an increase in the side reactions of such a drug from the nervous system. These are lethargy, noise in the head, drowsiness, nervous excitement and other symptoms. If they appear due to an overdose, it is recommended to rinse the stomach, give the child activated charcoal and, if necessary, prescribe other symptomatic drugs.
Combination with other medicines
Manufacturers indicate the following:
- Pantogam is often prescribed together with anticonvulsant drugs, as it enhances their therapeutic effect and at the same time reduces the severity of their side effects.
- The same interaction is noted in Pantogam and barbiturates.
- If you prescribe syrup or tablets together with "Glycine", the effect of using Pantogam will increase.
- The use of the drug simultaneously with other nootropics or stimulants of the central nervous system should be monitored by a doctor in order to prevent unnecessary stimulatory effects.
- When taken together with antipsychotics or after treatment with such drugs, Pantogam prevents their side effects or eliminates the adverse effects from taking them.
- Pantogam can be combined with Magne B6. This combination of drugs is used for RRD, tics, ADHD and other problems.
- Pantogam is also noted for the ability to enhance the effect of the use of local anesthetics.
Terms of sale
Both forms of Pantogam are sold in pharmacies with a prescription, which should be obtained from a neurologist, pediatrician, or other specialist before purchasing. The price of a package of 250 mg tablets and a bottle of syrup averages 370-400 rubles, and the cost of 500 mg tablets is in the range of 600-700 rubles.
Storage conditions
It is advised to keep the tablet form of the medicine in a dry place where the temperature does not rise above 25 degrees Celsius. It should also be hidden from children. Such a place is also suitable for storing a sealed bottle of syrup. If the bottle is opened, it should be kept in the refrigerator.
The shelf life of Pantogam differs, depending on the dosage form:
- Unopened syrup is stored for 2 years from the date of manufacture.
- 250 mg tablets are stored for up to 4 years.
- Tablets with a dosage of 500 mg are stored for 3 years from the date of issue.
From the moment the syrup is opened, it can be used for only 1 month. If more time has passed after the first use, the medicine must be discarded, even if it still remains in the bottle.
Reviews
On the use of Pantogam in children for nervous tics, speech retardation, ADHD, enuresis and other problems, there are mostly good reviews from parents. According to them, taking the medication has a positive effect on memory and attention, reduces fatigue, and eliminates the consequences of the harmful effects of various factors on the central nervous system. The tablets are called a convenient form for schoolchildren, but are often chosen for younger children (3-6 years old), because they are free of aspartame and flavor
Among the pluses of syrup, they note it safety for children of any age, even for newborns, as well as a liquid form (it is easy to swallow), however, many mothers consider the packaging of such a Pantogam uncomfortable. According to them, the neck of the bottle is very wide (the medicine is easy to pour), and it is difficult to dose the syrup with a spoon (marks are hard to see, and small children are sometimes prescribed a dose less). To eliminate such shortcomings, parents often use a plastic syringe from some antipyretic drug to set the medicine.
The disadvantages of syrup are considered a very sweet taste, the need for storage in the refrigerator and a short shelf life after opening. Mom's tolerance to Pantogam is called good, although negative side effects are still sometimes encountered, especially if the medicine is given in the evening. Also, some children had allergies, which is why the treatment had to be stopped.
Doctors speak of Pantogama differently. Most of the reviews of neuropathologists about such a remedy are positive, since they note a good effect when prescribing such a medicine for children with brain injuries, delayed speech development, nervous tics, memory impairment and other problems.
But there are also many doctors who consider nootropic drugs, although harmless, but useless. These include the popular doctor Komarovsky, who claims that the positive effect of Pantogam has not been proven.
Analogs
Instead of Pantogam, you can give the child "Pantocalcin", since this drug also contains hopantenic acid and is in demand for the same indications. However, it is available only in tablets, therefore it is allowed from the age of three, like the tablets Pantogam. You cannot replace syrup with this analogue.
Another drug from the group of nootropics can also become a replacement for Pantogam. The doctor may prescribe:
- "Encephabol". This medicine is used for mental retardation, head injuries, encephalopathies and other pathologies of the nervous system. In the form of a suspension, it can be given from the third day after birth, and tablets are prescribed from the age of 7.
- "Glycine"... This medicine in the form of sweet-tasting tablets is used from birth. They should be absorbed under the tongue. The drug is in demand for normalizing sleep, stimulating the brain, protecting the central nervous system from overload and stress.
- "Cogitum". Such a banana-flavored solution containing acetylamino-succinic acid is given to the child to drink with neuroses, developmental delay, intracranial injuries and other diseases. It is allowed to use it from 7 years old, but sometimes doctors prescribe such ampoules for younger patients.
- "Anvifen"... These capsules based on aminophenylbutyric acid are used in children with insomnia, stuttering, enuresis, asthenia and other neurological problems. They are prescribed from the age of 3. The analogues of this drug are Phenibut and Noofen.
- "Cortexin"... This medicine helps to cure many neurological pathologies and has a beneficial effect on the brain. It is presented in ampoules (the medication is injected intramuscularly) and is prescribed at any age, even with prematurity.
- "Aminalon". The composition of such tablets includes GABA, therefore they are prescribed for brain injuries, depression, motion sickness, cerebral palsy and other neurological diagnoses. Children are given them from 1 year old.
