Which vasodilator drugs for the brain are better and more effective?

Vascular disorders are common pathologies that have the most negative effects on the functions of the brain and other vital organs. To restore normal blood circulation, patients are prescribed vasodilator preparations for the brain. Such medications normalize metabolic processes, stimulate the supply of oxygen to tissues and prevent the development of dangerous diseases that can lead to disability or death.

In pharmacology, vasodilators are represented by an extensive group of drugs. Each drug has its own characteristics and has a certain effect aimed at improving the state of the vessels of the brain. Many of them are used as part of complex therapy of a variety of vascular pathologies, prescribed for hypertension, migraines, to increase concentration and memory improvement. Given the wide range of indications for use and the wide variety of vasodilators, the administration of this group should be carried out by a specialist and only after the diagnosis in accordance with the individual characteristics of the patient.

Vascular pathology: anxiety signs

The first symptoms of vascular disorders patients often write off for malaise, fatigue, weather anomalies, stress and other causes. However, the neglect of anxiety signs often leads to severe consequences. Therefore, it is necessary to seek medical help as soon as possible if the following symptoms appear:

• frequent attacks of headache;
• general weakness, dizziness;
• deterioration of concentration, difficulties with memorization and assimilation of information;
• numbness of the limbs;
• increased fatigue;
• impaired coordination of movements, unsteadiness of gait;
• blood pressure jumps;
• insomnia;
• drowsiness during the day;
• syncope;
• degradation of performance.

The impetus for the development of vascular disorders can become a variety of conditions. A huge role is played by the stress factor, neuroses, depression, bad habits( smoking, alcohol).Pathological changes in the vessels develop with cardiovascular diseases, migraine, atherosclerosis or osteochondrosis. Find out the cause of this condition can only be after a full-fledged examination, according to which the doctor - neurologist will select a comprehensive treatment.

The principle of the action of vasodilator drugs

The mechanism of action of this category of drugs is aimed at normalizing the blood circulation of the brain, strengthening and relaxing spasmodic vessels. The purpose of such medicines has several purposes: improving the circulation of blood in small and large vessels of the brain;ensuring saturation of cells with oxygen and nutrients necessary for full-fledged brain activity. Preparations eliminate oxygen starvation and thereby prevent cell death, stabilize venous outflow and normalize metabolic processes, improve blood circulation in cervical osteochondrosis, restore energy exchange in neurons of brain cells and relieve vasospasm.

List of vasodilator preparations for the brain

Drugs with an expanding effect can be divided into several groups:

Calcium channel blockers( calcium antagonists)

Drugs of this group relax the arteries, but do not change the tone of the veins. As a result of the expansion of the arterial bed, blood, saturated with oxygen, enters the brain tissues, speeding up metabolism and improving its activity. In addition, such drugs block the ability of calcium to enter the brain cells. Such medications are recommended for patients with severe atherosclerotic vessel changes.

Calcium channel antagonists can also be divided into first and second generation drugs. Preparations of the 1st generation differ in a short therapeutic effect, so they must be taken three times a day. They are derivatives of benzodiazepine, dihydropyridine and phenylalkylamine. The most effective among these drugs are the following:

• Diltiazem;
• Diazepam;
• Corinfar;
• Nifedipine;
• Isoptin;
• Cordypin;
• Verapamil;
• Finoptin, etc.

Second-generation medicines exhibit fewer adverse reactions and have a prolonged effect. Due to the ability to reduce blood pressure, their use is often advisable in the complex therapy of hypertension. Most of the medicines of this group additionally exhibit a nootropic effect, that is, in addition to the expansion and relaxation of spasmodic vessels, they have a positive effect on metabolic processes in the brain, accelerate mental activity, help preserve memory and concentration. The brightest representatives of this group are the following medicines:

• Lomir;
• Anipamil;
• Plandil;
• Clentiazem;
• Isradipine;
• Reopyrin, etc.

It is necessary to prescribe such medications, it is unacceptable to take self-medication, as the risk of development of dangerous side reactions connected with cardiac muscle disruption is great.

Vasodilators

This group of medications is represented by nicotinic acid derivatives. Medicines have a pronounced vasolyte( expanding) effect on the capillaries and large vessels. Such drugs have a positive effect on blood composition, normalize cholesterol and reduce the risk of blood clots. Representatives of this group:

• Nicotinic acid;
• Enduratin;
• Nikoshpan.

These drugs have a long list of contraindications, so their use, as a rule, is carried out in a hospital under the supervision of a doctor.

Another known drug of this group is Pentoxifylline. He has quite a lot of analogs with spasmolytic effect, the most famous of them are Papaverin, Drotaverin.

Xanthan derivatives

Representatives of the xanthan group have a moderate vasodilator effect, restore elasticity of the vessels, relieve spasm and help reduce blood viscosity, thereby activating blood circulation and providing a sufficient level of saturation of the brain tissues with oxygen. Even small doses of medicines help to relieve fatigue, get rid of drowsiness and improve mental processes. Representatives of the xanthan group:

• Trental;
• Eufillin;
• Diprofylline;
• Xanthinal nicotinate, etc.

Many of these drugs are also used in the complex treatment of other vascular pathologies.

Drugs with nootropic effect

This is a large group of drugs that, in addition to normalizing cerebral circulation, stimulating memory and mental activity, protect the brain from various adverse factors. Indications for their use are mainly degenerative changes in the brain tissues, hypoxia, atherosclerosis, the consequences of trauma, migraine.

The use of nootropics positively affects the metabolism of the brain. Drug medications of this group have vasovegetative, psychostimulating, antidepressant and adaptogenic action. In pediatrics, these remedies are used for memory, speech, attention deficit, mental retardation and other pathologies.

The most popular nootropics are new generation drugs. They exhibit a directed therapeutic effect, that is, there is an expansion of the arterial lumen of the cerebral vessels, without significantly affecting other vessels. Such remedies restore the functions of the brain and improve the functioning of the cardiovascular and nervous system as a whole, which helps prevent the development of serious complications that are life-threatening( heart attack, stroke).These include medicines such as Phenotropil, Cebrasetam, Oxiratsetam.

In addition to the new generation nootropics, there are other medicines of this group that have been on the pharmaceutical market for more than a decade, which are still popular:

• Piracetam;
• Actovegin;
• Cerebrolysin;
• Cinnarizine;

Drugs with a nootropic effect are well tolerated, have a minimum of contraindications, but they should be taken only after consultation with a neurologist.

Alpha - adrenoblockers

An extensive group of drugs that directly affect the nervous system and the work of the brain due to vasodilating and hypotensive properties. Such drugs normalize blood pressure, improve brain function and reduce nervous tension. Representatives of the group of alpha - adrenoblockers:

• Ditamin;
• Dihydroergotamine;
• DG-Ergotoxin;
• Alfuzonin.

Most representatives of this group have a short-term effect, so the tablets have to be taken 2 to 3 times a day.

Phytomedication

Vegetable preparations have a good curative and prophylactic effect on the vessels. Active component of drugs are vinca alkaloids or extract from ginkgo biloba. Vegetable alkaloids show a pronounced spasmolytic effect, improve metabolic processes, relax the vessels of the brain, contribute to the saturation of tissues with oxygen and nutrients. Vinca preparations are:

• Cavinton;
• Vinpocetine;
• Bravinton;
• Teletext.

Taking medications based on ginkgo biloba has a vasodilating effect, activates brain activity, improves blood microcirculation, relieves spasm of cerebral vessels. Drugs of this group:

• Bilobil;
• Tanakan;
• Ginkor Fort;
• Gingium

Some of these drugs are referred to as dietary supplements, they are dispensed without a doctor's prescription. Nevertheless, any drug has a number of contraindications, so a doctor's consultation is necessary.

The best vasodilator preparations

Let us dwell in more detail on the properties of the most popular vasodilator drugs, representing different groups.

Piracetam .Nootropic drug, widely used for vascular disorders. Eliminates hypoxia, improves metabolic processes in the brain tissues. It is used for disorders of brain activity, memory loss, dizziness, encephalopathy. As part of complex treatment is prescribed in the treatment of angina pectoris, atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction. The drug is released in tablets and solution for injection.

The course of treatment is long, takes from 2 weeks to one and a half months. The standard adult dose is 2 piracetam tablets twice a day. The drug is contraindicated in early childhood( up to 12 months), during pregnancy and lactation, with kidney disease, hemorrhagic stroke. May cause a number of adverse reactions( drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, abdominal pain, lowering blood pressure).The average cost of the medicine is from 30 to 65 rubles.

Eufillin .The drug with a powerful vasodilator and spasmolytic effect, which is used not only in vascular pathologies, but also in the treatment of many diseases: migraine, heart failure, angina pectoris, bronchial asthma, hypertensive crises. The doctor selects the medication dose individually. Contraindications to the use of Euphyllin are epilepsy, peptic ulcer, severe arterial hypo - or hypertension, tachyarrhythmias.

The drug may cause side effects from the digestive, nervous, cardiovascular system, allergic reactions. Eufillin is available in the form of tablets and a solution for injections, its price varies from 15 to 55 rubles, depending on the form of release.

Cinnarizine is a nootropic agent with a sensitizing action aimed at expanding arteries and small capillaries, improving blood circulation and eliminating hypoxia in the brain tissues. It is used for migraine, manifestations of vegetative-vascular dystonia, hypertension. Produced in the form of tablets, other forms of release does not.

The drug is prescribed for adults and children, its reception improves attention, normalizes sleep, eliminates dizziness and headaches. With a minimum of contraindications, the medication is still capable of provoking a number of adverse reactions from various body systems, so take the medicine only as directed by the doctor. The price of Cinnarizine is from 45 to 65 rubles.

Vinpocetine is a drug with a neurometabolic effect that improves blood microcirculation and dilates the vessels of the brain. Its use makes it possible to improve the supply of brain tissues with oxygen, normalize blood pressure, provide antioxidant and neuroprotective effects. Vinpocetine is prescribed for violations of cerebral circulation, atherosclerosis, craniocerebral trauma, encephalopathy.

Contraindications for the drug a little: it is individual sensitivity, pregnancy, intracranial pressure and ischemic disease. The medication is released in the form of tablets and a solution for intravenous administration. The treatment regimen is based on the use of Vinpocetine injections for 2 weeks, after which the patient proceeds to taking the drug in the form of tablets. The price of Vinpocetin is from 80 to 150 rubles.

Papaverin .Medication with pronounced spasmolytic and vasodilating action. It is used for spasm of cerebral and peripheral vessels, as well as for a number of other diseases of the cardiovascular system, the respiratory system, spasms of the bile excretory and urinary tract. The drug is released in the form of tablets, rectal suppositories and ampoules for injections. The cost of papaverine in tablets is from 40 rubles.

Pentoxifylline is a drug with a vasodilating and relaxing action aimed at restoring normal blood flow, eliminating hypoxia in the brain tissues, diluting the blood. Produced in the form of tablets and injection solutions. Contraindication to use is hypersensitivity, hemorrhage in the retina of the eye, myocardial infarction, hemorrhagic stroke.

Side effects can provoke swelling, bleeding, allergic reactions, neurological disorders, decreased visual acuity, impaired liver function. The cost of the drug depends on the form of release and the manufacturer and is from 50 to 280 rubles.

Cavinton - improves blood circulation and metabolic processes in the brain. Due to the expansion of blood vessels it is possible to activate blood flow, provide the brain with oxygen and eliminate vascular disorders. Indications for use are atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels, vascular dementia, encephalopathy, headaches, dizziness, motor disorders, memory problems.

The drug can be used as part of complex therapy for chronic diseases of the retina of the eye or for hearing impairments. Cavinton is produced in ampoules and tablets. There are few contraindications to the drug, but there is a risk of adverse reactions from the digestive, cardiovascular and nervous system. The average cost of the drug is from 250 to 350 rubles.

Important! Remember, drugs with vasodilator action should be prescribed by a doctor. Many of them have a pronounced hypotensive effect, have contraindications and a rather impressive list of side effects. Therefore, a specialist should decide whether to choose a particular medication, depending on the clinical picture of the disease, the severity of the symptoms and the general condition of the patient.

Vasodilator preparations for the brain with osteochondrosis

In osteochondrosis of the cervical region, the blood supply to the brain is impaired, as spinal artery spasm occurs. As a result, there are symptoms such as constant fatigue, headaches, dizziness, nausea, impaired coordination of movements. Complex treatment of osteochondrosis includes the use of medications, physiotherapy sessions, therapeutic gymnastics.

The treatment regimen for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine necessarily includes preparations with vasodilating action that help improve the cerebral circulation. Most often used medicines, such as:

• Vinpocetine;
• Cavinton;
• Pyracetam;
• Eufillin;
• Berlition;
• Pentoxifylline;
• Xanthinal nicotinate.

The main task for osteochondrosis is the restoration of blood circulation, elimination of hypoxia of brain cells, improvement of metabolic processes and passage of nerve impulses. Osteochondrosis refers to complex neurological diseases, so the choice of certain drugs and the optimal treatment scheme is assigned to a neurologist. The patient should comply with all the recommendations of a specialist, so as not to aggravate the course of the disease and not to provoke unwanted complications.

Reviews

Review No.1

I have a responsible and nervous job related to daily communication with people. Therefore, recently, headaches began to occur more often, then I began to notice that I can not concentrate, became scattered, there were problems with memory. The neurologist after the examination noted that there were vascular disorders and appointed the drug Cavinton. The tablet was taken for 2 weeks, after which she noted the positive results from the treatment.

Catherine, Moscow

Review No. 2

I take Cinnarizine, this drug is good for me. It removes attacks of headache, improves memory, strengthens the concentration of attention, allows you to absorb large amounts of information. This tool is especially helpful during the session, when you need to prepare for exams. Cinnarizin and with sleeplessness copes wonderfully, allows you to sleep properly and resist increased stress.

Marina, St. Petersburg