General information about Mildronate
Mildronate is used in the treatment of various diseases to improve intracellular metabolism, to increase vitality and has a general strengthening effect. The active ingredient is meldonium.
Due to its cardioprotective properties, it is used in the treatment of heart diseases associated with ischemia (reduces necrotic zones during myocardial infarction, reduces the frequency and duration of angina attacks).
Effects of the drug Mildronate on the body
The drug is able to improve blood supply to the brain, which leads to improved cognitive functions, increased performance, and shortens the recovery period after strokes. It fights hypoxia at the cellular level - this allows it to be used in sports to restore the strength of athletes between performances and during training.
This drug is produced by a Latvian pharmacological company in various forms for ease of use:
- capsules;
- syrup;
- solution for injection (intramuscular, intravenous and parabulbar).
Mildronate has a preventive effect on the course of the disease, improving the course of the disease, alleviating the patient's condition, but in the acute period it may not have the desired effect. It has a beneficial effect on the emotional background, reduces the impact of stress factors on the body, reduces anxiety, and improves sleep.
Comparison of Mildronate and Mexidol
The drugs exhibit similar properties. This ensures the same result during therapy.
Similarities
Mildronate and Mexidol are not used during pregnancy, lactation, or childhood. The products are produced in the same release forms. Their indications for use are similar.
What is the difference?
The drugs contain various active and auxiliary components. Another difference is the different mechanism of action: Mildronate is a metabolic agent, Mexidol is an antioxidant. The solution of the first drug is used intramuscularly, intravenously and parabulbarly. The liquid substance Mexidol is administered intramuscularly, intravenously, it can be used to install an IV. This product has fewer side effects.
Which is cheaper?
Mildronate price: 300-720 rub. depending on the amount of the drug. Tablets are cheaper, for example, a package containing 40 pieces. can be purchased for 300 rubles. The price of Mexidol in tablets is 400 rubles. (50 pieces per pack). The cost of this drug in the form of a solution: 480-1700 rubles. We can conclude that Mexidol and Mildronate tablets belong to the same price category. The solution of the second drug is cheaper.
General information about Mexidol
The main effect of Mexidol is to reduce tissue hypoxia by improving the ability of tissues to absorb oxygen supplied by the blood. Due to this, the cognitive functions of the brain are improved, seizures of various etiologies are stopped, anxiety and stress on the body are reduced.
Thanks to its antioxidant properties, this drug slightly improves immunity. Mexidol has a strong effect on higher nervous functions. When taken, attention, thinking, and the ability to remember increase, emotional reactions are normalized, anxiety and fear are reduced, and sleep is normalized. This allows it to be widely used in neurology.
Mexidol is produced by several domestic manufacturers; it is based on a substance - ethylmethylhydroxypyridine succinate. It has various forms of release:
- pills;
- solution for injection (intramuscular, intravenous).
Doctors' opinion
Oksana, 45 years old, neurologist, Perm: “Both medications are especially effective in joint therapy, because they enhance each other’s effect. With combined treatment, their range of effects extends to both the brain and heart. If you choose one of the drugs, then everything depends on the disease itself. For brain pathologies, Mexidol will be preferable; Mildronate is more focused on the treatment of diseases of the heart muscle caused by circulatory disorders.”
Alexander, 5 years old, neurologist, Moscow: “There is a misconception that Mildronate and Mexidol are the same medications, analogues. But this is not so, the drugs are different. Although they have the same active ingredient, their mechanism of influence on the body is somewhat different. That’s why they are prescribed for different clinical cases.”
The principle of action of the drugs
Mexidol's main effect in the human body is on the cell membrane. This drug has a membrane-protective effect, which affects lipid peroxidation of the cell wall. At the same time, the viscosity of the cell membrane decreases and its fluidity increases, the cell becomes more resistant to external influences.
The binding capacity of membrane receptors also increases, synaptic transmission and transport of neurotransmitters improves. Thanks to these effects, the nootropic effect of the drug is manifested (memory, speech, thinking improves).
The antihypoxic effect of Mexidol in cardiomyocytes manifests itself in the form of a decrease in the area of necrosis and ischemia during myocardial infarction, and an improvement in the contractility of cardiac muscle tissue. The damaging effects of hypoxia and other unfavorable factors on the human body are reduced.
Once in the body, Mildronate blocks the enzyme carnitine, while having a vasodilating effect on blood vessels, reducing platelet aggregation, and reducing the content of toxic products of anaerobic glycolysis in cells. This leads to the restoration of the relationship between the cell's need for oxygen and its supply with the blood.
Evaluation of the effectiveness and safety of Mildronate
Thus, tissues are saturated with oxygen-rich blood, and glycolysis in cells becomes more efficient. Tolerance to physical activity increases. Complex therapy for myocardial infarction, including the use of Mildronate, reduces the area of necrosis, which allows patients to recover faster and reduce the rehabilitation period.
Pharmadynamics and therapeutic effects
There is an opinion that Mexidol and Mildronate have the same effect, however, it is not entirely true. Despite the fact that the drugs have many of the same effects, the difference between them is quite significant.
The presence of the active ingredient in Mildronate, meldonium, gives the drug the following effects:
- Angioprotective. Suppresses the production of inflammatory mediators. Normalizes the permeability of the walls of blood vessels, increasing their tone. Helps improve blood microcirculation.
- Angianal. Helps eliminate coronary insufficiency and actively fights angina attacks. Thanks to the drug, oxygen delivery to the heart muscle increases.
- Antihypoxic. Increases the tolerance of the body as a whole or its individual tissues to a lack of oxygen caused by various reasons.
- Cardioprotective. Corrects and restores myocardial activity.
- improving cellular metabolism;
- normalization of blood microcirculation by eliminating vasoconstriction;
- slowing down the process of necrosis;
- reducing the period of recovery of the body after surgical interventions or illnesses;
- improving myocardial contractility;
- increasing the body's resistance to physical and mental stress;
- increasing immunity at the cellular level;
- elimination of some eye diseases.
Indications and contraindications
Both drugs are used for various pathologies and conditions. Mildronate is prescribed for:
- IHD and CHF.
- Pre-infarction and myocardial infarction.
- CVB (cerebral crises in which oxygen enters the brain in insufficient quantities).
- Dyshormonal cardiomyopathy.
Mexidol is used for:
- Chronic cerebral circulatory failure.
- Damages of cerebral vessels.
- VSD.
- Atherosclerosis.
- Tissue hypoxia.
Mildronate is strictly contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding, children under 18 years of age and patients suffering from increased intracranial pressure, as well as individual intolerance to the constituent components.
In case of severe liver or kidney diseases, it can be used only after an examination. In patients with crisis hypertension or hypotension, use is possible, but examination and medical supervision is necessary.
Contraindications for use
Both medications in question are prohibited for use in the presence of an allergic reaction and individual intolerance to the drugs or components present in their composition. Mexidol is not yet recommended for use in the presence of acute liver or kidney failure.
Mildronate should not be taken if intracranial pressure is increased, especially against the background of intracranial tumors or problems with venous outflow. The drug in question should be used with caution if you have kidney or liver disease.
We recommend reading: Mexidol or Mydocalm: which is better
Instructions for use
For coronary heart disease, Mexidol is used for 1-1.5 months, and this course is repeated 2 times a year, mainly in spring and autumn. Treatment begins with 1-2 tablets (125-250 mg) and titrates until the effect is achieved. The maximum dose can be 800 mg - 6 tablets.
The course of treatment with meldonium drugs is usually long, from several weeks to several months. The daily dose for heart disease is 500-1000 mg, divided into 2 doses. For cardialgia associated with cardiomyopathy, the therapeutic effect is achieved with a dose of 500 mg once a day.
In the acute period of stroke, Mildronate can be prescribed first in the form of intravenous injections and after 2 weeks in the form of tablets for 2 months. In the treatment of chronic alcohol intoxication, a 1-2 week course of taking the drug at a dose of 500 mg 4 times a day is used.
It is important not to exceed the established maximum permissible dose of 2 g, as it is possible to develop undesirable side effects in the form of excessive excitability of the nervous system.
Since the drugs are similar in their action, many are concerned about the question of whether it is possible to take these drugs at the same time. Since the mechanism of action of these drugs is different, when used together, a summation of effects is observed. The dose of drugs when taken together is calculated in the same way as separately. That is, 500 mg of each product.
Reviews
Elena, 34 years old, Kyiv My father has a strong craving for alcohol. He usually drinks for about two weeks, and it’s hard to break out of the binge. His heart begins to ache, his hands shake, convulsions appear, feelings of anxiety, fear, a depressive state gives way to aggression, and sleep is disturbed. Encodings don't help. It becomes scary for his health. The narcologist advised me to take Mexidol at the same time as Mildronate. A few days of treatment with these drugs allows dad to return to normal, he begins to feel well, and his behavior becomes adequate.
Igor, 44 years old, Moscow, university teacher Lately he has become very unbalanced. At work I lashed out at students and colleagues, my wife and children constantly irritated me, and I developed a feeling of fear. Because of his character, he was constantly in conflict with someone. Friends advised me to drink Mildronate. I started taking one capsule in the morning and evening. It was possible to fall asleep only in the morning, almost before getting up. The condition only worsened. I had to see a doctor. As it turned out, Mildronate should not be taken immediately before bedtime. The specialist advised me to undergo a course of treatment with Mexidol. The drug really helped me. Now the neurotic manifestations have disappeared. Thanks Mexidol.
Irina Vasilievna, 60 years old, pensioner Several years ago I began to feel unpleasant symptoms: strong heartbeat, alternating with interruptions, shortness of breath, chest pain on the left side. The doctor diagnosed coronary heart disease and prescribed Mildronate. The medicine is quite expensive, but completely worth it. Not only has my health improved markedly, but my performance has also increased. Now I work in the garden with my children and feel almost no fatigue.
Main differences
The main difference between Mildronate and Mexidol is their composition, which determines the properties of the medications, and thanks to which you can understand the difference between them. The first drug contains Meldonium, the second one contains ethylmethylhydroxypyridine succinate.
When taking Mildronate, a number of important effects are observed:
blood supply to organs with oxygen-rich blood improves;- myocardial contractility increases, while the frequency and strength of angina attacks decreases;
- tolerance to physical activity increases by reducing oxygen starvation of tissues;
- improves heart function and blood supply to cardiomyocytes by reducing ischemia.
Mexidol increases the body's resistance to adverse factors (ischemia, hypoxia, chemical intoxication), has a membrane-protective effect, improves the rheological properties of blood, and relieves withdrawal symptoms caused by prolonged alcohol consumption. Effective for nervous tics and increased emotional stress, improves cognitive functions of the brain.
Which is better: Mildronate or Mexidol?
The speed of action of Mexidol is higher. This drug has fewer side effects. In terms of effectiveness, these drugs are equal, despite the fact that they are based on different mechanisms of action.
If taken incorrectly, both drugs can provoke attacks of nausea.
