Inexpensive substitutes for Mexidol®: TOP 6 analogues in ampoules and tablets

Impact on the body

Mexidol is a Russian drug sold in tablet and injection form.

The active ingredient is ethylmethylhydroxypyridine succinate. This compound has a variety of positive effects on the human body:

• suppresses the activity of free radicals;
• prevents platelet aggregation and blood clot formation;
• lowers the concentration of bad cholesterol in the blood;
• normalizes the spread of nerve impulses through tissues;
• stimulates lipid metabolism;
• has a positive effect on the condition of cell membranes;
• inhibits lipid oxidation;
• improves metabolic reactions in cells.

Indications for use

The drug is able to resist:

• Consequences of cerebral circulatory disorders;
• Mild forms of traumatic brain injury and their consequences;
• Encephalopathies of any origin;
• Vegetative-vascular dystonia;
• Atherosclerosis;
• Feelings of anxiety in a neurotic state;
• Post-intoxication with various antipsychotics;
• Asthenia due to excessive psychological stress;
• Negative effects of stressful situations;
• Withdrawal syndrome when taking alcoholic beverages.

Side effects

The drug is usually well accepted by the body and does not produce side effects. In rare cases, patients experience the following phenomena:

• vomit;
• disruption of the digestive tract;
• drying of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity;
• allergic reaction.

• the drug is widely used in ophthalmology for preventive purposes;
• Levomycetin - analogues;
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Instructions for use

Which dosage form of the drug to use during therapy is determined by a medical specialist for each patient individually.

One tablet contains 125 mg of ethylmethylhydroxypyridine succinate; 1 ml of injection solution contains 50 mg of the active substance.

The tablets are taken orally. The dosage and duration of treatment is selected by the doctor based on the patient’s condition.

Usually at the beginning of the course the daily dose is 125 – 250 mg. Then the dosage is gradually increased until the maximum positive result is obtained. But you cannot take more than 800 mg per day, that is, more than 6 tablets.

The therapeutic course lasts from 2 to 6 weeks, but in case of alcohol poisoning, the medicine is taken no longer than a week. The drug intake is completed gradually, during the last 3 days of the course the number of tablets taken is reduced.

The injection solution is intended for intravenous administration.

The medicine should be introduced into the body slowly, at a rate of 40 – 60 drops per minute.

The duration of one injection is 5 – 7 minutes, and from 1 to 4 procedures are needed per day.

During one procedure, no less than 20 mg, but no more than 500 mg of the active substance should be introduced into the body. The maximum permissible daily amount of a substance that penetrates the body as part of a solution does not exceed 1200 mg.

Release forms, composition and properties of the drug Mexidol

The pharmacological agent is available to patients in the form of tablets and solution for parenteral administration. The tablets are small in size, white in color, packaged in blisters of 10 pieces, placed in cardboard boxes. Tablets can also be placed in polyethylene jars of 90 pieces, which are in an individual cardboard box.

Detailed instructions are always included with blisters and jars. The solution is packaged in 2 ml clear glass ampoules. It is colorless and transparent, in a cardboard box there can be 10 ampoules and instructions for proper use.

The tablets and solution contain the active component ethylmethylhydroxypyridine succinate, which has the main therapeutic effect. 1 ml of solution contains 50 mg of the active substance, in a tablet its amount reaches 125 mg.

Tablets contain auxiliary ingredients:

• Magnesium stearate.
• Lactose.
• Talc.
• Titanium dioxide
• Macrogol.
• Polyvinyl alcohol.

These substances do not have a therapeutic effect. The solution also contains sodium metabisulfite and water for injection as an auxiliary ingredient.

An analogue of Mexidol in ampoules (you can buy cheaper domestic substitutes) may contain other excipients, but they also do not have therapeutic properties. The drug has an effect due to the presence of the main ingredient. It has pronounced nootropic and antioxidant properties and helps improve blood circulation in nerve tissues.

When using the product, there is an improvement in the transmission of nerve impulses to tissues, which improves the functioning of the brain and stimulates the process of restoration of cells damaged as a result of neurological and mental disorders.

The medication helps saturate tissues with oxygen, which accelerates metabolic processes and prevents the development of hypoxia. This condition significantly worsens the course of the pathology, and therefore requires proper and timely treatment.

Experts note other effects of the drug:

• Increases the patient's body's resistance to stressful situations. As a result, the psycho-emotional state improves and the development of a pronounced nervous disorder against the background of prolonged emotional stress is prevented.
• Helps improve the nutrition of brain tissue, which helps prevent the progression of many diseases of neurological origin. Patients feel improvement within a few days after starting use.
• Stimulates the process of cell renewal, prevents their premature destruction due to antioxidant properties.
• Reduces the concentration of harmful fats in the tissues and blood of patients. This helps prevent the progression of atherosclerotic pathologies and diseases that occur due to blockage of blood vessels by cholesterol plaques.
• Improves patients' memory and increases mental performance. Against the background of neurological disorders, patients often notice such changes, but the use of medication helps to significantly improve the condition. When performing manipulations that require increased concentration, patients note a significant improvement.
• Prevents the occurrence of seizures in patients suffering from epilepsy or other diseases with similar symptoms.
• Normalizes the level of enzymes in cell membranes, which has a positive effect on metabolic processes.
• Prevents pathological platelet aggregation, which reduces the risk of blood clots in the systemic circulation.
• Reduces the area of ​​necrosis during ischemia of tissues of the heart, brain and some other organs.
• Improves the condition of patients during withdrawal, prevents the worsening of symptoms against the background of toxic damage to brain cells by the breakdown products of ethyl alcohol.

Against the background of improved metabolic processes in nerve tissues, patients' sleep improves, and increased irritability is eliminated. As a result of normalization of the nervous system, the progression of somatic pathologies significantly slows down.

The drug is well absorbed in the body, its bioavailability is quite high. The processing of the main substance is carried out in the liver, after which the breakdown products are excreted by the kidneys. If the organ is damaged, there is a slight slowdown in the absorption and excretion of the active substance.

Mexidol analogues are cheaper (list with prices)

In pharmacies you can find many foreign and domestic cheap analogs of Mexidol, sold both in tablets and ampoules.

Popular analogues according to composition and principle of effect on the body are listed below, indicating the average price:

• Mexicor – 230 rubles;
• Meksifin – 240 rubles;
• Mexiprim - 355 rubles;
• Astrox – 310 rubles;
• Neurox – 355 rubles;
• Cerecard – 240 rubles;
• Medomexi – 220 rubles.

There are also drugs that have different chemical compositions with Mexidol, but the same principle of action on the body.

Such cheap analogues of Mexidol, produced in tablets and ampoules, include:

• Actovegin – 1020 rubles;
• Glycine – 95 rubles;
• Nootropil – 280 rubles;
• Instenon – 265 rubles;
• Cortexin – 920 rubles;
• Cavinton – 360 rubles;
• Mildronate – 445 rubles.

Comparison of the cost of the drug Mexidol and its analogues

The price of Mexidol in different pharmacies and regions is approximately 400-700 rubles. depending on the number of tablets or ampoules in the package.

Its substitutes have a lower cost, so they are often used by patients:

• Piracetam costs approximately 80-150 rubles. depending on the amount of product in the package.
• The price of Phezam and Cinnarizine ranges from 120-180 rubles.
• Vinpocetine costs approximately 50-60 rubles.
• Stugeron costs about 200 rubles.
• The price of Nootropil starts from 200 rubles.
• The cost of Glycine starts from 30 rubles. for 10 tablets.

All analogues are cheaper, but they do not always have the same pronounced effect as Mexidol. Experts strongly do not recommend using substitutes on your own without prior consultation.

Mexidol is a popular nootropic medication with pronounced properties. Its price is quite high, so patients choose a cheaper analogue, which would also be available in ampoules and have similar properties. It is necessary to pay attention to the fact that substitutes do not always have the same effectiveness as the original drug.

Actovegin or Mexidol - which is better?

If the question arises of what to replace Mexidol with, then Actovegin is considered the most popular analogue. This is analogous in principle of action, but not in composition. Actovegin is sold in the form of an injection solution. The active substance is a deproteinized hemoderivative of calf blood. 1 ml of solution contains 20 mg of active substance.

Actovegin is prescribed for the following pathologies:

• metabolic disorders in brain tissue;
• diabetic polyneuropathy;
• violation of the condition of peripheral blood vessels;
• radiation and mechanical damage to the skin.

Do not use the drug if:

• edema of the lungs and other tissues;
• anuria;
• heart pathologies;
• intolerance to the components of the drug.

Actovegin may cause side effects:

• allergic skin rashes;
• heat;
• swelling.

What is better to choose – Actovegin or Mexidol? This issue can only be decided by a medical specialist, focusing on what specific disease requires elimination and what the patient’s condition is. The difference in price between the drugs is insignificant; the analogue is slightly cheaper than the original.

How and why to choose analogues

Despite the fact that Mexidol is produced by a domestic plant, it is still expensive. This may prevent more budget-conscious patients from receiving sufficient treatment to improve their condition. Therefore, the search for “Mexidol analogues” is quite popular on the Internet, which in itself indicates a great interest in choosing cheaper drugs with a similar effect.

However, not every analogue will have exactly the same composition. Some of them have slightly different effects, other indications or contraindications, and therefore you need to choose an analogue carefully.

The first step, of course, is to notify the attending physician. After this, together with your doctor, you need to discuss the proposed replacement options and choose the medication that is closest in composition or effect. Then, for the selected items, you must carefully study the instructions for use, which contain all the necessary information. Only after this will it be possible to begin treatment.

Mexiprim or Mexidol – which is better to buy?

Mexiprim is another high-quality and inexpensive substitute for Mexidol, sold in tablet and injection form.

The analogue, like the original, is based on ethylmethylhydroxypyridine succinate. One tablet contains 125 mg of the active substance, and 1 ml of solution contains 50 mg.

Both the analogue and the original drug have the same indications for use:

• neuroses;
• vegetative-vascular dystonia;
• consequences of stress;
• alcohol poisoning;
• deterioration of memory and concentration;
• cognitive problems.

Mexiprim should not be used if:

• liver and kidney pathologies;
• intolerance to the components of the drug;
• children under 18 years of age;
• pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Mexiprim is usually well accepted by the body. In rare cases, the patient experiences drowsiness, nausea, an allergic reaction, and dryness of the oral mucosa.

As you can see, the analogue and the original are exactly the same in composition, release form, and principle of effect on the body. The advantage of Mexiprim over Mexidol is its more affordable price.

The best analogues in ampoules

Mexidol substitutes, which are available in ampoules, according to some studies, are considered more effective. Of these, the most commonly used are Mexifin, Neurox, Cerecard, Cortexin and Cytoflavin.

Mexicofin

Meksifin is an antioxidant agent that has an effect similar to Mexidol. The drug inhibits the peroxidation of radicals and activates enzymes involved in the repair of cell wall membranes:

• enhances aerobic glycolysis;
• improves cerebral circulation and microcirculation;
• stimulates the immune system;
• increases the rheological properties of blood;
• reduces platelet aggregation;
• may reduce the toxic effects of alcohol.

General information about the drug Mexifin

It has the same indications for use as Mexidol: vegetative-vascular dystonia, peripheral circulatory disorders. It has an antiatherogenic effect, due to which it is prescribed for atherosclerotic changes in blood vessels. Mexifin is taken 50 mg twice a day, if necessary, increase the dose, but not more than 300 mg per day. The drug may cause nausea and drowsiness.

Neurox

Neurox is an anxiotic, anticonvulsant drug. It is used for drug therapy of neurocirculatory dystonia, neuroses and neurosis-like conditions, acute phase of infarction, open-angle glaucoma, traumatic brain injury, anxiety disorders, peripheral blood supply disorders, intoxication with antipsychotic drugs.

Effect of Neurox on the body

May cause sleep disturbances, flatulence, nausea, discomfort in the cardiac region, and inspiratory shortness of breath. Method of administration: intravenous; it is recommended to administer it in a stream over 6 minutes. Do not use simultaneously with antiepileptic and antiparkinsonian drugs and benzodiazepine anxiolics.

Cerecard

Cerecard is produced in the form of a solution for injection (in ampoules). It is quickly absorbed when taken orally (after 40 minutes), distributed throughout the tissues and excreted after 7 hours. It is excreted by the formation of metabolites in the liver and excreted in the urine. The drug is indicated for:

• encephalopathies;
• atherosclerotic lesions;
• disorders of the blood supply to the brain;
• coronary heart disease.

Contraindicated during pregnancy, lactation, liver or kidney failure and in childhood. Dosage of Cerecard depending on the pathology:

Cortexin

Cortexin is a psychostimulant belonging to the group of nootropics. The drug consists of a complex of polypeptide fractions, which complicates its pharmacological analysis, as well as interaction with other drugs.

It has tissue-specific, antioxidant, neuroprotective and nootropic effects. The mechanism of action is due to the activation of neurotrophic factors and peptides of nerve cells. It is strictly prohibited to use the medication without a doctor's prescription.

Mechanism of action of Cortexin

Cortexin is used in therapy:

• traumatic brain injuries;
• cerebral circulation disorders;
• cognitive disorders.

The contents of the bottle are dissolved in 1-2 ml of water for injection and administered intramuscularly. Rarely, it may cause adverse reactions such as hypersensitivity, nausea, rash, fever.

Cytoflavin

Cytoflavin is a complex of various active ingredients: nicotinamide, riboflavin sodium phosphate, succinic acid and riboxin. Used only in adults to treat the consequences of cerebrovascular disorders and myocardial infarction.

It is administered intravenously in a bolus, diluted with 100 ml of 5% glucose solution. The dose of Cytoflavin depends on the disease:

• for myocardial infarction, use 15 ml of the drug;
• for cerebral infarction – 10 ml.

Indications for use

May cause the following side effects:

• psychomotor agitation;
• dyspnea;
• metallic taste;
• rashes of various shapes and localization;
• scabies;
• increase in daily diuresis;
• weakness;
• hyperthermia;
• tachycardia;
• sensitivity disorders;
• pale skin;
• difficulty breathing;
• dry cough;
• dry mouth;
• transient hypoglycemia;
• pain in the epigastric region.

Which is better – Cavinton or Mexidol?

Cavinton and Mexidol are analogues only in terms of their effect on the body, but not in terms of their chemical composition. The active component of Cavinton is vinpocetine.

This substance increases the strength of blood vessels, normalizes blood circulation in the brain, makes brain tissue more resistant to oxygen starvation, and improves glucose metabolism.

It should be noted that the original drug has a wider spectrum of action than its analogue. Mexidol not only normalizes blood circulation, but also has an antioxidant effect.

Cavinton is sold in tablet and injection form, and also in the form of soluble tablets. The injection solution is intended exclusively for intravenous administration, since the active substance is destroyed in muscle tissue.

Oral tablets contain 5 or 10 mg of active ingredient. Soluble orange tablets are prescribed to patients with impaired swallowing function.

Cavinton has more side effects than Mexidol, but the effectiveness of the analog is slightly higher than the original drug.

Both medications can be used in combination, as they have different chemical compositions.

Doctors often recommend that patients take medications together: Cavinton primarily normalizes blood circulation and the condition of blood vessels, while Mexidol has a greater effect on cellular metabolism.

The price difference between the drugs is insignificant. A course of treatment with the tablet form of Mexidol costs 850–1000 rubles. For a course of Cavinton in tablets you will have to pay 900 rubles.

Popular substitutes in tablets

Today, not only injectable analogues of the drug Mexidol are produced, but also cheaper drugs with a similar effect in tablets: Actovegin, Glycised, Cavinton, Nootropil and Tenoten. The advantages of these drugs are considered to be an easier route of administration and a long-lasting effect.

Glitsed

Glycised is a domestically produced drug based on glycine. Glycine is a natural inhibitory metabolite, therefore it penetrates well into all human tissues and organs and has a minimum of side effects.

Glicised is used in the treatment of neuroses and neurosis-like diseases, strokes and encephalopathies. Not prescribed for children under three years of age, pregnant women and patients suffering from arterial hypertension. Take the medication 1 capsule 3-4 times a day. For the treatment of sleep disorders, 1 capsule (100 mg) is prescribed 20 minutes before bedtime. Adverse reactions include:

• dyspeptic disorders;
• dermatological manifestations of allergic reactions;
• headache;
• weakness.

Actovegin

The medicine contains a deproteinized hemoderivate, which is extracted from the blood serum of calves. Actovegin improves energy metabolism, the body's resistance to hypoxia and protects nervous tissue from ischemic damage. It is used in therapy:

• dementia;
• peripheral circulatory disorders;
• polyneuropathy (with diabetes);
• vascular diseases (venous trophic ulcer, arterial angiopathy).

Mechanism of action of Actovegin

Side effects: increased heart rate, increased or decreased blood pressure, myalgia, tremor, sensitivity disorders, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of consciousness, acrocyanosis. Actovegin is used intravenously, intramuscularly and orally, with the initial dose being 20 ml and the maintenance dose being 5 ml. For arterial angiopathy, the dose is doubled, and for polyneuropathy, the initial dose is 50 ml. Cases of overdose have not been described.

Cavinton

Cavinton is a medicine with vinpocentine as an active ingredient. The drug is a psychoanaleptic and psychostimulant, improves blood supply to the brain and its metabolism. Used in several areas of medicine:

1. Ophthalmology. For the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the choroid and retina.
2. Neurology. For vascular pathologies of the brain of various origins (stroke, dementia, encephalopathy, atherosclerosis).
3. Otolaryngology. Treatment of hearing loss and tinnitus associated with vascular pathology.

Instructions for use of the drug

Not prescribed for patients with the acute phase of cerebral stroke, severe forms of arrhythmias, as well as during pregnancy and lactation. Can be used simultaneously with Glibenclamide, Hydrochlorothiazide, beta-blockers.

Cavinton is prescribed only intravenously as a bolus at a rate of less than 80 drops/min and must be diluted with a solution for infusion. Intramuscular administration is strictly prohibited.

Nootropil

Nootropil is a nootropic drug containing piracetam. The drug improves brain activity and cognitive abilities, increases memory, learning and concentration. Positively affects the metabolism of nerve cells and the rheological properties of blood. Prescribed for the following pathological conditions:

• Alzheimer's disease;
• withdrawal syndrome in alcoholism;
• psychoorganic syndrome in elderly patients;
• psychoorganic syndrome in children, which is manifested by a decrease in the level of learning;
• sickle cell anemia;
• myoclonus;
• attacks of dizziness.

Action of Nootropil

The dose varies from 20 to 160 mg/kg. For the treatment of ischemic stroke, the standard dose is 4.8 g/day. The most common side effects are:

• nervousness;
• irritability;
• asthenia;
• depression;
• increased drowsiness.

Contraindications to prescribing the medication are: age under 1 year, renal failure and individual intolerance. Use with caution in patients with impaired thrombotic function of the blood, during surgical interventions and massive bleeding.

Tenoten

Tenoten is a homeopathic remedy that has anxiolytic and sedative effects. It has virtually no contraindications or side effects, except for individual intolerance to the active substances.

The drug is used for the complex treatment of neuroses, stress and autonomic disorders and anxiety. Prescribed orally 1-2 tablets 2 times a day. The course of treatment is 1-2 months. The last dose is no later than 2 hours before bedtime.

The effectiveness of the drug is quite controversial, so it is not recommended to use it as monotherapy.