Actovegin

Other names used:

• Actovegin gel®

Active Ingredients:

• Deproteinized hemoderivative of calf blood

How does Actovegin work and what pharmaceutical group does it belong to?

Actovegin is antihypoxic drug, hemoderivative obtained by ultra-filtration and dialysis. Actovegin contains only purified biologically active substances (intermediary products of fat and carbohydrate metabolism), nucleosides, oligopeptides, amino acids. Actovegin works by improving glucose transport and utilization, stimulates oxygen consumption (leading to stabilization of plasmatic membranes in ischemia). Actovegin possesses insulin-like effect by activating piruvate-dehydrogenase (PDH) and thus increasing synthesis of energy-rich substances such as ATP, ADP, phosphocreatine, GABA, aspartate, glutamate. Actovegin also promotes phosphocreatine synthesis and reduces lactate formation.

Which conditions are treated with Actovegin?

Actovegin tablets are indicated for the treatment of the following conditions:

• complex treatment of metabolic and cerebrovascular disorders (different forms of cerebrovascular insufficiency, dementia, cranio-cerebral traumas)
• peripheral vascular disorders and their complications (angiopathy, trophic ulcers)

Actovegin solution for injections is indicated for the treatment of:

• Disorders of cerebral blood circulation (cranio-cerebral traumas, ischemic stroke)
• Peripheral vascular disorders and their complications (angiopathy, trophic ulcers)
• Erosions, scalds, burns
• Skin transplantation
• Wound-healing impairment: torpid wounds, bedsore;
• Prophylaxis and treatment of radiation-induced injuries of skin and mucous linings

What should a patient know before using Actovegin?

Actovegin should not be used in:

• Hypersensitivity to any of the drug ingredients
• Pulmonary edema
• Oliguria
• Anuria
• Retention of water in the organism

It should be used with caution in: hyperchloremia, hypernatriemia

You should let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

Which adverse effects may manifest when using the medication?

• Actovegin side effects include: hives, edemas, drug fever, anaphylactic shock (in rare cases), thrombophlebitis at injection site.

It is not necessary that the side effects will manifest in an individual but the possibility still exist. For more information please consult your health care provider.

Which groups of drugs or specific preparations may interact with Actovegin?

• Nootropil
• Solcoseryl
• Cerebrolysin
• Other natural-based medicines obtained from calf blood

Tell your doctor about all the herbal preparations as well as prescription drugs that you are currently taking even if they are not on the list.

Important information for the patient: Actovegin is supplied for individual use. Do not use it to treat other conditions not listed in the leaflet. Keep the product out of children reach. Do not reuse any disposable materials if supplied with the preparation.