Vinpocetine

Vinpocetine

• Vinpocetine is a chemical that is made in a laboratory. It is sold as a prescription drug in Germany. It has been used to enhance memory in Alzheimer's and to prevent disability following an ischemic stroke.

Mechanism of Action:

• Vinpocetine can increase the blood flow to the brain and therefore have a neuroprotective effect. Vinpocetine has anti-inflammatory effects. It is able to antagonize injury-induced vascular remodeling and diet-induced atherosclerosis. It can also reduce the effect of cardiac remodeling.

Dosage:

• Vinpocetine has an excellent safety profile. 5-10 mg taken three times daily has been used to treat memory and associated cognitive issues of Alzheimer's.

Evidence:

• Vinpocetine has multiple actions. It is a vasodilator that also acts as an anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic, and anti-remodeling agent.

• Current studies are looking to show that it can provide benefit to people with multifactorial cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases. In the short term, vinpocetine has been shown to help improve cognitive skills in people with Alzheimer's or dementia.

• Vinpocetine inhibits the enzyme PDEI, therefore blocking vasoconstriction, vascular remodeling, cardiac remodeling, and neurotransmission.

• Vinpocetine blocks sodium channels, therefore preventing cell toxicity and death. Vinpocetine also blocks IKK, therefore blocking inflammation. Precautions: Some potential side effects are anxiety, sleep disturbance, headache, and flushing.

• Vinpocetine can increase the risk of mis-carriage and should be avoided in pregnant people. Vinpocetine can increase the risk of bleeding and should be avoided for people with a bleeding disorder.

Interactions:

• Vinpocetine can increase the risk of bleeding and bruising if taken with anti-coagulant to antiplatelet.