Suggested dosing of Intelectol (vinpocetine)
Cognitive impairment due to vascular disease
5-10 mg PO TId
Take with food
Suggested uses of Intelectol (vinpocetine)
Increases cerebral blood flow and metabolism, anticonvulsation, cognition enhancement, neuroprotection, antioxidation, cerebral vasodilation
Efficacy
Some clinical studies show prophylactic effects in ischemic stroke & cognitive improvement
Sold as a legal pharmaceutical product in Japan, Europe, & Mexico
Not beneficial in Alzheimer's disease
Intelectol (vinpocetine) adverse (side) effects
Frequency not defined
Nausea
Dizziness
Insomnia
Drowsiness
Dry mouth
Transient hypotension
Transient tachycardia
Pressure-type headache
Facial flushing
Prolonged use: slight reductions in both systolic & diastolic blood pressure & blood glucose
Warnings
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to vinpocetine or other vinca alkaloids
Pts in incomplete homeostasis after cerebral haemorrhage
Pregnancy, lactation
<18 years old
Cautions
Hemophilia, heart problems or low blood pressure
Monitor INR in patients on warfarin
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy category: avoid
Lactation: avoid
Pregnancy categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA: Information not available.
Pharmacology of Intelectol (vinpocetine)
Peak Plasma Time: 1-1.5 hr
Half-Life, elimination: 1-2 hr
Absorption: 60% with food, 7% without
Metabolism: extensively to inactive apovincaminic acid in liver
Excretion: urine
Mechanism of action
Shown to inhibit cGMP phosphodiesterase that has may result in increased cerebral blood flow
Reported to have calcium-channel blocker, voltage-gated sodium channel blocker, & acetylcholine release activities
