How to replace Actovegin: the best and cheapest analogues of the drug in tablets and ampoules

Actovegin is a natural drug that affects metabolic processes in the body. The active ingredient of the drug is a natural component obtained from calf blood extract purified from protein.

Most often this drug is used in neurology, psychiatry and cardiology.

Can be used as an adjuvant treatment in ophthalmology, dermatology and other fields.

Actovegin has a wide spectrum of action:

accelerates metabolism at the cellular level;
improves blood microcirculation;
has an antioxidant effect;
accelerates the processes of healing and tissue restoration;
eliminates the effects of hypoxia and increases the resistance of cells to oxygen starvation.

Actovegin in the form of intramuscular injections and tablets is used for cerebral circulatory disorders, encephalopathy, cognitive disorders, after traumatic brain injuries, surgical interventions, strokes, and decreased vascular tone.

Gel and ointment are used for skin disorders, dermatological diseases, wounds, burns.

Advantages and disadvantages of the product

The undoubted advantage of the drug is its natural composition. In the absence of contraindications, this drug can be used during pregnancy without harm to both the mother and the fetus. Often used to treat childhood neurological diseases. The natural composition of the drug allows it to be used from the first days of a baby’s life. Another big plus is that Actovegin combines well with other medications.

There are contraindications to the use of Actovegin, but they are extremely few, namely: pulmonary edema, heart failure, some kidney diseases, fluid retention in the body. In addition, this medicine should not be used if you are hypersensitive to the components of the drug.

Despite the fact that Actovegin is well tolerated, side effects may occur:

increased temperature and sweating;
headaches, dizziness;
gastrointestinal upset, stomach pain, diarrhea;
tachycardia, heart pain;
urticaria, Quincke's edema.

If such reactions occur, the use of Actovegin should be discontinued and replaced with another drug of similar action.

In addition to contraindications and side effects, the disadvantage is the price of the drug; if it is impossible to use Actovegin due to its high cost, you should ask your doctor to look for cheaper analogues, since there are plenty of them now.

Substitute in ointment form

A medication with the same therapeutic effect as Actovegin is produced in the form of an ointment for external use. The active components in Alantan Plus are allantoin and dexapanthenol.

Alantan Plus is a medication that accelerates wound healing. Dexapanthenol in the cell is converted into pantothenic acid and acts on the affected areas as a vitamin. Allantoin in the composition of the medication has an anti-inflammatory effect, and also stimulates the granulation of the layers of the epidermis and softens the skin.

The ointment is used to treat the following pathologies:

wounds, cuts;
phototherapy burns, sunburn;
keratosis of the skin on the feet and palms;
prevention of diaper rash in a newborn;
atopic dermatitis;
trophic ulcers;
eczema.

Alantan Plus

Women also use the ointment to care for their nipples during lactation (before feeding, thoroughly rinse the ointment from the breast). During pregnancy, Alantan Plus is prescribed only by a doctor. The drug should not be used in treatment if you are allergic to its components.

The ointment must be applied twice a day in a thin layer to the affected areas of the skin. Lubricate nipples after each feeding procedure, and you should also lubricate the newborn’s skin after changing diapers or diapers.

For dry skin, the ointment can be applied 3-4 times a day.

The drug rarely causes side effects, but there is still a possibility of their occurrence. The skin reacts to the medication as follows:

eczema;
irritation and rash;
itching;
erythema and urticaria.

Allergic reactions of the body to ointment:

Quincke's edema;
labored breathing;
pale skin;
a sharp drop in pressure;
cyanide in the lip area.

The digestive tract reacts to the use of ointment:

nausea with vomiting;
diarrhea.

What can replace the drug?

If necessary, Actovegin is replaced with drugs equivalent in therapeutic effect, they are called analogues or generics.

It should be remembered that replacing one drug with another should only be done with the permission of the attending physician.

TOP 10 best, in our opinion, analogues of the drug Actovegin:

Solcoseryl . The only drug that matches Actovegin in terms of its active substance - an extract from the blood of calves.
Cerebrolysin is a nootropic drug with a wide spectrum of action. This product consists of a complex of peptides obtained from the brain of pigs. Used to treat adults and children.
Cortexin is a nootropic, antioxidant drug. The active ingredients are peptides from the cerebral cortex of cattle. Most often used in pediatrics and child neurology.
Mexidol is an antioxidant drug that comes in two forms – injections and tablets. Widely used in psychiatry. It is used for toxic effects on the brain, anxiety and neurotic disorders, and to relieve withdrawal symptoms in alcoholism.
Semax is a drug in the form of nasal drops. Used for brain damage, neurotic disorders, to prevent mental fatigue and reduce the effects of stress.
Chimes . Improves microcirculation in the vessels of the brain, kidneys, and retina. Eliminates hypoxia, prevents platelet aggregation, lowers blood pressure. Suitable for use during pregnancy.
Cavinton, Telektol and Vinpocetine are preparations of the same active ingredient. The drugs are used for acute cerebrovascular accidents, ischemic attacks, and acute stages of stroke.
Omaron - the drug contains two active ingredients - piracetam and cinnarizine. Indications for use are atherosclerosis, depressive states, delayed intellectual development in children, vestibular disorders and others.
Ginkoum is a mild natural remedy for restoring memory and attention, relieving stress, and also eliminates tinnitus. Relieves the consequences of cerebrovascular disorders.
Cinnarizine is used after ischemic strokes, traumatic brain injuries, and for vestibular disorders. Helps with motion sickness and seasickness.

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Application of Actovegin

The scope of the medicine is quite wide:

The medicine increases the speed of metabolic processes at the cellular level.
Improves the quality of blood microcirculation.
Has antioxidant properties.
Heals tissue damage in a short time.
Strengthens cellular resistance to oxygen deficiency.

The drug is used for impaired cerebral circulation, in the post-stroke period with decreased vascular tone, for complications after operations, for the treatment of encephalitis. Actovegin gels, creams, ointments help with skin damage, dermatological diseases, and burns. The medicine is used to treat pregnant women, since it cannot harm either the mother or the intrauterine child.

In pediatrics, the drug is used to treat neurological diseases.

Contraindications to treatment with the drug:

Acute forms of pulmonary pathologies.
Cardiovascular diseases.
Kidney failure.

Injection analogues

Thanks to the active substance identical in composition, only Solcoseryl is a full-fledged analogue of Actovegin in the form of ampoules.

But if intolerance to the components of the drug occurs, it is necessary to select another drug that is similar in its effect on the body.

Actovegin in ampoules can replace the following drugs:

Cerebrolysin;
Cortexin;
Mexidol;
Elkar in ampoules;
Cerebrum Compositum N;
Picamilon.

Domestic analogues of the drug are: Piracetam, Cinnarizine, Omaron, Dipyridamole, Ginkoum, Vinpocetine. These drugs are the cheapest domestic analogues of Actovegin.

Despite the fact that almost any medicine can be purchased at a pharmacy without a doctor's prescription, you should not self-medicate. Only the attending physician will competently select the necessary medicine, calculate the dosage and duration of administration.

Comparative characteristics

We compared Actovegin and its popular analogues (Solcoseryl, Cerebrolysin, Cortexin, Mexidol and others), analyzed the indications, side effects, price and other indicators, and it is up to you to conclude what is best to take.

What is the difference between Actovegin analogs, and which one is better to choose:

Actovegin and Solcoseryl - these medicines are made using the blood of healthy dairy calves and excipients. Solcoseryl has a shorter shelf life, since Actovegin contains a concentrate for long-term storage. The cost of the drugs is almost the same. Therefore, there is no fundamental difference which drug to use.
Cerebrolysin , like Actovegin, is a drug of animal origin. Both drugs are widely used in the treatment of neurological diseases. But Cerebrolysin has a wider spectrum of action and fewer contraindications. The main difference is the ability to replace the functions of dead brain cells. Despite the fact that the drug is banned in many countries, domestic medicine has been using Cerebrolysin for several decades to restore brain function. Most often used for traumatic brain injuries. This product does not have tablet form, only injection solutions. The price of Cerebrolysin is slightly less.
Cortexin is a cheap analogue of Actovegin. Available in the form of a powder for injection, which should be diluted with special water or novocaine. The difference is that Cortexin injections have a milder effect. That is why it is most often prescribed to children. But unlike Actovegin, the use of Cortexin is not possible during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Mexidol has more indications for use. Unlike Actovegin, Mexidol not only has a positive effect on blood circulation and metabolism, but also has the ability to restore cognitive functions, relieve anxiety and improve memory. It is also often used to relieve alcohol withdrawal syndrome. The drug Mexidol is contraindicated during pregnancy, lactation and childhood. If you compare the cost, Mexidol is much cheaper.
Cavinton is a synthetic drug that costs several times less than Actovegin. This drug is contraindicated for use in childhood, during pregnancy, lactation, with renal failure, coronary heart disease, and arrhythmia. If you are lactose intolerant, you should not take it in tablet form. Cavinton improves metabolism and circulation in the blood vessels of the brain. The drug has proven itself in ophthalmology and is often used to treat hearing organs.
Piracetam is a nootropic drug and is one of the cheapest analogues of Actovegin. The price in pharmacies ranges from 25 to 150 rubles, depending on the dosage and form of the drug. It is also produced under other trade names: Nootropil, Lutsetam and Memotropil. Piracetam helps improve the conductivity of blood vessels in the brain, increases memory and concentration, and increases the activity of the central nervous system. It only affects the functioning of the brain, while Actovegin has a gentle effect on the microcirculation of all blood vessels in the body. Often these drugs are used together for complex treatment. You should choose which is better, Actovegin or Piracetam, based on your medical history and the presence of contraindications.
Another effective generic of Actovegin is the drug Trental . Also available under the name Pentoxifylline. This is a drug for restoring peripheral circulation. Positively affects the blood vessels of the lower extremities, restores memory and sleep. Often used after myocardial infarction. But unlike Actovegin, Trental can be used only from the age of 18 and is prohibited during pregnancy, lactation, and arrhythmia. The price of tablets of these drugs is almost the same, but if you compare the cost of injections, Trental is much cheaper.

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Answers on questions

Actovegin tablets or injections – which is better?
These release forms have the same composition and effectiveness. They differ only in the time of onset of action. The injections will begin to have a positive effect on the body faster.

Injections Actovegin intravenously or intramuscularly - whichever is best
The drug can be prescribed to the patient either intravenously or intramuscularly. When used intravenously, it is important to calculate the dosage correctly. Effectiveness with intravenous administration will be observed faster.

How to inject Actovegin intramuscularly: to dilute or not
The drug for intramuscular injection does not need to be diluted.

Actovegin – increases or decreases blood pressure
The drug gradually dilates blood vessels, so it can reduce blood pressure.

Is Actovegin and Cerebrolysin possible at the same time or not?
The simultaneous use of these two drugs in treatment is allowed. But it is worth considering that you cannot combine them in one syringe and make simultaneous injections.

Is it possible to take Actovegin with alcohol or not?
This drug, like its analogues, is not recommended to be combined with alcoholic beverages, even with minimal alcohol content. This can lead to irreversible consequences.

Actovegin ointment or gel – which is better?
These release forms do not differ in composition, therefore they are equally effective. The only difference is that the ointment takes longer to absorb than the gel.

When is it better to inject Actovegin: morning or evening
Since the drug is prescribed several times a day, it is injected both in the morning and in the evening.

Does Actovegin thin the blood or not?
The drug thins the blood.

Is Actovegin possible for oncology or not?
For malignant tumors, Actovegin can be prescribed to the patient unless there are other contraindications.

Are Actovegin injections painful or not?
The injections are not particularly painful. During the injection, the patient may experience some discomfort.

There are rumors...

Collected on the Internet - reviews on the use of Actovegin and its analogues in brief:

My eldest daughter was prescribed Actovegin plus massage a year after the course; a week after the course, my daughter took her first independent steps!
I was in an accident five years ago, the consequence was a traumatic brain injury and I suffered from headaches for a long time. Cerebrolysin saved me. The first two courses consisted of 20 injections, the next of 10 and reduced the dosage. Now there is no urgent need, but when I feel that there is pressure, I have to get a puncture.
I have weak blood vessels, I often get dizzy and my eyes hurt when reading. The neurologist prescribed Actovegin. By the middle of the course I notice improvements. I undergo treatment approximately once every six months.
Mexidol did not work for me, my head hurt very badly, my temples were throbbing. I went to the doctor, she changed to Actovegin, 20 injections, and then a month of Piracetam. The condition has improved, the EEG shows positive changes.
For several years I was bothered by noise and ringing in my ear. I tried several medications until the neurologist prescribed Tanakan. After the fifth day of treatment, I woke up in silence, no noise, no ringing! The action lasts for 7-8 months, once for almost a year nothing bothered me. Highly recommend.
I liked the effect of the first two courses of Tanakan, but the third had zero effect. I don’t understand if this is addictive or if it’s a fake.

Difficult choice

It is impossible to determine the best drug; they are all just building blocks in an integrated approach. Success in treating diabetes mellitus largely depends on the patient. In order to get the effect of taking drugs, not only the doctor must choose the right regimen and combine drugs, taking into account the risks from the kidneys, heart, and concomitant diseases. A person is required to change their lifestyle, eating habits, exercise, monitor glucose levels daily, keep a diary, and follow a diet. Only together can we achieve stable blood glucose levels.