Vinpocetine's therapeutic uses
Vinpocetine is a chemical compound derived from vincamine, found in the leaves of the common periwinkle plant. It is primarily used to address cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, with some evidence suggesting it may enhance memory and mental function in these populations. While vinpocetine is often marketed as a supplement to improve cognitive abilities in healthy individuals, the effectiveness of such claims is still being studied.
In addition to its cognitive applications, vinpocetine has been explored for its potential benefits following strokes, as it may help reduce brain damage and improve recovery outcomes. There are also suggestions that it could aid in treating tinnitus, vertigo, and as an adjunct therapy for glaucoma. However, the scientific evidence supporting these uses is mixed, and overall, more rigorous research is needed.
Safety concerns include potential interactions with blood-thinning medications and other substances, as vinpocetine can affect platelet activity. Although serious side effects are rare, individuals with certain health conditions, such as bleeding disorders or those who are pregnant, are advised to approach vinpocetine with caution. Overall, while vinpocetine has promising therapeutic applications, further investigation is necessary to establish its efficacy and safety comprehensively.
Vinpocetine's therapeutic uses
DEFINITION: Natural plant product used to treat specific health conditions.
PRINCIPAL PROPOSED USE: Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia
OTHER PROPOSED USES: Enhancing cognitive function and memory in healthy people, strokes, tinnitus, vertigo, glaucoma
Overview
Vinpocetine is a chemical derived from vincamine, a constituent found in the leaves of common periwinkle (Vinca minor) and the seeds of various African plants. It is used as a treatment for memory loss and mental impairment. It also used to promote healthy cognitive function.
Developed in Hungary, vinpocetine is sold in Europe as the drug Cavinton. In the United States, it is available as a dietary supplement, although the substance probably does not fit that category by any rational definition. Vinpocetine does not exist to any significant extent in nature. Producing it requires significant chemical work performed in the laboratory.
Therapeutic Dosages
The usual dose of vinpocetine is 10 milligram capsules three times daily, although studies have used dosages ranging from 5 to 30 milligrams, as the product has a short half-life. Vinpocetine is reportedly better absorbed when taken with a meal.
Therapeutic Uses
Some evidence supports the idea that vinpocetine can enhance memory and mental function, especially in those with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and related conditions. It is also widely marketed for enhancing memory in healthy people, but evidence that it is helpful for this purpose is still emerging. Vinpocetine may also have neuroprotective effects. Double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of vinpocetine have been undertaken for these purposes, but the results have been mixed.
It has been hypothesized that vinpocetine helps people with Alzheimer’s disease by enhancing blood flow in the brain, safeguarding brain cells against damage, and inhibiting a substance known as phosphodiesterase. Based on these proposed actions, vinpocetine has also been tried as a treatment for reducing brain damage following strokes.
Vinpocetine has also been suggested as a treatment for tinnitus, assuming it may help control blood flow to the inner ear. It may also help people suffering from vertigo, as this condition also affects the inner ear. Finally, vinpocetine has been proposed as an adjuvant therapy for glaucoma.
Scientific Evidence
Alzheimer’s disease and related conditions (dementia). A sixteen-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 203 individuals with mild to moderate dementia found significant benefit in the treated group. Benefits have also been seen in other studies. However, a major review found that overall, the evidence that vinpocetine works remains too weak to rely upon due to limitations in study quality.
Strokes. In a single-blind, placebo-controlled trial, thirty individuals who had just experienced a stroke received either a placebo or vinpocetine along with conventional treatment for thirty days. The results showed that participants in the vinpocetine group experienced a significantly reduced level of residual disability as measured at three months.
A few other studies, some of poor design, also provide suggestive evidence that vinpocetine may be helpful for strokes. However, much of the existing evidence is too preliminary to rely on, and a review combining two relatively high-quality studies involving sixty-three subjects could not determine whether vinpocetine provided any benefit for stroke patients.
People who have had strokes are sometimes advised to take blood-thinning drugs. There are concerns that vinpocetine may interact adversely with some medications of this type.
Safety Issues
No serious side effects have been reported in any of the clinical trials. However, one case report of vinpocetine apparently causing agranulocytosis (loss of certain white blood cells) is available.
Vinpocetine inhibits blood platelets from forming clots, and for this reason, it could cause problems if it is taken by individuals with bleeding problems, during the period immediately before or after surgery or labor and delivery, or in combination with medications or natural substances that also affect platelet activity. These substances include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), ticlopidine (Ticlid), pentoxifylline (Trental), garlic, ginkgo, policosanol, and high-dosage vitamin E.
The drug warfarin (Coumadin) affects blood clotting but not through actions on platelets. One study found only a minimal interaction between warfarin and vinpocetine. Interestingly, it was in the direction of decreased clotting. Nonetheless, combination therapy with vinpocetine and warfarin should not be attempted except under the supervision of a physician. In addition, safety in pregnant or nursing women, young children, and those with severe liver or kidney disease has not been established.
Important Interactions
People who are taking blood-thinning drugs, such as aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), ticlopidine (Ticlid), or pentoxifylline (Trental), might have bleeding problems if they are simultaneously using vinpocetine. Taking vinpocetine with natural substances that have blood-thinning properties, such as garlic, ginkgo, policosanol, or high-dose vitamin E, might, in theory, also cause bleeding problems. Taking warfarin (Coumadin) with vinpocetine might impair warfarin's blood-thinning actions.
Bibliography
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