Medicines help maintain and maintain he alth. An active substance that helps solve a specific problem can be produced in various dosage forms by a huge number of pharmaceutical companies, and therefore similar and even identical products often have many different names. For example, pharmacists in pharmacies very often hear from customers the question: "Cardionate" or "Mildronate" - which is better?" We will try to answer it in this article.
Cure for life?
One of the medicinal substances actively used to maintain he alth is meldonium. It is included in the group of metabolic elements actively working in the processes of energy metabolism at the cellular level. With this substance as the main active component, the pharmaceutical industry of different countries has developed and produced a huge number of drugs. Frequently asked questions about two of them: Cardionat or Mildronat - which is better? Feedback from doctors and patients, as well as a comparative analysis will allow you to answer it as accurately as possible.
Discovery history
The substance meldonium has a very interesting path to the pharmaceutical industry and demand in the drug market. Initially, it was obtained synthetically as a result of a search for the problem of rocket fuel disposal. This happened in the 1970s in the Latvian SSR at the Institute of Organic Synthesis at the Academy of Sciences. First, meldonium was used in crop production to stimulate growth, then its ability to act as a cardioprotector in animals was discovered. It was then that it was decided to conduct the necessary research and testing so that meldonium was among the medicinal substances. Today it is widely used both in clinical medicine and in sports. Meldonium is included in the List of Vital and Essential Drugs approved by the Russian Government. This substance is part of many drugs, for example, such as "Mildronate" and "Cardionate". Comparing these medicines will make sure they are similar.
In what form are meldonium preparations produced?
For many patients who are prescribed a drug with meldonium, the question arises sharply: "Mildronate", "Cardionate" - is there a difference between them? Consider these drugs in terms of the release form. The drug "Mildronate" has three dosage forms:
- gelatin capsules containing 250 or 500 mgmeldonium;
- tablets 500 mg active ingredient;
- injection solution, 1 ml of which includes 100 mg of the active ingredient.
For the medicine "Kardionat" two forms of release are registered:
- gelatin capsules containing either 250 mg or 500 mg of meldonium;
- injection solution in ampoules of 5 ml containing 500 mg of the active substance.
Answer the question, having considered the forms of release of drugs, "Cardionate" or "Mildronate" - which is better? - it is impossible, since they are produced in the same form with the same amount of active ingredient.
About "Cardionate"
The Kardionat drug is produced in Russia by Makiz-Pharma LLC, located in Moscow. The company is engaged in the development and production of finished dosage forms. The product line includes 43 items, including the preparation with meldonium "Kardionat". It is available in two dosage forms - in capsules and as a solution for injection, and in both forms it is the only active ingredient. The remaining substances present in drugs play a formative role. For capsules it is:
- colloidal silicon dioxide;
- calcium stearate;
- potato starch.
In addition to meldonium, the ampoules contain water for injection in the amount necessary for the concentration of the solution.
About "Mildronate"
Medicinal substance with meldoniumunder the brand name "Mildronate" is produced by the pharmaceutical company JSC "Grindeks" (AS Grindeks), which combines five enterprises from Latvia, Slovakia, Russia, Estonia. It was in Latvia that the substance meldonium was patented in 1992. The "Grindeks" association is engaged in the development, production and sale of both dosage forms and individual substances used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and sports nutrition. One of these substances is meldonium. The drug "Mildronate", which is produced in three dosage forms, contains the only working substance - meldonium. All other components that make up the structure of drugs are formative substances:
- capsule shell consists of titanium dioxide (white coloring matter), gelatin, calcium stearate, potato starch, colloidal silicon dioxide;
- tablet form consists of silicon dioxide, potato starch, mannitol, povidone, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose;
- injection solution is based on special water, taken in the amount necessary to obtain the percentage of the drug substance in 1 ml of solution.
Considering the dosage forms and composition of the active ingredient and excipients, we can conclude that Cardionat and Mildronate are the same drug from different manufacturers.
How does the active ingredient work?
Meldonium is a metabolic substance,responsible and actively participating in the energy metabolic processes occurring in the cells of living organisms. Balance is the basis of life, and balance at the cellular level is the basis of he alth. In some conditions, the active work of carnitine, which serves as a conductor of long-chain fats in the mitochondria of cells for their breakdown and energy production, should be reduced, since fats do not have time to break down and accumulate in the form of unoxidized fatty acids of active forms.
The process of proper he althy oxidation takes place with the participation of oxygen, but during certain diseases and pathological conditions, there is a lack of oxygen and a slowdown in the process of fat oxidation to biologically digestible structures. Meldonium is what blocks carnitine, preventing fats from entering the mitochondria without sufficient oxygen.
This substance has the following functional abilities based on the improvement of metabolic processes when oxygen supply to cells is activated:
- antianginal;
- antihypoxic;
- angioprotective;
- cardioprotective.
Bioavailability of meldonium in various pharmaceutical forms is about 80%. It is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, and the peak concentration in the patient's blood reaches 1.5-2 hours. This substance is then metabolized in the liver to non-toxic components that are excreted in the urine.
In what cases is the use of drugs with meldonium indicated?
Soas the active substance meldonium is part of the preparations "Cardionat" or "Mildronate", the indications for use will be the same for them. They are used in the treatment of the following diseases and conditions:
- alcohol withdrawal;
- peripheral artery disease;
- bronchial asthma;
- dyscirculatory encephalopathy;
- stroke;
- ischemic heart disease;
- cardialgia with myocardiopathy;
- retinal hemorrhages;
-
occlusion of the central retinal vein or its branches;
- acute circulatory disorder of the retina;
- postoperative period;
- retinopathy of various etiologies;
- chronic heart failure;
- reduced performance;
- thrombosis of the central and peripheral retinal veins;
- physical overload (including sports);
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;
- cerebrovascular insufficiency.
When prescribing this drug, all the main methods of treating diseases are preserved. The drug can be used both as a main and as an auxiliary component.
Are there any contraindications?
If necessary, the doctor prescribes drugs "Cardionate" or "Mildronate". They contain the same active substance - meldonium. Contraindications to the use of these drugs will be the same:
- individual high sensitivity to meldonium or to auxiliary components of the drug;
- intracranial hypertension resulting from intracranial tumors or impaired venous outflow.
The use of meldonium preparations is not recommended for children under the age of 18, as well as for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Such a ban is due to the lack of knowledge of the effects of the active substance on the body of a child or fetus. Extreme caution and constant monitoring of he alth requires the use of meldonium preparations for pathologies of the liver and / or kidneys.
And the side effects?
In deciding whether Cardionate or Mildronate is better, for many patients, one of the factors is the potential for side effects. But since both drugs are medicines with meldonium that do not contain other active ingredients, their manifestation will be the same. What are the possible side effects of these medicines:
- rashes on the skin;
- hyperemia;
- hypotension;
- itch;
- heartburn;
- edema;
- burp;
- increased arousal;
- tachycardia;
- nausea.
There are extremely rare side effects of drugs with meldonium.
Meldonium and sports achievements
Until recently one could heardispute about whether "Cardionat" or "Mildronat" - which is better for the sport? Meldonium increases the endurance of athletes, allows you to recover faster after active training and competition performances. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) puts this substance on the list of prohibited drugs for use by athletes. The meldonium scandal with Russian athletes caused significant damage to the prestige of our sport. To date, the question of whether "Cardionate" or "Mildronat" - which is better, is being conducted only in clinical medicine and behind the scenes of sports.
Features of the use of drugs with meldonium
Only a doctor can prescribe the use of drugs with meldonium according to the available indications. He will choose the form of the medicine and the mode of application. Patients should take into account some features of the use of both "Cardionate" and "Mildronate":
- it is best to take the medicine in the morning, so that as a result of the development of increased arousal, as a side effect, not to spoil the night's sleep;
- when the drug is administered intramuscularly, there may be quite a lot of pain at the injection site, so intravenous administration of the drug is preferable;
- in the treatment of retinopathy, drugs with meldonium are administered only parabulbarno (in the area of the lower eyelid under the skin or to a depth of 1 centimeter), this is a very painful injection;
- It is not recommended to take alcohol during treatment with meldonium preparationsdue to a possible decrease in the quality of treatment and the development of adverse reactions of the body.
The doctor must take into account the interaction of drugs, as well as the patient's condition and the course of the disease. Meldonium potentiates the activity of drugs with coronolytic action, antihypertensive agents, as well as drugs that promote the expansion of peripheral vessels. The combined use of such drugs can cause tachycardia and lower blood pressure.
Reviews of doctors and patients about drugs
Preparations with meldonium, produced in the same dosage forms, cannot differ significantly from one another. Which remedy to choose for use - the doctor decides. The difference between these two medicines is only in the price - the Russian meldonium is much cheaper than the Latvian counterpart. One should pay about 220-270 rubles for a package of "Cardionate" capsules, while a similar package of "Mildronate" will cost the buyer almost 3.5 times more - about 800 rubles.
Which of the means to prefer - decides the material possibility of the patient. It is difficult to choose which of the means is more effective - Cardionat or Mildronate. The reviews left by both doctors and patients are mostly advisory in nature. The tool helps to cope with many he alth problems, if taken as prescribed by a doctor in compliance with the regimen.
Answer the FAQ to pharmacists inpharmacies, the question: "Cardionate" or "Mildronate" which is better? "- It is almost impossible. These are absolutely similar drugs that have the same composition, which means that indications and contraindications for use, and potential side effects will also be the same. Decide which remedy to purchase, only the price of drugs will help.
