The cause of the disease is the deposition on the vascular walls of atherosclerotic plaques. As a result, the lumen of the vessels narrows, the blood supply of the brain and, consequently, its work is disturbed. The first signs appear to be not serious: attention is weakened, dizziness appears, sleep is disturbed.
Absence of treatment leads to progression of the disease, movement and speech are disturbed, memory and thinking deteriorate, work capacity decreases. Finally, a stroke can develop.
Used groups of medicinal substances
How to treat atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels with medications, which groups of drugs will help to get rid of the disease with medical therapy?
- Statins affect the immediate cause of the disease, reducing the amount of cholesterol, inhibiting the growth of atherosclerotic plaques. The use of these drugs requires a very accurate dosage, prescribed by the doctor depending on the specific stage of the disease.
- The fibrates of reduce the total level of fats( triglycerides) in plasma by 20-50%.This is due to an increase in the activity of a number of enzymes and an increase in the output of cholesterol and bile.
- Antiaggregants reduce the sticking ability of the formed elements of blood and improve its fluidity. These drugs can not only prevent the gluing of blood platelets, but also disaggregate those that have already managed to connect.
- Sequestants act on the principle of ion-exchange resins, binding fatty acids and cholesterol, facilitating their excretion from the body. Although in general, their effect is less effective than statins, but in some cases, their use is more justified.
- Vitamins with atherosclerosis have a strong strengthening effect on the vessel walls, and nicotinic acid is comparable to statins and fibrates in its effectiveness in reducing cholesterol.
Applicable tablets and solutions
Consider the use schemes and other features of drugs for the medical treatment of atherosclerosis of the cerebral vessels( more about the disease itself - here).
Rosuvastatin
The names of the preparation and its active ingredient are the same. The drug is produced in the form of coated tablets with a dosage of 5 to 40 mg. Rosuvastatin reduces the production in the liver of "bad" cholesterol .The popularity of the drug is explained by the ability to use it in doses less than other statins.
Treatment with rosuvastatin usually starts with 10 mg per day, gradually increasing the dose to 20, in some cases up to 40 mg .It is shown that this medication is used mainly in middle and old age. The duration of therapy is at least three weeks.
Do not use rosuvastatin in patients with liver and kidney disease, who are prone to alcohol abuse, pregnant women and nursing mothers. Also should be cautious when the thyroid hormone is deficient in the patient.
Depending on the dosage of the drug and the number of tablets in the package, Moscow pharmacies sell at a price of 230 to 780 rubles.
Atorvastatin
The drug reduces the level of low-density cholesterol and triglycerides , while increasing the level of "good" cholesterol. The active ingredient is atorvastatin, the form of release is 20, 30 and 40 mg tablets.
This is intended primarily for individuals with age-related metabolic deterioration , with hereditary form of hypercholesterolemia. Begin treatment with 10 mg daily, increasing( if necessary) to 80 mg per day. The course lasts about four weeks.
Severe liver disease is an absolute contraindication to the use of atorvastatin .Do not recommend it to alcoholics, people with low blood pressure, endocrine or metabolic disorders, diseases of the muscular system. Caution is needed for patients after acute infections, injuries and surgeries.
Moscow pharmacies sell atorvastatin at a price of 115-670 rubles .The cost depends on the dosage of the drug.
Simvastatin
The active ingredient is simvastatin. The drug blocks the action of the enzyme involved in the synthesis of cholesterol .Different firms release its tablets in different dosage: from 10 to 40 mg.
The usual dose of this drug is 20-40 mg per day. A smaller dose is considered ineffective. A dose exceeding 80 mg is considered dangerous.
The cost of medicine in pharmacies in Moscow from 70 to 370 rubles .The price depends on the size of the package, the dosage, the manufacturer.
The course of treatment for simvastatin, as well as on all statins is from three to four weeks minimum .The duration of treatment can be assessed only by a doctor, given the severity of the disease, the age of the patient, the presence of concomitant diseases and individual characteristics of a person.
Fenofibrate
This drug is named for its active ingredient. Activating enzymes, he removes from the plasma lipoproteins with a high level of triglycerides .The percentage of excretion reaches a total cholesterol of 25 and 55% in triglycerides.
In the day fenofibrate appoint 145-400 mg. Drug is contraindicated for persons with liver or kidney failure who have gallbladder diseases. Restrictions apply to childhood and advanced age, the presence of diseases of the muscles and joints.
The retail network sells a number of drugs containing fenofibrate:
- capsules of lipanil for 200 mg with an average cost of 900 rubles for 30 capsules;
- tracer in micronized tablets of 145 mg, costing about 800 rubles for 30 pieces;
- fenofibran-canon , containing in the package 30 micronized tablets of 145 mg at a price of 600-700 rubles.
They differ in the amount of active substance in them, the form of release and the manufacturer.
Aspirin
Acetylsalicylic acid does not lose its relevance in different forms: , polycardic, aspercard, lospirin, atsekor-cardio, aspirin-cardio , etc.
Price depends on the form of release and manufacturer, is 80-370 rubles.
The drug works quickly, after only 20-30 minutes , preventing the formation of blood clots, increasing the fluidity of the blood.
But its negative property is the negative effect on the gastric mucosa .Therefore, people who have a history of his disease, aspirin prescribe carefully, giving preference to soluble forms.
A relative contraindication is bronchial asthma.
As it is shown, how dangerous and easily we cure mesenteric thrombosis of the intestine - find out all the details. Postthrombotic syndrome of the lower extremities - what is it and what does it appear from? Details here.
Clopidogrel
This drug belongs to a new generation of antiplatelet agents. It is capable of blocking the binding of ADP molecules to platelet receptors, preventing their adherence. Although it starts to act a little slower than aspirin, only after 2 hours, but its effect lasts longer.
Maximum exposure to clopidogrel is observed after 5-7 days of admission with a dosage of 50-100 mg per day .The effect lasts up to 10 days. Clopidogrel is prescribed only to people who have an increased risk of injury or are planning an operative intervention.
Traditionally, this medicine is produced by 75 mg tablets. The packing price varies from 130 rubles( 10 tablets) to 1100( 90 tablets) .
Dipyridamole
The drug is released in 75 mg tablets packed in 40 or 100 pieces. Accordingly, the price will be from 14 to 350 rubles : the cheapest are produced in Ukraine, the most expensive - in Russia.
Assign it to about 75-150 mg 4-6 times during the day , depending on the indications. Relative contraindication to its use will be the first trimester of pregnancy. You can not use it with aspirin, since dipyridamole enhances the irritating effect on the stomach.
Cholestyramine
As a group of ion-exchange resins, this drug in the intestine replaces chloride ions with bile acids, thus removing it. For sale cholestyramine in sachets, at a price of about 100 rubles for one sachet.
This substance is part of a number of drugs-synonyms. It contains nicergoline in tablets of 10 mg and in ampoules of 4 mg( cost from 77 to 390 rubles), questran in a package with 12 bags of sachets of 4 grams( price from 800 to 1200 rubles).
The daily dose of the substance ranges from 8 to 24 grams of .After the course of treatment, the cholesterol level is reduced by 20%.Treatment lasts 1-2 weeks.
Contraindications may be of the digestive system, hemophilia, high blood pressure, liver and kidney insufficiency. Limitedly prescribed this drug during pregnancy and lactation.
Nicotinic acid
This vitamin has a significant effect on lipoproteins. It is able to reduce the level of triglycerides by 25%, to reduce the content of "bad" cholesterol by 15%, while increasing the "good" cholesterol.
Its beneficial effect is also manifested in the ability of to dilate blood vessels and lower the blood pressure of .In the first days of treatment, nicotinic acid is prescribed at 0.3 grams per day, dividing the dose into three doses.
In the future, the daily dose is sequentially increased, reaching 1-1.5 grams per day of .The therapeutic course continues for a long time.
In this case, must prescribe ascorbic acid , since nicotinic acid has the property of replacing it.
Release the drug in tablets of 50 mg( 20 to 50 rubles), in ampoules for injections of 1 ml( from 100 to 130 rubles) and in capsules( about 160 rubles).
What can not be done during therapy?
The doctor-appointed treatment with even the most advanced medications can not be successful if you continue to lead a lifestyle that led to illness. Most often, the trigger for increasing cholesterol level is excess and unbalanced nutrition with predominance of fatty food of animal origin .Therefore, the doctor strongly recommends that you follow a diet.
Drugs used to treat atherosclerosis can not be taken on an empty stomach .They are taken or several times a day after a meal or during a meal, eating low-fat food.
When starting treatment, also , the doctor should be informed of all other medications taken by .Taking funds for the treatment of atherosclerosis together with other medicines, it is possible to nullify the therapeutic effect of both. And in some cases it happens even dangerous.
More on the treatment of the disease, see the video:
Treatment of atherosclerosis, as a rule, is carried out in a complex. The doctor selects the necessary treatment regimen, which can be a fairly long , but it is very important to comply with it. Along with this, a necessary diet is prescribed, it is possible to apply home prescriptions. Proper use of medicines is the key to successful treatment.
