What is better Neurox or Mexidol differences and the choice of the best

All the time of its existence - from the Stone Age to the present day - mankind is trying to find a recipe for eternal youth and longevity. Manufacturers of drugs and dietary supplements offer a simple, albeit not a cheap way - taking antioxidants. If you believe advertising, it is enough to drink away the course of “magic” pills or inject shots in order to live a long time and not get old. But the question is - is there any kind of rational grain behind this or all this talk is just a good marketing move?

Two drugs from the group of famous antioxidants - Mexidol and Neurox are presented to your attention. According to official instructions, these funds do not give eternal youth and do not even protect against cancer. Everything is much more prosaic - they are used in the treatment of disorders of cerebral circulation, used in vegetative-vascular dystonia and other conditions.

The experts of our magazine compared the composition and principle of action of the studied antioxidants and found out that there is a difference between them. Mexidol is an original drug, its effectiveness is confirmed by clinical trials. Neurox is a generic, it acts more slowly and not so successfully. Identified differences may be associated with different production technology of medicines and dissimilar auxiliary components.

Let's find out what else the selected drugs differ in, and in what situations they can apply.

What are they made of? Composition and release form

The active ingredient of both antioxidants is 2-ethyl-6-methyl-3-hydroxypyridine succinate. Do not be afraid of complex names! Succinate, also known as succinic acid ion, is involved in the natural metabolic processes of the human body (in the Krebs cycle). Hydroxypyridine is similar in structure to pyridoxine, known to us as vitamin B6. The complex name hides a relatively simple molecule capable (according to the developers of the drug) to cope with aggressive free radicals.

The original Russian drug Mexidol is available in two forms:

1. 125 mg oral tablets;

2. ampoules with a solution for injection 50 mg / ml.

Neurox is marketed only in the form of a solution for injection. There is no tablet form.

The cost of injecting antioxidants is different. Mexidol will be more expensive - for 10 ampoules you will have to pay 450-550 rubles. Neurox will cost 300-350 rubles for the same amount of the drug. The original drug is always more expensive than a generic, because of its greater effectiveness and better tolerability.

How to act?

Mexidol and Neurox belong to the same pharmacological group. Their effects are determined by two key mechanisms:

1. Antioxidant action. Hydroxypyridine succinate affects the enzymatic and non-enzymatic processes of lipid peroxidation.

2. Membranoprotective action. The study drugs limit the damaging effects of free radicals - the product of lipid peroxidation. Hydroxypyridine succinate strengthens the cell membrane (membrane) and prevents their death.

Mexidol and Neurox affect the main pathogenesis of many diseases, the development of which is associated with the processes of lipid peroxidation and the formation of free radicals. Studies conducted at the Institute of Pharmacology, RAMS, indicate the following effects of drugs:

1. Anxiolytic action: eliminate fear, increased anxiety, nervous tension, anxiety. Unlike other similar means, do not have a sedative and miorelkasantny effect. They do not drive into sleep and do not relax the skeletal muscles, do not impair attention and memory. Medixol and Neurox can be considered as day-time anxiolytics - they do not interfere with the usual way of life.

2. Antialcoholic action. Preparations eliminate the disturbances of attention and memory caused by ethanol intoxication.

3. Antihypoxic action. The studied drugs increase the saturation of tissues with oxygen

4. Anti-stress effect. Drugs facilitate the adaptation of the body to stress, normalize the cycle of sleep and wakefulness.

5. Lipid-lowering action. In exchange intake, antioxidants reduce the level of cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins - and thus prevent the development of atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, stroke.

We studied several scientific reviews and found out that the principle of action of Neurox and Mexidol is not different. The only difference is in the pharmacokinetics of drugs. Studies have shown:

1. Mexidol is absorbed better than Neurox.

2. To achieve the maximum concentration in the blood, Mexidol takes 30-40 minutes, Neurox - about an hour.

3. Mexidol is stored in the blood up to 5 hours, Neurox - no more than 4.

Conclusion: The original Mexidol acts faster and stays longer than the generic Neurox. Its bioavailability is higher - that is, more active substance enters the blood and affects the functioning of the body.

Is there any effect?

Ethyl methyl hydroxypyridine succinate - the active ingredient of both drugs - is registered only in the Russian Federation. Outside the country, it does not apply. As of January 2019, the drug did not undergo a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. According to modern standards from the standpoint of evidence-based medicine, it cannot be applied in medical practice:

1. The therapeutic effect of ethyl methyl hydroxypyridine succinate in stroke has not been proven.

2. The clinical significance of the antioxidant Mexidol in the treatment of various diseases has not been proven.

3. There is no reliable evidence that the drug may affect the outcome of the disease.

There are many publications in PubMed's Mexidol database, but scientific reviews show that the effectiveness of the drug remains questionable. Various studies have been conducted, but not all of them meet international criteria. There is no reliable substantiation of the mechanisms of its action, there are no data that really show the clinical effect. A drug created on the basis of the vitamin B6 molecule and used from various diseases - from multiple sclerosis and stroke to hepatitis - does it really work? While all the facts speak against Mexidol.

Why are these drugs used in Russia? Far from all areas of medicine, doctors can quickly change to a new system. Adequate replacement for the rejected remedy is not immediately available, and often the doctor does not have an alternative solution. In relation to Medixol, a number of domestic studies have also been published, which show the effectiveness of the drug in stroke (including in the acute period), chronic cerebrovascular disease and in other conditions. Publications are signed by the names of existing specialists, candidates and doctors of medical sciences - and can they not be trusted? This controversial issue has not yet been resolved.

Conclusion: the effectiveness of Mexidol according to international standards has not been proven, but Russian studies indicate a positive effect of the drug. About Neurox virtually no data.Is it worth talking about generic, even if the original drug is not tested?

But let's leave the evaluation of the effectiveness of Mexidol and its generics on the conscience of pharmacologists and back to the comparison of drugs.

When are they appointed?

Neurox is available only in solution for injection, and therefore it is appointed by a short course. Its use is justified in acute disorders of cerebral blood circulation, on the first day after myocardial infarction, traumatic brain injury, and intoxication with psychotropic drugs. For prolonged use, it is not suitable.

Mexidol is available both in ampoules and tablets. It can be prescribed for long-term treatment of various conditions - atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, encephalopathy, etc.

According to the instructions for use, the indications for prescribing drugs are almost the same:

1. acute disorders of cerebral blood flow and their consequences;

2. head injuries and their complications;

3. encephalopathies of various origin;

4. acute intoxication with psychotropic drugs;

5. abstinence during alcoholism;

6. vegetative dystonia syndrome;

7. myocardial infarction;

8. impaired attention and memory in atherosclerosis;

9. asthenia;

10. stress exposure.

Neurox also indicated glaucoma in indications (in complex therapy), and Mexidol has coronary heart disease.

How are they transferred?

Mexidol and Neurox are well tolerated. Both drugs can cause an allergic reaction. There is no evidence that one of the studied agents more often leads to the appearance of undesirable effects.

Mexidol when ingested can cause dyspepsia. Against this background, nausea, abdominal pain, and disruption of stool are often noted. Neurox does not pass through the digestive tract, and such reactions are uncharacteristic for it.

findings

Let's sum up:

1. Mexidol is an original drug. In clinical studies, it acts more efficiently than generic Neurox.

2. Mexidol is available in tablets and solution for injection. Tablet form allows you to prescribe it for long-term therapy. Neurox is presented only in the form of a solution, and it is used in a short course.

From the standpoint of evidence-based medicine, the effectiveness of the original Mexidol and its generics (including Neurox) remains questionable.

When choosing a drug, do not forget to consult a doctor. Only a specialist will be able to determine the indications for therapy and evaluate its effectiveness in each particular case.