Mildronate is a medicine that helps activate the body's defenses and stimulates metabolism. As a rule, the drug is used to treat pathologies of the heart and blood vessels. The drug contains the active substance meldonium, which is also present in the cells of the human body. Like all medications, Mildronate has its own contraindications, so before starting therapy you must read the instructions and consult a specialist. Also, in case of long-term therapy, patients need to know whether Mildronate and alcohol are compatible.
Pharmacological properties
Mildronate is a structural analogue of the substance meldonium, which is present in the cellular structure of the human body.
In conditions of complete exhaustion of the body, when all systems work at an accelerated pace, Mildronate can restore the following functions:
- Maintains a balance between the need and supply of oxygen to cells.
- Helps eliminate toxic compounds.
- Protects cellular structures from deformation.
- Tones the body's defenses.
After a course of treatment with the drug, energy reserves are quickly restored, the person becomes able to withstand any physical and mental stress. Thanks to these qualities, Mildronate is prescribed for the treatment of various diseases, especially those associated with disorders of the circulatory system and impaired cerebral blood supply. In cardiology, the drug is used after myocardial infarction to inhibit the formation of necrotic areas and reduce the duration of the rehabilitation period. In case of heart failure, the drug can increase the contractility of the heart muscle and increase its susceptibility to physical activity.
Mildronate eliminates functional disorders of the nervous system in alcoholism, when a person has a severe withdrawal syndrome.
Indications
All dosage forms (capsules, tablets, injections) of Mildronate are intended for the treatment of adult patients. A doctor may prescribe the drug in the following cases:
- IHD (in combination with other drugs and treatment methods);
- peripheral arterial disease;
- reduced performance;
- encephalopathy;
- physical overload (including in sports);
- postoperative period (to speed up the recovery of the body);
- chronic heart failure;
- cardialgia (pain in the left side of the chest) caused by dishormonal myocardiopathy;
- bronchial asthma;
- COPD;
- alcohol withdrawal (as an addition to specific therapy);
- stroke.
Additional indications for the use of drug injections:
- hemorrhage into the vitreous cavity of the eye (hemophthalmos);
- hemorrhage in the retina of the eye;
- thrombosis and occlusion of the central retinal vein or its branches;
- retinopathy of various origins (for example, hemorrhagic or diabetic).
Indications: what is it prescribed for and for what purpose?
The instructions for use of Mildronate highlight a list of pathologies for which the effectiveness of the drug has been proven in clinical studies and approved by recommendations.
Conditions for which the use of the medication is recommended are presented in the table.
Affected organIndications for the use of Mildronate
| Heart |
|
| Brain |
|
| Respiratory system |
|
| Eyes |
|
General indications include:
- withdrawal syndrome (“withdrawal”) and hangover in patients with alcoholism;
- decreased exercise tolerance, chronic fatigue and drowsiness;
- decreased memory and performance, which are accompanied by headaches and tinnitus;
- in children – cardialgic variant of vegetative-vascular dystonia.
In addition, Mildronate is often used among athletes (boxing, powerlifting and others) to achieve high results in competitions, improve endurance and strength.
Use of the drug in the treatment of alcoholism
Abuse of alcoholic beverages causes not only psychological, but also physical dependence, against the background of which a person develops withdrawal syndrome. It can only occur in the case of chronic alcoholism, when the body contains a high concentration of ethanol breakdown products. The excretory system is not able to remove toxins on its own, so relief can only come with alcohol.
The drug is widely used in the treatment of chronic alcoholism, relieving alcohol intoxication after prolonged use of ethanol
The pharmacological effect of the drug is best manifested in the acute phase of alcohol intoxication, helping to eliminate all negative symptoms. The active component of the drug is quickly absorbed from the gastrointestinal system, reaching maximum concentration in the blood within 1.5-2 hours after use, and is excreted from the body within 12 hours.
Mildronate for alcoholism can only be prescribed by a narcologist; independent use of the drug is not recommended, as complications may arise that worsen the patient’s condition.
For athletes
The main advantage of Mildronate is its ability to improve metabolism in cells. This leads to accelerated elimination
from organisms of free radicals and breakdown products. The drug can be safely called an antioxidant, which improves well-being, slows down the aging process of cells and helps rapid muscle recovery.
Athletes are recommended to take the drug to reduce pain after training and speed up recovery.
The components included in the composition eliminate the symptoms of overtraining and help fight physical fatigue. This has a beneficial effect on the general condition of the athlete and his personal performance.
The product is most effective during heavy physical activity and active training. It is recommended to take the drug
in situations where the body does not have time to rest between workouts. For example, when preparing for competitions. However, Mildronate is not a prohibited doping drug.
You can take the drug for no more than 6 weeks without a break. Longer use causes addiction, that is, the body stops responding to the incoming substances.
But Mildronate alone is not enough to increase the effectiveness of training and endurance of the body. It only works in
complex with proper nutrition and a rational daily routine, when rest alternates with hard work.
Mechanism of action in alcoholism
The effect of the drug in case of alcohol abuse is aimed at restoring the activity of the central nervous system.
In the complex therapy of alcoholism, the active substance of the drug has the following effects:
- eliminates limb tremors;
- improves thought processes and memory;
- increases the speed of reactions;
- restores performance;
- increases the body's sensitivity to stress.
After treatment with Mildronate, metabolism is activated in every structural unit of the body, and an increase in energy potential is also noted. Thanks to the protection of the heart muscle, the risk of developing heart attacks and cerebral ischemia is reduced.
Is the drug compatible with alcoholic drinks?
Most patients are interested in the question: can Mildronate be taken with alcohol?
It is strictly forbidden to drink alcohol when treating cardiovascular pathologies.
Experts do not recommend combining this drug with drinking alcohol, since the active substance meldonium can accumulate in the body, which increases the risk of distorting the pharmacological effect of the drug.
When drinking alcoholic beverages, ethanol breakdown products are released, they negatively affect the activity of the heart muscle and the functional ability of brain cells, as a result of which the effectiveness of treatment is equal to zero.
Mildronate and alcohol, when used together, can cause a number of body reactions:
- sudden changes in blood pressure;
- allergic reactions in the form of severe itching and rashes;
- weakness, lethargy;
- increased heart rate;
- psychomotor agitation;
- dyspeptic disorders in the form of diarrhea and flatulence;
- labored breathing;
- nausea that ends with vomiting;
- limb spasms.
It does not matter which method of administration the patient used, side effects occur after both the tablet and the injection.
If the drug was used as a therapeutic course, then alcohol consumption is contraindicated for 3 to 30 days, depending on the recommendations of the attending physician.
The most dangerous combinations and consequences
The combination of alcohol and chemical-based drugs leads to serious disorders in the body, and sometimes to fatal consequences.
List of medications and their side effects in combination with alcohol:
| Name of group, drug | Negative results of interaction |
| Neuroleptics (tranquilizers, anticonvulsants, hypnotics) | Severe intoxication, up to cerebral coma |
| CNS stimulants (Theophedrine, Ephedrine, Caffeine) | Rapid increase in blood pressure, hypertensive crisis |
| Antihypertensives (Captofrin, Enalapril, Enap-N), diuretics (Indapamide, Furosemide) | Sudden drop in pressure, collapse |
| Analgesics, anti-inflammatory | Increased toxic substances in the blood, general poisoning of the body |
| Acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin) | Acute gastritis, perforation of gastric ulcer and 12-PC |
| Paracetamol | Toxic liver damage |
| Hypoglycemic (Glibenclamide, Glipizide, Metformin, Phenformin), insulin | A sharp decrease in blood sugar levels, hypoglycemic coma |
Features of combining the drug with alcohol
The interaction of Mildronate with alcoholic beverages is neutral, however, there is a risk of complications and side effects that negatively affect the human body.
The possibility of drinking alcohol during the therapeutic course depends on the underlying disease and the presence of concomitant pathologies. Thus, for diseases of the heart and blood vessels, it is not recommended to drink alcohol-containing drinks, since ethanol puts additional stress on the organs of the circulatory system.
To prevent interaction between the active substance and alcohol, it is recommended to leave a short period
There are situations when it is possible to combine medication with alcohol, but for this the patient must adhere to recommendations that do not allow the combination of ethanol and Meldonium in the body. When drinking alcohol, it is necessary to take into account the characteristics of the female and male body, since the fairer sex eliminates alcohol more slowly. Therefore, men are contraindicated to take the medicine within 24 hours after drinking it, and women should refrain from taking the medicine for 48 hours.
During treatment with this drug, it is not recommended to drink alcohol, as this may not bring the desired therapeutic effect. When they are used together, various reactions of the body develop, but they do not pose a threat to human life.
Organs affected by the toxin
The combined use of pharmacological agents and alcohol has a toxic effect on the internal organs and environments of the body. Alcohol, entering into a chemical reaction with a medicine, leads to poisoning, disrupts physiological processes, enhances or weakens the healing properties of drugs.
The liver suffers more than other organs. She gets hit twice. Many medications have a side effect - hepatotoxicity, destroy cells, and disrupt the physiology of the organ. In the liver, alcohol breaks down to ethanal, a substance 20-30 times more toxic than ethanol, which causes the death of hepatocytes.
Dangerous groups of drugs for the organ in combination with alcohol:
- Anti-inflammatory;
- Hormonal;
- Antibacterial;
- Antifungal;
- Glucose control agents for diabetes mellitus;
- Antituberculosis;
- Cytostatics (chemotherapy drugs);
- Tranquilizers (anti-epileptic, psychotropic).
In second place among the internal organs exposed to the harmful effects of alcohol together with medications are the heart and vascular system. Strong drinks during drug therapy constrict blood vessels and increase blood pressure. The simultaneous intake of alcohol and chemical substances leads to failure of the myocardium and increases the risk of developing an attack of angina pectoris and a heart attack.
A mixture of ethanol and pharmaceuticals disrupts the quality of the blood and reduces clotting. This is dangerous due to internal bleeding and strokes.
Reviews
Valery, 40 years old I used to suffer from alcoholism, but after successful treatment I quit, now I don’t take alcohol in any form. Recently I felt a significant deterioration in my condition; after work I felt severe weakness, dizziness, and pressure changes. I contacted my doctor. He diagnosed vegetative-vascular dystonia due to severe fatigue. I prescribed a course of taking Mildronate, after 14 days of use, sleep normalized, blood pressure stabilized, and most importantly, the body became more resilient to stress.
Marina, 32 years old Due to sedentary work and lack of physical activity, I developed osteochondosis and chronic fatigue syndrome. After a series of studies, the neurologist prescribed me a drug treatment regimen. Mildronate was on the list of medications. During 2 weeks of inpatient treatment, I was given intravenous injections of Mildronate. I didn’t immediately feel any improvement in my condition, but my sleep became stronger and I didn’t have any problems with dizziness. Perhaps everyone has their own individual sensitivity to the product, but at least I didn’t find any side effects.
Evgeniy, 30 years old, I started taking Mildronate on a regular basis, as I began to actively engage in sports. I take a tablet of the drug 2 hours before training at a dose of 1 mg. The effect is noticeable within a week, the body’s endurance has increased several times. However, I do not recommend combining the product with alcohol, because I drank beer once, after which I developed severe nausea and diarrhea.
Instructions for use of Mildronate
The solution is administered undiluted intravenously according to indications; the capsules are used orally as a whole without crushing.
Mildronate injections
Prescribed for progressive angina, vascular pathologies of the fundus, cerebral circulatory disorders, myocardial infarction. In case of a heart attack, it is administered once a day in a volume of 500-1000 mg. Further treatment is carried out with capsules.
For vascular pathologies of the fundus of the eye, the solution is administered behind the eyeball or under its outer shell, 0.5 ml for 10 days.
To persons with acute circulatory disorders in the brain, Mildronate is administered intravenously once a day at a dose of 500 mg. The duration of the course of treatment is 10 days. Then the patient is transferred to capsules at a dosage of 500-1000 mg per day in one or two doses.
Mildronate capsules
Prescribed to patients suffering from diseases of the cardiovascular system as additional therapy at a dose of 500-1000 mg. It can be taken once or divided into two doses. Duration of therapy is 4-6 weeks. You can repeat courses as prescribed by your doctor 2-3 times a year.
For cardialgia, take one tablet of Mildronate 500 mg once a day.
For pathologies of peripheral arteries, the medicine is taken twice a day, 500 mg.
Athletes and people experiencing increased intellectual and physical stress can take 1000 mg in two doses for 10-14 days. After 14-21 days the course can be repeated.
For persons suffering from chronic alcoholism, Mildronate is prescribed 500 mg four times a day for 7-10 days.
The maximum dose of the drug is 2000 mg. It is recommended to take before lunch due to its stimulating effect.
