Cavinton Forte Indications/Uses

All forms of acute and chronic cerebral circulatory insufficiency: TIA, reversible ischemic neurological deficiency, progressive stroke, completed stroke, post-apoplectic conditions, multi-infarct dementia, cerebral arteriosclerosis, post-traumatic, hypertensive encephalopathy, etc.
Chronic Cerebral Vascular Ischemia: Two PET studies in chronic stroke patients have shown that vinpocetine has a significant effect in increasing glucose uptake and metabolism in the healthy cortical and subcortical regions of the brain, particularly in the area surrounding the region of the stroke. A study in 15 chronic ischemic stroke patients found that a 2-week vinpocetine trial significantly increased cerebral blood flow in the nonsymptomatic hemisphere. Recent studies using Doppler sonography and near infrared spectroscopy have shown increased perfusion of the middle cerebral artery in patients with chronic cerebrovascular disease given a single infusion of vinpocetine.
Acute Ischemic Stroke: Although small studies have shown that vinpocetine has an immediate vasodilating effect in cerebrovascular circulation, a meta-analysis of the existing studies examining short- and long-term fatality rates with vinpocetine was unable to assess efficacy. In the analysis of 8 studies in acute stroke patients (vinpocetine was administered within 2 weeks of event), only 1 study met the meta-analysis criteria. In the selected trial, 3 weeks after onset of IV vinpocetine therapy, 8 of 17 vinpocetine patients and 12 of 16 placebo patients were determined "dependent" (unable to live without assistance), and all were still alive. The meta-analysis authors were unable to determine a beneficial effect of vinpocetine, but did state that considering the in vitro studies and animal data, vinpocetine has potential to be effective in acute stroke. Properly designed studies have not yet been conducted.
For the reduction of psychic or neurological symptoms of cerebral insufficiency eg, memory disturbances, dizziness, headache, aphasia, apraxia, locomotor disorders, etc.
Degenerative Senile Cerebral Dysfunction: A meta-analysis of 6 randomized, controlled trials involving 731 patients with degenerative senile cerebral dysfunction showed that vinpocetine was highly effective in the treatment of senile cerebral dysfunction. Using several psychometric testing scales in addition to physical symptoms (speech and movement capacity, muscular coordination and strength, sensory-perceptual ability), the researchers were able to show a highly significant effect of vinpocetine on both cognitive and motor functions.
Alzheimer's Disease: Although evidence has been limited to 1 small study, the results suggest that vinpocetine supplementation may not be effective as a therapy for Alzheimer's disease. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of vinpocetine in 15 Alzheimer patients, treated with increasing doses of vinpocetine (30, 45 and 60 mg/day) in an open-label pilot trial during a 1-year period, resulted in no improvement.
Ophthalmology: Treatment of vascular disorders of the choroid and retina due to arteriosclerosis, vasospasm, macula degeneration, arterial or venous thrombosis or embolism and glaucoma secondary to the previously mentioned disorders.
Otology: Treatment of impaired hearing of vascular or toxic (iatrogenic) origin, presbyacusis, Meniere's disease, cochleovestibular neuritis, tinnitus and dizziness of labyrinth origin.
Tinnitus/Meniere's Disease/Visual Impairment: Vinpocetine has been used in the treatment of acoustic trauma with subsequent hearing loss and tinnitus. Disappearance of tinnitus occurred in 50% of those who started vinpocetine within 1 week of the trauma. Regardless of the time since the incident, 79% of patients had improved hearing and 66% had a significant decrease in the severity of the tinnitus.
Vinpocetine has also been found to be effective in treating Meniere's disease and in visual impairment secondary to arteriosclerosis.
Treatment of vasovegetative symptoms of climacteric syndrome.
Parenteral treatment is recommended followed by oral treatment.
In chronic cases, oral therapy should be applied.
In hemorrhagic strokes, parenteral treatment can be started only if the acute phase is over (5-7 days).