Cerebrolysin
Table of contents
- Brand Names
- Chemistry
- Pharmacologic Category
- Mechanism of Action
- Therapeutic Use
- Pregnancy and Lactation Implications
- Contraindications
- Warnings and Precautions
- Adverse Reactions
- Toxicological Effects
- Caution and personalized dose adjustment in patients with the following genotypes
- Other genes that may be involved
- Drug Interactions
- Dosage
- Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics
Brand Names
Europe
Austria: Cerebrolysin; Bulgaria: Cerebrolysin; Latvia: Cerebrolysin; Lithuania: Cerebrolysin; Poland: Cerebrolysin; Portugal: Cerebrolysine.
Latin America
Argentina: Renacenz.
Drug combinations
Chemistry
Cerebrolysin: Solution of a porcine brain-derived peptide produced by standardized enzymatic breakdown of lipid-free porcine brain proteins.
Pharmacologic Category
Anti-Dementia Agents; Immunotrophins. Neurotrophic Factor.
Mechanism of action
The porcine brain-derived proteolytic peptide fraction consists of short biological peptides similar or identical to those produced endogenously. This drug stimulates cell differentiation, bolsters nerve cell function, and induces mechanisms of protection and repair. In addition to its direct effects on neurons, it appears to significantly increase the number of glucose transport molecules in the blood-brain barrier. Therapy results in improvements in the objective cognitive abilities and in the activities of daily living, regardless of the cause of the disease (neurodegenerative dementia of Alzheimer’s type or vascular dementia). On the basis of its neurotrophic (nerve growth factor-like) activity, this agent can achieve a significant reduction, or in some cases even the cessation of progression, of neurodegenerative processes.
Therapeutic use
Organic, metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders of the brain, especially senile dementia of Alzheimer’s type. Post-apoplectic complications. Craniocerebral trauma, post-operative trauma, cerebral contusion or concussion.
Pregnancy and lactiation implications
No indication of reproductive toxicity in animal studies. No data available for humans. This drug should only be used during pregnancy and lactation after careful risk/benefit considerations.
Unlabeled use
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to any component of the drug. Epilepsy. Severe renal impairment.
Warnings and precautions
Use with caution in allergic diathesis, epileptic conditions and grand mal convulsions (treatment may result in an increase in the frequency of seizures). The product should not be administered in severe renal failure. In rare cases the desired activating effects have also been associated with agitation (aggression, confusion, insomnia). Rare cases of hyperventilation, hypertension, hypotension, tiredness, tremor, depression, apathy, dizziness and symptoms of influenza (e.g. cold, cough, infections of the respiratory tract) reported in one study. Single cases of grand mal attacks and convulsions reported. In rare cases, gastrointestinal disturbances (such as loss of appetite, dyspepsia, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting and nausea), have been observed. Avoid rapid injection (feelings of heat or sweating, dizziness, and, in isolated instances, palpitations or arrhythmias may result). Injection site reactions, such as erythema, pruritus and burning reported. In very rare cases, hypersensitivity or allergic reactions such as skin reactions, local inflammatory reactions, headache, neck pain, limb pain, fever, lowback pain, dyspnea, chills and shock-like state have been observed. The above mentioned undesirable effects are typical of the elderly and may also be observed without drug use in this patient population.