The effect of the drug Citicoline 500mg

Citicoline is used in the treatment of some acute encephalopathy and chronic encephalopathy. So what is the effect of Citicoline and how does it work?

Citicoline has the main ingredient Citicoline, which stimulates biosynthesis of phospholipids on nerve cell membranes, helps fight brain damage, and enhances neurotransmitter function. The drug increases blood perfusion to the brain, increasing brain oxygen consumption through the following mechanisms:
Citicoline acts as a precursor in the biosynthesis of phospholipids on neuronal membranes. Under the catalysis of the enzyme choline phosphotransferase, citicoline will combine with diacylglycerol to form phosphatidylcholine. Exogenous citicoline contributes significantly to the choline storage system, which is essential for the brain's synthesis of acetylcholine. When the demand for Acetylcholine is high or the choline stores are insufficient, the phospholipids on the brain cell membranes can be metabolized to provide choline, leading to damage to the nerve cell membranes. As a source of choline, as well as a precursor for the production of phospholipids, citicoline helps prevent and restore nerve cell membranes. Citicoline enhances neurotransmitter function through increased release of norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin. Citicoline is well tolerated, crosses the blood-brain barrier and reaches the central nervous system. Citicoline is metabolized by the liver and eliminated through the respiratory system in the form of CO2 and excreted in the urine. The half-life of Citicoline is 56 hours as CO2 and 71 hours in the urine.

Citicoline drug is indicated in the following cases:
Acute encephalopathy including:
Acute and subacute cerebrovascular accident such as cerebral circulatory insufficiency, cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral palsy. Traumatic brain injury . Chronic encephalopathy includes:
Age-related degeneration including Alzheimer's disease Primary degenerative dementia Dementia due to multifocal infarction Sequelae of cerebrovascular accident. Traumatic brain injury Prevention of complications after neurosurgery Parkinson's disease can be used alone or in combination with levodopa.
Citicoline is contraindicated in the following cases:
Hypersensitivity to drug components. Increased tone of the parasympathetic nervous system.

3.1. For acute encephalopathy Acute phase (for 14-21 days): IM or IV injection slowly 5 minutes or IV infusion 40-60 drops/minute at a dose of 1000-3000mg/day.
Recovery period (for 6-12 months):
Adults take 200mg x 3 times/day Children: take 100mg x 2-3 times/day. 3.2. For chronic encephalopathy Adults take 200mg x 3 times/day. Children take 100mg x 2-3 times/day. Caution should be exercised when using Citicoline in case of prolonged intracerebral hemorrhage: Do not use more than 1000 mg/day and must be given a slow IV infusion (30 drops/min). Pregnant and lactating women should avoid taking Citicoline.
Citicoline increases the effects of L-Dopa when used together. Therefore, it is necessary to avoid taking Citicoline with meclophenoxate, centrofenoxine.

Citicoline has high safety, side effects are very rare. However, possible side effects when using Citicoline include:
Low blood pressure Fatigue or shortness of breath Rash Insomnia Headache Dizziness Nausea Loss of appetite Feeling hot in the body. Citicoline is used in the treatment of certain acute encephalopathy and chronic encephalopathy. To ensure the effectiveness of treatment and avoid side effects, patients need to take medicine according to prescription or consult a doctor, pharmacist for advice.
Follow Vinmec International General Hospital website to get more health, nutrition and beauty information to protect the health of yourself and your loved ones in your family.