NICERGOLINE
Nicergoline is an ergoloid mesylate derivative (similar to Hydergine) currently being used to treat senile dementia and other vascular disorders. This potent vasodilator (improving brain blood flow) has been used for over 30 years for the treatment of cognitive, affective, and behavioral disorders of older people and is registered in over 50 countries.
Nicergoline increases arterial blood flow to the brain thus improving the utilization of oxygen and glucose in the brain cells whilst decreasing vascular resistance. The resulting effect is an improvement in mental agility through an enhancement of both clarity and perception. It shows similar vaso-active properties in other areas of the body, especially in the lungs. In terms of lung circulation, it lowers vascular resistance, and with limb circulation, it increases the flow, which is particularly evident in patients with insufficient irrigation due to functional arteriopathies.
Nicergoline inhibits the postsynaptic alpha(1)-adrenoceptors on vascular smooth muscle. Peripheral vasodilation is the result from the inhibitiing vasoconstrictor effect of circulating and locally released catecholamines -epinephrine and norepinephrine. The increased vascular circulation in the brain enhances the transmission of nerve signals across the nerve fibres, which secrete acetylcholine as a neural transmitter.
Studies have also demonstrated that Nicergoline also inhibits platelet aggregation and in the aged brain, increases nerve growth factor.
Nicergoline is used for:
- vascular disorders such as cerebral thrombosis, cerebral embolism and cerebral ischaemia.
- Acute and chronic peripheral metabolic-vascular disorders (organic and functional arteriopathies of the limbs)
- Raynaud’s disease and other syndromes caused by altered peripheral irrigation.
- Vascular migraines
- Coadjutant therapy in clinical situations accompanied by platelet hyper-aggregability, arterial tension.
- Corio-retinal vascular disorders like diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and retinal angiosclerosis
- Dizziness, auditory hallucinations and hypoacusis.
As always, consult your medical professional before use. Dosages for known conditions are usually administered at 5-10mg three times a day, at regular intervals over prolonged periods of time. For those wishing to use Nicergoline for age prevention purposes, a popular dosage is 5mg once or twice a day. To facilitate absorption, take this medicine between meals.
As with nearly all nootropic drugs, Nicergoline has been shown in clinical trials to be safe when used respectfully and like other nootropic products, occasional breaks are recommended, for example 2-days per week when using for anti-aging purposes.
The dosage and length of treatment are to be decided by your doctor. Sometimes the therapeutic effects of Nicergoline are not immediately noticeable, but will be noted after a certain period of treatment.
Consult with your physician before use particularly is you suffer from acute bleeding, heart conditions, hypertension, bradycardia or are using alpha or beta receptor agonists. It is not recommended for use in pregnancy unless your physician suggests it is absolutely necessary. Nicergoline can enhance the cardiac depressive effects of propranolol (Inderal) so caution is advised. Seek a physician’s advice if you are planning on combining Nicergoline with other potent vasodilators especially at higher doses. These could include ginko biloba, hydergine, picamilone, vinpocetine, xanthinol nicotinate or bromocriptine.
Nicergoline can cause side effects such as nausea, hot flushes, mild gastric upset, hypotension and dizziness. At high dosages bradycardia, increased appetite, agitation, stomach upset and perspiration have been known to present themselves.
