Vinpocetine

Supplement Forms/Alternate Names :

Cavinton

Introduction

Vinpocetine is a compound that is made in a lab. It mimics a compound found in the periwinkle plant. Vinpocetine has been used to treat symptoms of stroke and brain disorders by helping improve blood flow to the brain. It can be taken as a pill. It can also be injected into the bloodstream by a healthcare provider.

Dosages

10 to 20 milligrams 3 times daily

What Research Shows

Not Enough Data to Assess

Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.

Safety Notes

It is likely safe to take vinpocetine in small doses for a short time. Not enough studies have been done to say whether it is safe to use for a long period.

Interactions

Talk to your doctor about any supplements or therapy you would like to use. Some can interfere with treatment or make conditions worse.

 

References

A. Dementia

A1. Balestreri R, Fontana L, et al. A double-blind placebo controlled evaluation of the safety and efficacy of vinpocetine in the treatment of patients with chronic vascular senile cerebral dysfunction. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1987 May;35(5):425-430.

A2. Hindmarch I, Fuchs HH, et al. Efficacy and tolerance of vinpocetine in ambulant patients suffering from mild to moderate organic psychosyndromes. Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 1991 Spring;6(1):31-43.

A3. Szatmari SZ, Whitehouse PJ. Vinpocetine for cognitive impairment and dementia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2003;(1):CD003119.

A4. Perng CH, Chang YC, Tzang RF. The treatment of cognitive dysfunction in dementia: a multiple treatments meta-analysis. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2018 May;235(5):1571-1580.

B. Stroke

B1. Feigin VL, Doronin BM, et al. Vinpocetine treatment in acute ischaemic stroke: a pilot single-blind randomized clinical trial. Eur J Neurol. 2001 Jan;8(1):81-85.

B2. Kemény V, Molnár S, et al. Acute and chronic effects of vinpocetine on cerebral hemodynamics and neuropsychological performance in multi-infarct patients. J Clin Pharmacol. 2005 Sep;45(9):1048-54.

B3. Bereczki D, Fekete I. Vinpocetine for acute ischaemic stroke. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008 Jan 23;(1):CD000480.

B4. Zhang W, Huang Y, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Vinpocetine as Part of Treatment for Acute Cerebral Infarction: A Randomized, Open-Label, Controlled, Multicenter CAVIN (Chinese Assessment for Vinpocetine in Neurology) Trial. Clin Drug Investig. 2016;36(9):697-704.

B5. Belova LA, Mashin VV, et al. [Possibilities of cavinton therapy regimen for infusions and cavinton comforte in acute and early recovery periods after ischemic stroke]. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2017;117(9):51-58.

Last reviewed July 2019 by EBSCO NAT Review Board Eric Hurwitz, DC