Product Information

Hydergine stimulates oxygen flow to the brain, relieving symptoms of deteriorating mental capacity.

Hydergine is an ergoloid mesylate (derived from rye) and it has become one of the world's most useful and popular ‘smart drugs’. It is known to have all the following effects:

• Increase blood supply to the brain.
• Increase oxygen delivered to the brain.
• Enhance metabolism of brain cells.
• Protect the brain from insufficient oxygen supply.
• Slow the deposit of the age pigment lipofuscin in the brain.
• Prevent free radical damage to brain cells.
• Increase intelligence, memory, learning and recall.

Oxygen and the brain

Either too much or too little oxygen can upset the balance and generate the production of free radicals, which in turn can lead to aging. One of the major ways in which oxygen generates free radicals is its reaction with unsaturated fats, a process called peroxidation. Brain cells contain more unsaturated fats than any other part of the body, therefore it is our brains that are most susceptible to peroxidation.

Peroxidation and the formation of massive amounts of potent free radicals can occur during heart attacks, stokes and through the effects of smoking and pollution. Consequently, many countries use Hydergine for emergencies and accidents that involve heart attacks and strokes. Hospitals give Hydergine to patients before an operation in order to gain time in case of any ensuing crises. This is because Hydergine helps to stabilize brain oxygen levels, if they are too high Hydergine lowers them, if they are too low then Hydergine improves them.

This effect was demonstrated when two groups of cats were anaesthetized and their brains electronically monitored. The scientists reduced the brain’s blood supply (and therefore oxygen supply). The cats in the control group (with no Hydergine ) had brain damage within 5 minutes and died within 15 minutes. However, the cats in the pre-Hydergine treated group had strong brain wave patterns up to 45 minutes later. This experiment proved two things. Firstly, that a decrease in the normal oxygen balance results in tremendous free radical damage; and secondly, that Hydergine protects against this free radical damage when the oxygen level is upset.

Rejuvenation properties

There is also evidence that Hydergine stimulates the growth of dendrite nerve fibers. Dendrites can normally be expected to decline with aging and some scientists have associated the number and density of dendrites with intelligence.

A group of Italian scientists have studied the ultra-cellular features of synaptic mitochondria (contains enzymes for respiration and energy production) to see if long-term Hydergine treatment could delay or prevent the loss of synaptic connections. The scientists found that the number of mitochondria are greatest at about 12-months of age in rats (equivalent to a 25-year old in human terms) and then progressively decreases. However, the size of the mitochondria increased progressively after 12 months. Thus in young adult rats, the energy required at synaptic regions is provided by a large number of small, highly efficient mitochondria, whereas in old rats, energy is produced by a smaller number of larger, less efficient mitochondria. After treatment with Hydergine, it was seen that the total mitochondrial volume of old rats was nearly the same as the young rats. Furthermore, the mitochondrial was altered to a size more youthful.

Dosage:
Usual dosages are 2.25mg to 9mg daily, but always build up the doses slowly. We offer hydergine in 4.5mg tablets (which are scored so that half a tablet or 2.25mg can be taken). We also offer a more easily absorbed liquid hydergine, which provides precise titration because dosages of 0.5mg increments can be taken. Liquid hydergine is also less likely to cause any stomach upset.

Side effects:
Side effects even quite high dosages have few side effects as long as the dose is gradually built up. Otherwise side effect of nausea and headaches may occur.

Manufacturer's Insert

HYDERGINE ® TABLETS

Chemical:
Co-dergocrine Mesylate (Ergoloid Mesylate)

Excipients:
Lactose, corn starch, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, magnesium stearate, talc.

Adverse Effects:
Side-effects occasionally reported with co-dergocrine mesylate include nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, skin rashes, nasal stuffiness, flushing of the skin, dizziness, bradycardia, and orthostatic hypertension. Local irritation has been reported following sublingual administration.

Effects on the Cardiovascular System:
Of 8 patients given co-dergocrine mesylate 1.5 mg three times daily for the treatment of dementia, 3 developed severe sinus bradycardia associated with general deterioration in their condition, necessitating withdrawal of the treatment. (1) However, Cohen (2) reported that no sinus bradycardia had been observed in 40 elderly patients in whom the dose was built up to 1.5 mg three times daily over 3 weeks. 1. Cayley ACD, et al. Sinus bradycardia following treatment with Hydergine ® for cerebrovascular insufficiency. Br Med J 1975- 4: 384-5. 2. Cohen C. Sinus bradycardia following treatment with Hydergine ®. Br Med J 1975- 4: 581.

Uses and Administration:
Unlike the natural ergot alkaloids, co-dergocrine mesylate has only limited vasoconstrictor effects. It is used with the intention of treating symptoms of mild to moderate impairment of mental function in the elderly in doses of 3 or 4.5 mg daily by mouth, preferably before meals. Higher doses have also been used. It is also given sublingually in doses of 3 mg daily. Doses of 300 mcg have been given intramuscularly, subcutaneously, or by intravenous infusion. In some countries, co-dergocrine mesylate has been used in the treatment of hypertension and in peripheral vascular disease. Co-dergocrine mesylate has been used similarly to the mesylate. References to some uses of co-dergocrine mesylate.
1. Bellani M, et al. Treatment of hypertension in the elderly: a controlled clinical trial of dihydroergotoxine mesylate in comparison with nifedipine. Curr Ther Res 1983- 34: 1014-22.
2. Hajioff J, Wallace M. Effect of co-dergocrine mesylate on tardive dyskinesia: a preliminary report. Psychopharmacology (Berlin) 1983- 79: 1-3.
3. Uehlinger DE, et al. Cardiovascular regulation and lipoprotein profile during administration of co-dergocrine in essential hypertension. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 1989- 36: 119-25.

Senile Dementia:
There is still much uncertainty about the use of co-dergocrine mesylate in the treatment of senile dementia. It was originally thought to act as a peripheral and cerebral vasodilator and vasodilatation was considered an effective treatment for senile dementia due to cerebral ischaemia. However, cerebral ischaemia is no longer believed to be central to the problem. Co-dergocrine mesylate is now classified as a metabolic enhancer. Optimal dosage has not been established- standard oral doses are 3 mg daily in the US and 4.5 mg daily in Europe and Japan, but in some countries as much as 12 mg daily is used without reports of serious side-effects. Some workers have found little difference between doses of 3 and 6 mg daily in patients with senile dementia, whereas others have concluded that 6mg daily was superior in a study of patients with multi-infarct dementia's or mental disturbances after stroke. The overall trend seems to be to use larger doses, orally rather than sublingually, for longer periods. A review in 1979 focused on 22 controlled studies of co-dergocrine mesylate in senile dementia, but although each study showed significant improvement on some behavioral or psychological measure, conclusions as to the therapeutic usefulness of co-dergocrine mesylate were guarded. Improvements ranging from 11 to 21% were calculated for mood depression, confusion, mental alertness, orientation, recent memory, emotional lability, and self-care from 4 studies submitted to the FDA, but specific clinical effects reported have varied widely. Patients selected for evaluation of co-dergocrine mesylate should be limited to those with senile dementia of the Alzheimer or multi-infarct type and the 2 groups should be considered separately. Patients with advanced disease are unlikely to benefit. Although many clinicians continue to regard co-dergocrine mesylate as a placebo it is one of the few potentially effective treatments available for senile dementia of the Alzheimer type. It is suggested that doses of at least 6 mg daily should be given for 6 months and treatment continued, possibly at a lower dose, if improvement or stabilization of decline is seen- if treatment has not been successful it should be abandoned. Hollister LE, Yesavage J. Ergoloid mesylates for senile dementias: unanswered questions. Ann Intern Med 1984- 100: 894-8. Further references to co-dergocrine mesylate in senile dementia. 1. Huber F, et al. Effects of long-term ergoloid mesylates (`Hydergine ®') administration in healthy pensioners: 5-year results. Curr Med Res Opin 1986- 10: 256-79. 2. Orgogozo JM, Spiegel R. Critical review of clinical trials in senile dementia- I. Postgrad Med J 1987- 63: 237-40.