Herbs & Supplements:
Vinpocetine
Supplement Forms / Alternate Names
•
Periwinkle
Principal Proposed Uses
•
Alzheimer's Disease and Other Forms of Dementia
Other Proposed Uses
•
Ordinary Age-Related Memory Loss, Strokes
Vinpocetine is a chemical derived from vincamine, a constituent found in the leaves of common periwinkle (Vinca minor L.) as well as the seeds of various African plants. It is used as a treatment for memory loss and mental impairment.
Developed in Hungary over 20 years ago, vinpocetine is sold in Europe as a drug under the name Cavinton. In the United States it is available as a "dietary supplement," although the substance probably doesn't fit that category by any rational definition. Vinpocetine doesn't exist to any significant extent in nature. Producing it requires significant chemical work performed in the laboratory.
What Is Vinpocetine Used for Today?
Some evidence supports the idea that vinpocetine can enhance memory and mental function, especially in those with Alzheimer's disease and related conditions. It is also widely marketed for ordinary age-related memory loss, but it has not been proven effective for this condition.
It has been hypothesized that vinpocetine works by enhancing blood flow in the brain, safeguarding brain cells against damage, and inhibiting a substance known as phosphodiesterase.1,2,3
Based on these proposed actions, vinpocetine has also been tried as a treatment for reducing brain damage during strokes.
What Is the Scientific Evidence for Vinpocetine?
Dementia
A 16-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 203 individuals with mild to moderate dementia found significant benefit in the treated group.4 Benefits have been seen in other studies as well.5–10
Strokes
In a single-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 30 individuals who had just experienced a stroke received either placebo or vinpocetine along with conventional treatment for 30 days.11 The results showed that participants in the vinpocetine group experienced a significantly reduced level of residual disability as measured at 3 months. A few other studies, some of poor design, also provide suggestive evidence that vinpocetine may be helpful for strokes.12,16,17
However, at present, the evidence is too preliminary to rely on.18
Dosage
Vinpocetine is available in 10-mg capsules, usually taken 3 times per day. This supplement is probably best taken with meals, as it is better absorbed that way.13 We recommend that it only be used on physician advice.
Safety Issues
No serious side effects have been reported in any of the clinical trials. In addition, there is one case report of vinpocetine apparently causing agranulocytosis (loss of certain white blood cells).15
Based on indications that vinpocetine inhibits blood platelets from forming clots, 1 it should not be used by individuals with bleeding problems, or during the period immediately before or after surgery or labor and delivery. Similarly, vinpocetine should not be combined with medications or natural substances that may affect blood clotting due to the possibility of excessive bleeding. However, one study found only a minimal interaction between the blood-thinning drug warfarin (Coumadin) and vinpocetine, and interestingly, it was in the direction of decreased clotting.14 Nonetheless, combination therapy with vinpocetine and warfarin should not be attempted except under the supervision of a physician.
Safety in pregnant or nursing women, young children, or those with severe liver or kidney disease has not been established.
Interactions You Should Know About
- Simultaneous use of vinpocetine with blood-thinning drugs, such as warfarin (Coumadin), heparin, aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), ticlopidine (Ticlid), or pentoxifylline (Trental), might cause bleeding problems.
- It is also possible that simultaneous use of vinpocetine in combination with natural substances with blood-thinning properties, such as garlic, ginkgo, policosanol, or high-dose vitamin E, might cause bleeding problems.
View References
Last reviewed August 2002 by Medical Review Board
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