Ergoloid Mesylates

Ergoloid mesylates have been used for many years for the treatment of dementia. More popular in Europe ergoloid mesylates have been superceded by the FDA approved medications for Alzheimer's disease such as Aricept.

Ergoloid mesylates are from a group of drugs known as ergot alkaloids, a rye fungus and is thought to work as an anti oxidant and as a vasodilator of the vessels in the brain. vasodilation is where blood vessels in the body become wider following the relaxation of the smooth muscle in the vessel wall.

Research of the Effectiveness of Ergoloid Mesylate
There have been many pieces of research looking at just how effective ergoloid mesylates are. A prospective study by L. S. Schneider and J. T. Olin in 1994 looked at 151 trial of which 30% 47 met selected criteria. They found that overall
"Overall, ergoloid mesylates were more effective than placebo. However, the effect in patients with possible Alzheimer's dementia was very modest at best. The dose-response relation suggests that potentially effective doses may be higher than the currently approved. The circumstances of the efficacy of Hydergine remain inadequately defined.

Vascular dementia appear to respond better to the drug.

Marc E Agronin quotes sources as saying that in most cases ergoloid mesylate research studies only consisted of small sample sizes "without consistent methods of diagnosis".

Dosage for Ergoloid Mesylate
Typical dosage for ergoloid mesylate is 3 mg to 6 mg per day although dosage can range from 1.5 mg to 12 mg per day. The dosage is usually divided into three doses. Ergoloid mesylate can be bought as a tablet or as a liquid.

Other names and Brand names of Ergoloid mesylates
Hydergine, Gerimal, Niloric, nicergoline (Sermion).
Dihydroergotoxine, dihydrogenated ergot alkaloids.

Side Effects of Ergoloid Mesylates
Common side effects include loss of appetite, mild nausea, vomiting, irritation of the tongue from the sublingual presentation of ergoloid mesylates. Ergoloid mesylates overall have a good safety record in short and long term use.

Contra indications for Ergoloid Mesylates
Inform your doctor if you are:
Allergic to ergoloid mesylates or ergot alkaloids such as Cafergot, Ergostat or Bellergal.
Allergic to other medications
Are pregnant or planning a pregnancy or breast feeding
If you have liver disease, slow heart beat, low blood pressure, a mental illness.

Article Sources: Overview of clinical trials of hydergine in dementia 1994 L. S. Schneider and J. T. Olin. Department of Psychiatry, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles. Arcives of Neurology Vol. 51 No. 8, August 1994.
Marc E Agronin 2004 Dementia. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
The Effects of Ergoloid Mesylates and Ginkgo Biloba on the Pharmacokinetics of Ticlopidine Lu et al. J Clin Pharmacol 2006;46:628-634.
Subcortical Vascular Dementia as a Specific Target for Clinical Trials. INZITARI et al. Annals NYAS Online 2000;903:510-521.

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