Aescin

Aescin helps reduce inflammation and swelling, and also protects venous vessels.

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Indications Aescin

Indications for the use of tablets are infections caused by pathogenic microbes sensitive to the drug:

• chronic form of venous insufficiency;
• inflammation of the veins in the legs;
• haemorrhoids;
• treatment and prevention of hematomas and swelling that occur after surgery or injury.

The gel is used locally as part of symptomatic treatment, and in addition to this for:

• closed-type injuries and ligament sprains;
• local inflammations (with or without swelling);
• pain in the back with signs of compression of the spinal cord nerve roots (with lumbago, osteochondrosis or sciatica).

The medicine can be used as an adjunct to relieve other symptoms: heaviness along with pain in the legs, itchy skin, swelling of the legs, and along with this, tonic cramps in the calf muscles, which appear as a result of circulatory disorders in the legs.

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Release form

Available in tablet and gel form. One blister contains 30 tablets. One package contains 1 blister plate. The gel is contained in a 40 g aluminum tube. One package contains 1 tube of gel.

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Pharmacodynamics

The drug helps regulate the permeability of the capillary vessel walls and also increases the strength of the capillary endothelium.

Escin is the main saponin extracted from the fruits of the esculus. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous properties, helps to normalize the tone of the membranes of blood vessels, but it is impossible to reliably record the effect of the drug when used locally. Reduces vascular permeability.

The properties of the drug are due to the suppression of the activity of the enzyme hyaluronidase, which affects the permeability of the vascular walls. Improvement of their tone occurs due to the stimulating effect that α-escin has on the secretory function of the hormones of the adrenal cortex, on the formation of PGF2α in the vascular walls, and on the release of norepinephrine from nerve endings. In addition, the products of escin decay also have an effect (it is similar to the effect of the hormones of the adrenal cortex). All these effects allow to increase the tone of muscle cells in the vascular walls.

Diethylamine salicylate has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

Heparin, which is contained in Aescin gel, is a natural polyanionic glycan that inhibits all phases of blood coagulation. After local application, it has an anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic effect on the skin.

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Pharmacokinetics

Escin is quickly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract after internal administration (by about 11%). It also reaches its peak concentration quickly, and then is redistributed in tissues. The active ingredient binds to plasma proteins in significant quantities. It is excreted with urine and bile.

When applied locally, the drug is also well absorbed. After local application, a high concentration of α-escin is determined in the skin and subcutaneous tissues. But in blood plasma and other tissues, this indicator is quite low.

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Dosing and administration

The dosage of the drug in tablets for adults is 1 piece three times a day. If necessary, the dosage can be increased to 2 tablets three times a day. To prevent the development of hematomas and swelling after surgery, you should start using the drug at least 16 hours before the procedure. The maintenance dosage consists of 2 tablets twice a day.

The tablets should be taken after meals with water. The duration of the treatment course is prescribed by the doctor - in accordance with the effectiveness of the drug, as well as the severity of the disease. The average duration of the course is usually 2-3 months.

The gel should be applied 3-5 times a day, in a thin layer, rubbing it slightly into the skin at the site of the lesion. To speed up the absorption of the active component, you can do a light massage before applying the medicine. The duration of the course of treatment is prescribed by the doctor and depends on the course and severity of the disease, but it should be taken into account that it is better not to use the gel for a long time (more than 3 weeks). Also, do not apply it to large areas of skin.

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Use Aescin during pregnancy

There is no clinically confirmed information regarding the use of the drug during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Animal studies have not shown the effects of α-escin on the course of pregnancy, as well as the development and growth of the fetus. However, the drug is still prohibited for use in the first trimester. Subsequently, Aescin can only be used with the permission of the attending physician, in cases where the benefit to the woman outweighs the possibility of negative consequences for the fetus.

During lactation, it is prohibited to treat areas in the sternum area with the gel.

Contraindications

Among the existing contraindications:

• individual sensitivity to the active component of Aescin or other auxiliary components;
• the patient has renal failure;
• age under 18 years.

The gel is prohibited for use on mucous membranes or skin areas with open wounds, and also for use in cases of skin necrosis, as well as after radiation procedures.

Side effects Aescin

As a result of using the medicine (in tablets), the following side effects may develop:

• immune system organs: hypersensitivity reactions, including skin itching, urticaria, and a feeling of heat;
• gastrointestinal tract: pain in the epigastrium, gastrointestinal disorders, vomiting along with nausea, and diarrhea;
• cardiovascular system: development of tachycardia.

In case of taking the drug in high doses, thrombosis, nephrotoxic reactions, and a decrease in blood pressure may be observed.

When using the gel, local reactions are occasionally observed - heat, itching or the development of hives.

Such symptoms usually go away on their own.

Since the gel contains methylparaben (E218) and propylparaben (E216), delayed allergic reactions may develop.

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Overdose

As a result of an overdose of Aescin tablets, the severity of the symptoms of the adverse reaction may increase.

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Interactions with other drugs

The drug can increase the effectiveness of antithrombotic drugs. And cephalosporins can increase the strength of Aescin.

Aescin and aminoglycosides should not be combined, as such a combination increases the nephrotoxic properties of the latter.

Also, the drug in gel form cannot be combined with NSAIDs, warfarin and salicylates.

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Storage conditions

The medicinal substance should be kept in normal conditions for medicines - a place protected from sunlight and moisture, inaccessible to small children. Temperature - maximum 25°C.

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Shelf life

Aescin is permitted to be used for 3 (as tablets) and 2 (as gel) years from the date of release of the drug.

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