Drugs to reduce intracranial pressure

Increased intracranial pressure for some reason leads to a headache, and the progression of the condition can cause cerebral edema. The resulting insertion of the trunk into the occipital opening can result in death. To eliminate this condition, some drugs are used to reduce intracranial pressure.

Drug group for reducing ICP

If the head hurts, and painkillers do not help - the cause is most likely in increased intracranial pressure. In this case it is necessary to apply already other groups of drugs for intracranial pressure.

Important! The growth of ICP occurs in the position of the patient lying down, when the outflow of CSF is slowed down. Such pain disturbs in the morning and is often accompanied by nausea or vomiting.

Often, increased intracranial pressure is combined with arterial hypertension - with hypertensive crises. Such a condition requires rapid delivery of a drug substance - therefore, preparations are used in an injectable form.

The main groups of drugs that lower ICP:

• diuretics;
• vasodilators;
• steroids.

Sometimes high intracranial pressure requires the use of several drugs from different groups.

Diuretics

The main diuretic that affects intracranial pressure is Diacarb. Often, only its use for normalizing ICP is sufficient. Diacarb refers to inhibitors of carbonic anhydrase, the active substance of the drug is acetazolamide in a dosage of 250 mg. The pharmacological effect is due to the suppression of the production of carbonic anhydrase in the brain - due to this, intracranial pressure decreases.

Diacarb is prescribed for one tablet up to four times a day. Of the side effects, there is tinnitus, dyspeptic and allergic manifestations. The drug is not allowed for severe diseases of the liver and kidneys, decompensation of diabetes mellitus, during pregnancy and lactation.

High figures of intracranial pressure require the joint administration of Diacarb and Furosemide, a loop diuretic. One tablet of intracranial pressure contains 40 mg of active ingredient. If necessary, intensive treatment with furosemide is injectable.

Pharmacological effect of the drug is due to the acceleration of elimination of sodium, and with it - excess fluid from the body. The required dose is calculated depending on the level of ICP.

Side effects - dizziness, heart rhythm pathology, dyspeptic and allergic reactions. The drug is not allowed for severe heart, liver and kidney disease, during pregnancy and lactation, before the age of three. Joint use of these drugs provides the effect of forced diuresis, which quickly normalizes intracranial pressure.

Vasodilators

These are substances that dilate the lumen of blood vessels. What should I take with intracranial pressure in combination with hypertension? Used in such cases, magnesium sulfate. These are injections from intracranial pressure, which contribute to its rapid normalization.

It is used in the amount of 25 mg per 10 ml of the solution intravenously slowly. The pharmacological effect of the drug is due to a relaxing effect on the musculature of the vessels and the expansion of their lumen. Due to this, a decrease in pressure is observed. Side effect is a violation of the rhythm of the heart, and with an overdose of the drug, collapse and fainting. The drug is contraindicated in severe heart failure.

Steroids

Drugs such as Dexamethasone are prescribed for severe intracranial hypertension and a risk of developing cerebral edema. Dexamethasone is prescribed in tablets or injections, the dosage is calculated depending on the body weight and the degree of pressure increase.

The pharmacological effect is realized due to the pronounced anti-edematous effect - the content and production of fluid in the ventricles of the brain decreases - the ICP decreases.

Albumin

Sometimes a 20% albumin solution can be used to reduce ICP.It is a human blood protein, it balances the pressure gradient between the blood and the intracerebral fluid. As a result, the flow of the liquid part of the blood in the brain cavity ceases - the pressure decreases, the edema decreases. Albumin is used in the form of a solution, its administration is intravenously drip. Before the introduction of albumin it is necessary to check the individual tolerance of the drug.

Depending on the cause that led to intracranial hypertension, does the physician decide which is better and more effective in helping with intracranial pressure? The action of the drugs is aimed at eliminating excess fluid and preventing its excessive formation and cerebral edema. Drug therapy is often combined with the methods of osteopathy.