Semax for children: instructions for use and reviews

Nootropic drugs are often prescribed to improve speech, memory and other mental processes. One of the modern drugs of this group is Semax. Is it used in children's practice, in what cases and in what doses?

"Semax" is made in Russia in the form of nasal drops with a concentration of 0.1% (in a blue box) and 1% (in a red box). One bottle of such a medicine holds 3 milliliters of a clear, colorless solution. The bottle may have a plastic cap-dropper or a plastic white cap, which before use is replaced by a pipette with a cap (it is attached to the bottle in a separate package).

The main ingredient of the drug has the long name "methionyl-glutamyl-histidyl-phenylalanyl-prolyl-glycyl-proline". Its amount in 1 ml of solution is 1 mg, and one drop of 0.1% drug contains such a substance in a dose of 50 µg. Additionally, in the "Semax" is purified water and nipagin.

By its structure, the active substance of the droplets is a synthetic peptide comprising amino acids in the L-form. Its structure is similar to the part of adrenocorticoid hormone (fully corresponds to its structure from the 4th to the 10th amino acid), but the hormonal activity of Semax is absent. In this case, the drug has a special effect on the central nervous system, which is called neurospecific.

The drug has a nootropic effect, affecting memory and learning processes. The use of the drug has a positive effect on the attention and the process of analyzing information, and also increases the adaptation of brain cells to anesthesia, lack of oxygen and other damaging factors. Wherein The agent is non-toxic and does not have an allergic or mutagenic effect.

"Semax" is actively absorbed in the nasal cavity, and then penetrates into various tissues, including brain nerve cells, since the active substance drops BBB. Its absorption is estimated at 60-70%, and the removal of the drug occurs with the urine.

In childhood, "Semax" is usually used to treat the syndrome, which is called "minimal brain dysfunction" (abbreviated MMD). These are unexpressed neurological disorders in which a child is diagnosed with speech, behavioral, or motor disorders. This problem is also called mild encephalopathy, cerebral dysfunction, dyspraxia, and other terms.

In the smallest MMD, it can be manifested by tremor, sleep disturbances, mental retardation (CRA), nerve dysfunction, increased excitability, impulsivity and other symptoms. Among schoolchildren, such signs as decreased memory, distracted attention, retardation or hyperactivity, and difficulties with reading a letter are noted. They often have problems in the team, tick, enuresis, dystonia of muscles, myopia and other disorders may occur.

In the treatment of children, only 0.1% "Semax" is used. Such drops are allowed from the age of seven. A more concentrated drug (1%) due to the high dosage of children is not prescribed.

The drug is not prescribed:

• if the child has an acute mental disorder;
• if the patient has had convulsions in the past;
• in case of intolerance droplets;
• for disorders, one of the symptoms of which is anxiety.

Very rarely, "Semax" can cause a slight irritation of the mucous membrane. This side effect is likely with long-term use of drops.

The drug is dripped into the nose with a pipette, and no more than 1-2 drops in one nasal passage at a time. If the medicine is prescribed in a higher dose, then it is divided into several doses and the nose is instilled with an interval of at least 10-15 minutes.

The dosage for children is usually calculated by their weight: 5-6 μg of the active ingredient are required per kg. The tool can be applied in the morning and at lunch The average daily dose for children ranges from 200 micrograms (4 drops) to 400 micrograms (8 drops).

The method of application depends on the type of the pipette and is shown in the pictures in the instructions for the drops:

• If the bottle is closed with a plastic cap that is screwed, and the box has a separate package with a pipette, then remove the cap from the bottle and replace it with a cap with a built-in pipette. After taking the medicine, it is dripped onto the mucous membrane of the nose in the right quantity, and then the lid-pipette is tightly closed.
• If the bottle is equipped with a plastic dropper cap, you must first cut off the end of the pipette and close it with a cap. Next, turn the bottle over and wait for the solution to be filled with the entire pipette. After opening the cap, the required number of drops is introduced into the patient's nasal passages, then the cap is closed and the bottle is stored in this form.

According to the instructions for drops, even with a significant excess of a single dose, Semax does not cause any negative symptoms.

Since the drug does not enter the gastrointestinal tract, is rapidly absorbed and quickly collapses in the bloodstream, it is compatible with any other means, taken orally or parenterally.

To purchase Semax at a pharmacy, a prescription from a neurologist, pediatrician or other physician is required. For one bottle of 0.1% solution, you will have to pay an average of 400 rubles.

Store sealed drug is recommended in the refrigerator (The bottle must be kept at a temperature below + 10 degrees) for the entire shelf life of 2 years. After the first use, the medication can be kept at room temperature, but not longer than 30 days.

On the use of "Semax" in children there are many positive reviews from both doctors and mothers. In them, the drug is called a “new generation drug”, praised for the absence of harmful effects on the digestive tract and ease of use. According to parents, after applying the drops, the child's memory improved, sleep returned to normal, vocabulary increased; the patient became more diligent, attentive, concentrated. Among the disadvantages of medication, some mothers call the price of drops and an uncomfortable pipette.

Instead of Semax, the doctor may prescribe another nootropic medication:

• «Cortexin». This tool is available in injection form and can be used for pathologies of the central nervous system at any age (injections are prescribed even for a premature baby).
• «Kogitum». Such a solution containing acetylaminosuccinic acid has a sweet banana flavor. It is prescribed from the age of 7 on patients with neurosis, brain injury, RDF and other pathologies.
• "Pantokalcin". The action of such tablets is provided by hopantenic acid. They are used from the age of 3 for epilepsy, stuttering, memory problems, cerebral palsy. The analogue of this tool is syrup "Pantogam"Allowed even for children under one year old.

• «Glycine». This drug is used in children from birth to improve sleep and brain function. The drug is absorbed in the mouth and has a sweet taste.
• «Aminalon». The effect of such a nootropic agent is due to GABA, so the drug is prescribed for traumatic brain damage, cerebral palsy and other neurological diagnoses. It is available in tablets approved for children older than one year.
• «Anvifen». Such capsules contain aminophenylbutyric acid and are used from 3 years for asthenia, enuresis, insomnia, tics and other pathologies. They can be replaced by similar drugs - "Noofen" or "Phenibut».

On the use of nootropic drugs in childhood, see the following video.