OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy and safety of sequential therapy with Mexidol solution for intravenous and intramuscular administration, 50 mg/ml and Mexidol FORTE 250 film-coated tablets, 250 mg in patients with chronic brain ischemia (CBI).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

An international multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, conducted in 15 clinical centers located in Russian Federation and Republic of Uzbekistan, included 318 patients with CBI aged 40 to 90 years. The patients were randomized into 2 groups, the patients of the 1-st group received Mexidol intravenously 500 mg once daily for 14 days, followed by Mexidol FORTE 250 — 250 mg 3 times a day orally for 60 days; patients of the 2-nd group received a placebo in a similar mode. The primary endpoint was the mean value of difference by MoCA scale at the point of completing the therapy comparing to initial value.

RESULTS

According to the results of the assessment of the primary endpoint, statistically significant changes in the MoCA scores at the stage of completion of study were revealed when comparing the dynamics between the 1-st and 2-nd groups (p<0.000001). The lower limit of the 95% confidence interval for the difference in the average of the main efficacy endpoint between the 1-st and 2-nd groups was 1.51, which allows to state a higher efficacy of the use of Mexidol. According to the estimates of secondary endpoints, a statistically significant advantage over placebo at the last visit achieved while evaluation by the following scales and tests: digit symbol substitution test, MFI-20 asthenia assessment scale, Beck anxiety scale, Vane questionnaire, Tinetti scale, SF-36 questionnaire (mental component of health), CGI scale. The comparable nature of the safety profile of Mexidol and Placebo was established.

CONCLUSION

The validity and expediency of the use of Mexidol and Mexidol FORTE 250 in the treatment of patients with CBI has been demonstrated.