Clinical efficacy and pharmacoeconomic characteristics of the neuroprotection with low doses of cortexin in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of the cytoprotective neuropeptide cortexin in the complex treatment in acute and early rehabilitation stages of ischemic stroke (II). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A multicenter prospective double-blind placebo-controlled trial has been carried out. Two hundreds and seventy-two patients with II have been enrolled in the trial. Cortexin was administered in low doses (10 mg three times a day intramuscular, using the following schemes: group 1: 2 courses of cortexin; group 2: 1 course of cortexin with the following course of placebo; group 3: two courses of placebo. The duration of treatment was 70 days. Patients were examined during 4 visits using clinical tests and instrumental methods. RESULTS: High efficacy and safety of cortexin in the complex treatment of patients with II has been shown. The best therapeutic effect was seen in group 1 (two 10-day courses of cortexin). The results were confirmed by the pharmacoeconomic analysis of treatment tactics based on the estimation of "net monetary benefit". CONCLUSION: Cortexin is recommended for treatment and rehabilitation of patients with II.