Experience of Using Amantadine Sulfate (PK-Merz) in Patients with Ischemic Stroke

The article presents the results of combination treatment of patients with acute ischemic stroke (the NIH Stroke Scale ? 12.04±0.57). The efficacy of conventional therapy (the control group) was compared with treatment regimen using amantadine sulfate (PK-Merz) (the main group). In patients undergoing combination treatment lost functions were restored quite promptly and 2 months after the observation their functional state was satisfactory (the NIH Stroke Scale: the main group ? 2.49±0.78, the control group ? 5.53±0.69, p=0.009); moreover, the subscale “language” differed significantly from that in patients receiving basic therapy only (р< 0.05). Due to the blockade of NMDA receptors, which contributes to the reduction in the intensity of the “excitotoxicity cascade” preserving the penumbral area as well as due to the increase in dopamine concentration both by increasing the release and blocking the re-uptake in presynaptic nerve cells, the use of amantadine sulfate is a pathogenetically justified means of cerebroprotection in the acute phase of ischemic stroke. The use of PK-Merz is proven to contribute to rapid recovery of consciousness, significant regression of neurological deficit resulting in disability reduction.