Myasthenia Gravis Support Group
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a neuromuscular disease leading to fluctuating muscle weakness and fatiguability. The hallmark of myasthenia gravis is muscle weakness that increases during periods of activity and improves after periods of rest. Although myasthenia gravis may affect any voluntary muscle, muscles that control eye and eyelid movement, facial expression, and...
If you cannot take Mestinon, there's a natural replacement - Huperzine A. It's typically used as a nootropic for memory enhancement.
Consider it if you cannot take Mestinon and it half-life is typically longer than mestinon. I take Huperzine as a supplment for the other benefits and do not take mestinon.
Just google "huperzine A and mestinon" for a plethora of articles and references. Here's one below to get you started.
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Huperzine A supplement benefit and side effects, safety, dosage, benefit for cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease and dementia
Feb 23 2014 by (copyright by) Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Huperzine A is an extract from a club moss (Huperzia serrata) that has been used for centuries in Chinese folk medicine. Huperzine's action has been attributed to its ability to strongly inhibit acetylcholinesterase, the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft. Acetylcholine is involved in memory and learning. By inhibiting the enzyme that breaks it down, more acetylcholine becomes available to stimulate neurons. Alzheimers disease is a condition where theres a relative shortage of acetylcholine.
Several studies have been done over the past few years with huperzine A both in China and the United States. These studies have shown that Huperzine A is many times more effective and selective than tacrine (a cholinesterase-inhibiting pharmaceutical drug) in inhibiting cholinesterase (Cheng 1996). Huperzine A has also been found to be beneficial in patients with Alzheimers disease. Scientists at Zhejiang Medical University, in Hangzhou, China administered 200 mcg of huperzine A to fifty patients with Alzheimers disease for a period of eight weeks and compared the results to a group who received placebo pills (Xu 1995).
The study was done in a double blind, placebo controlled and randomized manner. The results showed 58 percent of the patients treated with huperzine A had improvements in memory, cognition, and behavioral functions whereas only 36 percent of those on placebo improved. No severe side effects were found. Blood pressure, heart rate, electrocardiogram, electroencephalogram, liver and urine tests did not show any major abnormalities. The researchers say, "Huperzine A is a promising drug for symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer's disease."
Life Enhancement
This phytonutrient that helps maintain proper memory function. It accomplishes this by slowing the breakdown of acetylcholine, a process that accelerates with aging. Acetylcholine plays a vital role in the cognitive function of the mind by enabling the delivery of messages from neuron to neuron in your brain.
This natural mental enhancer is a sophisticated cognitive enhancement formula. It combines a delicate balance of brain circulation agents and neurotransmitter precursors with powerful natural brain chemicals that support:
Memory
Mental clarity
Concentration
Alertness and Focus
The herbs in this mental improvement formula include: Ashwagandha, Bacopa, Fo-Ti, Ginkgo biloba, Ginseng, Gotu kola, Mucuna pruriens, Reishi, and Rhodiola. The nutrients and vitamins in Mind Power Rx include Acetyl-l-carnitine, Carnitine, Carnosine, Choline, DMAE, Inositol, Methylcobalamin, Pantothenic acid, Trimethylglycine, and Vinpocetine.
Potency
I was surprised to come across a study on rat brain that showed huperzine A to be several times more potent than other acetylcholinesterase inhibitor drugs such as donepezil and rivastigmine currently available on the market for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
Benefits
Huperzine A may benefit those with Alzheimer's disease and perhaps also benefit older individuals with dementia. The role of huperzine as a mind booster in young individuals is not clear at this time.
Dementia
Cell Biochem Biophys. 2012. Treatment with Huperzine A improves cognition in vascular dementia patients. The participants were randomized to receive either vitamin C (100-mg bid) as placebo (n = 39) or Huperzine A (0.1-mg bid) (n = 39) for 12 consecutive weeks. The mini-mental state examination (MMSE), clinical dementia rating (CDR), and activities of daily living (ADL) scores were used for the assessment of cognition. The assessments were made prior to treatment, and 4, 8, and 12 weeks of the treatment. The adverse effects of the treatment were also recorded. After 12 weeks of treatment, the MMSE, CDR, and ADL scores significantly improved in the Huperzine A group, whereas the placebo group did not show any such improvement. No serious adverse events were recorded during the treatment. Conclusion: Huperzine A can significantly improve the cognitive function in patients with mild to moderate vascular dementia.
Huperzine A side effect, safety, caution, danger
Continuous use of high doses --such as 100 mcg or more-- may be toxic. Due to its strong anticholinesterase activity, huperzine a could cause a cholinergic reaction. Huperzine side effects could include sweating, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and cramps.
If I take Huperzine A supplement for a week, how long of a break should I give myself before restarting it? You said it builds up in the body. Are we talking about the liver, kidneys? During the break, should I take something to build up or cleanse the liver? Can it be taken at the same time as Mind Power Rx?
The best way to determine the ideal dosage for any one person is to take Huperzine A over a few days and determine what effects you notice. Then you can tell whether you need to take a break or not. If you get some of the adverse effects such as nausea, sweating, dizziness, etc, then it is time to take a break. Rather than taking another supplement to counteract the side effects from this herbal extract, it is best to take a break from it. We suggest not taking Mind Power Rx the same day as a huperzine a pill.
Huperzine A and cholinesterase inhibitors Aricept, Reminyl or Exelon.
Many people who take the cholinesterase inhibitors Aricept, Reminyl or Exelon want to know if they can combine these meds with Huperzine A supplements
Q. Is is generally considered appropriate or safe to take Hyperzine A whilst also taking a cholinesterase inhibitor (either Aricept, Reminyl or Exelon)?
A. We don't suggest taking them the same day. It is best to try each one separately for a couple of weeks to determine the benefits and side effects of the medication and the benefits and side effects of Huperzine A. Once a person has a full understanding of how each of these drugs works and how the supplement works, then it is possible, under medical supervision, to combine them in very low dosages. It is not possible to predict what dosages will turn out to be appropriate. Another option is to alternate their use.
Research studies
Drugs R D. 2004.
Huperzine A, an alkaloid isolated from Huperzia serrata, is a putative nootropic agent developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It is currently in phase III trials in China for the treatment of patients with Alzheimer's disease. The mechanism of action is suggested to be facilitated through the slow reversible inhibition of acetylcholinesterase. Marco Hi-Tech Joint Venture has exclusive worldwide marketing and distribution rights to huperzine A. Marco Hi-Tech Joint Venture is a corporation principally owned by Hi-Tech Pharmacal and Marco International, a global trading and finance firm formed to import huperzine A from China. Marco Hi-Tech Joint Venture also has rights to synthetic analogues of huperzine A. In July 2003, Savient Pharmaceuticals acquired the exclusive rights from Marco Hi-Tech to market huperzine A in Europe and the US. Clinical trials of huperzine A in elderly patients with age-associated memory loss are underway in the US, and a phase II study funded by an NCI grant is being planned.
Clinical efficacy and safety of huperzine Alpha in treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer disease, a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial
Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2002.
Two hundred and two patients with the diagnosis of possible or probable AD from 15 centers the nationwide were randomly divided into two groups: huperzine Alpha group (given huperzine Alpha 400 micro g/day for 12 weeks) and placebo group. Different scales were used to evaluate the cognitive function, activity of daily life (ADL), non-cognitive disorders, and overall clinical efficacy. Safety evaluation was conducted every 6 weeks. In comparison with the baseline data, there was an improvement of 4.6 points in cognition assessed by ADAS-Cog (P = 0.000); an improvement of 2.7 points by MMSE, an improvement of 1.5 points in behavior and mood by ADAS-non-Cog with 59% of the patients being on the mend clinically; and an improvement of 2.4 points by ADL with the capacity of ADL improved by at least 10% among 32% of the patients. 70% of the patients in huperzine Alpha group scored 1 approximately 3 points, and 28% of them scored 1 approximately 2 points by CIBIC-plus. Mild and transient adverse events (edema of bilateral ankles and insomnia) were observed in 3% of huperzine Alpha treated patients. A safe and effective medicine, huperzine Alpha remarkably improves the cognition, behavior, ADL, and mood of AD patients.
Animal Studies
Comparative effects of huperzine A, donepezil and rivastigmine on cortical acetylcholine level and acetylcholinesterase activity in rats.
Neurosci Lett. 2004.
The cholinesterase inhibitors huperzine A, donepezil and rivastigmine were compared for their effects on extracellular acetylcholine concentration and acetylcholinesterase activity in the rat cortex. After i.p. injection, huperzine A, donepezil and rivastigmine dose-dependently elevated the concentration of acetylcholine. The duration of huperzine A was longest. The time courses of cortical acetylcholinesterase inhibition with middle doses of these agents mirrored the increases of acetylcholine at the same doses. However, acetylcholinesterase inhibition was disproportionately greater after middle dose of rivastigmine than doses of huperzine A and donepezil that increased acetylcholine to a similar extent. Muscle fasciculation appeared only after donepezil with a dose-dependent incidence and intensity. In molar terms, huperzine A was 8- and 2-fold more potent than donepezil and rivastigmine, respectively, in increasing cortical acetylcholine levels, with a longer-lasting effect.
Is huperzine's effect cumulative?
Since this herbal extract has a long half life, my best guess is that the effects are cumulative.
Consider it if you cannot take Mestinon and it half-life is typically longer than mestinon. I take Huperzine as a supplment for the other benefits and do not take mestinon.
Just google "huperzine A and mestinon" for a plethora of articles and references. Here's one below to get you started.
========
Huperzine A supplement benefit and side effects, safety, dosage, benefit for cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease and dementia
Feb 23 2014 by (copyright by) Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Huperzine A is an extract from a club moss (Huperzia serrata) that has been used for centuries in Chinese folk medicine. Huperzine's action has been attributed to its ability to strongly inhibit acetylcholinesterase, the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft. Acetylcholine is involved in memory and learning. By inhibiting the enzyme that breaks it down, more acetylcholine becomes available to stimulate neurons. Alzheimers disease is a condition where theres a relative shortage of acetylcholine.
Several studies have been done over the past few years with huperzine A both in China and the United States. These studies have shown that Huperzine A is many times more effective and selective than tacrine (a cholinesterase-inhibiting pharmaceutical drug) in inhibiting cholinesterase (Cheng 1996). Huperzine A has also been found to be beneficial in patients with Alzheimers disease. Scientists at Zhejiang Medical University, in Hangzhou, China administered 200 mcg of huperzine A to fifty patients with Alzheimers disease for a period of eight weeks and compared the results to a group who received placebo pills (Xu 1995).
The study was done in a double blind, placebo controlled and randomized manner. The results showed 58 percent of the patients treated with huperzine A had improvements in memory, cognition, and behavioral functions whereas only 36 percent of those on placebo improved. No severe side effects were found. Blood pressure, heart rate, electrocardiogram, electroencephalogram, liver and urine tests did not show any major abnormalities. The researchers say, "Huperzine A is a promising drug for symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer's disease."
Life Enhancement
This phytonutrient that helps maintain proper memory function. It accomplishes this by slowing the breakdown of acetylcholine, a process that accelerates with aging. Acetylcholine plays a vital role in the cognitive function of the mind by enabling the delivery of messages from neuron to neuron in your brain.
This natural mental enhancer is a sophisticated cognitive enhancement formula. It combines a delicate balance of brain circulation agents and neurotransmitter precursors with powerful natural brain chemicals that support:
Memory
Mental clarity
Concentration
Alertness and Focus
The herbs in this mental improvement formula include: Ashwagandha, Bacopa, Fo-Ti, Ginkgo biloba, Ginseng, Gotu kola, Mucuna pruriens, Reishi, and Rhodiola. The nutrients and vitamins in Mind Power Rx include Acetyl-l-carnitine, Carnitine, Carnosine, Choline, DMAE, Inositol, Methylcobalamin, Pantothenic acid, Trimethylglycine, and Vinpocetine.
Potency
I was surprised to come across a study on rat brain that showed huperzine A to be several times more potent than other acetylcholinesterase inhibitor drugs such as donepezil and rivastigmine currently available on the market for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
Benefits
Huperzine A may benefit those with Alzheimer's disease and perhaps also benefit older individuals with dementia. The role of huperzine as a mind booster in young individuals is not clear at this time.
Dementia
Cell Biochem Biophys. 2012. Treatment with Huperzine A improves cognition in vascular dementia patients. The participants were randomized to receive either vitamin C (100-mg bid) as placebo (n = 39) or Huperzine A (0.1-mg bid) (n = 39) for 12 consecutive weeks. The mini-mental state examination (MMSE), clinical dementia rating (CDR), and activities of daily living (ADL) scores were used for the assessment of cognition. The assessments were made prior to treatment, and 4, 8, and 12 weeks of the treatment. The adverse effects of the treatment were also recorded. After 12 weeks of treatment, the MMSE, CDR, and ADL scores significantly improved in the Huperzine A group, whereas the placebo group did not show any such improvement. No serious adverse events were recorded during the treatment. Conclusion: Huperzine A can significantly improve the cognitive function in patients with mild to moderate vascular dementia.
Huperzine A side effect, safety, caution, danger
Continuous use of high doses --such as 100 mcg or more-- may be toxic. Due to its strong anticholinesterase activity, huperzine a could cause a cholinergic reaction. Huperzine side effects could include sweating, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and cramps.
If I take Huperzine A supplement for a week, how long of a break should I give myself before restarting it? You said it builds up in the body. Are we talking about the liver, kidneys? During the break, should I take something to build up or cleanse the liver? Can it be taken at the same time as Mind Power Rx?
The best way to determine the ideal dosage for any one person is to take Huperzine A over a few days and determine what effects you notice. Then you can tell whether you need to take a break or not. If you get some of the adverse effects such as nausea, sweating, dizziness, etc, then it is time to take a break. Rather than taking another supplement to counteract the side effects from this herbal extract, it is best to take a break from it. We suggest not taking Mind Power Rx the same day as a huperzine a pill.
Huperzine A and cholinesterase inhibitors Aricept, Reminyl or Exelon.
Many people who take the cholinesterase inhibitors Aricept, Reminyl or Exelon want to know if they can combine these meds with Huperzine A supplements
Q. Is is generally considered appropriate or safe to take Hyperzine A whilst also taking a cholinesterase inhibitor (either Aricept, Reminyl or Exelon)?
A. We don't suggest taking them the same day. It is best to try each one separately for a couple of weeks to determine the benefits and side effects of the medication and the benefits and side effects of Huperzine A. Once a person has a full understanding of how each of these drugs works and how the supplement works, then it is possible, under medical supervision, to combine them in very low dosages. It is not possible to predict what dosages will turn out to be appropriate. Another option is to alternate their use.
Research studies
Drugs R D. 2004.
Huperzine A, an alkaloid isolated from Huperzia serrata, is a putative nootropic agent developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It is currently in phase III trials in China for the treatment of patients with Alzheimer's disease. The mechanism of action is suggested to be facilitated through the slow reversible inhibition of acetylcholinesterase. Marco Hi-Tech Joint Venture has exclusive worldwide marketing and distribution rights to huperzine A. Marco Hi-Tech Joint Venture is a corporation principally owned by Hi-Tech Pharmacal and Marco International, a global trading and finance firm formed to import huperzine A from China. Marco Hi-Tech Joint Venture also has rights to synthetic analogues of huperzine A. In July 2003, Savient Pharmaceuticals acquired the exclusive rights from Marco Hi-Tech to market huperzine A in Europe and the US. Clinical trials of huperzine A in elderly patients with age-associated memory loss are underway in the US, and a phase II study funded by an NCI grant is being planned.
Clinical efficacy and safety of huperzine Alpha in treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer disease, a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial
Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2002.
Two hundred and two patients with the diagnosis of possible or probable AD from 15 centers the nationwide were randomly divided into two groups: huperzine Alpha group (given huperzine Alpha 400 micro g/day for 12 weeks) and placebo group. Different scales were used to evaluate the cognitive function, activity of daily life (ADL), non-cognitive disorders, and overall clinical efficacy. Safety evaluation was conducted every 6 weeks. In comparison with the baseline data, there was an improvement of 4.6 points in cognition assessed by ADAS-Cog (P = 0.000); an improvement of 2.7 points by MMSE, an improvement of 1.5 points in behavior and mood by ADAS-non-Cog with 59% of the patients being on the mend clinically; and an improvement of 2.4 points by ADL with the capacity of ADL improved by at least 10% among 32% of the patients. 70% of the patients in huperzine Alpha group scored 1 approximately 3 points, and 28% of them scored 1 approximately 2 points by CIBIC-plus. Mild and transient adverse events (edema of bilateral ankles and insomnia) were observed in 3% of huperzine Alpha treated patients. A safe and effective medicine, huperzine Alpha remarkably improves the cognition, behavior, ADL, and mood of AD patients.
Animal Studies
Comparative effects of huperzine A, donepezil and rivastigmine on cortical acetylcholine level and acetylcholinesterase activity in rats.
Neurosci Lett. 2004.
The cholinesterase inhibitors huperzine A, donepezil and rivastigmine were compared for their effects on extracellular acetylcholine concentration and acetylcholinesterase activity in the rat cortex. After i.p. injection, huperzine A, donepezil and rivastigmine dose-dependently elevated the concentration of acetylcholine. The duration of huperzine A was longest. The time courses of cortical acetylcholinesterase inhibition with middle doses of these agents mirrored the increases of acetylcholine at the same doses. However, acetylcholinesterase inhibition was disproportionately greater after middle dose of rivastigmine than doses of huperzine A and donepezil that increased acetylcholine to a similar extent. Muscle fasciculation appeared only after donepezil with a dose-dependent incidence and intensity. In molar terms, huperzine A was 8- and 2-fold more potent than donepezil and rivastigmine, respectively, in increasing cortical acetylcholine levels, with a longer-lasting effect.
Is huperzine's effect cumulative?
Since this herbal extract has a long half life, my best guess is that the effects are cumulative.
Both have been extensively tested by the military for trying to overcome nerve agent poisoning, and the information from these studies overlap into our MG realm.
An interesting find (link is below) that gives some differences:
Mestinon doesn't cross the blood brain barrier and works on the peripheral nervous system (PNS) whereas huperzine A does cross into the central nervous system (CNS) as well as the PNS.
If I recall this right the brain and spinal cord are the CNS and are not part of the MG problem whereas the PNS is where our problem lies. So shouldn't we be worried about Huperzine A messing up our CNS while it is helping our PNS? Both are "reversible" meaning their actions are short term vs nerve gas which is not reversible.
The reference states:
"PB does not penetrate the blood-brain barrier, and thus does not afford protection against seizures and subsequent neuropathological states induced by a nerve agent...."
"In contrast to PB, huperzine A, ... is a reversible AChE inhibitor in both the peripheral and central nervous systems."
From:
https://books.google.com/books?
id=KZy_gRT1qu4C&pg=PA705&lpg=PA705&dq=huperzine+A+ache++compare+mestinon&source=bl&ots=OX8AEMlD3m&sig=cd5YDObhDbWu7lc6XyWt9t0ZLOw&hl=en&sa=X&ei=W9qqVJaEH5SgyASYk4KoAw&ved=0CE8Q6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=huperzine%20A%20ache%20%20compare%20mestinon&f=true
WebMD says:
"Huperzine A is a substance purified from a plant called Chinese club moss. Although the makers of huperzine A start with a plant, their product is the result of a lot of laboratory manipulation. It is a highly purified drug, unlike herbs that typically contain hundreds of chemical ingredients. As a result, some people regard huperzine A as a drug, and they argue that it stretches the guidelines of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA)."
Huperzine A has been totally synthesized in the lab too, so possibly there may be various sources -- plant derived and lab created (like insulin).
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ol301951r
Having said that, if you cannot take Mestinon for whatever reason, Hup-A is a possibility.
It is no replacement for mestinon however, as I can testify to. I struggled on HUp-A trying to go more natural. I took enough and not too much and got other unwanted side effects. Maybe it was just me?
TJ from CA
The links provided here state enough to validate for Alzheimer's
The quality varies greatly in all supplements. Be careful what you buy and if you have to buy the cheapest, don't expect much.
DM