Overview

Mesoglycan is a substance obtained from cow lungs, cow blood vessels (aorta), or pig intestines. It is sometimes extracted and used as medicine for various blood vessel disorders.

Mesoglycan is used for long-term blood flow problems in the brain (cerebrovascular diseases), narrowing of blood vessels that causes poor blood flow to the limbs (peripheral arterial disease), poor circulation that can lead to varicose veins and other conditions (venous insufficiency), and leg sores caused by weak blood circulation (venous leg ulcer). It is also used for vision problems in people with diabetes (diabetic retinopathy), high blood pressure, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses.

Mesoglycan appears to have effects that improve blood flow and reduce the risk of clotting.

How does it work ?

Mesoglycan appears to have effects that improve blood flow and reduce the risk of clotting.

Uses & Effectiveness

Possibly Effective for

  • Long-term blood flow problems in the brain (cerebrovascular diseases). Some research shows that taking mesoglycan by mouth for 6 months seems to improve quality of life in people with cerebrovascular disease.
  • Narrowing of blood vessels that causes poor blood flow to the limbs (peripheral arterial disease). Some research shows that taking mesoglycan by mouth alone or in combination with mesoglycan given as a shot seems to improve walking distance in patients with leg pain due to peripheral arterial disease. However, taking mesoglycan by mouth seems to be less effective for improving walking distance than taking the drug defibrotide.
  • Poor circulation that can lead to varicose veins and other conditions (venous insufficiency). There is some evidence that giving mesoglycan by mouth or as an injection for 1-3 months may improve the symptoms associated with various vein conditions, including varicose veins and swollen veins. Applying mesoglycan directly to the skin might also be helpful for treating leg ulcers in people with poor circulation.
  • Leg sores caused by weak blood circulation (venous leg ulcer). Administering a combination of mesoglycan, given by mouth and as a shot, seems to boost the effectiveness of standard treatment for leg ulcers.

Possibly Ineffective for

  • Blood clots that form in the veins (venous thromboembolism or VTE). Taking mesoglycan by mouth along with using compression stockings after standard therapy does not seem to help prevent VTEs from recurring.
  • Stroke. Taking mesoglycan in addition to injecting dexamethasone in the vein for 5 days after a stroke does not seem to improve outcomes any more than dexamethasone alone.

Insufficient Evidence for

  • Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). There is some early evidence that mesoglycan might slow the progression of atherosclerosis by keeping blood vessel walls from thickening.
  • Poor circulation that can cause the legs to swell (chronic venous insufficiency or CVI). Early research shows that taking mesoglycan by mouth helps to reduce pain and swelling in people with swollen legs.
  • Swelling (inflammation) of blood vessels in the skin (cutaneous necrotizing venulitis). Early research shows that mesoglycan given as a shot might be useful for treating some people with this condition.
  • Vision problems in people with diabetes (diabetic retinopathy). Early research shows that taking mesoglycan by mouth helps to reduce damage to the eyes in people with diabetes.
  • High blood pressure. Early research shows that taking mesoglycan by mouth might help to reduce blood pressure by a small amount in people with high blood pressure.
  • High levels of fats called triglycerides in the blood (hypertriglyceridemia). Early research shows that taking mesoglycan by mouth might help to reduce levels of blood fats called triglycerides.
  • A grouping of symptoms that increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke (metabolic syndrome). Early research shows that taking mesoglycan by mouth might improve the health of blood vessels in people with this condition.
  • Pain after surgery. Early research shows that taking mesoglycan for 35 days after hemorrhoid surgery might reduce pain and allow people to return to work sooner.
  • Ringing in the ears (tinnitus). Some population research has found that taking mesoglycan by mouth might reduce ringing in the ears in people with tinnitus.
  • Dizziness (vertigo). Some population research has found that taking mesoglycan by mouth might reduce dizziness in people with vertigo.
  • Hemorrhoids.
  • Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of mesoglycan for these uses.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Mesoglycan is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults. It can cause nausea, vomiting, heartburn, indigestion, headache, diarrhea, and skin reactions.

When given as a shot: Mesoglycan is POSSIBLY SAFE when given as a shot by a healthcare provider.

When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if mesoglycan is safe or what the side effects might be.

When given by IV: There isn't enough reliable information to know if mesoglycan is safe or what the side effects might be.

Because mesoglycan comes from animal products, there is a risk that diseases could be accidentally transmitted from sick animals. However, so far, there are no reports of diseases in humans due to use of contaminated mesoglycan. There is also some concern about the possibility of catching "mad cow disease" (bovine spongiform encephalitis, BSE) from products that come from animals. There are no reports of getting "mad cow disease" from mesoglycan, but it is probably wise to avoid animal products from countries where "mad cow disease" has been found.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Mesoglycan is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults. It can cause nausea, vomiting, heartburn, indigestion, headache, diarrhea, and skin reactions.

When given as a shot: Mesoglycan is POSSIBLY SAFE when given as a shot by a healthcare provider.

When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if mesoglycan is safe or what the side effects might be.

When given by IV: There isn't enough reliable information to know if mesoglycan is safe or what the side effects might be.

Because mesoglycan comes from animal products, there is a risk that diseases could be accidentally transmitted from sick animals. However, so far, there are no reports of diseases in humans due to use of contaminated mesoglycan. There is also some concern about the possibility of catching "mad cow disease" (bovine spongiform encephalitis, BSE) from products that come from animals. There are no reports of getting "mad cow disease" from mesoglycan, but it is probably wise to avoid animal products from countries where "mad cow disease" has been found.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if mesoglycan is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Bleeding disorders: Mesoglycan might cause bleeding in people with clotting problems. Use with caution.

An allergy to the blood thinner heparin: Mesoglycan might cause allergic reactions in people who are allergic to heparin or related drugs.

Surgery: Mesoglycan might slow blood clotting. There is some concern that it might cause extra bleeding if used near the time of surgery. Stop using mesoglycan at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Interactions

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Medications for dissolving blood clots (Thrombolytic drugs) interacts with Mesoglycan

    Mesoglycan decreases blood clotting. Taking mesoglycan with medications used for dissolving blood clots might increase the chance of bleeding and bruising.

    Some medications used for dissolving blood clots include alteplase (Activase), anistreplase (Eminase), reteplase (Retevase), streptokinase (Streptase), and urokinase (Abbokinase).

  • Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with Mesoglycan

    Mesoglycan might slow blood clotting. Taking mesoglycan along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.

    Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.

Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

BY MOUTH:
  • For long-term blood flow problems in the brain (cerebrovascular diseases): Mesoglycan 96-100 mg per day for up to 6 months.
  • For narrowing of blood vessels that causes poor blood flow to the limbs (peripheral arterial disease): Mesoglycan 100 mg daily, sometimes along with mesoglycan given as a shot.
  • For poor circulation that can lead to varicose veins and other conditions (venous insufficiency): Mesoglycan up to 50 mg three times daily for 30 days.
  • For leg sores caused by weak blood circulation (venous leg ulcer): Mesoglycan 100 mg daily for 3 weeks.
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