Uridine

Uridine is described as a nucleoside according to biochemical or pharmacological criteria. It is therefore an organic molecule that consists of a nucleobase (building block of DNA) and pentoses (carbon-rich monosaccharides). Uridine is used in combination with the active ingredient cytidine to support inflammation of the nerves and diseases of the muscles (myopathies). Administration of uridine can be either orally or through a syringe.

What is uridine?

Uridine is a component of ribonucleic acid (RNA). This is an organic acid that is formed by thread-like macromolecules that only have one strand and is found in the cell nucleus. RNA plays an important role in the biosynthesis of proteins. Uridine itself is a nucleoside. It is composed of pentoses and nucleobases.

In human medicine, uridine is administered in combination with cytidine. The two substances are used to support the treatment of myopathies (diseases of the muscles) and neurological diseases.

In chemistry and pharmacology, uridine is described by the chemical formula C 9 - H 12 - N 2 - O 6, which corresponds to a moral mass of 244.2 g / mol.

Pharmacological effect

In human medicine, uridine is used almost exclusively together with the active ingredient cytidine. The combination of active ingredients achieved in this way is used as phosphate and provides the building blocks of the genetic material. These are needed by the human body to repair damaged tissue or to regenerate nerves.

Uridine thus supports the body's natural wound healing powers. For this reason, uridine is only used as a supplementary treatment. Therapy will therefore usually not rely entirely on uridine.

Medical application & use

In combination with the active ingredient cytidine, uridine is used to treat neurological diseases (especially inflammation of the nerves) and diseases of the muscles (myopathies). The active ingredients are taken either orally through film-coated tablets or capsules. An injection is also common. This is especially true for the treatment of myopathies, as the active ingredient reaches the affected area directly.

However, uridine is only used for supportive treatment. Therapy will therefore only be based on preparations containing uridine only in special exceptional cases.

The most common fields of application include primarily inflammation in the spinal column (e.g. cervical spine syndrome, shoulder-arm syndrome and sciatica or lumbago, often called "lumbago") and pain in the supply area. The latter include, in particular, intercostal neuralgia (pain in the supply of the intercostal nerves) and inflammation of various nerves (e.g. trigeminal neuralgia or polyneuropathy). Polyneuropathies can be caused by diabetes or neurotoxic substances such as alcohol.

Due to the supportive effect on wound healing, uridine is also administered to combat shingles (herpes zoster) or inflammation of any kind.

Preparations that contain uridine can usually be taken by both adults and children. There are also no restrictions on use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Before taking it, however, you should pay attention to the instructions of the doctor or pharmacist and the package insert, as preparations can contain more than one active ingredient.

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Risks & side effects

Uridine should not be taken if there is a contraindication. Such is the case if there is a contraindication from a medical point of view, i.e. the use of the medicinal substance would not be beneficial to the treatment. This is especially the case with known intolerances (allergies).

In addition, interactions with other drugs must be considered. Uridine can interfere with the effectiveness of certain cancer drugs such as cytarabine. Even preparations such as zidovudine or zalcitabine can experience not only insignificant impairment of their spectrum of effectiveness through uridine. The attending physician should therefore always be informed about all medication taken.

In general, however, uridine is considered to be well tolerated. Apart from intolerance and interactions, no undesirable side effects have been recorded so far.