Vikasol-Darnitsa

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Vikasol-Darnitsa

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Medically reviewed

Marina Burgos

Last updated on 10/01/2026

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Vikasol-Darnitsa

Property Description
Active ingredient Menadione sodium bisulfite
Form Tablets (oral) and Solution for Injection (parenteral)
Pharmacological class Antihemorrhagic vitamin preparation
General purpose Supports the blood coagulation process
Origin Synthetic analogue (Vitamin K₃)
Manufacturer / Country Darnitsa (Ukraine)

What is Vikasol-Darnitsa and its Core Identity?

Vikasol-Darnitsa is a brand of medicine, manufactured by Darnitsa, formally classified as a prothrombogenic agent used to influence the blood coagulation system. The sole active ingredient is Menadione sodium bisulfite (Vicasol), which is chemically identified as Vitamin K₃. This compound is a synthetic, water-soluble, naphthoquinone derivative that is consistently used in the pharmacological group of antihemorrhagic vitamin preparations.

What is the General Purpose of this Prothrombogenic Agent?

The essential purpose of this medicine is to support the body’s intrinsic ability to achieve hemostasis, which is the physiological process of stopping blood flow, often used in scenarios where clotting is compromised. The Menadione component acts as a pro-drug that is metabolically activated within the liver. This active form is indispensable for the liver to synthesize four critical blood coagulation proteins: specifically Factors II (Prothrombin), VII, IX, and X. These compounds are essential for supporting the synthesis of functional clotting factors. By facilitating the production of these necessary clotting factors, the drug fulfills its general role as an antihemorrhagic measure.

Is Vikasol-Darnitsa a Natural or Synthetic Vitamin K?

The active ingredient, Menadione sodium bisulfite, is a synthetic analogue of the Vitamin K family, explicitly designated as Vitamin K₃. This chemical distinction separates it from the naturally occurring, fat-soluble Vitamin K₁ (Phylloquinone) and Vitamin K₂ (Menaquinone). The water-soluble nature of these synthetic compounds is a key factor in their therapeutic application. Because of its synthetic, water-soluble nature, Menadione sodium bisulfite is particularly suited for use in the parenteral formulation (solution for injection), offering an alternative delivery method to the oral formulation (tablets), which can be crucial when gastrointestinal absorption is restricted.

What side effects are possible with Vikasol-Darnitsa?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

Vikasol-Darnitsa (Menadione Sodium Bisulfite) is associated with an official safety profile that includes specific warnings and contraindications, particularly concerning blood-related risks and severe allergic potential. The profile is structured by formal regulatory categories to communicate risks accurately.

Adverse Reaction Scope

Classification Examples of Officially Documented Adverse Reactions
System-Organ Classes Blood and lymphatic system disorders; Immune system disorders; Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders.
Serious Adverse Reactions Haemolytic anaemia (destruction of red blood cells); Hyperbilirubinemia/Kernicterus (brain damage in newborns); Severe hypersensitivity reactions (anaphylaxis).
Other Reactions Skin rash, urticaria (hives), flushing, and sweating.

Safety-Related Restrictions and Limitations

Vikasol-Darnitsa is officially contraindicated (should not be used) in certain populations and conditions:

  • Neonates (Newborns): The drug is strictly prohibited for use in infants due to the documented, dose-related risk of severe complications, including haemolytic anaemia and hyperbilirubinemia/kernicterus.
  • G6PD Deficiency: It is contraindicated in patients with a congenital deficiency of Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, as this genetic condition increases the risk of haemolysis (red blood cell breakdown).
  • Hypersensitivity: Contraindicated in individuals with a known allergy to the active substance (Menadione Sodium Bisulfite) or any of the product's components.

This medication's safety structure highlights a critical need to avoid use in vulnerable patient groups to prevent serious and potentially fatal adverse reactions. The profile emphasizes these constraints as essential safety barriers.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and when to seek help

An overdose of Vikasol-Darnitsa (Menadione sodium bisulfite) is associated with severe toxic effects that impact the blood and vital systems. The clinical presentation of significant overexposure may include severe gastrointestinal symptoms such as violent colic and gastric irritation. More critical manifestations involve the hematological system, resulting in massive intravascular hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells), hemolytic anemia, and subsequent hyperbilirubinemia. These effects can lead to systemic complications, including circulatory disturbance and acute renal failure. In the most severe instances, depression of vital functions and fatal outcomes have been documented.

Emergency Response and Specific Risks

Requirement Regulatory Mandate
Urgent Action Seek immediate medical attention or consult a physician immediately upon suspected overdose.
Antidote No specific antidote is known for the toxicity.
Management Treatment is limited to symptomatic and supportive care, which may include blood transfusion or haemodialysis to manage severe complications. For acute ingestion, official protocol is Do NOT induce vomiting.

Population-specific risks are critical: Neonates and infants exposed to high doses face a specific risk of developing kernicterus (severe brain damage). Furthermore, individuals with Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency are at heightened risk for a severe acute hemolytic crisis. This risk profile underscores the necessity of immediate professional medical intervention.

Therapeutic Uses of Vikasol-Darnitsa

Vikasol-Darnitsa (Menadione sodium bisulfite) is commonly used in therapeutic contexts involving symptoms related to systemic imbalance. This medication is applied in conditions where the patient has a significant deficiency of essential blood clotting factors, known medically as hypoprothrombinemia. The vitamin is relevant for managing conditions that affect the blood’s ability to stabilize.

This medicine may assist with managing symptom clusters that may become intense or disruptive, specifically pathological bleeding tendencies and hemorrhagic syndromes. It is considered relevant in clinical settings that involve acute or unstable symptom patterns, such as postoperative capillary bleeding, internal hemorrhages associated with peptic ulcer disease, or complications arising from long-term antibiotic use. The general therapeutic benefit is the supportive management of coagulation, which assists with maintaining functional stability during periods of heightened symptoms.

The medicine is applied in situations involving coagulopathy induced by Vitamin K antagonist medications, where it is used to manage an excessively high risk of bleeding. This medication may contribute to easing the overall symptom load in situations requiring temporary assistance in symptom stabilization.

“The primary goal of this supportive medication is to manage symptoms associated with systemic imbalance that can cause severe bleeding tendencies.”

Quick Fact: Supportive Management of Pathological Bleeding Tendencies Vikasol-Darnitsa is commonly used to manage conditions characterized by periods of heightened symptoms of hemorrhage, including conditions like obstructive jaundice and specific drug-induced coagulopathies.

Regulatory References

  1. National Cancer Institute definition of Vitamin K

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Official Eligibility Map for Vikasol-Darnitsa

The eligibility for Vikasol-Darnitsa (Menadione sodium bisulfite) is strictly defined by regulatory documents, primarily focusing on conditions that interact negatively with its blood-clotting action or specific population sensitivities.

Category Status According to Regulatory Documents
Populations for whom use is allowed Adults and older children, as well as neonates for the specific, labeled use of Hemorrhagic Disease of the Newborn (HDN).
Populations for whom use is contraindicated Patients with hypercoagulation, history or risk of thromboembolism, and documented hypersensitivity to Menadione sodium bisulfite.

Age-Related and Conditional Restrictions

The drug is contraindicated in neonates for general use and in patients with Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, due to the risk of severe complications like hemolysis. Use is also restricted or requires caution in patients with severe hepatic impairment, as the liver is essential for drug activation.

Pregnancy and Lactation Eligibility

Use is generally not recommended or conditional during pregnancy and lactation, and should only be undertaken if the prescribing authority determines the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

Vikasol-Darnitsa, which contains Menadione Sodium Bisulfite (a synthetic Vitamin K analogue), has officially documented interactions primarily related to its effect on blood coagulation and its absorption profile. Regulatory information outlines specific conflicts with other drug classes and substances.


Documented Interaction Profile

Interaction Type Interacting Substances/Classes
Pharmacodynamic Antagonism Oral Anticoagulants (Coumarin and Indanedione derivatives, e.g., Warfarin); Thrombolytic Agents (e.g., Urokinase)
Reduced Absorption (Exposure) Bile Acid Sequestrants (e.g., Cholestyramine, Colestipol); Mineral Oil

Specific Interaction Implications

  • Anticoagulants: Co-administration with oral anticoagulants will diminish their official therapeutic effect due to direct antagonism in the coagulation cascade. This interaction is the basis for the product's use in managing excessive anticoagulation.
  • Absorption Interference: Substances like Cholestyramine and Mineral Oil are documented to significantly reduce the effective absorption and plasma concentration of the product. When co-administration is necessary, regulatory guidelines imply the need to consider separating the dosing times to mitigate this effect.

No interactions based on CYP-enzyme metabolism or drug transporter systems are typically specified in the regulatory information for this product.

Mechanism of Action

The Role in Vitamin K Recycling and Cofactor Supply

Vikasol-Darnitsa, a synthetic precursor molecule, functions to supply the required cofactor for the hepatic enzyme gamma-Glutamyl Carboxylase (GGCX). The drug is converted within liver cells to the active reduced Vitamin K form ( KH2), which acts as the electron donor that fuels the activation process of key coagulation proteins. This mechanism involves the modulation of the Vitamin K-dependent metabolic pathways, specifically the oxidation-reduction cycle.

Activating Key Coagulation Factors

The drug's primary action involves influencing the post-translational modification of Vitamin K-dependent clotting factors (II, VII, IX, X). By providing the cofactor, the drug enables the GGCX enzyme to add carboxyl groups to these factors, thereby creating crucial calcium-binding sites. This necessary molecular modification establishes the required conformation for the factors to assemble and participate in the subsequent steps of the blood coagulation cascade, influencing the hemostatic system.

Physiological Constraint

The drug's action is entirely dependent on the presence of functional liver cells to synthesize the precursor proteins and perform the required enzymatic conversions, which constrains the mechanism to the activity of the liver's biosynthetic pathways.

Dosage and Administration Information

The administration of Vikasol-Darnitsa (Menadione sodium bisulfite) is standardized across two main dosage forms, each defining a specific route of use. The medicine is provided as an oral 10 mg tablet and as a Solution for Injection, which is supplied at 10 mg/ mL. These forms establish the two approved primary routes of use: Oral for the tablet and Parenteral for the solution, which encompasses the Intramuscular, Subcutaneous, or Intravenous routes.

The official schedule for the oral tablet formulation requires a divided dose regimen. The tablets are typically administered three to four times daily, which results in a required total daily dose that ranges between 30 mg and 40 mg. The oral tablet may be taken independent of mealtimes. For the injectable solution, administration is reserved for a clinical setting, delivered as a single daily dose via the approved parenteral routes.

Furthermore, official use protocols define contextual patterns that are independent of the standard daily regimen. This includes the substance’s administration as a short-course prophylactic measure during the final week of pregnancy. While the frequency and dosage are clearly defined, the duration of the overall course of use, whether oral or injectable, remains determined by the prescribing professional and is not fixed in general regulatory guidelines.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research evidence / Overview of studies for Vikasol-Darnitsa

Research Evidence for Managing Coagulation Factor Deficiency

Vikasol-Darnitsa was studied for conditions associated with acute or disruptive episodes where issues related to blood clotting are a key concern. The research focused on studies that explored coagulation status by monitoring changes in biomarkers in the groups being observed. These studies monitored changes during defined time intervals to see how the system responded.

The findings describe patterns observed in the studies related to coagulation function. Specifically, research focused on outcomes reflecting daily functioning or activity level as they relate to bleeding risk. While studies observed patterns related to shifts in certain clotting biomarkers, evidence is limited regarding how long these changes persisted after the observation period ended. Follow-up durations were limited in many of the core trials.

Studies in Specific Populations, Including Newborns

The majority of the research exploring short-term changes involved specific study populations, such as newborns, where comparative measurements of coagulation markers were a focus. These studies observed responses over defined time intervals. Observations differed across studies, and some earlier reports included limited sample sizes.

It is not yet clear how these observed short-term changes relate to outcomes measured over extended periods. The evidence highlights what is known — and what is still uncertain about the overall pattern of response in different age groups.

Duration of Study and Extended Follow-up

This section outlines the typical duration of observation in the available clinical studies. The compound was evaluated in studies where key measurements were taken within the first few days of observation. It also describes the current state of knowledge regarding extended-duration data.

Due to the nature of the research, long-term effects are not fully established. Research provides insight into short-term changes in coagulation markers, but there is limited information for long-term outcomes that persist over many months or years.

Key Research Gaps and Uncertainties

The overall body of evidence for Vikasol-Darnitsa has several recognized limitations. The data for certain groups remain insufficient, particularly for outcomes measured during periods of heightened coagulation focus in diverse adult populations. Comparative evidence is lacking to fully understand how the observed patterns differ when this medication is directly compared against other treatment options.

It is important to remember that study results reflect the specific conditions under which they were conducted. Research provides context but not individual predictions. The findings describe group patterns, not personal outcomes, and research does not determine whether an individual will respond similarly. This evidence contributes to understanding symptom patterns, but continued research is ongoing to address these knowledge gaps.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Vikasol-Darnitsa (FAQ)


Q: What is Vikasol-Darnitsa commonly prescribed for?

This compound is officially indicated for the treatment or prevention of conditions related to Vitamin K deficiency. This includes hypoprothrombinemia, which is a state characterized by a reduction in essential blood clotting factors.


Q: Is Vikasol-Darnitsa a blood thinner?

No, Vikasol-Darnitsa is not a blood thinner. It is a synthetic analogue of Vitamin K that works by assisting the liver in producing essential blood clotting factors, giving it the opposite action of an anticoagulant.


Q: What is the difference between Vikasol-Darnitsa and other anti-hemorrhagic agents?

Vikasol-Darnitsa is described as a synthetic Vitamin K analogue that provides a required cofactor for the liver to activate specific blood clotting factors. Other anti-hemorrhagic agents may work through different methods in the coagulation cascade to address bleeding concerns.


Q: Why is Vikasol-Darnitsa sometimes used before surgery?

The primary function of this medication is to aid in the production of essential blood clotting factors in the liver. This mechanism is considered relevant when there is a need to address or support certain coagulation factor deficiencies before procedures.


Q: What is the standard duration of treatment with Vikasol-Darnitsa?

While the duration of the overall course of use is determined by the prescribing professional, official use protocols define specific short-course measures for certain indications, such as those related to the final week of pregnancy.


Q: What is the official recommended maximum duration of use?

General regulatory guidelines do not specify a fixed maximum duration for the use of this medicine. The length of the overall course of treatment is determined by the medical professional who is prescribing the medicine, based on the individual's condition.


Q: What should I do if I miss a scheduled dose of Vikasol-Darnitsa?

For the tablet, regulatory guidance advises taking the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for the next dose; doses are generally not doubled to compensate for a missed dose. The injection formulation is typically managed by a qualified healthcare professional in a clinical setting.


Q: What if I take Vikasol-Darnitsa and forget to eat?

According to the official documentation, the oral tablet formulation of this medicine is permitted to be used independent of mealtimes. This means it can be taken with or without food.


Q: Can pregnant women use Vikasol-Darnitsa?

Official regulatory information states that this medication should generally be used with caution during pregnancy. Regulatory guidance advises that a medical professional must assess whether the potential benefits outweigh the risks when considering its use.


Q: Can people with liver problems take Vikasol-Darnitsa?

According to the official product information, people who have pre-existing liver disease or a history of liver problems should use this medication with caution. Consultation with a medical professional is necessary, as the drug's function depends on the activity of the liver.


Q: Can people with kidney disease take Vikasol-Darnitsa?

Regulatory information advises caution for patients with pre-existing or a history of kidney disease. The decision to prescribe requires a medical professional to assess the specific patient circumstances before use.


Q: Can elderly patients take Vikasol-Darnitsa?

Regulatory documentation does not list specific prohibitions or contraindications for the general elderly population. The decision to prescribe generally involves a medical professional assessing an individual's overall health and any pre-existing conditions, such as liver or kidney issues.


Q: Is it common to feel dizzy or lightheaded when taking Vikasol-Darnitsa?

Official safety information lists dizziness as a possible, documented side effect of this medicine. Any suspected adverse reaction is typically communicated to a healthcare provider.


Q: Is Vikasol-Darnitsa addictive?

Official safety information reports that the compound has shown no known habit-forming or addictive tendencies based on regulatory assessment.


Q: What should I do if I suspect an overdose of Vikasol-Darnitsa?

Official safety guidance recommends that if an overdose of the oral tablet is suspected, the patient should seek emergency medical treatment or contact a medical professional immediately.


Q: Is Vikasol-Darnitsa linked to any long-term health risks?

Studies and official information indicate that current research provides limited information on outcomes measured over extended periods. As a result, the long-term effects of the compound are not fully established in the available research literature.


Q: What types of foods or supplements interact with Vikasol-Darnitsa?

Official documentation notes a risk of reduced absorption when the medicine is taken alongside certain substances, such as mineral oil or specific drug classes like bile acid sequestrants. However, specific interactions involving common foods or nutritional supplements are not typically outlined in this interaction profile.


Q: Does Vikasol-Darnitsa contain gluten or common allergens?

Official safety information states that the medicine is contraindicated for people with a known allergy to the active substance or any other component in the formulation. The complete list of ingredients, including excipients, is detailed in the official Patient Information Leaflet.


Q: Can Vikasol-Darnitsa be taken long-term?

Research mainly provides insight into short-term changes in coagulation markers (blood clotting status). Limited information is available regarding outcomes measured over extended periods, indicating that long-term effects are not fully established. The duration of use is typically determined by the prescribing professional.


Q: Are there generic versions of Vikasol-Darnitsa available?

The active substance, Menadione sodium bisulfite, is recognized as a generic compound used in various products. The availability of generic products under different brand names depends on the specific regulatory and licensing situation in a given location.


Q: Is Vikasol-Darnitsa available without a prescription?

The medicinal formulations containing the active substance are generally classified as a prescription-only medicine (Rx). This classification signifies that the product is subject to prescription requirements for dispensing.

How should Vikasol-Darnitsa be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of Vikasol-Darnitsa? — Official Regulatory Information

The storage and disposal instructions for a medicine are based on its official regulatory labeling, which defines how the product must be maintained to ensure stability and safety up to the expiration date. The active component of Vikasol-Darnitsa is Menadione Sodium Bisulfite.

Authoritative governmental drug sources do not currently provide a unified, publicly accessible, labeled storage and disposal profile for the finished drug product Vikasol-Darnitsa (often available in ampoules or tablets). As a result, specific official labeled information regarding temperature, light protection, stability after opening, and child-protection requirements cannot be stated.

Regulatory agencies generally instruct that unused or expired medicines must be disposed of in a manner that prevents accidental exposure and environmental contamination. Disposal must comply with local, regional, and national waste regulations, often involving a medication take-back program or specific household guidelines to prevent entry into waterways or sewer systems.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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