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Originally Posted by Joano
I don't know how well it compares to Mestinon, but two different people have now posted about substituting it when you don't have or can't get Mestinon.
I order from iHerb a lot, and the companies listed are all reputable and I think, either on this site or the peripheral neuropathy site, it's been mentioned that both ship overseas.
I don't have MG myself, but my husband does. I read this website to gain info for him--it bothers his eyes to sit and try to read the computer. (My problem is peripheral neuropathy.)
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From wikipedia...Huperzine A is a reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor and NMDA receptor antagonist that crosses the blood-brain barrier.
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Now I am not saying that wikipedia is always correct... BUT if Huperzine also crosses the blood-brain barrier, then it is also going to affect your brain chemistry. No one can be sure if that will be a positive or negative effect.
Personally, I would avoid anything that might upset the delicate balance of the brain.
It also states that the effects on the stomach are mild. Mestinon is regarded as having a moderate to strong effect on the stomach. My supposition would therefore be that Huperzine is milder as an ACHe inhibitor.
iHerbs Huperzine is from Source Naturals, and they seem to be a legitimate supplier. But they sell Huperzine as a brain booster. They also recommend a daily dose of 200-400 mcg per day.
An effective dose of Mestinon is 400-800 mg per day. So even if Huperzine was as strong in its effect as Mestinon, you would be taking 10 times more than the recommended daily dose. That would also make it 10 times the cost of Mestinon.
It is not, in my opinion, a risk that anyone should take.
If 1 Huperzine tablet of 200 mcg per day helps you, fine. But I would doubt that it had any real noticeable effect.