"Legalon" is a herbal preparation prescribed by doctors to restore the structure of the liver. It is indicated in the diagnosis of cirrhosis and other lesions of the structure, liver cells. Instructions for use of "Leganol" and analogues indicate that the drugs not only quickly eliminate the disease, but also instantly remove the symptoms.
Description of the drug
The structure of the presented preparation "Legalon" includes a dry plant extract from the fruits of milk thistle - a natural antioxidant that positively affects the work and restoration of the liver. Due to its composition, it stimulates the natural regeneration of the liver at the cellular level, preventing its destruction.
It stimulates the natural synthesis of structural / functional proteins, stabilizes the cell membrane and prevents the release of intracellular components, and resists the penetration of a number of toxic compounds into the cells. That is why it is prescribed to patients with liver diseases:
- the drug restores the structure of the organ at the cellular level, enhancing the natural regeneration, recovery;
- reduces subjective complaints - weakness and a feeling of bitterness in the mouth, pain in the hypochondrium, vomiting and skin itching;
- normalizes the performance of laboratory tests.
It is well tolerated by patients, combined with other formulations.
Structure
The composition of the drug:
- In 1 capsule "Legalon 70" (analogues of "Heparete", "Hepalex", "Darsil") - contains dry extract from milk thistle fruits 86-93 mg (as the main substance), and polysorbate, gelatin and dyes act as additional compounds, black oxide and magnesium stearate, other components.
- In 1 capsule "Legalon 140" (analogues are cheaper: "Silibor", "Karsil") contains 173-188 mg of extract from the fruits of the seeds of milk thistle as an active substance, additional compounds such as polysorbate, gelatin and dyes, black oxide and stearate magnesium, other components.
The release form of the drug is dragees or yellow capsules, packaged in blisters of 10 pcs., In a cardboard package is 2, 3 or 6 blisters.
Indications for appointment
Instructions for the use of analogues of "Legalon" 140 (as well as the drug itself) states that the pharmacological effect is due to its main functions of the hepatoprotector, is prescribed in the following cases:
- with liver damage at the cellular level due to alcohol dependence and the subsequent development of cirrhosis, regardless of the stage of its course;
- with chronic liver intoxication with poisons or heavy metals, halogenated hydrocarbons, and so on;
- with damage to the liver structure at the cellular level of drug genesis - most often this occurs after a course of taking anti-TB drugs, antibiotics and immunosuppressants, drugs for anesthesia;
- in the course of maintenance therapy in the diagnosis of a chronic disease of the inflammatory nature of the liver, with cirrhosis.
With regular use, it allows to increase the duration and quality of life of patients with a diagnosis of cirrhosis, allowing to remove the negative symptoms of the pathological process.
Instructions and dosage
Capsules and dragees are taken orally, without chewing, washed down with a sufficient amount of water. Legalon is not tied to food intake, and the doctor prescribes the frequency and duration of the course, based on the results of the examination and diagnosis of the patient, as well as on the diagnosis.
In accordance with the prescribed instructions, take the drug according to the following scheme:
- When prescribing "Legalon 70" doctors prescribe to take 1-2 capsules 3 times a day, if the course is long, it will be enough to take the drug 2 times a day, but this volume can be reduced depending on the general condition of the patient.
- When prescribing "Legalon 140", doctors prescribe a capsule regimen of 1 capsule 2-3 times a day, but if the doctor has prescribed a long course of administration for more than 3 months, it will be enough to take twice a capsule a day.
The standard course of taking the drug is at least 12 weeks, although on the recommendation of a doctor it can be increased to six months, with mandatory monitoring by doctors and a regular collection of tests.
Side effects
The composition of the drug due to the herbal, natural basis is well tolerated by patients, rarely, but gastrointestinal tract upset and laxative effect may occur.
Contraindications
If the patient is hypersensitive to the active or additional components of the drug, its purpose is contraindicated. In this case, the doctor selects an analogue.
Drug-specific instructions
With long-term use of "Legalon 70" or "Legalon 140", an increase in the percentage of survival of patients diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver was reliably established. It is approved for patients with diabetes, since it does not contain dextrose in its composition.
Application during gestation and lactation
The issue of the safety of taking the drug during pregnancy and lactation has not been fully proven, so the doctor decides on the appointment of "Legalon 70" or "Legalon 140".
Interaction with other drugs
The composition is perfectly combined in the course of therapy with other medications. But pharmacists indicate that he acts as an antagonist of certain formulations, for example, a drug for the treatment of impotence "Yohimbina" or vasodilator "Phentolamine".
Analogs
Doctors call analogues that formulations that have the same composition or therapeutic effect. Since “Legalon” is classified as a group of hepatoprotective drugs, it has many similar drugs of both plant and artificial origin.
Doctors distinguish the following effective analogues of "Legalon" cheaper than the drug itself:
- Plant-based hepatoprotectors - Apkosul, Liv 52.
- Hepatoprotectors, which contain components of animal origin, are Erbisol or Sirepar.
- Preparations containing essential phospholipids in their composition - "Lioliv" or "Livarol Forte", "Essential".
- Preparations containing amino acids in their composition - “Lecithin” or “Methionine”, “Hepasteril B” and others.
- Synthetic compounds such as Antral or Zixorin.
- Homeopathic formulations of hepatoprotectors are also analogues of “Legalon” - “Galsten” or “Hepar Compositum”.
Also, doctors in the course of therapy can replace "Legalon" with analogues, in which an extract from seeds and fruits of milk thistle also acts as an active compound. Such can be Karsil, Leprotek, Silibinin.
Combined in their composition, hepatoprotectors, in which there is also an extract from the fruits and seeds of milk thistle, are Hepabene or Hepatovet, and other drugs. Each appointment must be agreed with the attending physician, taking into account the individual characteristics of the body, tolerance of the components and the diagnosis.