There are many drugs that contain the substances necessary to maintain the health of the body and are used by pharmacology as medicines in various diseases. For example, the vitamin-like substance lipoic acid, the harm and benefits of which will be discussed below.
pharmachologic effect
The vital activity of the human body is an amazing interweaving of various processes that begin from the moment of conception and do not stop for a split second throughout life. Sometimes they seem quite illogical. For example, biologically significant elements — proteins — require protein-free compounds, the so-called cofactors, to function properly. It is to these elements that lipoic acid, or, as it is also called, thioctic acid, belongs. It is an important component of many enzymatic complexes working in the human body. So, when glucose is broken down, the final product will be pyruvic acid salts - pyruvates. It is lipoic acid that is involved in this metabolic process. In its effect on the human body, it is similar to B vitamins - it also participates in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, increases the glycogen content in liver tissues and helps to reduce the amount of glucose in the blood.
Due to its ability to improve cholesterol metabolism and liver function, lipoic acid reduces the pathogenic effect of toxins of both endogenous and exogenous origin. By the way, this substance is an active antioxidant, which is based on its ability to bind free radicals.
According to various studies, thioctic acid has hepatoprotective, hypolipidemic, hypocholesterolemic and hypoglycemic effects.
Derivatives of this vitamin-like substance are used in medical practice to give drugs, including such components, certain degrees of biological activity. And the inclusion of lipoic acid in injection solutions reduces the potential development of side effects of drugs.
What are the dosage forms?
For the drug "Lipoic acid", the dosage of the drug takes into account the therapeutic need, as well as the way it is delivered to the body. Therefore, the drug can be purchased in pharmacies in two dosage forms - in the form of tablets and in the form of a solution in ampoules for injection. Depending on which pharmaceutical company produced the drug, tablets or capsules can be purchased with a content of 12.5 to 600 mg of active substance in 1 unit. Tablets are available in a special coating, which most often has a yellow color. The drug in this form is packaged in blisters and in cardboard packs containing 10, 50 or 100 tablets. But in ampoules, the drug is available only in the form of a 3% solution. Thioctic acid is also a common component of many multicomponent drugs and dietary supplements.
In what cases is the use of the drug indicated?
One of the vitamin-like substances significant for the human body is lipoic acid. Indications for use take into account its functional load as an intracellular component, important for many processes. Therefore, lipoic acid, the harm and benefits of which sometimes cause disputes in health forums, has certain indications for use in the treatment of diseases or conditions such as:
- coronary atherosclerosis;
- viral hepatitis (with jaundice);
- chronic hepatitis in the active phase;
- dyslipidemia - a violation of fat metabolism, which includes a change in the ratio of lipids and blood lipoproteins;
- hepatic dystrophy (fatty);
- intoxication with drugs, heavy metals, carbon, carbon tetrachloride, mushrooms (including pale grebe);
- acute liver failure;
- chronic pancreatitis on the background of alcoholism;
- diabetic polyneuritis;
- alcoholic polyneuropathy;
- chronic cholecystopancreatitis;
- hepatic cirrhosis.
The main area of work of the drug "Lipoic acid" is therapy for alcoholism, poisoning and intoxication, in the treatment of hepatic pathologies, the nervous system, and diabetes. Also, this medicine is often used in the treatment of cancer with the aim of facilitating the course of the disease.
Are there any contraindications for use?
When prescribing treatment, patients often ask doctors - what is lipoic acid for? The answer to this question can be quite lengthy, because thioctic acid is an active participant in cellular processes aimed at the metabolism of various substances - lipids, cholesterol, glycogen. She is involved in protective processes against free radicals and oxidation of tissue cells. For the drug "Lipoic acid", the instructions for use indicate not only the problems that it helps to solve, but also contraindications for use. And they are as follows:
- hypersensitivity;
- a history of allergic reactions to the medicine;
- pregnancy;
- the period of feeding the baby with breast milk.
This drug is not prescribed in the treatment of children under 16 years of age due to the lack of clinical trials in this vein.
Are there any side effects?
One of the biologically important substances at the cellular level is lipoic acid. Why is it needed in cells? To carry out a number of chemical and electrical reactions of the metabolic process, as well as to reduce the effects of oxidation. But despite the usefulness of this substance, it is impossible to take drugs with thioctic acid thoughtlessly, not for the purpose of a specialist. In addition, such medications can cause the following side effects:
- allergic reactions;
- epigastric pain;
- hypoglycemia;
- diarrhea;
- diplopia (double vision);
- difficulty breathing
- skin reactions (rashes and itching, urticaria);
- bleeding (due to functional disorders of thrombocytosis);
- migraine;
- petechiae (pinpoint hemorrhages);
- increased intracranial pressure;
- vomiting
- cramps
- nausea.
How to take drugs with thioctic acid?
For the drug "Lipoic acid", the instructions for use describe the basics of treatment, depending on the initial dosage of a unit of the drug. The tablets are not chewed or crushed, taking them inside half an hour before meals. The drug is prescribed up to 3-4 times a day, the exact number of doses and the specific dosage of the medicine are determined by the attending physician in accordance with the need for the therapy. The maximum allowable daily dosage of the drug is 600 mg of the active component.
For the treatment of liver diseases, lipoic acid preparations should be taken 4 times a day in the amount of 50 mg of the active substance at a time. The course of such therapy should be 1 month. It can be repeated after the time indicated by the attending physician.
Intravenous administration of the drug is prescribed in the first weeks of treatment of diseases in acute and severe forms. After this time, the patient can be transferred to a tablet form of lipoic acid therapy. The dosage should be the same for all dosage forms - intravenous injections contain from 300 to 600 mg of active substance per day.
How to buy a drug and how to store it?
As indicated in the instructions for use of the drug, lipoic acid in a pharmacy is sold by prescription. Its use without consultation with the attending physician is not recommended, since the drug has high biological activity, its use in complex therapy should take into account compatibility with other drugs that the patient is taking.
The purchased medicine in tablet form and as a solution for injection is stored at room temperature without access to sunlight.
Drug overdose
In the treatment with any drugs and lipoic acid, in particular, the dosage recommended by a specialist must be strictly observed. An overdose of thioctic acid is manifested as follows:
- allergic reactions;
- anaphylactic shock;
- epigastric pain;
- hypoglycemia;
- headache;
- diarrhea;
- nausea.
Since there is no specific antidote to this substance, an overdose or poisoning with lipoic acid requires symptomatic therapy against the background of the withdrawal of this medicine.
Better or worse together?
A quite frequent incentive to conduct self-medication is for different medicines, including the Lipoic Acid drug, price and reviews. Thinking that only natural benefits can be obtained from a natural vitamin-like substance, many patients forget that there is also the so-called pharmacological compatibility, which must be taken into account. For example, the combined use of glucocorticosteroids and drugs with thioctic acid is fraught with increased activity of adrenal hormones, which will certainly cause a lot of negative side effects.
Since lipoic acid actively binds many substances in the body, its administration should not be combined with the use of medicines containing components such as magnesium, calcium, potassium, and iron. Treatment with these drugs should be divided in time - a break of at least 2-4 hours will be the best option for taking medication.
Treatment with alcohol-containing tinctures is also best done separately from lipoic acid, as ethanol weakens its activity.
Is it possible to lose weight by taking thioctic acid?
Many people believe that one of the effective and safe means necessary to adjust weight and form is lipoic acid for weight loss. How to take this drug to remove excess body fat? This is not a difficult issue, given that without certain physical exertion and dietary adjustment, no drugs can achieve any weight loss. If you reconsider your attitude to physical education and proper nutrition, then the help of lipoic acid in losing weight will be very noticeable. You can take the drug in different ways:
- half an hour before breakfast or half an hour after it;
- half an hour before dinner;
- after active sports training.
This attitude to weight loss involves the use of lipoic acid preparations in an amount of 25-50 mg per day. It will help the metabolism of fats and sugars, as well as the removal of unnecessary cholesterol from the body.
Beauty and thioctic acid
Many women use the drug "Lipoic acid" for the face, which helps to make the skin more clean, fresh. Using drugs with thioctic acid can improve the quality of a regular moisturizer or nourishing cream. For example, a couple of drops of an injection solution added to a cream or lotion that a woman uses every day will make it more effective in combating active radicals, pollution, and deterioration of the skin.
With diabetes
One of the important substances in the field of metabolism and metabolism of glucose, and, therefore, insulin, is lipoic acid. In type 1 and type 2 diabetes, this substance helps to avoid serious complications associated with active oxidation, which means destruction of tissue cells. Studies have shown that oxidative processes are activated with a significant increase in blood sugar, and it does not matter for what reason such a pathological change occurs. Lipoic acid acts as an active antioxidant, which can significantly minimize the effects of the destructive effect of blood sugar on tissues. Research in this area is ongoing, and therefore drugs with thioctic acid for diabetes should be taken only on the recommendation of the attending physician with regular monitoring of blood counts and the patient's condition.
What do they say about the drug?
A component of many drugs with significant biological activity is lipoic acid. The harm and benefits of this substance is a cause of constant debate between specialists, between patients. Many consider such drugs to be the future of medicine, whose help in the treatment of various diseases will be proved by practice. But many people think that these drugs have only the so-called placebo effect and do not carry any functional load. But still, most of the reviews on the drug "Lipoic acid" have a positive and recommendatory connotation. Patients who took this medicine with a course tell that after therapy they felt much better, a desire appeared to lead a more active lifestyle. Many note an improvement in appearance - the complexion has become cleaner, acne has disappeared. Also, patients note a significant improvement in blood counts - a decrease in sugar and cholesterol after taking a course of the drug. Many say that lipoic acid is often used for weight loss. How to take such a tool in order to lose extra pounds is a topical issue for many people. But everyone who took the drug in order to lose weight says that without changing the diet and lifestyle, there will be no result.
Similar drugs
Biologically significant substances present in the human body help in the fight against many diseases, as well as pathological conditions that affect health. For example, lipoic acid. The harm and benefits of the drug, although they cause controversy, but still in the treatment of many diseases, this substance plays a huge role. The drug with the same name has many analogues, which include lipoic acid. For example, Oktolipen, Espa-Lipon, Tieolepta, Berlition 300. It can also be found in multicomponent remedies - "Alphabet - Diabetes", "Complivit Shine."
Each patient who wants to improve their condition with drugs or biologically active food supplements, including lipoic acid preparations, should first consult a specialist about the rationality of such treatment, as well as on any contraindications.