“Acipol” is a probiotic drug that normalizes the intestinal microflora. The drug is intended to treat the symptoms of dysbiosis and intestinal digestion problems of different severity. It is also effective in the treatment of intestinal infections in acute and chronic form, prolonged digestive disorders, food intolerance. It is used to reduce the symptoms of atopic dermatitis. "Acipol" for children is used quite often.
Release form
To date, the only form of release is capsules for oral administration. They look like elongated gelatin cylinders in two parts, contain a dry cream-colored powder with a characteristic sour-milk odor. Capsules of 10, 20 or 30 pieces are packed in opaque plastic jars.
This dosage form was more effective than chewable tablets or lyophilisate, which must be diluted with water. These forms of the drug were produced earlier and were less effective, since the capsule shell protects the microorganisms contained in the powder from the aggressive environment in the stomach and ensures their entry into the intestine in sufficient quantities.
The use of Acipol for children will be discussed below.
The composition of the drug
The medicine contains dried live acidophilic lactobacilli (probiotic) and kefir fungus polysaccharides (prebiotics). Lactobacilli are first grown in a nutrient medium, and then they are lyophilized - dried in a special way. As a result, bacteria do not die, but only become inactive. When milk or water is added to this lyophilisate in 4-5 hours, the bacteria will again return to an active state in which they are ready to colonize the intestines and fight dysbiosis. Polysaccharides are produced by kefir fungi and remain in the nutrient medium. They are an excellent nutrient composition for the growth of bacteria of healthy intestinal microflora, which prevents the occurrence of dysbiosis.
Gelatin, iron oxide red and titanium dioxide are included as auxiliary components in the composition of the preparation. They are used to make capsules.
Therapeutic effect
How is Acipol useful for children?
It is a synbiotic that combines the properties of a prebiotic and a probiotic, therefore, the therapeutic effect of the drug is determined by these its components. Lactobacilli contained in "Acipole" destroy pathogenic microflora in the intestines, thus curing dysbiosis and intestinal infections. They also reduce intestinal acidity through the production of lactic acid, creating suitable conditions for the growth of normal microflora. In addition, lactobacilli participate in the synthesis of B vitamins and increase the body's resistance to various infections, participate in the breakdown of disaccharides (galactose, glucose, lactose, fructose, maltose, sucrose, cellobiose, mannose, trehalose). It can also be prescribed as a means of substitution therapy (that is, as an additional source of lactose) in case of lactose deficiency. Completely safe.
Therefore, "Acipol" can be prescribed to children.
All of the above therapeutic effects of lactobacilli are expressed due to the polysaccharides of kefir fungus, which are also part of the drug. This polysaccharide is a breeding ground for lactobacilli. So when taking Acipol, a person, along with bacteria of healthy microflora, also receives nutrients for their better engraftment, reproduction and growth. In addition, polysaccharides of kefir fungus stimulate the immune system, which greatly enhances its work.
Indications for use
Why is “Acipol” prescribed for children?
It is used to treat dysbiosis that has arisen for various reasons in the organs of the intestinal and respiratory tract. You can get rid of dysbiosis in any mucous membrane only after the restoration of intestinal microflora. This medicine normalizes the intestinal microflora, thus indirectly leading to the elimination of foci in other places.
The most common reasons for using the drug as the main means of therapy are:
- intestinal infection;
- chronic colitis and enterocolitis;
- violation of the gastrointestinal tract;
- taking antibiotics.
Also, the drug is indicated for use in the group of complex therapy for diseases that are accompanied by a lag in weight gain and dysbiosis.
The purpose of “Acipol” for children under one year of age is to restore the intestinal microflora and increase the body's overall resistance to dysbiosis caused by external stimuli that cause disturbances in the microflora balance.
Instructions for use for children
Before taking the capsules, you must make sure that this drug has not expired, since over time the beneficial bacteria die, and the medicinal composition will have very low effectiveness or its complete absence. It is also necessary to verify the authenticity of the drug and its integrity. A jar of capsules should not be damaged or fuzzy with an expiration date, such a drug can be considered counterfeit.
Acipol capsules are taken orally, they must be swallowed whole, in no case should they be bitten, chewed or crushed in any other way. For better patency, drink a capsule with a glass of water, milk or any dairy product at room temperature.
How to give "Acipol" to children up to a year according to the instructions?
The capsule must be carefully opened, pour the contents into a small container, dilute with one teaspoon of water and stir. It will turn out a cloudy homogeneous suspension, which should be given to the child. It is optimal to take the drug half an hour before meals, it is better for babies to give it during feeding, as well as for children under three years of age. After this age, it is better to maintain the necessary break between taking the drug and feeding.
The duration of the course of treatment and the dosage of the drug are determined by the specialist, based on the severity of the disease and the rate of onset of the positive effect and taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient's body.
Does Acipol have contraindications for children?
Side effects and contraindications
The main contraindications for use are hypersensitivity and intolerance to any components of the drug. As side effects, “Acipol” causes allergic reactions, with the appearance and development of which it is necessary to stop taking it.
Dosage
Children aged 3 months to 3 years are prescribed 1 capsule 2-3 times a day, at the same time as eating. In this case, the drug is pre-dissolved in boiled water (room temperature) or milk.
For adults and children over 3 years of age, the drug is prescribed 1 capsule 3-4 times a day. Take capsules 30 minutes before a meal.
To eliminate acute intestinal infections, the drug is prescribed for a period of 5 to 8 days.
Longer treatment courses are prescribed if the child is behind the norm in body weight caused by a chronic or prolonged course of diseases accompanied by dysbiosis.
For prevention, it is taken 1 capsule once a day for 1-2 weeks.
Repeated courses are conducted no earlier than a month after the completion of the previous course of treatment.
With great care and only under the supervision of a doctor, “Acipol” is given to children up to one year old. Instructions for use should be studied in advance.
Pregnancy
Doctors and scientists are of the opinion that Acipol does not pose a threat to women during the period of bearing a child, since it contains useful bacteria of normal microflora and products of the activity of kefir fungus. These components do not cause any harm to the fetus, like the woman herself, therefore they are considered safe. However, the instructions say that there are no data on admission during pregnancy. You should not be afraid of this information, this means that the manufacturer has not conducted special studies of the drug. “Acipol” can be taken during pregnancy both for prophylaxis and for recovery after antibiotic treatment. It is recommended to drink Acipol capsules directly with antibiotics. After the course of antibiotic treatment is completed, Acipol should be continued for another 5–7 days.
Analogs
The main analogues of Acipol for children are medicines with the same active component or containing other varieties of lactobacilli. There are analogues that contain only lactobacilli or combinations of bifidobacteria, lactobacilli, prebiotics and enterobacteria. The first include such drugs as: “Acylact”; "Biobactone"; “Narine”; "Regulin"; Protozymes Rela Life; Primadofilus; Effidigest; "Euflorin – L"; Trilact.
Among the analogues containing a complex of lacto-, bifido- and enterobacteria and prebiotics, the following drugs are distinguished:
- "Acidobak";
- Bonolact Pro + Biotic;
- Kalsis
- Linex
- "Bifidum-BAG";
- "Normobact";
- "Bion-3";
- "Kipatsid";
- "Polybacterin";
- "Yogulakt forte";
- "Yogulact";
- "Lactobacterin";
- "Maxilac";
- "Normoflorin-L";
- "Symbiolact";
- "Bacteriobalance";
- Biovestin-Lacto.
Reviews
Mostly positive reviews are found about the drug, since this remedy eliminates the frequent and numerous problems of the child. Parents in their reviews indicate that the capsules perfectly normalize stool, stop diarrhea, reduce colic and gas formation, and also quickly eliminate rashes on the skin of the child. When using “Acipol” together with antibiotics and other drugs of similar action, it effectively restores the microflora and eliminates the signs of dysbiosis. The drug is also effective for normalizing the functioning of the intestine after severe infectious and inflammatory diseases of various organs. So you can safely give "Acipol" after antibiotics to a child.
The drug has practically no negative reviews, since it is effective, convenient and easy to use, and most importantly - it is allowed for children from three months. In rare negative comments about the drug, the absence of the expected therapeutic effect or the return of symptoms some time after the end of the course of treatment is mentioned.
We reviewed the instructions for use with Acipol capsules. For children, the drug is ideal.