With the modern rhythm of life, a person inevitably faces various stresses, poor ecology, overeating, taking a number of drugs. All this negatively affects the work of such a vital organ as the liver. In the human body, it acts as a station for the purification of incoming substances, protecting against toxins. However, with excessive load, the liver can malfunction, poorly managing its functions and passing part of the toxins inside. Toxins are substances that have a negative effect on the brain, heart, blood vessels and other organs. This applies more often to people with bad habits - their liver is especially severely affected.
The German drug "Hepa-Merz" will help to improve well-being and restore liver function, the reviews of patients confirming its effectiveness. The manufacturer is involved in the production of the product: Merz Pharma GmbH and Co.KGAA.
Release form and description of the drug
Depending on the method of use, there are two forms of release of the drug:
- Granules for oral administration. They are a mixture of small round grains of white and orange, from which it is necessary to prepare a solution. Granules are packaged in 5 grams in foil bags, which are then fastened in two. Packages in the amount of 10 or 30 pieces are packed together with instructions for use in cardboard boxes.
- For use in the form of injections, Hepa-Merz is available as a concentrate for the preparation of a solution. The substance is packaged in 5 grams in each ampoule with a volume of 10 ml. Ampoules in the amount of 10 pieces are packed in cardboard boxes.
The healing properties of the drug
The active substance is ornithine. It has a number of properties, namely:
- has a pronounced detoxifying effect;
- helps to reduce the level of ammonia in the human body, which is especially important for liver diseases;
- restores the activity of liver enzymes (transferase and phosphate synthase);
- takes an active part in the production of growth hormone and insulin;
- with parenteral nutrition improves protein metabolism in the body;
- with liver diseases, it helps to reduce the severity of pain and dyspeptic disorders.
- reduces increased body weight in diseases such as steatosis and steatohepatitis.
Information on this is contained in the Gepa-Merz manual and reviews confirm this.
Indications for use
Due to the wide range of ornithine functions useful for the body, the drug has a long list of indications:
- The use of Hepa-Merz is relevant for a wide variety of liver diseases, which are accompanied by an increase in the level of ammonia in the blood - hyperammonemia.
- Severe or latent hepatic encephalopathy, steatoses and steatohepatitis of any possible etiology also belong to this list.
- In addition, Hepa-Merz is used for toxic hepatitis. Patient reviews confirm its high efficiency in this case.
Contraindications
Which ones exist?
- Renal failure with a creatinine level in the blood of 3 mg per 100 ml or more.
- Allergy to any of the components of the drug.
- Children under 16 years old.
- Female representatives have a lactation period.
- In pregnancy, the use of the drug is possible, but with great caution and only if prescribed by a doctor.
Side effects
Like any other medicine, Hepa-Merz can in some cases have a negative effect on the human body.
However, the list of possible unwanted adverse reactions is not very large. It includes:
- the development of an allergic reaction in the form of an itchy rash on the skin (most often, the dye that is part of the drug causes allergy);
- dyspeptic symptoms rarely occur in the form of nausea or vomiting, as well as bloating and diarrhea;
- extremely rarely - pain in the limbs.
In reviews of the Hepa-Merz powder, there is almost no information about intolerance to the drug and pronounced side effects.
Dosage and administration
The drug is used after dissolving in 200 ml of pure drinking water the contents of 1 or 2 sachets 3 times a day immediately after eating.
It should be noted that it is very important to take the treatment solution precisely on a full stomach, since in this case the bioavailability of ornithine increases.
The duration of the course depends on the diagnosis, the medicine is prescribed individually by the attending physician.
Overdose
It is possible if the patient neglects the rules of administration and consumes the medicine in excess of the norms established by the instructions, or takes the medicine at too short intervals.
An overdose is manifested by an increase in the severity of side effects. If it occurs, you should stop taking it and immediately go to the hospital for help. This condition is treated by taking enterosorbents and gastric lavage.
Pharmacy Vacation Terms
The drug in the form of granules is an OTC drug, therefore it is freely available to the buyer. During his leave, a pharmacy worker will not ask for a prescription from a doctor. This is stated in the instructions for use of the Hepa-Merz. Reviews confirm that the drug can be purchased without problems.
For the purchase of Gepa-Merz ampoules, a prescription is required.
Terms and conditions of storage
The drug should be stored in a dry place, away from sunlight at a temperature not exceeding 25 ° C, out of the reach of children.
Shelf life is 5 years from the date of manufacture. It is strictly forbidden to use Hepa-Merz after the specified period.
Drug cost
The price depends on the form of release.
- The cost of the drug in granules for the preparation of an oral solution: a package of 10 pieces will cost the buyer 850 - 1000 rubles, 30 pieces - 1650-1800 rubles.
- Gepa-Merz ampoules will cost 2700-3000 rubles.
The final cost depends on the region, city and specific pharmacy chain.
Reviews on "Gepa-Merz"
Almost all patients who underwent treatment with this drug leave only positive reviews about it, calling the only drawback the high cost in pharmacies. However, everyone claims that the drug fully justifies such a price with its strong therapeutic effect.
For many people, Hepa-Merz helps to cope with various liver diseases in a short time, reduces the severity of unpleasant dyspeptic symptoms, and also normalizes liver enzymes in the biochemical analysis of blood (ALaT, ASaT). More detailed information can be found by looking at the reviews on the Hepa-Merz preparation.
Patients noted a significant improvement in overall health even before the end of the treatment course. Pain in the right side or abdomen, indigestion disappears a few days after the start of administration. About it read reviews of the "Gepa-Merz."
Analogs
- "Carsil." Hepatoprotector of plant origin. The active substance is a dry extract of the fruits of milk thistle in the amount of 35 mg per 1 tablet. The main function is to restore the structure of hepatocytes, as a result of which the functioning of the liver is improving. Patients note a not very convenient dosage schedule: 2 tablets 3-4 times a day. Another distinguishing feature of the drug is that it is approved for use by children over 12 years old and nursing women. According to the instructions for use, the course should be at least one month. Thus, the course requires 180-240 tablets. And in one standard package of 80 pieces, that is, you have to buy 3 packages. The cost of one package is 350-450 rubles. Not so long ago, a new form of release appeared on the pharmaceutical market - packaging in 180 tablets. It is more profitable to take it, since the cost of this form is in the range of 700-850 rubles. There is also Karsil Forte capsule. In one capsule 90 mg of the substance. Take 1-3 times a day for treatment and 2 times for prevention. The course of therapy is long. The cost of packaging containing 30 capsules "Carsil forte" is 350-450 rubles.
- Heptor. Prescription hepatoprotector. The active substance is ademethionine. Available in the form of tablets with a drug content of 400 mg. Like the Hepa-Merz preparation, the reviews on the Heptor are overwhelmingly positive. The drug performs a number of functions: antioxidant, detoxification, regenerating. In addition, it has antidepressant activity. It is used for various liver diseases of any etiology. You can also undergo treatment for symptoms of depression. Exists in the form of capsules and solution for intravenous and intramuscular administration. Dosages and duration of the course are set by the doctor individually for each patient. Admission is not possible for children under 18 years of age, but acceptable for nursing and pregnant women, taking into account the risk ratio for the child and the benefit for the mother. The cost of the drug is decent and amounts to 1000-1100 rubles for 20 tablets and 1700-1800 for 40. Five heptor ampoules will cost the patient 1700-1900 rubles.
- "Phosphogliv". The active substance is glycyrrhizic acid in an amount of 35 mg and phospholipids in an amount of 65 mg per 1 capsule. In addition to hepatoprotective, the drug has immunomodulating and antiviral effects. Approved for use from 12 years old. It is unacceptable to use the drug for pregnant and lactating. The standard treatment regimen is 2 capsules 3 times a day. The average duration of the course is 3 months. In some cases, doctors prescribe a half-year treatment. There is also Phosphogliv Forte with 400 mg phospholipids and 65 mg glycyrrhizic acid in one capsule. And also in the form of ampoules for infections. But these release forms belong to the group of prescription. The cost of 50 capsules is 900-1000 rubles, and the lyophilisate for the preparation of an injection solution of 5 bottles of 1500-1700.
- Essliver forte. It contains essential phospholipids and helps restore liver cells after damage by toxins. In addition, it contains a number of vitamins that have a beneficial effect on the liver. This includes vitamin E, as well as B vitamins. It is approved for use from the age of 12, as well as during pregnancy and lactation when prescribed by a doctor. The cost of packing 30 capsules is 300-400 rubles, 50 - 450-550.
Conclusion
The group of drugs with hepatoprotective action is very diverse. Each of its representatives has its own composition and mechanism of action. However, all of them are united by pronounced therapeutic activity, a long course duration and the high cost of treatment. Some of these are prescription drugs and cannot be purchased without a doctor’s prescription.
"Hepa-Merz" - a quality German drug, which is freely available to the buyer on the shelves of pharmacies. The price makes the Hepa-Merz application too expensive. Reviews about this tool are extremely positive and argue that the quality of the drug and the effect of therapy completely justify the patient’s high costs.