The drug "Totem" compensates for the deficiency of iron in the body. Unlike many iron-containing syrups, it is a multicomponent remedy. Its action is aimed at stimulating hematopoiesis.
Composition and description
The drug is an ampoule with a brown liquid. Each of them contains iron gluconate dihydrate in an amount of 50 mg, manganese - 1.3 mg, copper - 700 mcg. It is the combination of these components that ensures the high effectiveness of the drug, which is confirmed by positive reviews. The Totem greatly alleviates the clinical symptoms of anemia.
pharmachologic effect
As already noted, this is a combination tool. Iron stimulates the creation of myoglobin, which is part of not only hemoglobin, but also various enzymes. Copper and manganese are also involved in the basic redox processes of the body.
The result of taking the drug is the leveling of symptoms such as dizziness, palpitations, high fatigue. Numerous reviews say that general weakness is leaving and there is a desire to do something. "Totem" is an effective and safe tool that can be prescribed even to newborn children.
Release form
Glass ampoules with a brown solution. It is necessary to gently break the container on one side, substitute the glass and break off the tip on the other side. Content will flow out easily. It should be dissolved in water and drunk through a tube. The package contains 20 ampoules of 10 ml.
Indications for use
Typically, the appointment of the drug is preceded by a blood test for hemoglobin. Normally, the indicator is 120 g / l. If the results show a slight decrease in hemoglobin, then a diet containing foods rich in iron is recommended. This is primarily meat (especially beef), liver, kidneys and other offal. In second place, you can put buckwheat and beans, fish, nuts. And finally, an excellent source of iron is fruits and berries: pomegranate, pear, cherry, strawberries, raspberries, currants.
If the decrease in hemoglobin is significant, then medication is necessary. Thus, the Totem drug is used to treat iron deficiency anemia. Usually, 1 or several ampoules are prescribed per day, and by the end of the course the test results return to normal. The use of this medication is especially recommended for use in patients at risk:
- Newborn babies whose mothers are sick with iron deficiency anemia.
- Premature babies.
- Pregnant women.
- Twins.
The drug is useful during a period of rapid growth (adolescents), women of reproductive age and the elderly. If iron deficiency is caused by an unbalanced diet, strict diets, then treatment also gives a positive result and has good reviews. "Totem" helps to increase the body's immunity in viral and cancer diseases.
Contraindications
- Non-iron deficiency anemia. This phenomenon is quite rare (no more than 10 percent of all cases of diagnosis of the disease).
- Iron overload. This disease occurs when there is an overabundance of a trace element in the body. All excess is deposited in the tissues (hemosiderin), which entails their damage (hemochromatosis).
- Peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, especially in the acute stage. During the period of remission, it is required to administer under the supervision of a doctor.
- Individual sensitivity to the components of the drug and allergies.
- Children's age up to 3 years (if necessary, the pediatrician can prescribe the drug in infancy).
Tell your doctor about your current illnesses and previous experience with iron supplements. Based on this, the therapist can prescribe the most effective treatment regimen.
Side effects
In the first place, the gastrointestinal tract suffers, therefore, it is not recommended to take it in the presence of chronic diseases of the digestive system. These are bouts of nausea, excruciating heartburn, vomiting, and various disorders of the stool. Often with iron intake, flatulence, gastric neuralgia, and heaviness after eating are manifested.
Interaction with other drugs
Reduces the absorption of certain groups of antibiotics (tetracyclines, ciprofloxacin). You should not take drugs that contain salts, oxides and hydroxides of magnesium, aluminum and calcium, since they interfere with the absorption of iron. If the appointment is scheduled for one day, then take a break of at least 2 hours.
If you are taking other medications containing iron, including multivitamin complexes, be sure to notify your doctor.
Dosage and administration
An opened ampoule should be used within 24 hours, after which it should be discarded. Content should be dissolved in a small amount of water. If the remedy causes nausea, you can add sugar or use juice together with water. Take the solution before meals. Do not forget another detail: the Totem drug (reviews confirm this fact) provokes darkening of tooth enamel. Therefore, drink it through a tube, and then rinse your mouth. For fidelity, you can brush your teeth.
Reception is divided into preventive and therapeutic. The doctor appoints the dosage. The therapeutic dose for adults is 100-200 g of iron per day - these are 2-4 ampoules. For children, the amount of the drug is determined by the doctor at the rate of 4 mg / kg per day, which is drunk in 2 divided doses. For the prevention of iron deficiency conditions during pregnancy, 1 ampoule per day is prescribed, starting from 4 months until the birth of the baby.
To fully restore iron stores in the body, it will take about six months. The first changes in laboratory tests are noted three months after the start of taking Totem in ampoules. Patient reviews at the same time noted an improvement in two weeks.
Overdose
Usually its symptoms are nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Cases of gastrointestinal necrosis and shock conditions are described. According to reviews, Totem with a strong overdose leads to hyperventilation of the lungs, confusion. Symptomatic treatment, gastric lavage with soda solution. If the concentration of iron in the blood reaches 5 mg / ml, special preparations are prescribed. This can be done by emergency doctors, as well as conduct anti-shock therapy. Follow your doctor's prescription.
With a slight overdose, the usual picture is skin rashes, allergic reactions. In this case, drink a glass of milk and a raw egg. Also on this day it is recommended to drink more tea, it prevents the absorption and assimilation of iron.
special instructions
The drug "Totem" compensates for the deficiency of iron in the body. It is necessary for the formation of hemoglobin. This is a complex protein that performs a critical function. It is able to bind to oxygen and transfer it to all tissues.
Why does hemoglobin drop during pregnancy? Due to physiological changes, fluid retention in the body occurs, therefore, the blood becomes more liquid. This is one side. The second is associated with the growth and development of the child, which also requires reserves of iron and folic acid. Therefore, it is imperative that you take the Totem iron supplement during pregnancy.
If you have diabetes, warn your doctor, because one ampoule of the product contains 3 g of sucrose. For the treatment period, tea consumption should be reduced, because it blocks the absorption of iron.
Analogs
There are a lot of them in the pharmacy, so do not rush to make a choice without consulting a doctor. It can be preparations "Fenyuls", "Actiferrin", "Ferrovit" and others.
Drug Reviews and Criticism
This medicine is widely used by gynecologists, prescribing it to expectant mothers. Therefore, most of all questions about the Totem drug are asked and discussed by pregnant women. Moms who have already given birth to a child who have been taking the drug for 6 or 9 months, as well as those who have just been prescribed, leave their reviews.
Often they talk about bouts of nausea that accompany the reception. Toxicosis is a natural occurrence for pregnancy. Any smell and taste can provoke vomiting. But the drug is usually prescribed after the first trimester, when many have had similar problems in the past. Therefore, if you do not take the syrup on an empty stomach, it should be well tolerated.
About 60% of women report a significant improvement in their condition and laboratory tests after taking the drug. The remaining 40% was divided into three groups. The first drug did not help, and the situation with hemoglobin remained difficult even after a long course. The second group unites those who could not take the remedy because of severe nausea or simply did not like the taste. And finally, in the third are women who believe that any shortage must be filled with a balanced diet, and not with chemicals.
Of course, with a slight iron deficiency, it is enough to include more liver in the diet, and everything will be fine. More serious cases require a search for causes and a targeted solution to them. For this, modern drugs have been created, such as Totem.
Criticism of this drug mainly unfolds around a glass ampoule in which the contents are enclosed. But after a few days, patients get used to the packaging and cease to feel discomfort. Taste is another matter; not everyone can tolerate it. For particularly sensitive patients, there are similar preparations in the form of capsules.
Brief Summary
Today it is one of the best drugs for the correction of iron deficiency anemia. It gives a lasting result and is well tolerated (with the exception of persons with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract). It is mandatory for pregnant women with preventive and therapeutic purposes.