This remedy belongs to hepatoprotectors and is intended to eliminate liver diseases and prevent their occurrence. Among the indications for the use of this drug are alcoholic and toxic liver damage, fatty degeneration, cholecystitis and cholestasis. And also this remedy is actively struggling with depressive conditions caused by a sharp cessation of alcohol consumption. Heptral may be taken during pregnancy, but it is categorically contraindicated during lactation.
Beneficial features
This drug significantly improves the condition of the liver. It promotes the outflow of bile and reduces the toxicity of bile acids. The active substance of Heptral is ademethionine, which was discovered back in 1952. After careful research, the unique properties of this component were discovered: the ability to synthesize polyamines.
Heptral prevents the loss of ademethionine and also stimulates its production. A week after the start of taking this drug, the antidepressant properties of the drug begin to appear. This action of Heptral is extremely important in the treatment of post-alcohol syndrome.
The composition of the drug and release
This tool can be found in the form of white tablets, coated with an easily soluble coating, and powder. The tablets are packaged in convenient foil blisters and have an oblong shape. In one package they contain 20 pieces. This amount is enough to undergo one course of treatment.
The active component of this agent is ademethionine. One tablet contains 400 mg of this substance. Of the additional components in the tablets are present:
- Silicon dioxide.
- Magnesium stearate.
- Sodium hydroxide.
- Talc.
- Plant starch.
The solution for injection is contained in ampoules in an amount of five pieces. The drug is packaged in cardboard boxes.
The powder contains 400 mg of ademetionine. The prepared solution should have a yellowish tint and not contain sediment. Use it both intravenously and intramuscularly.
What is used for
This medication is intended to normalize liver function. And also it is used to solve the following problems:
- The treatment of chronic hepatitis proceeding in a quick or sluggish form.
- This remedy is excellent in the treatment of cholestasis in pregnant women. Pregnant reviews of Heptral are very positive.
- It is also used for complex violation of the functioning of the liver associated with a change in the functioning of the brain.
- Intravenous injections are prescribed for the treatment of toxic liver damage caused by the use of potent drugs. For example, heptral injections are often prescribed after chemotherapy.
- Droppers of the drug are indicated for cirrhosis of the liver.
This drug has proven itself as an antidepressant. It effectively copes with post-alcohol and depressive syndrome.
Instructions for use of tablets
The tablets of this drug are used exclusively by mouth. They are covered with a special membrane that dissolves easily in the intestines. If the pill is broken or its color differs from the rest, then such a tool can not be used. For the first time, no more than 800 mg per day is used. In the future, the dose will be calculated based on the patient’s body weight, that is, 10 mg per 1 kg of weight.
If the drug is used to treat depressive syndromes, then the course of therapy will last at least 3 weeks. To improve the liver, you will need to take the drug for at least 14 days. Doctors advise women with liver disease to drink Heptral when planning a pregnancy.
Using injection
The drug is injected both intramuscularly and intravenously. For its preparation, powder is used, which is sold in convenient ampoules. The first dosage should be no more than 400 milligrams, and the subsequent ones will be calculated based on body weight. So, for 1 kg of adult weight, 13 ml of the drug will be needed. The course of treatment should not exceed 3 weeks, and after its completion it is allowed to use the tablets of the drug as maintenance therapy. During pregnancy, Heptral is infrequently used intravenously.
The solution is prepared immediately before the introduction of the drug. It is forbidden to mix this product with formulations containing calcium ions.
Often, patients are interested in why heptral dropper is prescribed during pregnancy? Indication for the use of this form of the drug is cholestasis. When it is prescribed up to 800 mg of the drug (two vials) per day. It is taken most often through a dropper. The course of treatment is 14 days.
To whom it is contraindicated
This tool is not used to treat young children and adolescents who are under 18 years old. As well as a contraindication to the use of this drug may be intolerance to the main component - ademethionine. Heptral is not safe for pregnant women. Therefore, he is prescribed with great caution during the first and last trimester. If a Heptral doctor appoints a nursing mother, lactation should be stopped immediately.
Side effects
Very often, this remedy leads to nervous overexcitation, which affects sleep patterns. Therefore, it is undesirable to use Heptral during pregnancy late in the evening. People with heartburn or pancreatitis can feel seizures. An overdose usually causes the following symptoms:
- Fever and chills.
- Headache or dizziness.
- Nausea and discomfort in the abdomen.
- Violations of the cardiovascular system.
- Increased sweating and skin rashes.
- Diarrhea may occur when taking Heptral during pregnancy.
- Sometimes a patient’s depression goes into mania.
- With prolonged use, dysbiosis may occur, accompanied by bloating, diarrhea, or constipation.
Folic acid and vitamin B12 are often prescribed to prevent negative effects. Using these substances, you can reduce the concentration of the active substance "Heptral" in the blood and thus prevent the occurrence of an overdose.
During the course of treatment, it is not recommended to drive a car and work with precise mechanisms.
If the doctor prescribes taking this remedy for a patient with cirrhosis of the liver, then he should be regularly tested for blood to regulate the level of nitrogen.
Alcoholism treatment
In chronic alcoholism, severe liver damage occurs. She is no longer able to process the decay products of ethyl alcohol, so the body is poisoned by dangerous toxins. In order to maintain the efficiency of this body, heptral is prescribed. It is usually administered through a dropper. It is part of the complex treatment of post-alcohol syndrome. Due to its properties, Heptral not only heals the liver, but also helps to cope with depression, which often occurs during this period.
It is forbidden to drink alcohol during treatment. Otherwise, the effectiveness of the drug will be nullified. Heptral restores metabolic processes in the brain and stabilizes the state of the nervous system. Tablets of this remedy can be taken for 60-70 days.
Before prescribing the drug, the doctor examines the alcoholic to identify diseases of the cardiovascular and circulatory system, and also establishes the condition of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract. Sometimes, while taking the drug, an allergic reaction occurs in the form of a skin rash or stomach discomfort.
Heptral during pregnancy
Unfortunately, pregnancy often becomes an obstacle to taking any drug. If a woman has diseases of the liver or bile ducts, then she urgently needs supportive therapy or treatment in case of exacerbation of the disease even during pregnancy. Heptral droppers during pregnancy are funds that can be used in the first and last three months. During this period, the number of estrogens increases, provoking an exacerbation of many chronic diseases.
Often during pregnancy, doctors discover cholestasis in a future mother. If this disease is ignored, various complications can occur. For example, cholestasis provokes an unpleasant disease such as reflux disease. Therefore, it is extremely important to start treatment on time, despite pregnancy. Doctors prescribe gentle therapy, and most often prescribe tablets of this drug. Judging by the reviews, "Heptral" during pregnancy is quite effective and effective.
Tablets are taken before lunch, as this drug has an exciting property, which often causes insomnia.
Heptral Droppers for Pregnant Women
Heptral injections are much stronger, but have a lot of side effects. A dropper can provoke a gag reflex, dizziness and the appearance of itching. This form of the drug is recommended for the treatment of pregnant women only in case of acute need, which occurs with exacerbation of cholestasis.
Hepatic cholestasis is dangerous for a pregnant woman with its negative symptoms:
- This disease affects the psyche of the patient. She develops anxiety, sometimes fear, turning into a mania.
- Uterine hypertonicity occurs, which in turn provokes a miscarriage. Thanks to Heptral, pregnancy is maintained and further bearing of a child becomes easier and safer. The fetus receives the necessary amount of oxygen due to the restoration of blood supply.
- In the last trimester of pregnancy, cholestasis provokes the appearance of reflux disease and significantly inhibits the development of the child. The woman is worried about severe itching and redness in the abdomen and shoulders.
- Thanks to taking the drug, blood pressure stabilizes, the nervous system strengthens, and constant irritability disappears.
In a word, heptral droppers during pregnancy solve a lot of problems and help get rid of liver diseases. In order for the treatment to proceed faster and more efficiently, you should adhere to a certain diet and more often be in the fresh air.
Analogs and storage
This tool has a number of analogues that may well replace it. Among them, the most famous are the following:
- “Gepadif” is produced in the form of powder for injections. The active substance of this drug is carnitine. It significantly improves the digestion process and normalizes the gallbladder. It is used as a medicine to create conditions for the reproduction of beneficial microflora in the stomach. Apply the drug as follows: once a day, the drug is administered intravenously in an amount of 8.6 ml. The contents of the vial are previously dissolved in glucose. The tool can be used to treat children from 7 years. Side effects include nausea and vomiting.
- The drug "Octamine plus" is a capsule, packaged in blisters for 10 or 30 pieces. The main components are substances such as valine, lysine and methionine. The drug is prescribed, like Heptral, during pregnancy for the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, chronic and acute hepatitis and depression. This tool can be taken by children, starting from the age of three. Usually take no more than 6 capsules per day, divided into three doses. Side effects include dry mouth, stomach discomfort, and drowsiness.
- The Karniel solution is used orally. The active substance of this tool is levocarnitine. It can be used, like Heptral during pregnancy in the 3rd trimester, as well as during breastfeeding. The daily dose should not exceed 3 g per day. In the first dose, only one gram of the drug is used, in case of its good tolerance, increase the dosage and continue the course of treatment.
- The medicine "Tavamine" contains leucine and valine. With his help hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver and toxic damage to this organ are treated. The tool is part of complex therapy in the treatment of alcoholism and cholecystitis. Tablets are kept in convenient blisters that are packed in cardboard boxes.
The shelf life of Heptral is no more than 3 years at a temperature of no higher than 25 degrees. The storage location should not be damp or in direct sunlight.
User reviews
On the Internet you can find a lot of reviews about Heptral during pregnancy. Most of them are positive, although there are rare exceptions. Women with chronic cholecystitis during pregnancy are often prescribed this remedy to normalize liver function. According to users, it has a lot of side effects and a rather high price. It is extremely important to take tablets of the drug after eating, otherwise discomfort and even pain in the abdomen may occur. After a two-day intake, liver function improves markedly.
According to patients, this is really an effective and reliable drug that can help in the treatment of diseases of the liver and gall bladder.
Heptral solution is sometimes prescribed for liver cleansing. For one course of treatment, it is enough to make 10 injections. After that, patients feel much better. A clean, renewed liver begins to work well, which immediately affects the appearance of women. Their skin is smoothed, blush appears and acne with acne passes.
Doctors may prescribe Heptral when planning a pregnancy. Reviews of experts say that this is the best time to treat a diseased liver.
For patients with cholestasis "Heptral" is a real salvation. After two droppers, bitterness in the mouth and skin itch disappear. Thanks to intravenous administration, the stomach does not suffer, and the remedy acts much stronger and more effective. Of the side effects, slight dizziness is noted, which passes quite quickly. The bioavailability of the tablets is quite low and amounts to only 10%. In order for the tool to give a result, the most optimal treatment option will be a solution for intravenous administration.