Taurine - what is it? We will tell about this in the presented article. You will also learn about which preparations the substance is mentioned in, why they are prescribed and what properties they have.
General information
Taurine - what is it and what features does it possess? According to experts, this substance is a sulfonic acid, which is formed in the human body from cysteine.
Taurine is often called a sulfur-containing amino acid. It should be noted that in this molecule there is no carboxyl group. In small volumes, it is present in the bile and tissues of animals and humans.
Taurine - what is it? This substance, which is used both as a food supplement (in dietary supplements) and as a medicine (acts as the main ingredient in many drugs). Its name comes from such a Latin word as taurus, which in translation means “bull”. Taurine was first obtained from bovine bile in 1827 by German scientists such as Leopold Gmelin and Friedrich Tiedemann.
Composition, packaging, form of the drug
Now you know the answer to the question: "Taurine - what is it?" As mentioned above, the substance is often used in the manufacture of various medicines.
The most popular among patients are Taurine eye drops. Their use is indicated for various diseases of the visual organs.
As you might have guessed, the active ingredient in this drug is taurine. In addition to it, the composition of the drops includes such additional substances as water and methyl parahydroxybenzoate.
Drops "Taurine", the instruction of which is enclosed in a cardboard package, are available in a plastic dropper bottle.
Pharmacology
What is Taurine? The use of this medication is indicated mainly in ophthalmic practice. According to experts, this is a metabolic drug that is used to activate recovery processes.
A medicine intended for the organs of vision, effectively manifests itself not only in the treatment of humans, but also in the treatment of domestic animals, in particular cats.
This drug contains an essential amino acid, a deficiency of which contributes to cardiomyopathy and retinal degeneration.
Substance features
Taurine can be used not only to create eye drops, but also for the manufacture of injection solutions, capsules and even tablets.
With subconjunctival administration, this substance has a retinoprotective, metabolic and anti-cataract effect. With systemic use, it is characterized by hypotensive, cardiotonic and hepatoprotective properties.
In the presence of chronic heart failure, taurine is able to reduce the severity of congestion in the large and small circles of blood circulation. It also increases myocardial contractility and reduces diastolic intracardiac pressure.
It should be noted that Taurine in tablets and capsules helps to lower blood pressure in arterial hypertension. In the process of taking it, a decrease in symptoms of an overdose of calcium channel blockers and cardiac glycosides is noted. Also, patients have increased physical stamina.
In diabetes mellitus, the glucose level in the blood decreases 15 days after the start of therapy. There is also a decrease in triglycerides.
With prolonged treatment with Taurine, conjunctival microcirculation improves markedly. And in the presence of chronic diffuse diseases of the liver, the patient normalizes metabolism, increases blood flow and decreases the severity of cytolysis in the liver.
Indications for use
Why is Taurine needed? Instructions for use (eye drops are most often used by patients) say that this medication is often prescribed for corneal dystrophy, dystrophic retinal lesions, cataracts and corneal injuries.
As for oral administration, taurine-based drugs are often used for cardiovascular failure, cardiac glycoside poisoning and diabetes mellitus.
Contraindications
Taurine is not recommended for hypersensitivity. Also, drugs based on it are not prescribed in childhood.
Eye drops "Taurine": instructions for use
Drops "Taurine" should be used as directed by a specialist. This is due to the fact that the scheme of their use may be different depending on the existing disease.
For the treatment of cataracts, the drug is used in the form of instillations in the amount of 1-2 drops 2-4 times a day. The course of such therapy should last 3 months. If necessary, it can be repeated after 4 weeks.
In case of a corneal injury or its degeneration, drops should be used for a month. In the case of dystrophic diseases of the retina and penetrating wound of the cornea, the medicine is used in the form of subconjunctival injections.
A 4% solution in an amount of 0.3 ml is administered once a day for 10 days. After 7-8 months, treatment should be repeated.
As for the oral form of the drug, its dosage should be selected only by a doctor.
Taurine tablets or capsules as a dietary supplement is taken on an empty stomach three times a day. With heart failure, liver disease or diabetes, the drug is prescribed in the same amount and with the same frequency. However, the duration of therapy with this agent varies significantly. In heart failure and liver disease, tablets are taken for a month, and in diabetes mellitus - up to six months.
Side effects
When using eye drops, the patient may develop local allergic reactions. As for the oral forms of the drug, they can cause problems with the work of the stomach.
Reviews
About eye drops "Taurine" leave only positive reviews. Patients claim that this medication is effective in case of problems with the organs of vision.
Negative reviews about this medicine are extremely rare. As a rule, they are associated with undesirable reactions that occur with individual intolerance to the drug. In this case, it is better to refuse it.
It should also be noted that many patients take taurine-based drugs inside as a biological supplement. According to their reviews, this method of taking the amino acid in question significantly increases the stamina of the human body. Therefore, taurine-based dietary supplements are especially popular with professional athletes.