Lesions of the liver and gall bladder, unfortunately, are extremely common in modern medical practice. And these diseases are not always associated with severe systemic disorders in the body - they can be caused by improper diet, exposure to adverse environmental factors, as well as bad habits, in particular the abuse of alcoholic beverages. And today, hepatoprotectors are used for treatment and prevention. Therefore, many are interested in: the question of what is the drug "Essential Forte"; patient reviews about its use; indications for use , etc.
The drug "Essential Forte": composition and form of release
It's no secret that an insufficient amount of phospholipids often leads to impaired metabolism of fats in the body, which, in turn, negatively affects the condition of the liver. Deficiency of these substances is eliminated by hepatoprotective drugs, in particular, Essential Forte.
The main active component of this medication is a complex of so-called essential phospholipids. In particular, each dose of the drug contains phosphatidylcholine obtained from soybeans. This complex is 76% choline.
Modern pharmacological companies produce this drug in two forms - these are hard gelatin capsules and a solution for intravenous injection (Essential Forte N). Regardless of the form of release of the drug, they contain a complex of phospholipids.
Essential Forte is available in the form of brown, opaque hard gelatin capsules with an oily pasty content. For the manufacture of the capsule, gelatin, sodium lauryl sulfate, titanium dioxide and dyes are used. The semi-liquid contents of the capsule, in addition to the active substances, contain soybean oil, alpha-tocopherol, solid fat and some other components.
Pharmacological properties of "Essential"
The essential phospholipids contained in this preparation are maximally similar in structure to the natural phospholipid molecules that are components of hepatocyte cell membranes. Damage to liver tissue, as a rule, is accompanied by damage to the membranes of the liver cells, and this drug restores the integrity of cell structures.
In addition, the phospholipid substances of the drug are characterized by increased activity, therefore, they are able to quickly restore the functionality of the liver tissue. In addition, as a result of exposure to this drug, hepatocyte membranes become more resilient and resilient. This hepatoprotector, when used correctly, restores the processes of fat and protein metabolism, accelerates detoxification processes in the liver, and also prevents the growth of connective tissues.
Indications for use
To date, this medicine is used to treat and prevent a number of liver diseases. Indications for receiving "Essential" are:
- fatty degeneration of liver tissue of any origin;
- chronic and acute hepatitis;
- cirrhosis of the liver, including those caused by chronic alcoholism;
- useful "Essential Forte" for the liver with psoriasis;
- disorders in the work of the liver tissue, which are associated with other diseases;
- severe forms of toxicosis during pregnancy;
- the medicine is used as a preventive measure to prevent the formation of gallstones;
- radiation syndrome;
- severe poisoning of the body with toxins, including salts of heavy metals and ethyl alcohol;
- solutions for injection are used for hepatic necrosis;
- drug injections are given to patients in preparation for surgery on the abdominal organs. The same drug is used to prevent complications in the postoperative period.
In fact, this is far from all the violations in which Essential Forte is used. Testimonials from a patient or doctor will confirm that capsules are often prescribed to protect the liver during antibiotic treatment.
How to take Essential Forte capsules?
It should immediately be noted that the dosage, schedule and duration of administration are determined exclusively individually - it is not recommended to take the drug without permission. As for the recommended doses, adults and adolescents take two capsules two or three times a day. It is advisable to take the medicine during meals with a little water. The duration of the drug may vary depending on the disease, the severity of the patient's condition and purpose (prevention or treatment). In any case, therapy lasts at least 2-3 weeks. Some patients are advised to take longer treatment (about a year).
The drug "Essential Forte N": application and instructions for use
It should immediately be noted that for the effective treatment of liver diseases, complex therapy is required, which includes both taking capsules and intravenous administration of the drug. After the main symptoms disappear, it will be possible to refuse injections.
In this case, the dosage is also selected by the doctor. An average of 2–4 ampoules of 5 ml per day is recommended. It is necessary to enter medicine into a vein very slowly. In some cases, the solution is used in its pure form, while for other patients it is first diluted with blood in a 1: 1 ratio. But in any case, it is forbidden to dilute intravenous fluid with electrolyte solutions (for example, sodium chloride).
This drug is rarely used for intramuscular administration, as it can cause severe irritation and even inflammation of the skin tissue.
Many patients report a visible effect from taking Essential Forte. The response of the average patient allows us to conclude that such treatment really has a positive effect on the liver and the condition of the whole organism.
Contraindications to hepatoprotector
This medicine does not have too many contraindications. Naturally, it cannot be taken by patients with hypersensitivity to one or another constituent substance. Treatment with this tool is prohibited if it is a newborn (especially premature) baby - capsules and injections are allowed for patients over twelve years of age.
To date, there is no evidence of how the drug affects the fetus during pregnancy and lactation. Therefore, during this period only the attending physician can decide whether the patient should take the medicine and in what dose. In the end, Essential is used to treat severe forms of toxicosis. But during lactation, you need to stop taking it, since the main components of the drug can easily penetrate the baby’s body along with breast milk.
Are side effects possible?
The drug "Essential" is most often well tolerated by the patient. The presence of any adverse reactions is extremely rare in modern medical practice. Only in some cases, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract appear. Side effects include a feeling of discomfort in the stomach. Some patients complain of loose stools. Much less often, medication is accompanied by severe diarrhea.
Allergic reactions occur only with hypersensitivity to any component of the drug. Allergies are accompanied by skin lesions. Some patients note itching, redness, and mild swelling of the skin, less often urticaria and eczema.
In the presence of unpleasant sensations or an allergic reaction, it is worth temporarily discontinuing treatment and seek the advice of a doctor. Perhaps the specialist will decide to cancel the drug.
Additional Information
Once again, it is worth noting that injection liquid can interact with electrolyte solutions. If necessary, you can use either the patient’s blood or glucose, xylitol solutions. There is no other information about the interaction of Essential with drugs.
Taking the medicine does not affect vision, ability to concentrate, and reaction speed, and therefore does not affect the patient’s ability to drive a car or work with some other mechanisms. There is no evidence of an overdose to date.
It is recommended to store the capsules in a dry place at a temperature not exceeding 21 degrees. Ampoules with a solution are best kept in a refrigerator at a temperature of + 2-8 o C.
Essential Forte: patient reviews
Both doctors and patients respond well to this medicine. According to statistical surveys, in most cases Essential Forte does have a positive effect, eliminates the main symptoms of liver disease and, if used correctly, avoids relapse. Patients note that a few days after the start of treatment, pain, nausea and a feeling of heaviness in the right hypochondrium disappear. Perhaps the only drawback of this tool is its cost, since its price is far from suitable for everyone (in the region of 500 rubles, plus or minus, for 30 capsules and 1,500 rubles, also plus or minus, for 100 capsules).