Livial tablets: instructions for use, composition and reviews

The article will present the instructions for use, price, reviews, and analogues to the Livial preparation.

It is a drug intended for the treatment of menopausal syndrome. This remedy does not cause the abolition of regular bleeding. The action of the drug is aimed at stabilizing the pituitary system against the background of the menopause. This effect is possible due to the estrogenic, progestogen and weak androgenic properties of the drug.

Instructions for Livial are included in each package.

Structure

The active substance is tibolone. The tablets contain 2.5 milligrams of the main component. Excipients are:

• potato starch;
• magnesium stearate;
• palmitate;
• lactose;
• purified water.

The medicine is made in the format of white flat tablets. The composition of the Livial tablets is indicated in the annotation.

Pharmacological properties of the drug

With the stopping of menstruation as a result of natural causes or immediately after the removal of the ovaries, women begin postmenopause, which is characterized by a significant decrease in the body's sex hormones, primarily the amount of estrogen decreases. Deficiency of the latter provokes the appearance of postmenopausal menopausal symptoms in the form of hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, depression, irritability, dryness and discomfort in the vagina and decreased libido.

A consequence of the deficiency of such an important hormone is the accelerated loss of bone tissue during this period. Because of this, osteoporosis develops, due to which fractures can occur. The spine, thighs, forearms, and, in addition, the wrists are at greater risk. In addition, osteoporosis can provoke back pain, weight loss and curvature of the spine.

According to the instructions, Livial belongs to the category of medicines that are used as part of the so-called hormone replacement treatment and is used to treat postmenopausal symptoms. In the event that the patient is sixty years old or older, then the drug should be used only in cases where it is impossible to use other similar medicines. Relief of symptoms usually begins after a few weeks, but the optimal result is achieved after four months of therapy.

Against the background of an increased risk of osteoporosis during postmenopause in situations where other medications are not suitable for the treatment of this disease, the use of Livial is allowed. Differing from other methods of replacement therapy, this medicine does not have a stimulating effect on the endometrium. In this regard, treatment does not lead to the appearance of monthly bleeding from the vagina.

Indications for use

So, the Livial instruction is recommended for patients in the following cases:

• Treatment of symptoms of estrogen deficiency in postmenopausal women.
• The prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal patients who are at high risk of fractures.
• The presence of intolerance to other categories of drugs that are used to prevent osteoporosis.
  

Contraindications

As the instructions indicate, "Livial" can not be taken in the following cases:

• The onset of pregnancy.
• The period is less than one year after the last menstruation.
• Presence of or suspected diagnosis of breast cancer.
• The presence of diagnosed malignant estrogen-dependent tumors, for example, endometrial cancer or suspicion of such.
• The appearance of bleeding from the vagina with an unclear etiology.
• The presence of untreated endometrial hyperplasia.
• The presence of idiopathic venous thromboembolism.
• The presence of any thromboembolic disease of the arteries, for example, the presence of angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, stroke, or transient ischemic attack.
• Heart failure at the stage of decompensation.
• The appearance of acute liver diseases, after which the indicator of organ function does not return to normal.
• The development of liver failure.
• The development of otosclerosis that occurs during pregnancy or after therapy with hormonal drugs.
• Confirmed presence of hypersensitivity to the drug.

When the drug should be taken with caution

What else does the official instruction for Livial tell us?

Along with the benefits, hormonal therapy can entail a certain health risk, which should be taken into account when deciding whether to start treatment with the drug or to continue using it.

Before starting to prescribe it, the doctor must first familiarize yourself with the patient’s history. At the same time, family and transferred diseases must be taken into account, a physical examination is required, including the measurement of pressure, pulse and weight. Also, before taking Livial, you need to examine the mammary glands and perform a gynecological examination. In the future, the patient will need to undergo a mandatory preventive examination according to medical recommendations, but at least once a year.

It should be borne in mind that some diseases can progress under the influence of substitution treatment. In the event that the patient has, or has previously noted one of the following conditions, it is required to inform the doctor in a timely manner:

• The presence of uterine fibroids or endometriosis.
• The presence of thromboembolic disorders in the form of pathologies of veins and arteries.
• The presence of heart disease.
• The presence of cerebrovascular accident.
• The presence of breast cancer among close relatives.
• The presence of arterial hypertension.
• The presence of liver disease, such as adenoma.
• High cholesterol.
• The appearance of disorders in carbohydrate metabolism.
• The presence of diabetes.
• The appearance of cholelithiasis.
• The presence of migraine or severe headaches.
• The appearance of systemic lupus erythematosus.
• The development of endometrial hyperplasia in the anamnesis.
• The development of epilepsy.
• The presence of bronchial asthma.
• Presence of kidney failure.

Also, patients are required to inform the doctor in a timely manner in the event that any changes in well-being are observed while taking Livial. It should be emphasized that this drug is strictly contraindicated during pregnancy. Also, it should not be used in case of breastfeeding.

So it says in the instructions. The price of Livial and its use are of interest to many. About it below.

Dosage and administration

The drug is intended for internal use. Only one tablet should be taken every day. You need to use the medicine at the same time. It should be washed down with water or any other drink.

The peculiarity of the drug is that each of its blisters is marked by the days of the week. You should start taking the medication with the pill that is marked on the current day. For example, if the day of admission coincided with Monday, then you should take a pill that is marked on that day. Next, you need to continue to take pills, according to the day of the week. From the subsequent blisters, tablets are taken without gaps or any interruptions. You must not allow pauses between packages and blisters.

The drug "Livial" can not be taken in the period before the expiration of twelve months after the last natural period. In that case, if you start taking the medicine earlier than the specified time, then the risk of irregular discharge with bloody impurities from the vagina increases. If side effects occur, you should immediately consult a doctor.

In the event that the patient forgets to take the pill, then she should use it as soon as she remembers this. But this must be done no later than twelve hours later. In the event that the pill was overdue for more than twelve hours, then you need to skip it. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed rate.

Side effects

According to the instructions for use and reviews, the drug "Livial", like other medicines, can have certain side effects. Most of these effects are mild. During clinical trials, most often, the following side effects were observed in women:

• The occurrence of pain in the lower abdomen.
• The appearance of bleeding from the vagina.
• Observation of increased mucous secretions.
• Weight gain.
• The appearance of pain in the mammary glands.
• Enhanced hair growth, including on the face.
• Discomfort in the vagina, for example, discharge along with itching and irritation.

The following reactions are the infrequent side effects that occur in one percent of women who have taken Livial:

• The appearance of acne.
• The development of mastodynia.

Other likely side effects may include:

• The appearance of dizziness, headaches and migraines.
• The onset of depression.
• Presence of skin rashes or itching.
• Visual impairment.
• Gastric and intestinal disorders in the form of diarrhea and flatulence.
• Retention in the body fluid along with the appearance of swelling.
• The appearance of pain in the joints and muscles.
• Impaired hepatic function.

You should consult your doctor in a timely manner in case of the above side effects that appear while taking the drug.

The danger of hormonal treatment

In accordance with the instructions for use with Livial tablets, against the background of hormonal treatment, the following pathologies can be diagnosed in patients:

• The presence of endometrial proliferation.
• The appearance of breast cancer along with other benign or malignant hormone-dependent tumors.
• The development of venous thromboembolism.
• The appearance of myocardial infarction or stroke.
• The development of cholelithiasis.
• The occurrence of skin diseases in the form of various rashes, red streaks or depigmentation.
• The development of dementia, which can be expressed in loss of memory and a decrease in mental abilities.

Drug overdose

If the patient has taken too many pills, she will have to seek medical help. Signs of an overdose may be a feeling of malaise along with nausea or vaginal bleeding.

This confirms the instructions for the drug "Livial". The price of it depends on the number of tablets and will be indicated at the end of the article.

Interaction with other medicines

Given that Livial has an effect on the blood coagulation function, fibrinolytic processes may increase. This, in turn, will contribute to the strengthening of the work of anticoagulants. A similar effect is noted in the case of simultaneous treatment with Warfarin. Therefore, in parallel to adopt "Livial" and "Warfarin" is not desirable. In extreme cases, the dose of Warfarin must be adjusted accordingly.

According to reviews, the instructions for Livial are very detailed.

Special instructions for use

This drug is not intended for use as a contraceptive and does not protect women from unwanted pregnancy. The hormonal treatment of postmenopausal symptoms should be started only with its extremely adverse effect on well-being. Periodically, but not less than once a year, an assessment of the risk and benefits of therapy is required. Hormone treatment is continued when the benefit of this exceeds the existing risk.

Women who are over sixty years old should begin to be treated with this drug only in case of intolerance or contraindications to the use of other groups of drugs that are used to treat estrogen deficiency. The doctor, in turn, must assess the risks of developing breast or endometrial cancer in patients, taking into account certain individual factors.

So it is said in the instructions for the Livial tablets.

Medical observation

A physical examination should be carried out taking into account the history and relative contraindications. During treatment, preventive examinations are recommended. Their frequency is determined by the individual characteristics of the patients. Women should be informed about the need to inform their doctor about any changes in the mammary glands. Research, including mammography, is required to be carried out according to the accepted examination scheme, which should be adapted to the clinical needs of each patient.

What else is described in the instructions for the drug "Livial"?

When to discontinue the drug immediately

The reasons for the immediate withdrawal of treatment with this drug are the following factors:

• Onset of jaundice or impaired hepatic function.
• Excessive increase in blood pressure.
• The appearance of headaches.

This is confirmed by the instructions for use and reviews of doctors. The price of Livial is slightly overpriced, patients consider, given the associated risks when taking it.

The danger of endometrial cancer

There are reports, and, in addition, the results of studies on the increased risk of developing endometrial cancer in patients who used Livial. The risk of endometrial cancer increases with an increase in the total duration of use of this drug. Thus, in the event of spotting that lasts more than six months or begins six months after the start of taking the pills, you should inform your doctor about this, as this may be a sign of the development of endometrial hyperplasia.

Such information is available in the instructions for use. Reviews about Livial are presented in large numbers and confirm this.

Breast cancer

Women with a diagnosis of breast cancer, as well as those who have already had this disease, should not be given hormone therapy. Taking estrogen for several years slightly increases the risk of breast cancer. Such a threat grows with an increase in the total duration of hormonal treatment.

On average, out of a thousand and fifty-year-old women, breast cancer can be diagnosed in six cases, especially if patients have been using hormone treatment for five years. This figure increases to nineteen additional cases if replacement therapy has been carried out for ten years. In this regard, it is imperative to regularly check the chest for any changes, for example, the appearance of pockmarked skin or any seal that can be noticed or felt.

Livial and ovarian cancer

This type of tumor appears extremely rarely, but such a disease is very serious. Ovarian cancer can be difficult to diagnose, as very often there are no obvious signs of such a disease. A number of studies indicate that the use of Livial containing estrogen for more than five years can increase the risk of such cancer.

Livial and its effect on heart function

Hormone therapy is not recommended for women with heart disease. In the event that the patient is going to use Livial, and she once had a heart disease, then she needs to see a doctor. While taking this drug, there may be a slight increase in the risk of heart disease in the first year of using this medicine. If a woman has chest pain, which at the same time gives into the arm, then in this case, you must immediately consult a doctor, stopping taking Livial.

Recent studies have shown an increased risk of stroke with Livial. Mostly this picture is observed among patients in the postmenopausal period who are older than sixty years. In the event that the patient has unexplained headaches with visual impairment, it is required to consult a doctor as soon as possible. In such a situation, you can not take the drug "Livial" until the doctor can confirm the safety of continuing hormonal treatment. Such headaches can be an early sign of a likely stroke.

Livial and venous thromboembolism

According to the instructions for use with Livial, while taking it, the risk of venous thromboembolism may increase, especially during the first twelve months of use. The formation of blood clots does not always lead to serious consequences, but if it enters the lungs, chest pain, shortness of breath, or even death can be caused. This condition is called pulmonary embolism. The likelihood of blood clots increases in the following cases:

• Significant overweight.
• If the patient previously had blood clots.
• If the next of kin had blood clots.
• If the patient had a miscarriage.
• If there are blood coagulation problems that require treatment with drugs, for example, Warfarin.
• If the patient is forced to observe bed rest for a long time due to surgery.
• The presence of systemic lupus erythematosus.
• The occurrence of edema, sudden chest pain or shortness of breath.

This is indicated in the instructions for Livial.

Reviews and price are presented below.

Feedback on the drug "Livial"

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We reviewed the instructions for use with Livial and reviews.

Price

The cost of tablets in Russia ranges from 1400 to 2500 rubles. It depends on the region and the pharmacy network.

Analogs

Among the often prescribed drugs for hormone replacement therapy with menopause, there are analogues:

• Angelique
• "Femoston";
• Climodien
• "Cycloproginova";
• Klimonorm;
• "Divina";
• "Proginova."

When searching for an effective medicine in the postmenopausal period, they often discuss on the topic: - which is better, “Angelique” or “Livial”, “Femoston” or “Ladybone”.

It is worth noting that hormone replacement therapy for menopause can be prescribed only by an experienced gynecologist, after a detailed examination and history taking.

Therefore, it is impossible to give a definite answer which of the existing drugs is better: Livial, Angelique, Proginova and others. Hormone therapy is selected individually for each patient, and is carried out under the constant supervision of a doctor in compliance with all his recommendations.

The article was presented to the drug "Livial" instructions for use, price, reviews and analogues.