Why is a medicine like Vigantol necessary? Instructions for use and analogues of this drug will be presented below. We will also tell you in what form this medication is issued, how much it costs, whether it has adverse reactions and contraindications.
Composition, packaging, form, description
What is Vigantol? The instructions for use attached to the medicine say that this drug regulates the exchange of phosphorus and calcium in the human body. It is available as a clear oily solution for oral administration. The medication has a slightly yellowish color and a viscous consistency.
In 1 ml of this drug contains 500 μg of colecalciferol, as well as excipients in the form of medium chain triglycerides. The drug goes on sale in 10 ml bottles made of dark glass and having a dropper cap.
Pharmacodynamics of the drug
How does the drug "Vigantol"? Instructions for use indicate that this drug has a pharmacological action that regulates calcium-phosphorus metabolism. At the same time, it compensates for the lack of vitamin D 3 , enhances the absorption of calcium in the digestive tract and reabsorb phosphates in the kidneys.
In addition to all of the above, the medication "Vigantol" promotes bone mineralization, which is essential for the normal functioning of the parathyroid glands.
Pharmacokinetics of a medical product
Where is the absorption of the drug "Vigantol"? Instructions for use indicate that the absorption of this agent is from the digestive tract. Inside the human body, the active substance comes into contact with α2-globulins, as well as with some part - with albumin.
Colecalciferol accumulates in the liver, adipose and bone tissues, as well as in skeletal muscles, kidneys, adrenal glands and myocardium.
The achievement of the highest concentration of the active component in the tissues is noted after 4-5 hours. After that, it decreases slightly, but for a long time remains at the level necessary for therapy.
Experts have found that colecalciferol is able to penetrate the placental barrier. They also found that this substance is excreted along with breast milk, so it is not recommended to use it during lactation.
As a result of biological transformation, inactive and active metabolites are formed in the kidneys and liver, such as dihydroxycolecalciferol, calciphediol and calcitriol.
The drug is removed from the human body along with bile and in a small amount - with urine.
What is it used for?
Now you know what properties the drug "Vigantol" has. The main indications for its use are the following diseases:
- spasmophilia;
- rickets;
- osteomalacia.
Drug Bans
Are there any contraindications for such a medication as Vigantol (its price is indicated a bit further)? It is highly recommended not to take the drug in the presence of the following conditions:
- hypercalcemia;
- hypersensitivity to the elements of the drug;
- hypercalciuria;
- sarcoidosis;
- the presence of kidney stones (calcareous);
- immobilization.
How to take Vigantol? Methods and dosages
Take the drug in question should only be prescribed by a doctor. Also, before using it, you must carefully read the attached instructions. It states that the drug "Vigantol" is prescribed to newborns along with breast milk or any other liquid. To do this, the solution in the right amount is mixed with food for the baby in a small spoon.
To prevent a disease such as rickets, healthy and full-term children from two months old are prescribed 1 drop of the drug every day. Take this medicine for five days. After the specified time, take a two-day break.
Babies from one to two years old are not recommended to give medication in the summer months of the year.
For premature infants from 10 days of life, a dose equal to 2 drops is prescribed (every day). Such treatment is continued throughout the day, taking two-day breaks. An exception to this therapy is also the summer months.
How to use the drug "Vigantol" to treat rickets? Drops in this case are taken in high doses. For example, children from 10 days of life are allowed to give 2-8 drops every day.
"Wigantol" for adults is also prescribed by the attending physician. Previously, the patient undergoes a medical examination, during which an indicator of vitamin D Z deficiency is established. By the way, its level should be monitored during the entire therapy.
Drug overdose
What are the symptoms of an overdose when taken improperly with a drug such as Vigantol? The analogs of this medicine and the drug itself should be used in the dose that was prescribed by the attending physician.
Typically, cases of overdose with this agent are associated with the fact that a large amount of vitamin D Z accumulates in the human body, including the child. In this condition, hypervitaminosis D 3 occurs. Its symptoms include constipation or diarrhea, pollakiuria, headache, thirst, anorexia vomiting, nocturia, nausea, polyuria, general weakness, a taste of metal in the mouth, and so on.
In addition to these conditions, the patient may develop more complex disorders in the form of bone pain, clouding of urine, increased blood pressure, skin itching, myalgia, conjunctival hyperemia, arrhythmias, etc.
In such conditions, victims are prescribed therapy for developing hypercalcemia. The treatment regimen for the disease depends on the severity.
Thus, if symptoms of an overdose occur, the drug is canceled, and the patient is prescribed a low-calcium diet, vitamin E, intake of a large amount of fluid, ascorbic acid, thiamine, retinol, pantothenic acid and riboflavin.
As for severe cases, they require intravenous administration of a 0.9% solution of sodium chloride, calcitonin, furosemide, electrolytes and hemodialysis.
In order to avoid overdose, it is necessary to constantly monitor the concentration of calcium in the blood.
Adverse reactions
In general, Vigantol vitamins are well tolerated by patients. In rare cases, the patient may develop the following undesirable effects:
- hypercalciuria;
- nausea;
- hypercalcemia;
- arrhythmia;
- calcium deposition in soft tissues;
- vomiting
- weight loss;
- disorders of the psyche and consciousness;
- urolithiasis disease;
- decreased appetite, polyuria and thirst.
Drug interaction
The drug "Vigantol" may affect the intake of other drugs. Therefore, before using it, you should definitely consult a doctor, and also study the instructions. By the way, in the latter the following features of the medication are indicated:
- The use of Phenytoin, as well as funds belonging to the group of barbiturates, increases the rate of biological transformation, which increases the human body's need for vitamin D 3 .
- The combination of the drug "Vigantol" with bisphosphonates, "Calcitonin" and "Plikamycin" reduces the effectiveness of the former. It should also be noted that “Colestipol” and “Colestyramine” significantly reduce the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins from the gastrointestinal tract . This fact requires an increase in their dose.
- The simultaneous administration of the drug with antacids that contain particles of magnesium and aluminum (especially for a long time), can increase their concentration in the blood, as well as save the risk of intoxication.
- A combination of vitamin D 3 , its analogues or metabolites is allowed. However, this should only be done in special cases. In this case, it is necessary to strictly control the level of calcium in the blood.
- Combined cardiac glycoside therapy increases the toxic potential of the drug due to hypercalcemia. Such patients need an ECG, as well as control of calcium levels and dose adjustment of cardiac glycosides. Derivatives of benzodiazepine may increase the risk of hypercalcemia.
- A decrease in the effectiveness of the drug in question is noted with simultaneous therapy with Isoniazid and Rifampicin. This is due to the fact that they are able to increase the rate of biological transformation.
- Experts have revealed that thiazide diuretics inhibit the process of excretion of calcium in urine. This effect contributes to hypercalcemia, which requires regular monitoring of calcium in the blood.
Price and analogues of the drug
Do you know how much Vigantol costs? The price of this drug may be different and depend on the pharmacy network, as well as the place of residence of the patient. So what is the cost of this product? You can buy it for 200-220 rubles.
In the event that you could not find such a drug in your city, you can replace it with a similar one. The main analogues of the medication in question are the following drugs: Videhol, Aquadetrim, Vitamin D, Cholecalciferol, Colecalciferol and others.
Comparing these drugs, many people are wondering which one is better.
As you know, in order to avoid the development of rickets, small patients from birth are prescribed medications that increase the content of vitamin D in the blood. Most often, pediatricians suggest using drugs such as Vigantol and Aquadetrim. They are the most effective. However, experts recommend that parents check with pediatricians exactly what remedy their baby should take. Indeed, in some cases, the patient is better to give an oily, and in others - an aqueous solution.
Reviews about the drug "Vigantol"
About the drug "Wigantol" there are many different reviews. Mostly they are left by the parents of young children. After all, this drug is especially often prescribed for babies with a lack of vitamin D 3 .
Thus, through reviews, parents share their experience with this medicine, and also ask if it helped other children.
According to most reports, pediatricians quite often prescribe “Wigantol” for babies. Also often use and water solution "Aquadetrim". In both cases, children have a positive trend. As a rule, this occurs after completing the full course of therapy.
According to parents, the oily preparation is especially suitable for newborn babies. After a course of therapy, they do not reveal any abnormalities in the bone structure.
It should also be noted that, despite the high likelihood of adverse reactions, cases of undesirable effects while taking “Vigantol” have not been recorded. By the way, there are many positive reviews from patients who are pleased with the low price of this drug.