According to WHO, today in the world there are about two million people with various liver diseases. Transplant operations of this organ are rare. For example, the heart is transplanted several times more often. The prevalence of viral hepatitis has recently increased. If earlier these pathologies were not given much importance, today doctors are sounding the alarm. That is why the pharmaceutical industry had to increase the production of hepatoprotectors. These are medicines that protect the liver from the aggressive effects of various factors. This article will discuss only one representative of hepatoprotectors - the drug "Legalon 140". Instructions for use will help you figure out how to use it correctly.
Description of the drug: composition and form of release
The medicine goes on sale in the form of hard capsules. Each pill is covered with a brown gelatin shell. Capsules are placed in blisters of 10 pieces.
The active ingredient is the extract of milk thistle. There are also such additional components in each capsule of the “Legalon” medicine: 140 mg of silymarin, polysorbate 80, mannitol, magnesium stearate, povidone. The pill shell consists of titanium dioxide, gelatin, iron dye, oxide of red and black.
pharmachologic effect
The medicine "Legalon 140" is characterized by the following pharmacological actions:
- hepatoprotective (protection of the liver elements from destruction);
- anti-inflammatory (suppression of pathological processes);
- detoxification (cleansing the liver of toxins and free radicals);
- regenerative (restoration of organ elements).
The active ingredient of the hepatoprotector is milk thistle extract . One of its components is silymarin. This is an antioxidant complex of plant origin, which has a healing effect on the liver. Silymarin and its isomers inhibit lipid oxidation and prevent the destruction of hepatocyte membranes. They also stimulate the intracellular formation of proteins and complex lipids. Silymarin prevents the penetration of poisons into the liver, inhibits the production of prostaglandins - the main components of the inflammatory process. Milk thistle fruits contain a large amount of minerals and unsaturated fatty acids. The latter contribute to the oxidation of cholesterol, thereby preventing the spread of atherosclerosis.
After a course of treatment with the drug "Legalon 140", patients feel better overall. Vomiting, skin itching disappears, appetite noticeably improves. At the same time, laboratory indicators that determine the state of liver function are stabilized. It is impossible to trace the process of drug promotion throughout the body, since it contains a large number of biologically active components. The maximum concentration in the blood is observed 30 minutes after administration.
Indications for use
"Legalon 140" instruction recommends use for the treatment and prevention of liver damage of various origins. These include:
- toxic hepatitis;
- alcoholism;
- fatty organ infiltration;
- cirrhosis.
The use of the medication is justified both with medical and with maintenance therapy. The feasibility of using the medicine is determined by the doctor in each case.
Contraindications
It is recommended that patients with individual intolerance to the components that make up its composition should abandon the use of the drug for medicinal purposes. There is no reliable information on the effectiveness and safety of the use of the drug during pregnancy. Therefore, before starting a course of therapy, it is necessary to consult a doctor.
Instructions for use
According to the instructions "Legalon 140" you need to take one capsule three times a day. The pill is washed down with water, without biting. In severe liver pathologies, the course of treatment can vary from one to three months. After improving the patient's condition, the dosage of the drug is reduced to one capsule twice a day. Sometimes the treatment course is repeated several times a year.
Additional recommendations
Information on the compatibility of a drug such as Legalon 140 with other medicines is not available. If there is a need to take several drugs at the same time, the treatment regimen should be discussed with a doctor in advance. Independent use of a hepatoprotector for serious liver diseases (without the prescription of a specialist) is prohibited. Before starting therapy, the patient must undergo a full diagnostic examination. According to its results, the doctor will be able to choose the optimal dosage of the medicine.
The tablet recommends storing the tablets in a place protected from sunlight, where the temperature does not exceed 25 degrees. Shelf life is 5 years from the date of issue. After its expiration, the medication is prohibited for use.
Analogues of the drug
"Legalon 140" has many analogues of plant, animal and synthetic origin. A separate group includes homeopathic medicines with pronounced hepatoprotective properties. What medicines can replace the original remedy? Analogs:
- Apkosul, Liv 52 (plant hepatoprotectors).
- "Sirepar", "Erbisol" (medicines of animal origin).
- Antral, Zixorin (synthetic drugs).
- “Galstena”, “Hepar Compositum” (homeopathic remedies).
- “Lioliv”, “Lipofen”, “Essential Forte N” (hepatoprotectors made on the basis of essential phospholipids).
- "Hepasteril B", "Methionine", "Lecithin" (medicines that include amino acids).
If the drug described in the article does not fit the patient, the doctor selects an analogue. "Legalon 140" is considered a universal hepatoprotector, which practically has no obvious contraindications and side effects. Therefore, it is rarely replaced with an analog medication.
Opinions of patients and doctors
This drug has been actively used to treat liver damage for more than a year. For several years he managed to prove himself on the positive side. According to doctors, the drug is an excellent hepatoprotector of plant origin. In its composition, it has natural components, so it practically does not cause adverse reactions. With prolonged use, the condition of patients improves significantly. An important advantage of the drug is its low price. The cost of one package of pills can vary from 400 to 500 rubles, which makes it affordable for most citizens. This amount is enough for a standard course of medical or supportive therapy. Patients note a change in the quality of life for the better after starting taking a medicine such as Legalon 140.
Reviews with negative color in most cases are due to the lack of an instant effect from the drug. The tool requires a sufficiently long period of use, after which there is a positive trend. Despite the over-the-counter sale of the drug and the relatively low cost, so as not to harm the body, you should consult your doctor before starting therapy. Only a specialist can choose an adequate treatment regimen that does not harm health.