What is ademethionine? Instructions for use of the drug containing this component will be described later. We will also tell you about how much this tool costs, what users say about it, and so on.
The form of the drug, its description
In what form is the Heptral drug (INN Ademethionine) produced? The instruction for use claims that this tool can be purchased in two different types:
- Lyophilisate, intended for the preparation of an intramuscular or intravenous solution. The specified form is a white lyophilized mass, without foreign inclusions. Also in a cardboard box contains a special solvent, which has the form of a colorless and clear liquid.
- "Ademethionine" - tablets in a white shell, biconvex and oval. In addition to the active substance of the same name, this tool also contains auxiliary elements such as MCC, Na-carboxymethyl starch, silicon dioxide and Mg stearate.
Pharmacodynamic features
What are the properties of the substance ademetionin? Instructions for use states that the ingredient has choleretic, cholekinetic, detoxifying, neuro- and hepatoprotective, as well as antidepressant and antioxidant effects.
Thus, it can be safely noted that the medicinal element in question is able to enhance the secretion of bile, as well as provoke its secretion into the intestine.
It should also be noted that the drug "Ademethionine", the analogues of which are listed below, makes up for the lack of SAM, and also stimulates its formation in the liver. In addition, this agent well increases the plasma concentration of cysteine, taurine, and the glutamine content in the liver, thereby normalizing all metabolic processes in the liver and reducing the level of methionine in serum.
In what conditions is the Ademethionine most effective? Instructions for use indicate that this medicine works well with ductal and hepatic tubular cholestasis. It carries out conjugation and sulfation of FAs in liver cells, and then reduces their toxicity.
According to experts, the choleretic and hepatoprotective effects after cessation of Heptral therapy remain for up to 3 months.
When prescribed, it is for people with opium addiction, accompanied by liver damage, it improves the function of this organ, the processes of monooxygenase oxidation, and also contributes to the regression of clinical symptoms of drug withdrawal.
The antidepressant effect after the use of the drug in question develops gradually. At the same time, it stabilizes over two weeks.
Kinetic ability of the drug
Is Ademethionine absorbed? The instruction for use reports that when taken orally, its bioavailability is 5%, and when using an injection solution - 100%.
The peak concentration of this medication in the blood with a single dose of one tablet is observed for 2-6 hours.
In a state associated with plasma proteins, this agent is only in small quantities. It should also be noted that this drug penetrates well through the BBB, and in high concentrations it is easily detected even in cerebrospinal fluid.
Biotransformation of this medicine is in the liver. Its half-elimination time is 1.5 hours. The drug is excreted mainly by the kidneys.
Indications for the appointment of funds
Why is the medicine "Ademethionine" necessary (the price of the drug is indicated below)? This tool is often prescribed for:
- symptoms of depression;
- intrahepatic cholestasis in cirrhotic and precirrotic conditions, including fatty degeneration of the liver;
- chronic cholecystitis;
- chronic hepatitis;
- cholangitis;
- toxic liver damage of various origins, including viral, alcoholic and medicinal (tricyclic antidepressants, antibiotics, antiviral drugs, antitumor and anti-tuberculosis drugs, oral contraceptives);
- cirrhosis of the liver;
- intrahepatic cholestasis in pregnant women;
- encephalopathy, including associated with liver failure (alcohol).
Bans to use
Under what conditions is it impossible to prescribe Ademetionin or Heptral? This tool is not allowed to be used for genetic disorders affecting the methionine cycle, as well as causing hyperhomocysteinemia or homocystinuria. It is also contraindicated for use in childhood and adolescence and with high sensitivity to ademetionin.
The method of use of tablets "Ademethionine"
Reviews of experts say that the drug in question should be taken orally between meals in the first half of the day, without crushing and chewing. In this case, the tablet must be removed from the packaging immediately before use.
The daily dosage of this medicine is 2-4 tablets, and the duration of therapy depends on the available indications.
Instructions for use of the solution
How should I use Ademethionine injection solution, analogues of which can be found in any pharmacy? This drug, produced in ampoules, is administered intramuscularly or intravenously. In this case, intravenous injection is carried out very slowly.
A drug solution is prepared right before the injection, using a solvent, which is in a cardboard box, to dilute the lyophilized powder.
After the injection, the remaining drug should be disposed of.
It should be noted that the injection form of Ademethionine is incompatible with alkaline solutions and preparations containing Ca ions.
The daily dosage of the drug for HPV is 1-2 ampoules. Treatment with this medication lasts for two weeks.
In a depressed state, the drug in question is used in a similar dose. In this case, the injection is carried out for 15-18 days.
If the patient needs supportive treatment, then he will be transferred to the heptral tablet form.
Side effects
What negative reactions can the medication Ademethionine (400 mg) cause? Most often, during treatment with this drug, patients experience diarrhea, abdominal pain and nausea.
In rare cases, the use of Heptral solution, as well as its tablet form, can cause the development of:
- UTIs (i.e. urinary tract infections);
- laryngeal edema, hypersensitivity reactions;
- paresthesia, anxiety, headache, insomnia, dizziness, confusion;
- itching, skin manifestations of allergies, rashes, Quincke's edema, sweating;
- inflammation of the surface walls of veins, impaired functioning of the heart and blood vessels, hot flashes;
- bloating, dry mouth, vomiting, esophagitis, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dyspepsia, functional disorders of the digestive tract, flatulence, hepatic colic, cirrhosis, bleeding from different parts of the gastrointestinal tract;
- joint pain, muscle spasm;
- malaise, flu-like syndrome, fever, chills, peripheral edema, asthenia.
The cost of the drug, its analogues and reviews
How much is a medication like Ademethionine? The price of this drug is about 1,500 rubles per tablet form and about 1,900 rubles per injection.
If desired, the medication in question can be replaced by such means as “Glutamic acid”, “Carnitene”, “Histidine”, “Carnitine”, “Epilapton”, “Elkar”.
What do users say about this medicine? According to reports of patients who have encountered liver disease, the medication Ademethionine is the only really working hepatoprotector. Patients diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver claim that the best treatment results can be achieved only if this drug is taken 2 times a year with 3-month courses.
As for doctors, they report that the drug "Ademethionine" really gives a pronounced and quick effect in inflammatory diseases of the liver, accompanied by stagnation of bile in the tissues of this organ.