Metabolic, or metabolic processes, constantly occurring in the body, are the basis of human life. Some substances break down and release the energy that is necessary for the organs to carry out their work, others are transformed into building material. Violation of such processes has a negative impact on the functioning of all systems, leading to the development of many diseases.
Elkar syrup for children was created to replenish energy in the body. This remedy is indicated for babies of different ages with insufficient increase in body weight and with weak muscle tone. The drug "Elkar" helps to compensate for the lack of amino acid L-carnitine in the body. In a he althy child's body, this substance is synthesized independently, however, with a decrease in immunity, concomitant chronic pathologies, the production of the amino acid slows down or stops.at all. In structure, it is similar to B vitamins and takes part in metabolic processes. This amino acid is also referred to the BT group and is called the growth vitamin. L-carnitine deficiency has an extremely negative effect on physical and mental development: the child does not gain weight well, he has growth retardation, muscle tone decreases (he sucks sluggishly, cannot stand, sit, grab toys on his own).
Composition
The main active element of Elkar syrup for children is carnifite or levocarnitine, which is a synthetic analogue of the natural substance - L-carnitine. Thus, the content of the drug includes levocarnitine at a dosage of 300 mg, as well as some auxiliary elements: citric acid monohydrate, methyl parahydroxybenzoate, purified water, propyl parahydroxybenzoate.
Issue form
A medical preparation is produced in the form of a syrup (solution) with concentrations of 20 and 30 percent for oral administration. The liquid is packaged in dark glass bottles of 100, 50 and 25 ml, placed in cardboard boxes with instructions for use and a measuring spoon or cup.
Pharmacological action
According to the instructions for use, Elkar syrup for children helps to normalize metabolism and has a direct effect on digestive processes. It is an anabolic agent with a weak effect. In the body, the tool is able to perform the following functions:
- Normalization of fat metabolism. Substance inas part of the drug, it delivers fatty acids to the mitochondria from the cytoplasm, where they are decomposed (oxidized) and, as a result, energy is released.
- Regulation of protein metabolism processes.
- Stimulation of the production of enzymatic intestinal and gastric juice, which helps to increase appetite and proper absorption of food entering the body.
- Decreased fat content in muscle tissues, resulting in weight loss if the child suffers from some degree of obesity.
- Normalization of hormone levels in hyperthyroidism.
- The drug promotes the accumulation of glycogen in the liver and muscles.
- Inhibition and elimination of reactions of anaerobic glycolysis and lactic acidosis harmful to the body.
- Improve the processes of blood supply to the affected areas of the skin and accelerate tissue regeneration.
- Increasing the resistance of nerve tissues to hypoxia, intoxication, trauma.
As follows from the instructions and reviews, Elkar syrup improves metabolism, the child's resistance to physical and mental stress, stressful situations increases. With the help of levocarnitine, the processes of oxygenation of brain cells are enhanced, which increases the level of concentration and improves the ability to memorize.
Another function of the drug is that it contributes to the normalization of body weight: overweight children become slim in a short time, and thin people quickly gain several kilograms. Guys with normalmetabolism, they adapt better to physical and mental stress, tolerate stress more easily: levocarnitine increases the saturation of brain tissue with oxygen, improves the ability to memorize and concentrate. Extra energy helps babies cope with serious illnesses and recover faster from them.
But there are times when the production of one's own levocarnitine is disrupted. The fact is that for the synthesis of a substance in the liver and kidneys, a sufficient content is required:
- vitamins B3, B6, B9, B12, C;
- iron;
- amino acids methionine and lysine;
- enzymes that control the rate of a chemical reaction.
Lack of any of these elements leads to a decrease in the content of L-carnitine in the body. Self-produced energy is not enough for the baby; it is urgently required to receive it from the outside. Then "Elkar" comes to the rescue, which makes up for the lack of carnifite and starts the processes of energy exchange.
Indications for use
Pharmacological agent is prescribed for insufficient production of L-carnitine by the body. Instructions for use for syrup for children "Elkar" informs in which cases the medicine will be useful. So, the main indications for the use of the remedy are:
- diseases of the digestive system associated with reduced enzymatic activity;
- period after serious or prolonged infectious pathologies, surgicalinterference or injury;
- various brain lesions;
- mild hyperthyroidism;
- anorexia, lack of appetite;
- skin diseases;
- insufficient assimilation of educational material;
- period of intense mental or physical exertion (sports competitions, exams).
Instructions for the use of syrup for children "Elkar"
Even if the parents believe that the child has some deviations in development or well-being, and he needs to take Elcar, you cannot give it yourself. For therapy, it is necessary to examine the patient with a pediatrician and carry out some diagnostic measures.
When diagnosing energy metabolism disorders, the specialist prescribes taking Elkar syrup orally 30 minutes before meals. For children, the dose of the drug is calculated in drops, which should be added to compotes, kissels, juices, and sweet dishes. It is very important to control the prescribed dosage of the drug. The doctor also determines the course of therapy, takes into account the characteristics of the child's body. Doses of the drug depend on the age and nature of the abnormalities found in the child, but most often prescribed:
- 3-6 years - 5 drops 2-3 times a day (1 month);
- 6-12 years - 10-15 drops with the same frequency of administration (1-2 months);
- over 12 years old - 13-40 drops 2 times a day (2-4 weeks).
According to the instructions, if a child has growth retardation (up to 6 years old), a double dose of Elkar children's syrup per day for 13drops for 3 weeks. A similar treatment regimen is provided for patients after 12 years, however, a single dosage is 1 scoop.
With prolonged physical and psycho-emotional stress: from 0.75 g (1/2 scoop or 2 ml of Elkar syrup) 3 times a day to 2.25 g (1.5 scoop or 7.5 ml) 2-3 times a day.
For newborns
What else does the instructions for use for Elcar syrup for children tell us? In infancy, if necessary, the drug is prescribed twice a day, from the 14th day of life. Single dose - 4-10 drops. For newborns, according to the instructions, the medication is prescribed for birth injuries, asphyxia, prematurity or low birth weight, mental or physical developmental delays, skin diseases, neurological disorders, poor appetite, jaundice.
Drug Interactions
In accordance with the instructions, syrup for children "Elkar" in its action and structure is similar to vitamin preparations, so its use does not imply the development of dangerous interactions with other pharmacological agents. However, the instructions for use contain information that glucocorticosteroids can contribute to the accumulation of carnitine in tissues and organs (with the exception of the liver). The combination of levocarnitine with other anabolic drugs provokes an increase in the effectiveness of this drug.
Side effects
According to the reviews of Elkar syrup, allergic reactions were observed during the use of the medication, which were characterized by skin redness, itching, rashes. Instructions for use of the syrup contains a warning that after taking it, the development of such adverse reactions is possible:
- increased muscle tone;
- feeling of heaviness or soreness in the stomach;
- intestinal disorder;
- excessive nervous excitability;
- lethargy, drowsiness;
- loss of appetite.
List of contraindications
In most cases, the medication is well tolerated by patients. According to the instructions for Elkar syrup, it is contraindicated only for persons with intolerance to the components of the composition. When used at the age of less than 3 years, treatment should be carried out under the supervision of a pediatrician. In addition, the use of the drug during lactation and pregnancy is not prescribed, since there is no information on the effect of levocarnitine on the baby and the fetus.
Storage and implementation conditions
The drug "Elkar" is dispensed without a prescription from a doctor. It is recommended to use the syrup before the expiration date, which is 3 years. This product is stored in an unlit, well-ventilated area with an air temperature of no more than 25 degrees. After opening the bottle with syrup, it can be used for 2 months and stored in the refrigerator. Instructions for use for syrupElkar confirms this.
Analogues
According to the content of the active substance and therapeutic effect, the analogue of the drug "Elkar" are chewable tablets "Carnitine", which are used in the treatment of pathologies in childhood. This is a means for correcting the metabolic process, which has antihypoxic, anabolic and antithyroid effects, activates fat metabolism, increases appetite, and stimulates regeneration. It is a metabolic cofactor that ensures the maintenance of the functionality of coenzyme A.
The drug reduces basal metabolism, slowing down the breakdown of carbohydrate and protein molecules, promotes penetration through mitochondrial membranes and the breakdown of fatty acids with the formation of acetyl-CoA. In addition, the medication mobilizes fat from fat depots. Displacing glucose, it turns on a metabolic fatty acid shunt, the functions of which are not limited by oxygen, and therefore the drug is effective in acute hypoxia and other complex conditions.
The drug has a neurotrophic effect, inhibits apoptosis, restores the structures of the nervous tissue, normalizes fat and protein metabolism, increased in thyrotoxicosis, stabilizes the alkaline reserve of the blood, reduces the formation of keto acids, increases the body's resistance to toxic substances, activates anaerobic glycolysis, accelerates and stimulates reparative processes.
Other medications that are aimed at normalizing metabolic processes differ in the active element. Atdetection of metabolic disorders in children, experts prescribe:
- "Pantogam";
- Korilip;
- Kudesan.
Price
You can buy the product at a pharmacy or order delivery through an online store. Its cost is approximately 330 rubles per bottle.
Reviews on Elcar syrup for children
On medical websites and consumer forums about medicinal syrup, you can see a huge number of reviews, including both positive and negative.
In positive reviews, parents of children who took the medication characterize it as a fairly effective tool for maintaining the he alth and activity of the child. In children, according to them, resistance to various loads, including educational ones, to colds and viral diseases, increased immunity. Small patients tolerated the drug well, they usually had no adverse reactions. Parents note that the effect of the syrup is not immediately observed. It can be seen around the second week of admission. At the same time, children become more mobile, active, learn easily and get sick less.
Negative feedback was left by parents and adult patients who, in their opinion, this drug did not help. They say that the effect of therapy was absent or was rather insignificant. Some consumers indicate that against the background of taking this remedy, allergic reactions occur. In this case, children also developed unpleasant symptoms, characterized by a violation of the processes of digestion of food, nausea,excessive nervous excitement. Such manifestations disappeared after the withdrawal of the medication.
Doctors characterize Elkar not as a medicine, but as an active nutritional supplement, the intake of which, despite the naturalness of the components, must be agreed with a specialist in each case, especially when it comes to childhood.
