Quite often in modern medicine, the drug "Actovegin" is used for pregnant women. Naturally, many women are worried about taking medications, especially when it comes to potent drugs. After all, as you know, during the period of gestation, chemicals not only affect the mother's body, but also affect the development of the child.
So what is a medicine and what is its speci alty? What are the main indications for taking the drug "Actovegin"? Why is this medicine prescribed to pregnant women? Is it possible to have adverse reactions? How do doctors and their patients respond to therapy? The answers to these questions will be useful to many expectant mothers.
Composition and dosage form of the drug
Today, there are several forms in which Actovegin is produced and used. Tablets for pregnant women are more preferable, although in especially severe cases, the doctor prescribes an injection solution. In addition, pharmacies canfind ointments and gels (used to treat skin lesions), as well as eye drops (indicated for various eye diseases).
"Actovegin" is a natural preparation, which is a fraction obtained from the blood of calves after purification from high molecular weight proteins. Due to the unique composition of the drug, in most cases it is safe for the patient - the therapy is very well tolerated. The composition of the fraction contains a large number of useful substances, including:
- low molecular weight peptides - regulate almost all physiological processes of the body, while rarely provoking an allergic reaction;
- amino acids - elements necessary for the synthesis of essential protein molecules, including enzymes and hormones;
- nucleosides, intermediate products of carbohydrate and protein metabolism - important for the synthesis of proteins and genetic material in new cells;
- electrolytes and trace elements are necessary for every organism, as they are involved in almost all metabolic processes;
- antioxidants - protect cells from the harmful effects of free radicals (molecules that damage cell walls).
What properties does the drug have?
In many cases, doctors recommend the use of the drug "Actovegin" for pregnant women. Naturally, for women in position, an important issue is the pharmacological properties of the drug. In fact, the benefits of this tool can not be overestimated, as it is able to activate the metabolism at the cellular level.
The drug increases the amount of glucose accumulated by cells, thereby accelerating the metabolism of ATP (energy storage in the human body). Thus, Actovegin activates all metabolic processes, improves tissue trophism, and also improves blood circulation, including blood circulation in small vessels.
Main indications for use
There are many situations in which it is advisable to take the drug "Actovegin". Why pregnant women are prescribed pills or injections, we'll talk later. And for starters, you should familiarize yourself with the general indications for use:
- insufficiency of blood circulation in the brain;
- various peripheral circulatory disorders;
- recovery period after traumatic brain injury;
- violations of the tone of the vascular walls;
- varicose veins;
- trophic disorders, including bedsores, malnutrition of skin tissues, formation of trophic ulcers, etc.;
- treatment or prevention of radiation damage to the body;
- burns.
How does the drug affect the body of a pregnant woman?
As mentioned above, this drug improves blood flow to tissues and organs. This is, rather, its secondary effect, but it is thanks to this effect that doctors so often recommend Actovegin for pregnant women.
It's no secret that one of the most common, and at the same time dangerous, complications during pregnancy isplacental insufficiency. For one reason or another, the blood flow to the tissues of the placenta is disturbed, which, as you know, provides the growing body of the child with the necessary nutrients and oxygen.
Circulatory failure can lead to placental abruption, miscarriage or premature birth. Moreover, malnutrition of the fetus, hypoxia (oxygen starvation) can lead to improper laying and development of organs, the appearance of various anomalies and even intrauterine death.
The drug "Actovegin" is able to cope with such a problem, it normalizes not only blood circulation, but also the metabolic processes in the mother's body.
The drug "Actovegin": why is it prescribed for pregnant women?
There are many factors in which the use of this drug is simply necessary. But there are several main indications for therapy:
- placenta previa;
- detection of ovum detachment;
- Intrauterine fetal hypoxia (acute or chronic oxygen deficiency);
- if fetal growth retardation or dystrophy was detected during ultrasound diagnostics;
- there is a threat of preterm birth;
- varicose veins of a pregnant woman;
- diabetes mellitus in expectant mother;
- late preeclampsia, severe toxicosis;
- if the patient has a history of fading or miscarriages in the past, the drug may be prescribed as a prophylacticactivities;
- in some cases, the doctor prescribes medicine for oligohydramnios;
- the formation of severe edema and the development (exacerbation) of hemorrhoids in women is also an indication for taking this drug (as a rule, this is part of complex therapy).
It should be understood that only a doctor can prescribe the use of the drug "Actovegin". Self-medication is extremely dangerous.
Drug "Actovegin": instructions for pregnant women
It is worth saying again that in no case should you use this medicine yourself. Only a doctor can prescribe and select safe doses of Actovegin. Instructions for use for pregnant women look completely different - here the doses and the schedule of administration are determined individually. We can only highlight a few of the most popular schemes.
When it comes to pills, patients are often advised to take 1-2 pcs. three times a day, preferably during or immediately after a meal. As for the Actovegin solution, for pregnant women the doses range from 5 to 20 ml. The drug is administered by drip, so the contents of the ampoule are pre-dissolved in a vial of saline. Sometimes the drug can be administered intramuscularly or intravenously (without an infusion machine), but in such cases, a single dose is not more than 5 mg.
The duration of the course of therapy depends on the condition of the patient. As a rule, first duringFor 10–14 days, the solution is administered through a dropper (sometimes daily, sometimes every other day), after which the patient is transferred to intramuscular injection, and then to the tablet form of the drug. Treatment lasts about 4-6 weeks. On the other hand, when it comes to prevention, taking pills will be enough.
Are there any possible side effects?
Immediately it should be said that adverse reactions during therapy are rarely recorded, especially if the patient was prescribed the correct dose. Complications in the use of the drug, as a rule, are associated with hypersensitivity. Some women note the appearance of a skin rash, itching, redness, swelling, urticaria. Sometimes an injection can lead to a rapidly developing anaphylactic shock - which is why the treatment is recommended to be carried out in a hospital.
Contraindications for therapy
Is it possible to prescribe the drug "Actovegin" for pregnant women in all cases? Why the drug is used, you already know. Fortunately, there are not so many contraindications to its use. The main limitation to therapy is increased (allergic) sensitivity to any of its constituent components. By the way, the first injection, as a rule, is carried out in a hospital, since there is a high probability of developing an intense allergic reaction. Also contraindications include the period of breastfeeding. The drug is not used to treat patients suffering from heart or kidney failure.
Can a drug be dangerous for a pregnant woman?
In the official instructions for the drug, you can read that pregnancy is a relative contraindication to therapy. This means that you can use the drug, but following clear rules and taking all precautions.
It is worth saying that this remedy has not yet passed all clinical trials. Moreover, in many European countries, this drug is not used for treatment. Domestic doctors speak positively about the medicine, considering it safe. Properly selected dosage helps prevent the development of an allergic reaction and complications from the excretory system. Nevertheless, during therapy, a woman needs to carefully monitor her well-being - in case of any negative changes, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Are there any analogues of the drug?
For one reason or another, not all women are suitable for the drug "Actovegin". What can the pharmaceutical market offer in this case? In fact, there are practically no analogues of this drug. The only remedy that has almost the same properties and composition is Solcoseryl. It should be understood that only a doctor who is fully acquainted with the history and problems of the patient can make a decision to replace the medicine. Self-medication, especially using such powerful drugs, is strictly prohibited.
Reviews of patients and doctors about the drug
Often an obstetrician-gynecologist prescribes the drug "Actovegin" to his patient. For pregnant womenthe use of any drug during childbearing is a kind of stress, because it is almost impossible to foresee its effect on the fetus. What do patients who have already completed therapy say?
Most of the feedback is positive or neutral. Many women note significant improvements in their he alth and pregnancy, while others say that the therapy has not brought any visible results. But some serious deterioration during treatment is extremely rare. Doctors also have a good opinion about the drug, as it helps prevent the development of a lot of problems, and childbirth and the recovery period are much easier.
It should be understood that the drug will have a different effect on each woman, because a lot here depends on the individual characteristics of the body, as well as on the presence of a particular he alth problem. The main thing is to clearly follow the doctor's recommendations, monitor the state of he alth and well-being during the bearing of the child.
