There are many drugs that contain substances necessary to maintain the he alth of the body and are used by pharmacology as medicines for various diseases. For example, the vitamin-like substance lipoic acid, the harm and benefits of which will be discussed below.
Pharmacological action
The vital activity of the human body is an amazing interweaving of various processes that begin from the moment of conception and continue for a fraction of a second throughout life. Sometimes they seem quite illogical. For example, biologically significant elements - proteins - need non-protein compounds, the so-called cofactors, to work correctly. It is to these elements that lipoic or, as it is also called, thioctic acid belongs. It is an important component of many enzymatic complexes that work in the human body. So, when glucose is broken down, the end product will be pyruvic acid s alts - pyruvates. It is lipoic acid that is involved in this metabolic process. In its effect on the human body, it is similar to B vitamins - it also participates in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism,increases the content of glycogen in the liver tissues and helps to reduce the amount of glucose in the blood.
Due to its ability to improve cholesterol metabolism and liver function, lipoic acid reduces the pathogenic effects of toxins of both endogenous and exogenous origin. By the way, this substance is an active antioxidant, which is based on its ability to bind free radicals.
According to various studies, thioctic acid has hepatoprotective, hypolipidemic, hypocholesterolemic and hypoglycemic effects.
Derivatives of this vitamin-like substance are used in medical practice to impart certain degrees of biological activity to drugs containing such components. And the inclusion of lipoic acid in injection solutions reduces the potential development of side effects of drugs.
What are dosage forms?
For the drug "Lipoic acid", the dosage of the drug takes into account the therapeutic need, as well as the way it is delivered to the body. Therefore, the drug can be purchased in pharmacies in two dosage forms - in the form of tablets and as a solution in ampoules for injection. Depending on which pharmaceutical company produced the drug, tablets or capsules can be purchased with a content of 12.5 to 600 mg of the active substance in 1 unit. Tablets are produced in a special coating, which most often has a yellow color. The drug in this form is packaged inblisters and in cardboard packs containing 10, 50 or 100 tablets. But in ampoules, the drug is available only in the form of a 3% solution. Also, thioctic acid is a common component of many multicomponent medicinal products and dietary supplements.
When is the drug indicated?
One of the vitamin-like substances that are important for the human body is lipoic acid. Indications for use take into account its functional load as an intracellular component that is important for many processes. Therefore, lipoic acid, the harm and benefits of which are sometimes the cause of controversy in he alth forums, has certain indications for use in the treatment of diseases or conditions such as:
- coronary atherosclerosis;
- viral hepatitis (with jaundice);
- Chronic hepatitis in the active phase;
- dyslipidemia - a violation of fat metabolism, which includes a change in the ratio of lipids and blood lipoproteins;
- hepatic dystrophy (fatty);
- intoxication with medicines, heavy metals, carbon, carbon tetrachloride, mushrooms (including pale grebe);
- acute liver failure;
- chronic pancreatitis due to alcoholism;
- diabetic polyneuritis;
- alcoholic polyneuropathy;
- chronic cholecystopancreatitis;
- hepatic cirrhosis.
The main area of work of the drug "Lipoic acid" is therapy for alcoholism, for poisoning and intoxication,in the treatment of hepatic pathologies, nervous system, diabetes mellitus. Also, this medicine is often used in the complex therapy of oncological diseases in order to alleviate the course of the disease.
Are there any contraindications for use?
When prescribing treatment, patients often ask doctors - what is lipoic acid for? The answer to this question can be quite lengthy, because thioctic acid is an active participant in cellular processes aimed at the metabolism of various substances - lipids, cholesterol, glycogen. It is involved in protective processes against free radicals and oxidation of tissue cells. For the drug "Lipoic acid", the instructions for use indicate not only the problems that it helps to solve, but also contraindications for use. And they are as follows:
- hypersensitivity;
- history of allergic drug responses;
- pregnancy;
- the breastfeeding period.
This medicinal product is not prescribed in the treatment of children under 16 years of age due to the lack of clinical trials in this vein.
Are there any side effects?
One of the biologically important substances at the cellular level is lipoic acid. Why is it needed in cells? To carry out a number of chemical and electrical reactions of the metabolic process, as well as to reduce the effects of oxidation. But despite the benefits of this substance,it is impossible to take drugs with thioctic acid thoughtlessly, not as directed by a specialist. In addition, these drugs may cause the following side effects:
- allergic reactions;
- pain in the epigastrium;
- hypoglycemia;
- diarrhea;
- diplopia (double vision);
- breathing difficulties;
- skin reactions (rashes and itching, urticaria);
- bleeding (due to functional disorders of thrombocytosis);
- migraine;
- petechiae (pinpoint hemorrhages);
- increased intracranial pressure;
- vomit;
- convulsions;
- nausea.
How to take drugs with thioctic acid?
For the drug "Lipoic acid", the instructions for use describe the basics of treatment depending on the initial dosage of the drug unit. Tablets are not chewed or crushed, taking them orally half an hour before meals. The drug is prescribed up to 3-4 times a day, the exact number of doses and the specific dosage of the drug is determined by the attending physician in accordance with the need for therapy. The maximum allowable daily dosage of the drug is 600 mg of the active ingredient.
For the treatment of liver diseases, lipoic acid preparations should be taken 4 times a day in the amount of 50 mg of the active substance per dose. The course of such therapy should be 1 month. It can be repeated after a time specified by the attending physician.
Intravenous administration of the drug is prescribed in the first weeks of treatment of diseases in acute and severe forms. AfterAt this time, the patient can be switched to the tablet form of lipoic acid therapy. The dosage should be the same for all dosage forms - intravenous injections contain from 300 to 600 mg of the active substance per day.
How to buy the drug and how to store it?
As indicated in the instructions for use of the drug, lipoic acid is sold by prescription in a pharmacy. Its use without consultation with the attending physician is not recommended, since the drug has a high biological activity, its use in complex therapy should take into account compatibility with other drugs taken by the patient.
The purchased medicine in tablet form and in the form of a solution for injection is stored at room temperature without access to sunlight.
Drug overdose
In therapy with any drugs, including lipoic acid, it is necessary to strictly observe the dosage recommended by the specialist. An overdose of thioctic acid manifests itself as follows:
- allergic reactions;
- anaphylactic shock;
- pain in the epigastric region;
- hypoglycemia;
- headache;
- diarrhea;
- nausea.
Since there is no specific antidote for this substance, an overdose or poisoning with lipoic acid requires symptomatic therapy against the background of discontinuation of this drug.
Better or worse together?
Enougha frequent incentive for self-medication are for various drugs, including for the drug "Lipoic acid", price and reviews. Thinking that only benefits can be obtained from a natural vitamin-like substance, many patients forget that there is also the so-called pharmacological compatibility that must be taken into account. For example, the joint use of glucocorticosteroids and drugs with thioctic acid is fraught with an increase in the activity of adrenal hormones, which will certainly cause a lot of negative side effects.
Since lipoic acid actively binds many substances in the body, it should not be combined with taking medicines containing components such as magnesium, calcium, potassium, iron. Treatment with these drugs should be divided by time - a break of at least 2-4 hours will be the best option for the drug regimen.
Treatment with alcohol-based tinctures is also best done separately from taking lipoic acid, since ethanol weakens its activity.
Can I lose weight by taking thioctic acid?
Many people believe that one of the effective and safe means needed to correct weight and shape is lipoic acid for weight loss. How to take this drug to remove excess body fat? This is not a difficult question, given that without certain physical exertion and dietary adjustments, no weight loss can be achieved by any drugs. Ifreconsider your attitude to physical education and proper nutrition, then the help of lipoic acid in losing weight will be very noticeable. You can take the drug in different ways:
- half an hour before breakfast or half an hour after it;
- half an hour before dinner;
- after active sports training.
This attitude to weight loss involves the use of lipoic acid preparations in the amount of 25-50 mg per day. It will help the metabolism of fats and sugars, as well as the elimination of unnecessary cholesterol from the body.
Beauty and thioctic acid
Many women use "Lipoic acid" for the face, which helps to make the skin clearer, fresher. With the help of preparations with thioctic acid, you can improve the quality of a regular moisturizing or nourishing cream. For example, a couple of drops of an injection solution added to a cream or lotion that a woman uses every day will make it more effective in combating active radicals, pollution, and deterioration of the skin.
For diabetes
One of the significant substances in the field of metabolism and metabolism of glucose, and hence insulin, is lipoic acid. In diabetes and type 1 and 2, this substance helps to avoid serious complications associated with active oxidation, and hence the destruction of tissue cells. Studies have shown that oxidative processes are activated with a significant increase in blood sugar, and it does not matter for what reason such a pathological change occurs. Lipoic acidacts as an active antioxidant agent, which can significantly minimize the effects of the destructive action of blood sugar on tissues. Research in this area is ongoing, and therefore drugs with thioctic acid in diabetes mellitus should be taken only on the recommendation of the attending physician with regular monitoring of blood counts and the patient's condition.
What do they say about the drug?
Lipoic acid is a component of many drugs with significant biological activity. The harm and benefits of this substance is the reason for constant disputes between specialists, between patients. Many consider such drugs to be the future of medicine, whose help in the treatment of various diseases will be proven by practice. But many people think that these drugs have only the so-called placebo effect and do not carry any functional load. But still, for the most part, reviews about the drug "Lipoic acid" have a positive and recommendatory connotation. Patients who took this medicine in a course say that after therapy they felt much better, there was a desire to lead a more active lifestyle. Many note an improvement in appearance - the complexion has become cleaner, acne has disappeared. Also, patients note a significant improvement in blood counts - a decrease in sugar and cholesterol after taking the course of the drug. Many say that lipoic acid is often used for weight loss. How to take such a remedy to lose extra pounds is a topical issue for many people. Buteveryone who took the drug in order to lose weight says that there will be no result without changing the diet and lifestyle.
Similar drugs
Biologically significant substances present in the human body itself help in the fight against many diseases, as well as pathological conditions that affect he alth. For example, lipoic acid. Although the harm and benefits of the drug cause controversy, this substance plays a huge role in the treatment of many diseases. A drug with an identical name has many analogues, which include lipoic acid. For example, Octolipen, Espa-Lipon, Tiolepta, Berlition 300. It can also be found in the composition of multicomponent products - "Alphabet - Diabetes", "Complivit Radiance".
Each patient who wants to improve their condition with the help of drugs or biologically active food supplements, including lipoic acid preparations, should first consult a specialist about the rationality of such treatment, as well as existing contraindications.
