The liver is the second organ after the brain that does not have nerve endings, and therefore does not generate pain in our body. Why then do we say: “My liver hurts or aches.” Similar sensations that occur in the right hypochondrium occur when the liver becomes inflamed or exposed to various kinds of diseases. Increasing in size or deforming, the capsule stretches, and the liver begins to put pressure on adjacent organs and tissues, causing discomfort. Even the slightest discomfort in this area, which lasts more than one or two days, is a reason to pay close attention to the gland and get help.
In this article we talk about Essentiale, a drug for the treatment and prevention of liver diseases. When, how and why to use it, when the effect occurs.
Liver diseases
The liver is a very powerful and the only filter of our body. Nature made sure that this filter is capable of self-healing, because it carries vital functions:
- Protective, or detoxifying, function of the liver. Some substances, such as barbiturates or alcohol, are completely destroyed in the liver. However, taking large doses of sleeping pills leads to damage to liver cells.
- Removing harmful substances from the body.
- Urea is formed in liver cells from ammonia. Urea from the liver travels through the bloodstream to the kidneys, from where it is excreted in the urine.
- Formation and production of bile. Bile promotes the absorption of fats in the small intestine and the neutralization of hydrochloric acid.
- The liver plays an important role in maintaining a constant blood composition.
- Accumulation of nutrients, vitamins and iron.
The liver clears the blood of bilirubin, the remnants of red blood cells that have outlived their 110-day life. The gland is most active from 1 to 3 am. The fact that she is not all right is indicated by such symptoms as: dry throat, bitterness in the mouth, pain in the right hypochondrium, inability to bend over, heaviness, dull or aching sensations, increased bloating, constant nausea, vomiting, lightening of the stool, change in its consistency, darkening of urine, change in skin color (yellowishness of the skin and sclera), the appearance of “red spider veins,” weight loss, enlargement of internal organs, determined by palpation.
Causes of liver disease
Viruses and bacteria. Viral diseases include hepatitis types A, B, C, D and others. They provoke acute and chronic inflammatory processes. In 57% of cases, hepatitis develops into cirrhosis of the liver. The causes of bacterial infections are usually echinococcus, alveococcus and roundworms, as well as leptospira - the causative agents of leptospirosis. The diseases also occur in acute or chronic form and in the form of cystic transformation of the liver.
Violation of fat metabolism. In this case, the content of lipids (fats) in the liver cells increases, which is why the iron may increase in size and lose its ability to function normally. This leads to the development of diseases such as fatty hepatosis (steatosis of the liver) and subsequently to cirrhosis. Disorders of fat metabolism in the liver in Russia affect about 27% of the population.
Alcohol abuse. Systematic excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages has a detrimental effect on liver cells, which over time can cause cirrhosis. Researchers have derived a relatively safe daily dose of ethanol-containing drinks: less than 30 ml of vodka (cognac, whiskey), 150 ml of wine or 250 ml of beer per day for women and 60 ml of vodka (cognac, whiskey), 300 ml of wine or 500 ml of beer per day - for men.
Toxic damage from drugs. Occurs as a result of uncontrolled use of medications, which leads to changes in liver tissue and disruption of its normal functioning. There are acute and chronic forms of toxic lesions. Chronic diseases arise due to the constant ingestion of doses of toxic substances into the body. They can be asymptomatic for years.
When metabolic processes in the liver and gallbladder are disrupted, stones can form. These gallstones do not cause any discomfort for the time being. But one day the disease may manifest itself in the form of “biliary colic,” when severe pain occurs due to a stone getting stuck in the bile duct. This condition can be life-threatening.
Is this drug compatible with others?
When we take multiple medications, we may have questions about drug compatibility. Essential phospholipids can be used in complex therapy of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.4 Liver steatosis can be accompanied by diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, arterial hypertension and other cardiovascular and metabolic disorders.6 In this regard, it can be noted that taking essential phospholipids can be combined with drugs that reduce blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
At the same time, in case of simultaneous use of Essentiale® forte N with anticoagulants (drugs that affect blood clotting), their dose may need to be adjusted.1
Composition of Essentiale
Essentiale is a complex of phospholipids from soybeans and choline (so-called essential phospholipids). Phospholipids are structural components of cell membranes. Contained in nervous tissue, they are involved in the delivery of fats, fatty acids and cholesterol. Any liver disease is, first of all, damage to the membranes of liver cells and their organelles, which leads to disturbances in the activity of enzymes and receptors associated with them, deterioration in the work and activity of liver cells and a decrease in the ability to regenerate.
Solution | 1 ampoule, 5 ml |
Active ingredient: phosphatidylcholine from soybean dried substance containing 93% (3-sn-phosphatidyl) choline: synonyms - “essential phospholipids”, “EPL®” - 250 mg. | |
Excipients: benzyl alcohol - 45 mg, deoxycholic acid -115 mg, sodium chloride - 12 mg, sodium hydroxide - 11.5 mg, riboflavin - 0.5 mg, ? – tocopherol – 0.75 mg, ethanol – 16.304 mg, water for injection – 4543, 680 mg. |
Release form and dosage
The drug Essentiale is available in gelatin capsules and as an injection solution. The number of capsules per package can be 30, 90 and 180 pieces, ampoules per package - 5.
How Essentiale® Forte N works
Diseases and certain external factors (for example, alcohol and excess fatty foods) contribute to damage to liver cells (hepatocytes)1, 2. The worse the situation, the more difficult it is for the organ to perform its functions5. Essentiale® Forte N specifically promotes the restoration of hepatocytes4. This is all due to the fact that the active ingredient of the drug - essential phospholipids - is integrated into damaged liver cells. This contributes to their restoration, strengthening and increasing the elasticity of their membranes, as well as protection from toxins4, 8, 11. It is noteworthy that essential phospholipids are not only close in properties to the own lipids of liver cells, but also surpass them in activity due to the higher content of polyunsaturated (essential) fatty acids3, 6.
Indications for Essentiale
- chronic hepatitis; cirrhosis of the liver; fatty liver of various etiologies; toxic liver damage; alcoholic hepatitis; liver dysfunction in other somatic diseases;
- toxicosis of pregnancy;
- prevention of recurrence of gallstone formation;
- psoriasis (as an adjuvant therapy);
- radiation syndrome.
Treatment regimens
Take capsules orally with plenty of water.
The drug is suitable for use in adolescents over 12 years of age and adults. The recommended dosage is 2 capsules. 3 times a day with meals.
There are no restrictions on the duration of treatment from the manufacturer, but depending on the severity of the disease, it is important to consult with a specialist. Maintenance therapy on a regular basis is possible only if there are clear signs of improvement. In other cases, the advisability of taking the medicine or replacing it is determined by a specialist.
According to consumer reviews, a positive effect occurs in a short time (for mild ailments); for severe or complex forms of the disease, in order to achieve a lasting effect, you need to drink a minimum course of a month. Perhaps as part of complex therapy.
Contraindications
One of the main contraindications is a tendency to allergic reactions. The fact is that Essentiale capsules contain soybean oil in the shell, which can provoke severe allergic reactions in people prone to such. Otherwise, the drug is well tolerated, with the exception of individual reactions of the body to the components of the composition.
Contraindications and side effects
Contraindications to Essentiale, the instructions focus on this, relate exclusively to the patient’s individual intolerance to the components in the composition of the drug. This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions. In addition, a direct contraindication for Essentiale Forte, as the instructions for use indicate this, is age under 12 years. This is due to the high content of phospholipids. A contraindication to taking the drug is the period of lactation.
You should not take Essentiale Forte; the instructions warn about this in case of exacerbation of pancreatitis. If you experience any pain in the abdomen, you must consult a doctor before starting to take the drug.
Essentiale Forte, the instructions for use warn about this, has side effects. It must be remembered that when taking the drug in patients prone to hypotension, blood pressure may decrease. An overdose of the drug can provoke arrhythmia or tachycardia.
Sometimes when taking Essentiale Forten, the instructions for use indicate this, allergic reactions to the vitamins included in the product occur. Symptoms of this are most often a skin rash or watery eyes. In the first days of use, disruptions in the functioning of the digestive system may occur:
- Nausea.
- Discomfort in the abdomen.
- Stool disorder.
Special Recommendations
Essentiale and alcohol
Since alcohol has a well-known toxic effect on the body and liver cells, the use of Essentiale and alcohol intake become incompatible concepts. In addition, one should not assume that the drug is capable of providing a supportive and protective effect on the liver while taking alcohol-containing products. During treatment with Essentiale, it is recommended to refrain from drinking alcohol.
Essentiale and diet
Compliance with a strictly mandatory diet during the course of Essentiale is not a strict obligation, but only a recommendation. Any disease of the digestive organs and glands requires dietary nutrition. Because diet is the basis for a positive outcome in such diseases. During the acute period of the disease, the liver is especially vulnerable and it needs support “on all fronts.” So, you should maximally exclude from the diet foods that load the liver and disrupt the motility of the biliary tract: fatty and fried foods, exclude smoked and pickled foods, any dough and fresh baked goods, baked goods (for example, dried bread, crackers and biscuits in reasonable quantities), strong, rich soups with mushroom, fish or meat broths, offal, foods cooked on the grill or fire, canned food, legumes, spices.
Essentiale during pregnancy
The drug Essentiale is recommended during pregnancy as a means of relieving toxicosis and nausea syndromes. However, during this period it should be taken strictly on the recommendation of a specialist, excluding potential risks for both the fetus and the expectant mother. But during breastfeeding, this drug is contraindicated, since research in this area has not been conducted.
How long does the course of treatment last?
Essentiale® forte N belongs to the group of hepatoprotectors - drugs that help improve the function and structure of the liver in case of disturbances in the functioning of this extremely important organ. Due to harmful influences, increased stress or other reasons, liver cells can be damaged. In this case, it becomes more difficult for them to cope with their work, and taking essential phospholipids contributes to their recovery and proper metabolism, which has been confirmed by a number of studies.2 There are no restrictions on the duration of taking Essentiale® forte N, however, it is recommended to consult with a specialist to choose the optimal one course and duration of treatment.
Can the medicine be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
The use of any medicines in pregnant women and nursing mothers is associated with a possible risk of exposure to the fetus or infant. Essentiale® forte N should be used in pregnant women only if prescribed by a doctor and under his strict supervision. At the same time, the drug is not used during breastfeeding due to insufficient evidence base.1
Indications for the use of the drug include toxicosis of pregnancy.1 However, any interventions for this condition should be carried out only at the discretion of a specialist and under professional medical supervision.