Silymarin
Silymarin: instructions for use and reviews
- 1. Release form and composition
- 2. Pharmacological properties
- 3. Indications for use
- 4. Contraindications
- 5. Method of application and dosage
- 6. Side effects
- 7. Overdose
- 8. Special instructions
- 9. Application during pregnancy and lactation
- 10. Use in childhood
- 11. Drug interactions
- 12. Analogs
- 13. Terms and conditions of storage
- 14. Reviews
- 15. Price in pharmacies
Latin name: Silymarin
ATX code: A05BA03, A05BA53
Active ingredient: silymarin (lyophilized milk thistle extract)
Manufacturer: Hexal AG (Germany)
Description and photo update: 2019-13-08
Prices in pharmacies: from 2261 rubles.
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Silymarin is a plant-derived hepatoprotective agent.
Release form and composition
- coated tablets: round, convex on both sides, brown (10 pcs. in blister strip packs, 8 packs in a cardboard box);
- capsules (10 pcs. in blisters, in a cardboard box 3 or 6 blisters; 100 pcs. in plastic jars).
Active substance: silymarin (including silibinin) - dry extract from the fruits of milk thistle, purified and standardized (acetone is used as an extractant):
- 1 tablet - 35 mg;
- 1 capsule - 70 or 172 mg.
Auxiliary components of the tablets: potato starch, lactose monohydrate, calcium stearate, sodium starch glycolate, opadry (including macrogol 3350, polyvinyl alcohol, partially hydrolyzed, talc, iron oxide yellow E172, iron oxide black E172, iron oxide red E172, titanium oxide dioxide E171).
Excipients of capsules: gelatin, sodium carboxymethyl starch, aerosil, dextrin, magnesium stearate, titanium dioxide, iron oxide yellow.
Pharmacological properties
Silymarin interacts with free radicals in liver cells, reducing their toxicity, interrupting the processes of fat peroxidation and preventing the destruction of cellular structures.
Due to the presence of flavonoids in the composition, the drug improves blood microcirculation in the liver tissues and has a positive effect on the processes of stabilization of hepatocyte membranes. By stimulating RNA polymerase, Silymarin stimulates the synthesis of protein molecules, structural and functional phospholipids. The drug prevents the penetration of toxic compounds and poisons into hepatocytes, and also slows down the development of fibrotic changes and fatty degeneration in the liver tissues. During clinical trials, it was shown that the drug significantly improves the condition and normalizes the biochemical parameters of patients with liver pathologies.
Silymarin has a low absorption capacity. Absorption lasts for 2.2 hours. After entering the systemic circulation, the active substance undergoes enterohepatic circulation.
The drug is metabolized in the liver tissues by conjugation. It is excreted mainly in the form of glucuronides or sulfate in the bile, partly through the kidneys. The half-life is about 6 hours.
The components of the drug do not accumulate in the body. In the case of long-term administration of the drug at a dose of 420 mg 3 times a day, its stable concentration in the blood is achieved.
In the course of treatment, the condition of patients with hepatic insufficiency improves significantly, laboratory parameters are normalized and complaints disappear. With liver cirrhosis, the survival rate of patients significantly increases.
Indications for use
- liver cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis (as part of complex therapy);
- chronic inflammatory liver disease (supportive care);
- steatosis (fatty infiltration or dystrophy) of the liver;
- conditions after infectious and toxic hepatitis;
- toxic liver damage due to alcoholism, intoxication with heavy metal compounds or halogenated hydrocarbons, the use of drugs (treatment and prevention).
In addition, Silymarin is prescribed to correct lipid metabolism disorders.
Contraindications
- acute intoxication;
- children under 12 years old;
- hypersensitivity to silibinin or its analogs, any auxiliary component.
Carefully:
- pregnancy and lactation;
- carcinoma of the prostate;
- breast carcinoma;
- carcinoma of the uterus or ovaries;
- uterine fibroids;
- endometriosis.
Instructions for the use of Silymarin: method and dosage
Silymarin should be taken by mouth by swallowing the tablets / capsules whole with plenty of water.
Recommended dosage regimens:
- severe liver damage: 1-2 capsules or 4 tablets 3 times a day, then 2 times a day;
- mild cases and supportive therapy: 1 capsule or 2 tablets 2-3 times a day;
- prevention of liver damage in chronic intoxications: 1 tablet 2-3 times a day or 1-2 capsules a day.
The duration of treatment is determined individually, usually at least 3 months.
Side effects
Basically, Silymarin is well tolerated, in rare cases, the following side effects are possible:
- from the digestive system: nausea, vomiting, mild diarrhea, dyspepsia;
- from the urinary system: increased urine output;
- from the respiratory system: shortness of breath;
- from the immune system: hypersensitivity reactions, including skin rash and itching; frequency unknown - anaphylactic shock;
- others: increased baldness; very rarely - vestibular disorders.
Overdose
There is no information on cases of drug overdose. If any unusual reactions develop during therapy with Silymarin, it is recommended to wash the stomach, take enterosorbents and consult a doctor.
There is no specific antidote.
special instructions
Taking Silymarin should be combined with a diet. It is forbidden to consume alcoholic beverages during treatment.
If jaundice develops, it is necessary to contact your doctor to adjust the therapeutic regimen.
According to the instructions, Silymarin can have an estrogen-like effect, therefore, patients who have pathological conditions associated with impaired estrogen metabolism should consult a doctor before using the drug.
In some patients, the drug causes disorders of the vestibular apparatus. In this case, it is recommended to refrain from driving vehicles and performing other potentially hazardous work requiring speed of reactions and increased concentration of attention.
Long-term administration of drugs based on milk thistle extract significantly increases the percentage of survival of patients with liver cirrhosis.
Application during pregnancy and lactation
During pregnancy and lactation, Silymarin should be used with caution only as directed by a doctor.
Pediatric use
Since there are no clinical data on the treatment of children, the use of Silymarin in the treatment of patients over 12 years old is allowed only on the recommendation and under the supervision of a physician. It is prohibited to use the drug in children under 12 years of age.
Drug interactions
- oral contraceptives and estrogen-containing drugs for hormone replacement therapy: their effectiveness decreases;
- ketoconazole, alprozolam: their plasma concentrations increase and, as a result, toxicity increases;
- vinblastine, lovastatin, diazepam: their effects are potentiated.
Analogs
Silymarin's analogs: Silibinin, Silegon, Silimar, Darsil, Silibor, Geparsil, Gipoglisil, Karsil, Carsil Forte, Silymarin Hexal, Legalon, Silisem, Gepaleks, etc.
Terms and conditions of storage
Store in a dry, dark place and out of reach of children, at temperatures up to 25 ° C.
Shelf life of tablets - 2 years, capsules - 5 years.
Reviews about Silymarin
Reviews of Silymarin from patients indicate that this drug has been successfully used to normalize liver function (for example, after jaundice, taking sports nutrition, etc.). At the same time, some users point to the development of side effects: hair loss, skin allergic reactions.
The price of Silymarin in pharmacies
The price of Silymarin is unknown, the cost of its analogue, the drug Silymar, is approximately 160 rubles. for 30 tablets 100 mg.
Silymarin: prices in online pharmacies
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Drug name Price Pharmacy |
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Now Silymarin Silymarin 300 mg capsules 100 pcs 2261 RUB Buy |
Maria Kulkes Medical journalist About the author
Education: First Moscow State Medical University named after I. M. Sechenov, specialty "General Medicine".
Information about the drug is generalized, provided for informational purposes only and does not replace the official instructions. Self-medication is hazardous to health!
