In modern pediatrics, children are often prescribed the drug Elkar, the scope of which is quite wide. Dr. Komarovsky calls Elkar for children “living drops” that raise the baby’s vitality and help him recover from illness.
How does Elkar help children, and in what cases is its use appropriate for a child?
Elkar is a synthetic analogue of the amino acid L-Carnitine produced in the human body. Being a universal corrector and stimulator of energy metabolism, the drug significantly improves the activity of the nervous system and the structure of the brain as a whole.
Impact on humans
The main reason for taking the drug is the patient’s chronic conditions, which are accompanied by decreased appetite, decreased body weight, and, as a result, exhaustion. But the range of use of the drug is much wider than just restoring metabolism in children and adults.
Within 3 hours after taking the drug, the maximum concentration of levocarnitine in the body occurs. A distinctive feature of published reviews of Elkar is the description of the therapeutic effect achieved when the drug is distributed throughout the organs and tissues. When taking the drug, both an anabolic effect is observed, leading to an increase in muscle mass, and a lipolytic effect, leading to the burning and transformation of some fat.
The drug is used for general adjustment of metabolic reactions in the body. Patients note an improvement in metabolism and a decrease in the fat component from the use of Elkar. Reviews from people who used the drug during diets or training speak of victory over the problem of excess weight. Drops help to absorb the necessary substances, as well as overcome heavy physical activity.
Patients with thyroid diseases also give positive feedback to Elkar as a drug that improves the effect of thyroid hormones. In addition, those who took the medicine showed an improvement in the functioning of their brain cells.
pharmachologic effect
According to the instructions for use, Elkar syrup for children helps normalize metabolism and has a direct effect on digestive processes. It is an anabolic agent with a weak effect. In the body, the drug is capable of performing the following functions:
- Normalization of fat metabolism. The substance in the medication delivers fatty acids to the mitochondria from the cytoplasm, where the process of their breakdown (oxidation) occurs and, as a result, the release of energy.
- Regulation of protein metabolism processes.
- Stimulation of the production of enzymatic intestinal and gastric juices, which helps to increase appetite and proper absorption of food entering the body.
- Reducing the fat content in muscle tissue, resulting in a decrease in body weight if the child suffers from some degree of obesity.
- Normalization of hormone levels in hyperthyroidism.
- The medicine promotes the accumulation of glycogen in the liver and muscles.
- Inhibition and elimination of harmful reactions of anaerobic glycolysis and lactic acidosis.
- Improving blood supply to affected areas of the skin and accelerating tissue regeneration.
- Increasing the resistance of nervous tissues to hypoxia, intoxication, and injury.
As follows from the instructions and reviews, Elkar syrup improves metabolism, and the child’s body’s resistance to physical and mental stress and stressful situations increases. With the help of levocarnitine, the processes of oxygen saturation of brain cells are enhanced, thereby increasing the level of concentration and improving the ability to remember.
Another function of the drug is that it helps normalize body weight: overweight children become slim in a short time, and thin children quickly gain several kilograms. Children with a normal metabolism adapt better to physical and mental stress and tolerate stress more easily: levocarnitine increases the saturation of brain tissue with oxygen, improves the ability to remember and concentrate. Extra energy helps kids cope with serious illnesses and recover faster from them.
- vitamins B3, B6, B9, B12, C;
- gland;
- amino acids methionine and lysine;
- enzymes that control the rate of a chemical reaction.
A 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 urgently needs to be obtained from the outside. Then “Elkar” comes to the rescue, which compensates for the lack of carnifit and starts energy exchange processes.
Elkar instructions for use and general description of the drug
The product is traditionally produced in dark glass bottles with a volume of 25 to 100 ml, to which a measuring spoon or measuring cup can be attached. Taking into account the peculiarities of the dosage, even the smallest bottle is enough for a full course for an adult, however, this also depends on the method of use.
- The active ingredient is carniphine, known as L-carnitine, auxiliary components are citric acid, water.
- The main task of “Elkar” is to restore metabolic processes in the body by improving the metabolism of proteins and fats, strengthen the body and endurance in relation to physical activity, and inhibit glycolysis of anaerobic origin. In addition, the drug is an anabolic and lipolytic; endocrinologists often prescribe it as a thyroid hormone blocker, as a result of which it restores metabolism in hypertioriosis.
This spectrum of action allows Elkar to be used both in sports medicine and in neurology, endocrinology and dietetics. Moreover, the product can be used by older people, nursing women, and young children.
Most often, "Elkar" is prescribed for:
- Reducing the manifestations of chronic gastritis with impaired secretory function
- Reducing the manifestations of chronic pancreatitis
- Rehabilitation after injuries and surgery
- Increasing performance and improving concentration during psycho-emotional stress
- Improved endurance with increased sports regimen
- Elimination of hyperthyroidism
- Recovery from brain damage
- Replenishment of carnitine deficiency
As for the traditional use of the drug, its dosage depends on the reason for its use.
- Sports medicine for adults recommends the following schedule: 2.5 g, which is equivalent to 1.25 ml of solution, 3 times a day. If it is necessary to recover from injuries, the dosage can be increased to 100 mg per 1 kg of net weight once. The course at increased training intensity is 55-60 days. Before the competition, treatment begins 3-4 weeks in advance.
- For carnitine deficiency, adults need 50 mg of Elkar per kg of weight, treatment duration is 4 months.
- For anorexia nervosa and other underweight - 2.5-5 ml, 2 times a day, for a month.
- Treatment of gastritis and pancreatitis involves a dosage of 1.25 ml, 2 times a day, for 1-1.5 months.
- For hyperthyroidism, 10-12 drops are prescribed, up to 3 times a day, for 21 days. After a break of 2 months, the course is repeated.
Also, when referring to “Elkar”, it is important to know that:
- The maximum concentration of the active substance is observed 2.5-3 hours after administration, the therapeutic concentration is retained for 9 hours, excreted by the kidneys, absorbed into the liver, as well as into the muscles, but worse.
- In rare cases, taking Elkar can cause dyspepsia, which is blocked either by taking activated charcoal or by gastric lavage. No other side effects have been recorded; cases of individual reactions cannot be excluded.
Analogues of the drug
Doctors prescribe Elkar both as a prophylactic and for the treatment of various diseases. To eliminate serious problems, stronger medications may be needed, and to improve appetite and weight gain, there are medications that can be used instead of Elkar.
| Analogs | Release form | Indications | Side effects | Contraindications |
| Glycine | pills |
| allergic reaction | hypersensitivity to the components of the drug |
| Inosine-eskom | solution for intravenous administration |
| allergic reaction |
|
| Potassium orotate | pills |
|
|
|
| Karniten |
|
| hypersensitivity to the components of the drug | |
| Carnitine chloride | injection |
| allergic reaction | |
| Cocarboxylase | substance for the preparation of solution for injection |
| allergic reaction | |
| Korilip | rectal suppositories | malnutrition | allergic reaction |
|
| Riboxin |
|
|
|
|
| Cortexin | pills |
| allergic reaction | hypersensitivity to the components of the drug |
| Pantogam | pills |
| allergic reaction |
|
Use in childhood
The drug can be used to treat both nursing mothers and infants. It is recommended to use it depending on age in accordance with the instructions for use of “Elkar” for children. Reviews of the drug have positive dynamics with the following symptoms in the baby:
- prematurity;
- oxygen deficiency while in the womb;
- asphyxia during childbirth;
- various birth injuries;
- small weight;
- lack of weight gain in the first weeks of life;
- weak muscle tone;
- reduced level of physical activity;
- dermatological problems;
- before and after surgical treatment.
With a deficiency of levocarnitine in the body, the newborn lags behind in development and growth, has no appetite, lethargy and fatigue. Pediatricians recommend using a 20 percent solution. It is necessary to dilute the medicine in a mixture, compote or juice, adding up to the amount the baby drinks, which is close to 200 milliliters.
According to the instructions and reviews, “Elkar” increases nervous excitability in children. Therefore, it is preferable to take the drug long before bedtime, usually in a course of up to 6 weeks. Repeated use of the drug is possible at intervals of six months.
The drug is prescribed with caution to newborn children. Negative reviews of Elkar are often associated with the use of the drug at the wrong time, after which the child becomes nervous and overly active, he cannot be calmed down and put to sleep
All mothers have to do is change the time they take the medicine, and the problem immediately goes away.
Doctors give their comments on the use of the medicine. Thus, the corresponding review of “Elkar” by O. E. Komarovsky was voiced by him in a television program. As part of a conversation about dietary supplements for children, a famous doctor speaks with suspicion about the benefits of the drug. He notes the relative usefulness of the medicine, but considers it impossible to cure serious diseases in children with Elkar. Reviews of Komarovsky O.E. in the press are accompanied by ironic remarks about the medicine. The essence of the comments is that this drug is imposed by advertising and only meets the desire of overly restless parents to “heal” the child. Considering its composition, Elkar will not bring any particular benefit or harm. But it can really strengthen children's immunity.
Mothers of babies who take the drug in practice give it positive feedback. "Elkar" in children of the first year of life causes an increase in appetite and an improvement in the sucking reflex
This is especially important for premature babies at the initial stage of development
The mechanism of action of the drug in eliminating problems in newborns
If it is necessary to urgently compensate for the deficiencies of the nervous system as a result of complicated childbirth, newborns need a drug that will help normalize energy metabolism. In these cases, experts prefer to prescribe Elkar to children. Reviews from doctors helped to get a clear understanding of the mechanism of action of this drug on the children's body. As a rule, premature babies suffer from malnutrition due to the fact that they have sluggish tone and a reduced sucking reflex. Their weight gain is insufficient: due to the small amount of nutrients entering the body, the child develops eating disorders.
The Elkar medication helps stimulate food reflexes and appetite, while simultaneously normalizing the metabolic processes of the child’s body. The complex mechanism of action of this drug is fully disclosed by the instructions for use for children included with the drug "Elkar". Feedback from parents suggests the versatility of this pharmaceutical product.
Description of the drug
Trade name: Elcar.
Status: medicinal product.
Main active ingredient: a synthetic analogue of the amino acid L-carnitine - Levocarnitinum.
Excipients
In solution for oral use:
- citric acid monohydrate - 1.2 mg;
- methyl parahydroxybenzoate - 0.5 mg;
- propyl parahydroxybenzoate - 0.2 mg;
- purified water (Aqua) - 1 ml.
In granules:
- citric acid (Citric Acid) - 2,750 mg;
- sodium carbonate (Sodium Carbonate) - 1,100 mg;
- lemon flavor (Permastable 3206) - 100 mg;
- acesulfame potassium (Acesulfame Potassium) - 35 mg;
- colloidal silicon dioxide (Silicium Dioxide) - 15 mg.
The injection solution contains only purified water (1 ml) of excipients.
Pharmacological group:
- a drug that affects digestion and metabolism;
- treatment of gastrointestinal diseases;
- treatment of metabolic disorders;
- amino acids and their derivatives.
Anatomical-therapeutic-chemical classification: A16AA01.
Manufacturers (domestic only):
- Pik-Pharma - produces oral solution and granules;
- Elara - produces an injection solution.
Dosage forms:
- Oral solution with a concentration of levocarnitine of 20% and 30%. Available in bottles of different sizes: glass (100, 50, 25 ml) and plastic (25 ml).
- Effervescent granules for preparing a solution. Available in sachet form: 10 pcs. 5 g in cardboard packaging.
- Solution for intravenous and intramuscular administration. Available in the form of ampoules: 10 pcs. 5 ml in cardboard packaging.
Main characteristics:
- consistency - liquid/powdery granules;
- color - colorless solution / lemon-yellow granules;
- smell - the solution has a specific smell, reeking of chemicals / the granules have a weak lemon smell;
- taste - the solution is unpleasant, with bitterness, although a sweetener is added to the children's preparation / the granules have a pleasant lemony taste;
- injections are painless when administered correctly.
Pharmacokinetics
Well absorbed, easily penetrates into tissues. Reaches maximum concentration 3 hours after consumption and is effective for 12 hours. Excreted by the kidneys.
Sale
The solution for oral administration and effervescent granules are freely available in pharmacies without a doctor's prescription. When purchasing an injection solution, the pharmacist has the right to require a prescription.
You can read about the main active ingredient of the drug (L-carnitine) in a separate review.
Interaction with other drugs
Elkar does not conflict with most drugs that can be prescribed to infants and does not interact. Parents can safely treat their babies with antipyretic, anti-inflammatory drugs and continue to give levocarnitine to improve digestion.
Experts note only one type of mutual action - when taking glucocorticosteroids, L-carnitine cumulates (accumulates) in most tissues (with the exception of the liver). When prescribing hormones to a baby, you should consult your doctor about the advisability of taking Elkar.
Indications and contraindications
Indications:
- vegetarianism;
- psoriasis, lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, seborrheic eczema;
- deficiency of vitamin BT (another name for levocarnitine) and retinol;
- anorexia nervosa, lack of appetite;
- problems with the pancreas and gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, pancreatitis);
- renal and liver failure;
- intense, professional sports, sore throat, muscle injuries;
- mild form of hyperthyroidism;
- cardiogenic shock, angina pectoris, heart attack, heart failure, tachycardia;
- chronic fatigue syndrome, overwork;
- brain pathologies based on neurological symptoms, the aging process, impaired blood supply, discirculatory encephalopathy;
- psycho-emotional, physical, mental stress;
- rehabilitation after any therapeutic course;
- depression of higher mental functions.
Contraindications:
- individual intolerance to components;
- children under 3 years of age (relative contraindication: children can take Elkar, but only under the constant supervision of a doctor and with his permission);
- pregnancy, lactation (the consequences of taking the drug for the intrauterine development of the child and its effect on the production of breast milk have not been studied);
- obesity stages III and IV.
Methods of administration
How to give Elkar to children under one year of age? The dosage, frequency of administration and duration of treatment are determined by the doctor based on the child’s condition. Instructions for use indicate that it should be consumed 30 minutes before meals. The age norm must be diluted in a sweet drink (juice, compote). When treating newborns, the drug must be mixed with a small amount of 5% glucose solution.
Approximate doses (for 20% solution):
- for newborns (from the first days) – 4-10 drops 2 times a day
- for infants – 10 drops 3 times a day
The medicine increases the activity of the nervous system; it is better not to give it to children before bedtime. The course of treatment is from 2 to 6 weeks. It can be repeated with a break of 6 months.
If your baby is diagnosed with diasbacteriosis, pancreatitis, enterocolitis or other gastrointestinal pathologies, Elkar is recommended to be used simultaneously with enzymes.
The effect of taking the drug occurs on average after 2-4 weeks. In some cases, it is possible to increase the dose, but only according to the doctor's decision.
Release forms
Depending on the type of use, the medicine is produced in solutions:
- For intramuscular and intravenous injections - in an ampoule containing the main active ingredient of 100 mg.
- For oral use: 20% contains 200 mg and 30% contains 300 mg of levocarnitine.
Together with the main active ingredient, 1 ml of Elkar contains citric acid monohydrate, methyl parahydroxybenzoate, propyl parahydroxybenzoate and purified water.
Usually the drug is colorless or light in color. According to the instructions for use and reviews, Elkar may have a specific odor.
For oral use, the drug is released in opaque glass bottles in paper packages:
- with a dispenser – a dropper with a volume of 25 ml;
- with a 50 ml measuring spoon;
- with a 100 ml measuring cup.
For injection, the solution is available in 5 ml ampoules in a paper box:
- in blister packaging - 5 pieces;
- in 2 blister packs – 10 pieces;
- in 10 blister packs – 50 pieces.
Composition of the drug "Elkar"
Elkar is produced in the form of an oral solution.
The main active ingredient is levocarnitine. This is a natural component related to B vitamins. Levocarnitine is synthesized in sufficient quantities by the human body, but in some cases additional intake is required. 1 ml of the drug contains 300 mg. The volume of the bottle with Elkar solution contains 100 ml of medicine. The product is produced in cardboard packages with attached instructions for use.
“Elkar” contains carnitine, or an amino acid, similar in pharmacological properties and structure to B vitamins. Normally, this substance is regularly produced by the body itself and is actively involved in metabolic processes. In pathologies caused by a lack of carnitine in the body, various types of disorders occur associated with the progression of energy starvation.
In order to restore the necessary balance of carnitine in the body, doctors prescribe Elkar to children. Reviews from parents of young patients who used this drug for medicinal purposes point out that in addition to increasing muscle tone and endurance, children's appetite is normalized. This happens due to the fact that carnitine, which is part of this product, stimulates the production of gastric and intestinal juices, improves the quality of food absorption and the consumption of glucose entering the body.
Excess glucose, as a rule, is reserved in the liver or muscles; this process is also corrected by taking the drug “Elkar”. Reviews confirm the safety of the medicine in question even when treating babies from the first day of life.
Elkar instructions for use in children
Among metabolic drugs, Elkar is perhaps the rare remedy that can be used even by nursing mothers and small children at any age, although up to 3 years of age it is recommended to take it with caution and calculate the dosage together with a doctor. True, if adults sometimes use the drug to change body weight during weight loss or mass gain, then in children everything is somewhat different
How and why should children use it?
- The main recommendation for the use of “Elkar” in children is prematurity and asphyxia, as well as birth trauma, and, as a result of these nuances, a weakened sucking reflex, unexpressed muscle tone, and lack of weight gain.
- By adolescents under 18 years of age, Elkar can be used to increase body weight in case of anorexia, including nervosa, normalize speed and endurance, reduce the severity of post-training syndrome, and reduce the proportion of fat in the body.
In addition to these direct recommendations, the use of the drug is also allowed during periods of increased psycho-emotional and physical stress, as well as in cases of frequent fatigue and loss of performance. The dosage depends not only on the age of the child, but also on the orientation of the Elkar.
- For children over 3 years old, it is recommended to add 3-5 drops (1 for each year of life) to the liquid, give 2-3 times a day, between meals. Since the drug in no way has an irritating effect on the mucous membrane, it can be used even on an empty stomach.
- Children over 6 years old are prescribed 1.5-2 drops per year of life, so the dosage is 9-16 drops. The frequency of administration is also 2-3 times a day, the time of administration does not matter.
- Children over 12 years of age are allowed an adult dose of Elkar, unless the body's sensitivity is increased: from 13 to 20 drops, 3 times a day.
- The course of treatment may vary in duration, but the traditional period is 30 days. If the drug is taken to improve growth (if it is delayed), the course is reduced to 20 days, but the dosage, regardless of age, is 10-12 drops of single use. However, in this case, after a break of 14 days, the course is repeated twice more.
- Separately, it should be mentioned that in case of carnitine deficiency in the body, a total dosage of 2 to 5 drops per kg of body weight is set, which is usually calculated for children under 3 years of age.
- Children who are in a sports regime (with increased physical and mental stress) can be prescribed “Elkar” in a dosage of 1 ml, 3 times a day, for 6-8 weeks.
Pediatricians recommend diluting the drug not in warm water, but in juice, jelly or compote. The indicated number of drops usually corresponds to a full 200 ml of liquid.
In what cases are drops prescribed?
The main indications for the use of Elkar are prematurity, low birth weight and the presence of congenital pathologies that require activation of immune cells.
Therapy using Elkar gives good results in children with a weak sucking reflex. Other indications for prescribing the drug during the neonatal period are:
- birth injury;
- acute hypoxia during labor;
- damage to brain cells as a result of suffocation (asphyxia) during passage through the birth canal;
- jaundice (increased bilirubin in the blood);
- skin diseases (lupus erythematosus, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis);
- preparation for surgery.
If a newborn is undergoing surgical treatment, the doctor may prescribe a prophylactic dose of Elkar. The drug will increase the production of red blood cells, improve blood chemical parameters and prevent the formation of blood clots in blood vessels and arteries.
Important! In children over one year old, Elkar helps improve memory, increase concentration, and better assimilate information. As prescribed by the pediatrician, the drug can be recommended during the adaptation period when the child enters kindergarten.
What effects does Elkar have on the athlete’s body?
Elkar - an aqueous solution of L-carnitine has a wide spectrum of action, complementing the effect of sports nutrition:
- Increases energy production in the body from fats
- Increases the intensity of the fat burning process
- Improves protein absorption
- Increases muscle elasticity and strength, reduces the risk of injury and rupture
- Increases physical endurance and duration of effective training without feeling tired
- Improves coordination of movements and speed-strength indicators
- Improves mood by increasing endorphin production
- Reduces pain in muscles after sports training, reducing the production of lactic acid in them
- Normalizes heart function, reduces the risk of heart rhythm disturbances
- Accelerates recovery processes after exercise
At the same time, the effectiveness and safety of Elkar are confirmed by data from clinical studies, many years of experience in use by athletes and positive reviews.
Indications for use
Very often, ELKAR is prescribed to improve the general condition of the body in premature babies, as well as for newborns who have suffered a birth injury, for example, there was hypoxia at birth.
Indications include other symptoms in children:
weak sucking reflex (the drug stimulates feeding reflexes); low weight gain in the first year of life (ELKAR is effective in improving the child’s appetite); (increases tone); poor development of mental and motor functions (increases energy potential); stunted growth and weight gain in adolescents; for jaundice in newborns (ELKAR helps cleanse the blood); skin diseases (used in complex therapy for various types of rashes, which we talk about); metabolic disorders; weak immunity, tendency to frequent colds (stimulates the body's protective functions); before and after surgery (to increase the production of red blood cells, prevent blood clots); poor performance at school (saturates the brain with oxygen, concentrates attention).
Even if the child has one of the listed indications, parents need to take a balanced approach to following the doctor’s recommendations. If you are observing a baby, be sure to study the information from this publication.
It is worth carefully studying the instructions for ELKAR for children, since, for example, in the case of only a slight underweight in the absence of other negative manifestations (the baby continues to lead an active lifestyle, is cheerful and cheerful, eats well) - the drug can cause harm, or it may simply be useless. It may be worth consulting another specialist.
Indications for use
According to the annotation for the drug, Elkar is recommended:
- for the treatment of diseases of the pancreas and liver, digestive disorders, dermatological diseases, hyperthyroidism (mild form);
- in conditions accompanied by carnitine deficiency in the body;
- in conditions provoked by increased psycho-emotional and physical stress;
- with increased fatigue and decreased performance (in particular, in older people);
- in the rehabilitation period after surgery, injuries and previous somatic diseases;
- patients suffering from anorexia nervosa syndrome.
The drug is used to treat brain lesions accompanied by neurological symptoms.
Elkar is prescribed for growth vitamin deficiency, which is caused by diseases associated with metabolic disorders in muscle tissue, mitochondrial diseases or myocardial diseases, accompanied by electrical or mechanical dysfunction of the heart.
For patients with heart disease, taking the drug can increase tolerance to physical activity. In elderly patients, Elkar slows down the aging process of the brain, improves concentration and higher mental functions.
The drug can also be recommended for people following a vegetarian diet, patients with decreased appetite and physical exhaustion.
L-carnitine is also indicated for athletes to increase endurance and efficiency during training, increase strength and speed, improve coordination of movements, reduce adipose tissue and more quickly build muscle mass.
In addition, in sports medicine the drug is prescribed to prevent and reduce the severity of symptoms of post-training syndrome, as well as to accelerate the regeneration of muscles damaged due to injury.
The drug can also be prescribed to children born prematurely, as well as to children during the period of active growth. During treatment, the child’s appetite improves, body weight normalizes, and the development of skeletal muscles normalizes.
In acute hypoxic conditions (for example, ischemic stroke, acute cerebral hypoxia or transient ischemic attack); acute, subacute and rehabilitation period of circulatory disorders in the brain; DEP, brain lesions of various origins, after surgical interventions; patients on hemodialysis with a deficiency of levocarnitine in their body; for ischemic disease, hypoperfusion caused by cardiogenic shock, and other pathological processes in the myocardium, Elkar can be prescribed intravenously.
Analogs
Many parents are faced with the need to support digestion in infants with slow development. There are different ways and means for this, depending on the characteristics of the baby’s condition. The closest analogues of Elkar include:
- L-carnitine. Contains tartaric acid and carnitine salts. The drug is indicated for infants with weakened sucking function, lack of body weight, hypotension, and nervous disorders. Admission from the first days of life is allowed. Strict adherence to the dosage prescribed by the doctor is required.
- Cartan. The drug is widely used in nursing newborns, for hypotension and malnutrition, slow growth and development of infants and older children.
- Carnitene. The drug is produced in Italy. The main component is levocarnitine. There are not many auxiliary components in the composition, which reduces the risk of allergies.
- Metapictures. The owner of the certificate is Great Britain. A drug for intravenous infusion containing levocarnitine.
Other drugs help accelerate the development of children, stimulate better absorption of nutrients, and ensure rapid weight gain for infants:
- Vitamin complexes. Aquadetrim is indicated from the neonatal period, contains vitamin D. Eliminates the danger of rickets, stimulates metabolism, helps absorb calcium for bone growth.
- Pantogam. A nootropic drug prescribed for encephalopathy, birth injuries, toxic effects on the body, neuroses and similar conditions.
- Korilip. A remedy for improving metabolic processes. The drug Korilip Neo is available for newborns. These are suppositories, used rectally. Contains riboflavin, vitamins, enzymes. Improves all types of metabolism, increases the energy potential of the body.
- Cocarboxylase. The medicine promotes the absorption of glucose, stimulates carbohydrate metabolism, and restores the functions of the cardiovascular system. Helps infants recover from infectious diseases. Positively affects respiratory functions.
Only a specialist who observes the baby and knows exactly the diagnosis and developmental characteristics can choose an exact or therapeutic analogue of Elkar.
Dosage and method of administration
As indicated in the instructions for use, Elkar is taken orally 30 minutes before meals, further diluted with liquid.
For children, the drug is prescribed as an additive to sweet dishes (jelly, compote, juices).
- For children under 3 years of age, the dosage regimen is determined individually. Children from 3 to 6 years old - in a single dose of 100 mg (5 drops) 2-3 times a day, daily dose - 200-300 mg (11-16 drops). The course of treatment is 1 month. Children aged 6 to 12 years are prescribed a single dose of 200-300 mg (11-16 drops) 2-3 times a day, a daily dose of 400-900 mg (22-48 drops). The course of treatment is at least 1 month.
- For growth retardation - 250 mg (13 drops) 2-3 times a day. The course of treatment is 20 days. The course of treatment is repeated after a 1-2 month break or prescribed for 3 months without a break.
Dosages for adults are slightly different:
- For adults with prolonged physical and psycho-emotional stress, the drug is prescribed in a dose of 750 mg (1/2 measuring spoon or 2.5 ml) 3 times a day to 2.25 g (1.5 measuring spoon or 7.5 ml) 2-3 times a day.
- For anorexia nervosa, as well as during the rehabilitation period after illnesses and surgical interventions and injuries - 1.5 g (1 scoop or 5 ml) 2 times a day. The course of treatment is for 1-2 months.
- In complex therapy of chronic gastritis and chronic pancreatitis with reduced secretory function, the drug is prescribed 375 mg (1/4 scoop or 1.25 ml) 2 times a day. The course of treatment is for 1-1.5 months.
- For the treatment of skin diseases - 750 mg (1/2 scoop or 2.5 ml). The course of treatment is for 2-4 weeks.
- For mild hyperthyroidism, the drug is prescribed 250 mg (13 drops) 2-3 times a day. The course of treatment is 20 days. The course of treatment is repeated after a 1-2 month break or used for 3 months without a break.
- For brain lesions of vascular, toxic and traumatic origin - 750 mg (1/2 scoop or 2.5 ml)/day. The course of treatment is for 3-5 days. If necessary, a repeat course is prescribed after 12-14 days.
- For diseases accompanied by a lack of carnitine (primary and secondary carnitine deficiency), the drug is prescribed in a dose of up to 50-100 mg/kg (2-5 drops/kg) of body weight. Frequency of administration – 2-3 times/day. The course of treatment is for 3-4 months.
For adults in sports medicine and during intense training, 2.5 g is prescribed 1-3 times a day (daily dose 2.5-7.5 g); in case of use for medicinal purposes - 70-100 mg/kg/day (5-7.5 g/day). Reception courses: 3-4 weeks in the pre-competition period, during the training process - up to 6-8 weeks.
Elkar® (solution for injection)
INSTRUCTIONS (information for specialists) on the medical use of the drug ELKAR®
Registration number: LSR-002224/08
Trade name of the drug: Elkar® International nonproprietary name: levocarnitine Dosage form: solution for injection Composition: Carnifita (levocarnitine) 0.1 g; water for injections up to 1 ml. Description: transparent colorless liquid. Pharmacotherapeutic group: metabolic agent. ATX code: A16AA01
Pharmacological properties
Elkar is a remedy for correcting metabolic processes. L-carnitine (a natural substance related to B vitamins) is involved in metabolic processes as a carrier of fatty acids across cell membranes from the cytoplasm to the mitochondria, where these acids are oxidized (beta-oxidation process) to produce a large amount of metabolic energy (in the form of ATP ). L-carnitine increases the resistance of nervous tissue to damaging factors (hypoxia, trauma, intoxication, etc.), inhibits the formation of ketoacids and anaerobic glycolysis, and reduces the degree of lactic acidosis. The drug replenishes the alkaline reserve of the blood, helps restore autoregulation of cerebral hemodynamics and increase blood supply to the affected area, accelerates reparative processes in the lesion and has an anabolic effect.
Pharmacokinetics
After intravenous administration, after 3 hours it is almost completely eliminated from the blood. It penetrates easily into the liver and myocardium, and more slowly into the muscles. Excreted by the kidneys mainly in the form of acyl esters (more than 80% in 24 hours).
Indications for use
Elkar is used as part of complex therapy for acute hypoxic conditions (acute cerebral hypoxia, ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack). The drug is prescribed in acute, subacute and recovery periods of cerebrovascular accidents. Used for dyscirculatory encephalopathy and various traumatic and toxic lesions of the brain, in the recovery period after surgery. Elkar is indicated for primary and secondary carnitine deficiency, including in patients with chronic renal failure on hemodialysis; for cardiomyopathy, coronary heart disease (angina pectoris, acute myocardial infarction, post-infarction conditions), hypoperfusion due to cardiogenic shock and other metabolic disorders in the myocardium.
Contraindications
Individual intolerance, pregnancy, lactation (currently there is no data on the possibility and safety of using the drug during pregnancy and lactation).
Directions for use and doses
One ampoule contains 0.5 g of active substance. Elkar® is administered intravenously by drip, slowly or in a stream (2-3 minutes) or intravenously. Before intravenous administration, the contents of the ampoule are dissolved in 100-200 ml of solvent (0.9% sodium chloride solution or 5% dextrose (glucose) solution). For acute cerebrovascular accidents, 1 g/day (2 ampoules) is prescribed for 3 days, and then 0.5 g/day (1 ampoule) for 7 days. After 10-12 days, repeated courses are possible within 3-5 days. When prescribing the drug in the subacute and recovery period, with discirculatory encephalopathy and various brain lesions, carnitine deficiency, patients are administered Elcar® solution at the rate of 0.5-1 g/day (1-2 ampoules) intravenously (drip, stream) or intravenously m (2-3 times a day) without dilution for 3-7 days. If necessary, a repeat course is prescribed after 12-14 days. Intravenous administration, slowly (2-3 minutes) is prescribed for secondary carnitine deficiency during hemodialysis - 2 g (4 ampoules) once (after the procedure); for acute myocardial infarction, acute heart failure - 3-5 g/day (6-10 ampoules), divided into 2-3 doses in the first 2-3 days, followed by a 2-fold reduction in the dose; for cardiogenic shock – 3-5 g/day (6-10 ampoules), divided into 2-3 doses until the patient comes out of shock. Next, they switch to oral administration of Elkar®.
Side effect
Allergic reactions and muscle weakness are possible (in patients with uremia). With rapid administration (80 drops/min or more), pain may occur along the vein, which disappears when the injection rate is reduced.
Interaction
Glucocorticosteroids promote the accumulation of the drug in tissues (except the liver), other anabolics enhance the effect.
Release form
Solution for injection 100 mg/ml. 5 ml of the drug in colorless glass ampoules with a break point or ring. 10 ampoules are placed in a pack with partitions. Or 5 ampoules are placed in a blister pack made of polyvinyl chloride film. Two contour packages are placed in a cardboard pack. Each pack contains instructions for using the drug. Hospital packaging. 10 or 20 blister packs are placed in cardboard boxes or corrugated cardboard boxes. Instructions for use are placed in each box in an amount equal to the number of blister packs.
Storage conditions In a place protected from light at a temperature of 15 to 25 ° C. Keep out of the reach of children.
Shelf life: 3 years. Do not use after the expiration date stated on the packaging.
Conditions for dispensing from pharmacies By prescription.
, 125047, Moscow, per. Oruzheyny, 25, building 1. Manufactured by: Ellara LLC, 601122, Vladimir region, Petushinsky district, Pokrov, st. Franz Stollwerka, 20, building 2. Organization accepting the claims: PIK-PHARMA LLC. Tel.
www.elkar. ru
Description of the product, form, composition
In what form is the Elkar medicine available for sale? This drug has several forms of release. It is most often purchased as an oral solution (drops). This medicine is a clear, colorless or slightly colored liquid with a specific odor.
The active ingredient of the drug in question is levocarnitine (carnifit). It also contains the following auxiliary components: methyl parahydroxybenzoate, citric acid monohydrate, purified water and propyl parahydroxybenzoate.
The presented release form of "Elkara" is sold in dark glass dropper bottles, which are packaged in cardboard packs. Depending on the volume of the container, the product comes with either a measuring spoon or a measuring cup.
The drug "Elkar" in the form of an injection solution is prescribed to patients only in special cases. This drug can be used for both intravenous and intramuscular administration.
The solution is placed in clear glass ampoules with a ring or break point. They are packaged in a pack with partitions or placed in a blister pack made of polyvinyl chloride film. The active component of the injection liquid is also levocarnitine (carnifit). As for the excipient, only water for injection is used as it.
Carnitene as a substitute for Elkar
An analogue of Elkar, made in the UK. The cost is more expensive - the tablet form will cost about a thousand rubles. The ampoules are a little cheaper - about 700 rubles.
The tablet form allows you to take the medicine anywhere. Intravenous administration requires sterility and the ability to give an injection correctly (this form of the drug is more often prescribed to hospital patients).
"Carnitene" contains 1 gram of levocarnitine in one chewable tablet.
One ampoule for intravenous administration of “Carnitene” (10 ml) also contains 1 gram of the active substance.
Endocrinologists and therapists often advise giving preference to Carnitene over Elkar. They motivate this choice by the fact that the active substance undergoes more thorough purification and, as a result, the result after a course of therapy is more pronounced. If you read the reviews of ordinary people, you can understand that the effect is quite noticeable from domestic “Elkar” or “Levocarnitine”, and there is no point in overpaying.
special instructions
When prescribing a medicine, you must inform your doctor about all the medications you are taking.
Use during pregnancy and breastfeeding
The lack of necessary clinical studies and lack of experience in practical use requires caution when prescribing the drug to women during pregnancy; a prerequisite is a preliminary risk/benefit assessment
Use in children
In pediatrics, the drug is used only under the supervision of the attending physician. The medicine in the form of tablets is prescribed to children under 3 years of age if they are able to chew them on their own. Otherwise, the use of a liquid form of the medication is recommended.
Contraindications
Almost all medications have a list of contraindications, Elkar is no exception. A contraindication to the use of levocarnitine is hypersensitivity to certain ingredients in the solution .
Newborns and infants suffering from atopic dermatitis or food intolerance should be under the supervision of a pediatrician during Elkar therapy.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages:
- is not addictive;
- side effects are very rare;
- weight loss without harm to health;
- no need to diet;
- no hunger pangs.
Flaws:
- initially Elkar is not intended for weight loss;
- weight loss occurs slowly;
- presence of contraindications and side effects;
- sometimes - lack of results;
- the specific smell and taste causes rejection and even nausea for many;
- after prolonged use, an unpleasant fishy odor begins to emanate from the body;
- Too individual reactions to the drug: for some it acts like an energy drink, for others it makes them sleepy.
Contraindications and side effects
"Elkar" is contraindicated for:
- intolerance to one of the components
- muscle hypertonicity in a child
- increased nervous excitability
Most often it is well tolerated by children. Sometimes there are side effects such as:
- allergic rash
- rapid muscle fatigue (myasthenia gravis)
- pain in the stomach area
- diarrhea, nausea
An overdose of Elkar may be indicated by the baby’s poor health, as well as the specific smell of urine. If any unpleasant symptoms occur, you should stop taking the medication and give the child an enterosorbent.
The simultaneous use of L-carnitine and glucocorticosteroids leads to its accumulation in tissues, with the exception of liver cells.
Elkar instructions for use for weight loss
The reason why the drug suddenly aroused interest among women from a nutritional point of view is its main active ingredient - L-carnitine is now actively used in various food supplements aimed at weight loss. It not only has the ability to improve metabolism, but also reduce the proportion of fat mass, instead increasing muscle mass. Elkar contains a chemical analogue of this substance.
- In order to lose weight, the drug must be drunk before meals, 20-30 minutes before, dissolving in a small amount of warm water. The further choice of foods for the diet does not depend in any way on Elkar.
- The dosage for an adult should not exceed 2 tsp, frequency of administration - 2 times a day, occasionally - 3 times a day. Course duration is 21-30 days.
- Due to the peculiarities of its chemical composition and effects, “Elkar” implies the presence of physical activity in the schedule, since the broken down fat must leave the body: otherwise it will settle on the vascular walls.
Official medicine claims that weight loss with Elkar has been proven only in cases of thyroid dysfunction: when thyroid hormone levels are restored, hormonal fat deposits are eliminated. In other cases, no guarantees are given.
What is Elkar and why does a child need it?
Elkar is a medicine containing levocarnitine (also known as L-carnitine). This vitamin-like substance is actively involved in human energy metabolism. In particular, carnitine is necessary for the breakdown of fats
But it is precisely as a result of this vital process that the largest amount of energy is released
L-carnitine is also involved in the transport of fatty acids within the cell. In addition, it has the unique ability to create unbreakable bonds with toxins. They are then excreted from the human body through urine, without causing damage to the health of organs and organ systems.
As you can see, the role of this substance for human health is enormous. But this does not mean that Elkar needs to be introduced into the diet of literally every child and adult. Typically, carnitine is synthesized by the body independently and is found in almost all human tissues. Moreover, its quantity is sufficient for energy metabolism.
But sometimes the human body’s need for carnitine increases sharply. This occurs with metabolic disorders (by the way, you can recognize it in yourself if you read) and with serious diseases of the liver, kidneys and other organs. A person also experiences a lack of carnitine during intense training and excessive mental stress. There are other indications for taking Elkar. And they mainly concern newborn children.
Elkar drops for newborns
Infants are prescribed Elkar twice a day from the second week of life. A single dose is 4-10 drops. There are reviews from parents about monitoring their child after using the drug. Elkar increases appetite, the child quickly gains weight, his sucking reflex improves, and muscle tone increases. According to the instructions, the drug is prescribed to newborns for:
- birth trauma, asphyxia;
- born prematurely or with low birth weight;
- retardation in physical and mental development;
- skin diseases;
- neurological disorders;
- jaundice;
- poor appetite.
Why is Elkar prescribed?
According to the instructions, the drug is prescribed as part of complex therapy:
- violations of secretory function, pancreatitis, gastritis;
- anorexia;
- psoriasis, seborrhea, eczema, scleroderma, alopecia, lupus erythematosus;
- hyperthyroidism;
- neurological disorders due to vascular, toxic, traumatic and other brain lesions;
- myopathy, mitochondria and other diseases associated with carnitine deficiency.
The drug is recommended for use by people during the recovery period after serious stress or sports injuries, during postoperative rehabilitation, for the prevention of post-training syndrome, in order to improve physical performance.
For children, Elkar is used in the following cases (children under 3 years of age under medical supervision):
- nursing premature babies and newborns who have suffered birth trauma or asphyxia;
- children with a sluggish sucking reflex and low body weight gain, decreased muscle tone, and insufficient
- development of motor and mental functions, as well as for the purpose of preventing these disorders in children at risk;
- for stunted growth and underweight in children and adolescents under 16 years of age.
Adverse reactions
In general, the solution for oral (inside) use Elkar is well tolerated. Sometimes, while taking it, several negative reactions may develop, which include:
- Pain in the stomach (gastralgia).
- Dyspeptic symptoms in the form of nausea, unstable stool, bloating.
- The appearance of muscle pain (myasthenia gravis), which may occur in patients with a concomitant increase in urea concentrations (uremia).
- Allergic reactions - skin rash accompanied by itching, urticaria, reminiscent of a nettle burn, angioedema with an increase in peripheral tissues (mainly in the face and external genitalia) in volume due to the release of the liquid part of the blood from the vessels into the intercellular substance.
If negative pathological reactions develop after starting to take Elkar solution, you should contact a medical specialist who will determine the possibility and advisability of its further use.
Data on side effects and overdose in children
Taking Elkar in some situations can cause a number of negative reactions in newborns and infants. Side effects:
- sleep disturbance, insomnia;
- dyspeptic manifestations: abdominal pain, gas formation, rumbling;
- allergy to the drug: rash and diathesis on the face, body;
- muscle weakness.
An overdose for infants is dangerous and can cause digestive upset with attacks of intestinal spasms and stool disturbances.
Rarely, an overdose leads to the development of myasthenia gravis. First aid in case of exceeding the dose of levocarnitine is gastric lavage and the use of adsorbents.
On our website we will tell you about dysbiosis in infants - read about the symptoms and signs of the disease, methods of its treatment.
In the next article, find out how to correctly take a test for dysbacteriosis in an infant and how to correctly decipher its results.
Do you know what mucus in a child’s stool means? Find out if you should worry when this symptom appears by reading our special review.
Price
Average price in Russia
In Russian pharmacies, the cost of Elkar 20 and 30% (25 ml bottle) is in the range of 260-320 rubles. The average cost of a 100 ml drug in St. Petersburg, Moscow and other large cities is 490 rubles. for a 30% solution and 520 rubles. for a 20% solution. Prices are approximate.
Average cost in Ukraine
The average price of 30% drugs in Ukraine is 495 hryvnia for a 100 ml bottle, 300 hryvnia for 50 ml and 255 hryvnia for 25 ml. The price of Elkar for children starts from 115 hryvnia.
Video on the topic: Elkar - enough strength for everything!
Beneficial features
What is the benefit of the drug "Levocarnitine"? Its properties are unique in that it promotes the breakdown of omega fatty acids: linolenic, palmitic, linoleic, arachidonic and oleic. Essentially, it transports long-chain fatty acids across the double membranes of mitochondria. There, thanks to this, a powerful release of energy occurs during the biosynthesis process. In addition, drugs containing levocarnitine promote the removal of short-chain metabolic breakdown products from mitochondria. Thus, it regulates metabolic processes in the body.
Weightloss remedy
Is levocarnitine necessary for weight loss? As we have already said, if there is insufficient amount of it in the body, fatty acid simply cannot penetrate the two walls of the mitochondrial membrane and burn there. When taking the drug "Levocarnitine" in order to reduce body weight, you need to remember one more effect - increased appetite due to increased energy. Thus, if you do not include a power load, which realizes ATP released from fat depots, then there is a high risk of gaining body weight.
Therefore, if the goal is to quickly lose excess weight, then taking Levocarnitine alone will not be enough; you need regular alternation of aerobic and strength exercise, plus a diet high in protein. During this period, fatty foods, sugar and fast food are completely avoided.
Drug interactions
In accordance with the instructions, Elkar syrup for children is similar in action and structure 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 promote the accumulation of carnitine in tissues and organs (with the exception of the liver). The combination of levocarnitine with other anabolic medications provokes an increase in the effectiveness of this drug.
What is L-Carnitine
This innovative weight loss drug is a unique chemical formula that combines derivatives of the amino acids lysine and methionine. Carnitine in tablets is also called Levocarnitine; it is an integral component of many dietary supplements for weight loss. The active components provide metabolic, anabolic, regenerative effects and function at the cellular level. L-carnitine for weight loss is often used in conjunction with training to strengthen muscle mass and create an athletic, athletic silhouette.
The principle of action of the dietary supplement is as follows: the active components help to efficiently process fats, extracting useful energy from them. This increases the body's endurance, normalizes metabolism, increases muscle tone, makes it possible to gain muscle mass, eliminates blues and depression, and guarantees a moderate appetite. With the participation of such a remedy, you can help the body lose weight, provided that there is adequate physical activity and a balanced diet. Therefore, the question of how much L-carnitine costs in a pharmacy is relevant among men and women.
Release form
The drug has several release forms. The speed of action depends on which one you choose. Carnitine can be used for weight loss in the form of tablets, capsules, syrup, powder for dissolution in water, solution in ampoules for injection. Liquid forms of the drug are more effective because they are quickly absorbed into the gastrointestinal tract and stimulate metabolism at the cellular level. Before buying L-carnitine, you need to not only read the instructions, but also choose the appropriate release form.
Capsules
The drug is available in the form of capsules, which must be dissolved in water before use. After ingestion, the active ingredients heat fat to a certain degree, suppress appetite, and increase the body's endurance, which is especially important during excessive physical exertion. This is the most convenient form of release of the dietary supplement L-carnitine, which guarantees good results.
Pills
Oral tablets act more slowly and take up to 6 months to lose weight. A nutritionist recommends this method of correcting excess weight mainly in adults; the use of L-carnitine in children is strictly contraindicated. How to drink L-carnitine is written in the instructions, but consulting a specialist still wouldn’t hurt.
Syrup
Another liquid form of release of L-carnitine is syrup, intended for oral use in a full course. This dietary supplement accelerates the process of processing fat mass and releases valuable energy for the body. The drug has no analogues, its action is fast and targeted. Recommended for use by adult patients; it is dangerous for a child to lose weight in such a progressive way. Before starting the course, it is necessary to identify hidden diseases, since there are medical contraindications to the use of L-carnitine.
Contraindications
If a woman chooses this drug to quickly lose weight, detailed instructions for use warn of possible risks. There are people who are not recommended to use dietary supplements for weight loss, otherwise you can only harm the body
The harm is minimal, but it is still important to know about all the restrictions in advance. Among them:
- pregnancy period;
- tendency to allergies;
- lactation period;
- childhood;
- diabetes;
- cirrhosis of the liver;
- previous myocardial infarction, stroke;
- chronic heart disease;
- hypoglycemia;
- peripheral vascular diseases;
- renal, liver failure;
- There is no information on drug interactions.
Side effects
L-carnitine for weight loss quietly adapts in the body, the risk of side effects is minimal. This remedy is especially useful for vegetarians, as it helps replenish the deficiency of vitamins and microelements. In isolated cases, there is harm to health, so a woman should remember the following side effects:
- local allergic reactions;
- signs of dyspepsia;
- gastrointestinal disorder;
- nausea, less often – vomiting;
- disturbed sleep phase.
Registration numbers
solution for oral administration 300 mg/ml: drop bottle. 25 ml 1 piece; fl. 50 ml or 100 ml 1 pc. LSR-006143/10 (2030-06-10 – 0000-00-00)
Experimental determination of suitable drugs:
- ELKAR
- ELKAR
- CARNITINE
- CARNITEN
- CLENBUTEROL
- ELKAR
- KETOTIFEN SOPHARMA
- LEVOCARNITINE
- BRONCHOBOS
- PYRIDOXINE + THREONINE
- BRONCHIPRET
- GERBION SYRUP PRIMING BLOWER
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ATX code for ELKAR
A16AA01 (Levocarnitine)
Experimental determination of suitable drugs:
- ELKAR 16.039 (A drug that improves metabolism and energy supply to tissues), composition and…
- ELKAR 16.039 (A drug that improves metabolism and energy supply to tissues), composition and…
- CARNITINE 16.039 (A drug that improves metabolism and energy supply to tissues) A remedy for correcting…
- CARNITENE 16.039 (A drug that improves metabolism and energy supply to tissues), composition and…
- CLENBUTEROL 12.003 (Bronchodilator - beta2-adrenergic agonist), Syrup in…
- ELKAR 16.039 (A drug that improves metabolism and energy supply to tissues), composition and…
- KETOTIFEN SOPHARMA 13.006 (Mast cell membrane stabilizer. Antiallergic drug), composition and…
- LEVOCARNITINE 16.039 (A drug that improves metabolism and energy supply to tissues) B vitamin…
- BRONCHOBOS 12.008 (Mucolytic drug), Syrup 2.5% transparent,…
- PYRIDOXINE + THREONINE 16.039 (A drug that improves metabolism and energy supply to tissues) A combined drug that regulates…
- BRONCHIPRET 12.013 (Phytopreparation with expectorant action), Drops…
- GERBION SYRUP PRIMFLOWER 12.013 (Phytopreparation with expectorant action), Syrup…
Who benefits from L-carnitine?
L-carnitine is a beneficial remedy for people who suffer from heart problems. For cardiovascular disease, it is advisable to be treated by a modern physician who endorses the use of supplements in addition to standard medications and procedures. If chronic fatigue bothers you, try taking acetyl-L-carnitine as well. At the same time, try to find and eliminate the cause of increased fatigue.
Read about the treatment of cardiovascular diseases:
- Cardiac ischemia
- Angina pectoris
- Heart failure
- Myocardial infarction
Try L-carnitine - and within a few days you will feel more energetic. The heart will receive a second youth, and this is not an exaggeration. High-quality supplements made in Switzerland or Italy are not cheap, but they help well, and the effect of taking them is felt quickly.
What other natural remedies help against cardiovascular diseases:
- magnesium B6 - normalizes heart rate, reduces the frequency of attacks of chest pain;
- Coenzyme Q10 is the main treatment for heart failure;
- taurine is a natural diuretic, anti-edema.
- fish oil - prevention of heart attack and stroke.
Detailed articles about supplements:
- Magnesium B6
- Coenzyme Q10
- Taurine
- Fish fat
All of these drugs can interact negatively with blood thinning medications, increasing the risk of bleeding. If you want to switch from “chemical” diuretics to natural, healthy taurine, discuss this with your doctor.
Cardiovascular diseases
In most cases, cardiovascular diseases occur due to coronary atherosclerosis. The diameter of the arteries is narrowed, so the heart does not receive enough oxygen. Taking L-carnitine helps the heart muscle produce more energy with the amount of oxygen that remains available to it. Thanks to this, chest pain occurs less frequently and physical activity is better tolerated.
The heart gets 60-70% of its energy from burning fatty acids, not glucose, like most other tissues. L-carnitine is involved in the delivery of fatty acids for processing (ATP synthesis), and then removes waste from cells to the outside into the intercellular space. Typically, the greater the deficiency of this substance, the more serious the cardiovascular disease. But the better patients respond to taking supplements. In Western countries, some hospitals use intravenous injections of L-carnitine to provide emergency treatment for heart attacks.
L-carnitine is synthesized from the amino acids lysine and methionine with the participation of vitamins B3 and B6, vitamin C, folic acid, iron and other substances. This is a complex process that can easily fail. It is disrupted by various diseases, a vegetarian diet and old age. L-carnitine and coenzyme Q10 complement each other in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. They improve the energy supply to the heart through various mechanisms. It is advisable to take both supplements at the same time: L-carnitine before meals, and coenzyme Q10 after.
Patients with kidney failure
Most patients who undergo dialysis due to kidney failure have a deficiency of L-carnitine in their body. The synthesis of this substance in patients suffering from kidney disease is impaired. They also consume little animal products due to poor appetite and the protein-restricted diet they are prescribed. Lack of vitamins and related substances contributes to the development of anemia, muscle weakness, fatigue and heart problems.
Taking L-carnitine in capsules or injections improves the condition of patients with renal failure whose lives are supported by dialysis. This has been proven by many studies. However, all studies published to date have included small numbers of participants and were not double-blind, placebo-controlled. Large-scale clinical trials of L-carnitine for patients with renal failure are needed. However, there is already a lot of data on the usefulness of this remedy and the absence of side effects. If you are undergoing dialysis, talk to your doctor about whether you should take this supplement.
Compatibility with other drugs
According to the instructions for use of Elkar for newborns, the drug is excellently tolerated and does not cause any cross-interactions with drugs aimed at maintaining the consistency and regulation of processes in the body. At the same time, glucocorticosteroid drugs promote the accumulation of levocarnitine in the cells and tissues of various organs. The exception to this process is the liver. Any drugs aimed at stimulating metabolism enhance the effect of the stimulant.
Reviews of Elkar syrup for children
On medical websites and consumer forums you can see a huge number of reviews about medicinal syrup, some of which are both positive and negative.
In positive reviews, parents of children who took the medication characterize it as a fairly effective means of maintaining the health and activity of the child. In children, according to them, resistance to various stresses, including educational ones, to colds and viral diseases increased, and immunity was strengthened. Young patients tolerated the medicine well and, as a rule, did not experience any adverse reactions. Parents note that the effect of the syrup is not observed immediately. It can be noticed approximately in the second week of use. At the same time, children become more mobile, active, learn easily and get sick less.
Negative reviews were 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 quite insignificant. Some consumers indicate that allergic reactions occur while taking this product. In this case, children also developed unpleasant symptoms, characterized by disruption of food digestion, nausea, and excessive nervous excitement. Such manifestations disappeared after discontinuation of the medication.
Doctors characterize “Elkar” not as a medicine, but as an active nutritional supplement, the use of which, despite the naturalness of the components, must be coordinated with a specialist in each case, especially when it comes to children.
Compound
The active component of the drug is L-carnitine, an amino acid produced in the body of every person. Its role is to correct energy exchange and stimulate it. Thus, levocarnitine takes part in the processes:
- lipid (fat) and protein metabolism;
- synthesis of ATP (the main source of cell energy) and acetyl-CoA;
- food processing;
- correction of body weight;
- regulation of glycogen consumption and maintenance of its liver and muscle reserves;
- inhibition of the synthesis of keto acids (the release of acetone is especially dangerous for newborns);
- catalyzing the work of enzymes in gastric and intestinal juices;
- the substance promotes the breakdown of fat in muscles, increases physical performance, for which sports people love it.
In its structure, carnitine is a relative of B vitamins. Its main task is considered to be the transfer of long-chain fatty acids to mitochondria, a kind of energy production factory in our body. It also contributes to the formation of lecithin in the liver, which is responsible for reducing cholesterol plaques in blood vessels, and vitamins C and E, under its influence, increase their antioxidant abilities.
So, we found out that Elkar can be very useful. But when is it prescribed for children and in what dosage should the medicine be taken?
Which L-carnitine is the best?
L-carnitine is produced by pharmaceutical companies through chemical synthesis. Then additive manufacturers bring it to the end consumer. None of the supplement manufacturers (Now Foods, Doctor's Best, Life Extension and dozens of others) synthesize L-carnitine themselves. All of them buy the original substance in bulk, and then only pack it into capsules or add it to liquid forms. The price and quality of capsules and sports drinks depend on the manufacturer of the L-carnitine they contain.
Unfortunately, at the moment there are only two manufacturers that synthesize effective L-carnitine. These are the Italian company Sigma-Tau and the Swiss company Lonza. They seem to be in cahoots and that is why supplement prices are kept high. There is also L-carnitine from “underground” manufacturers. It may cost several times less, but it does not help at all.
L-Carnitine produced by Sigma-Tau is called BioSint. Lonza's product is called Carnipure, which stands for pure L-carnitine.
High-quality L-carnitine is produced in Switzerland (Lonza) and Italy (SigmaTau)
Supplement manufacturers that sell quality L-Carnitine emphasize this by placing branding on their capsule packaging. Sigma-Tau and Lonza are careful to ensure that other people's products are not sold under their brands. When you buy a can of L-Carnitine packaged in the US or Europe and see one of the brand names on it, you can be sure that it is a good product.
L-carnitine must be BioSint or Carnipure, produced in the USA or the European Union
It is less important which company packaged it and sold it. You can order high-quality supplements from the USA, recommended by the administration of the site Centr-Zdorovja.Com, or search in sports nutrition stores
This remedy will give you energy if you take it 2-3 times every day on an empty stomach. However, "underground" additives are useless, despite their low price.
L-carnitine is sold in the form of tablets (capsules) and liquid solutions. It can also be included in sports drinks. Liquid supplements may contain vitamin C as a preservative and some other excipients. It is assumed that the liquid version is absorbed and begins to act faster than tablets. Professional athletes prefer liquid L-carnitine rather than capsules. The standard recommendation is to take it 30-40 minutes before training.
However, liquid L-carnitine is much more expensive than tablets (capsules). Compare prices and see for yourself. If you are not a professional athlete, but want to take this product to improve your health, then you do not need to overpay. Try supplements from the world's best manufacturers, recommended by Centr-Zdorovja.Com. They give you energy, improve heart function, and are not too draining on your wallet.
What is L-carnitine
Perhaps we should start with the name itself. It comes from the Latin word "carnes", which translates to "meat". Don’t be surprised, it’s meat, because the maximum content of carnitine in the body is found directly in muscle fibers.
They first learned about it back in 1905. It was discovered on the territory of what was then Tsarist Russia in Kharkov, but they were able to synthesize the drug in the laboratory only in the 60s of the last century. And only two years after this, scientists were able to understand why the body really needs it. Before this, the substance was simply considered another vitamin.
To designate it, three variants of names are used:
- L-carnitine;
- levocarnitine;
- carnitine
L-carnitine is synthesized by amino acids called methionine and lysine, but in its properties it belongs more to the B vitamins. By the way, these vitamins, along with vitamin C, folic acid, iron and other trace elements, also take part in its formation.
Artificial vitamin
Carnitine is sometimes called an artificial vitamin. Although the human body produces it in sufficient quantities for full life activity, it “does not know how” to create reserves for the future, as happens with other types of vitamins. Compounds that are not used by the body are simply excreted through the kidneys along with urine. The process of carnitine formation also occurs in the liver and kidneys, but the place of its greatest concentration is the muscles, heart and brain of a person.
Forms of carnitine in nature
There are two forms of existence of carnitine. This is the already mentioned l-carnitine, as well as d-carnitine. The second form is synthetic and not only does not help the body, but also interferes with the normal functioning of l-carnitine. Therefore, before purchasing, always read the ingredients and avoid products containing d-forms of carnitine. As a rule, such drugs are cheap. So don’t rush to buy a package of carnitine at an attractive price - first make sure that you won’t harm your body.
Acetyl and carnitine tartate
Acetyl carnitine appeared not so long ago and is the same l-carnitine, but in combination with acetyl molecules. Moreover, it is even patented under the Alcor brand. According to the developers, it has increased biological activity, so it can be consumed in smaller doses.
Carnitine tartate is a carnitine salt that, once in the stomach, breaks down into carnitine and tartaric acid. With this combination of microelements, carnitine absorption actually occurs faster.
Remember that any of these options are absorbed by the body and work at the same speed and productivity as plain l-carnitine. This is confirmed by research. Information about the benefits of a particular variety is just a marketing ploy. And the price of such drugs is much higher.
What do parents think?
We recommend reading: How to give Ursofalk to newborns?
Reviews about the drug are quite mixed. Parents whose children were born with serious prematurity note a positive effect and appreciate Elkar. Those whose children were prescribed the medicine for a mild form of muscular dystonia did not feel any particular effect. Here are some of the reviews.
Marina, 25 years old , Yaroslavl: “Our daughter was born with severe prematurity - at 24 weeks! Because of this, she was fed through a special tube for 3.5 months. The problem with premature babies is that they will never scream from hunger, they simply do not have the strength to do so. Therefore, you need to feed them often and little by little. The feeding process was long and difficult; by the age of 8 months, my daughter was only eating 30-50 ml. But after Elkar was appointed to us, things moved forward. At first I bought small bottles of 25 ml, but when I saw the positive effect, I began to buy 50 ml. The price is reasonable - I paid 480 rubles for a 50 ml bottle.”
Izhena, 27 years old , Irkutsk: “When my son was 5 months old, a neurologist diagnosed “muscle dystonia” and prescribed Elkar along with a massage. I always read the instructions before purchasing medicine. The instructions for use were quite detailed, and, having understood why we were prescribed this medicine, I bought it. Drank 8 drops three times a day for a month. I did not notice any positive effects in the field of neurology. What caught my eye was the increased nervousness: the child began to wake up and cry at night, could not fall asleep for a long time, and began to eat more. And on top of that, red spots appeared on my legs. At first they tried to treat the allergy with suprastin and enterosgel, and then they decided to try not giving Elkar for several days, and... the spots began to lighten, and after a few days they completely disappeared. This is where our experiments with Elkar ended.”
In view of the reviews, I would once again like to remind you at the end that Elkar is a drug that has proven its effectiveness in research and in practical use by patients. But like any medicine, it can cause a number of side effects. Therefore, the drug is given to a newborn child under the close supervision of a doctor.
Rules of application
Levocarnitine in ampoules is very popular among many categories of patients. Despite its beneficial properties, still find out all the nuances about it before use.
If you take the medicine in the form of syrup, then you can not dilute it with liquid, but drink it in its pure form. But if you wish, you can drink it with water. For preventive purposes, three doses of five milliliters per day will be sufficient for adults.
Children under six years old are recommended to take from eight to twenty-six drops of the substance, but for children from six to twelve years old, a dosage of 2 ml is suitable.
Doctors recommend drinking this syrup for a thirty-day course, taking the medicine two to three times a day.
To increase strength, athletes are recommended to take the medicine in a single dose of 15 ml in the morning or before training. After you have completed the treatment course, take a break of several weeks, and, if necessary, take a second course.
Levocarnitine analogues
There are not many substitutes for the drug. Carnitine analogues include:
- Levocarnil. The basis is carnitine. Improves health in different directions. After opening the bottle, take no more than 2 months.
- Elkar. Corrects metabolic processes. An L-carnitine analogue is administered intravenously. Rapid administration may cause pain.
- Polyprotene. The drug is adapted for patients with chronic kidney disease. The nutritional mixture stimulates intestinal motility and normalizes the metabolism of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.
- Lecarnita. High doses of L-carnitine analogue provoke diarrhea. With prolonged use, loosening of the stool is also possible.
- Carnivit. Reduces symptoms of mental and physical stress. May cause nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain and seizures.
- Cartan. It is well tolerated, but more often leads to moderate gastrointestinal disorders.
Your doctor will help you choose a carnitine substitute. You cannot buy an analogue on your own.
Rules of use and dosage
To achieve the maximum effect from taking l-carnitine, the diet must contain proteins in the required amount and vitamins B and C. Let's consider how to take carnitine depending on the purpose of use.
For athletes
In people who subject themselves to regular and intense exercise, there is a need to increase the daily norm of carnitine. So, for the average person this norm is from 200 to 500 mg per day. While an athlete spends up to 3000 mg per day.
There is no point in consuming more of the drug, since the body simply will not be able to absorb it and will simply eliminate it with other waste products. A dose below 500 mg will not bring any effect at all.
The reception is divided into two times:
- The first is immediately after waking up before eating. At this time, levocarnitine will have the most beneficial effect on the body.
- The second is 20 or 30 minutes before training. During this time, it will have time to assimilate and will be able to speed up energy exchange processes as much as possible.
On non-training days, divide the dose into three to four 500 mg doses before meals.
As a means for weight loss
If you decide to take L-carnitine for the purpose of losing weight, then remember that a one-time use of 1000 mg before training will not have the desired effect. Please also take into account the following tips:
A single dose of the drug for weight loss should be at least 1500 - 2000 mg. Please note that for it to work effectively, carnitine must have time to be absorbed, so it should be taken before training, and not after it or during training. If you forget to take the supplement on time, there is no point in taking it later. In parallel with taking carnitine, be sure to follow a low-carbohydrate diet
At least two meals before training should be predominantly protein. Remember to eat at least 1g of protein per kilogram of your weight. Limit your fat intake to 60 g per day. L-carnitine may cause an increase in appetite, but don't fall for it. Break your meals into 5-6 times. Otherwise, you risk not achieving the desired result. Remember to take at least 2000 mg of carnitine every day, even when not training, divided into 4-5 servings before meals.
How the drug works
Elkar is rightfully classified as one of those medicines that have a huge impact on the infant’s digestive system. Along with this type of activity, it also ensures the active course of metabolic processes.
In fact, it is a synthetic analogue of L-carnitine, referred to as levocarnitine. This is an amino acid that is normally produced by itself in the body of a newborn, and an adult too. It is a universal corrector and stimulator of energy metabolic processes in cells, tissues and organs. Due to this, the drug improves the activity of the nervous system, its ability to create and conduct impulses necessary for the correct functioning of all systems and organs. Along with this, the drug significantly improves the structure and activity of the cerebral cortex.
In general, the effect of this stimulant is aimed at:
- normalization of fat and protein metabolic processes;
- increased secretion and enzymatic composition of digestive juices;
- improving the quality of absorption of nutrients obtained from food (in the case of infants, from milk or formula);
- reduction of excess weight;
- reduction in the number of fat cells in muscle tissue;
- increasing overall tone and physical endurance;
- inhibition of destructive metabolic processes in cells;
- providing tissues with energy for growth and development.
