How to protect your stomach from NSAIDs - expert advice

What is Hilak Forte

The drug is intended to normalize the internal microflora of the intestine, maintain normal water and electrolyte balance, and help strengthen the immune system. Contains a complex of active strains - products of internal metabolism:

• Escherichia coli;
• Enterococcus faecalis;
• Lactobacillus acidophilus.

Among the auxiliary compounds: lactose enzyme, lactic and citric acids, potassium phosphate and stabilizing additives.

Hilak Forte is a drop for oral administration: water-based, with a characteristic sour odor and taste, yellowish in color. Produced in bottles of 30–100 ml, the packaging is equipped with dispenser caps.

Linux for children: what helps

Babies that are born still have a sterile intestine, which is not inhabited by any bacteria. Having passed through the mother's birth canal, taking the mother's breast into his mouth for the first time, the child receives the first portion of bacteria, which, of course, is not enough to ensure a complete digestion process.

At three weeks of age, newborns experience infantile colic. This is due to the fact that it is difficult for the intestines to process the lactose contained in milk. Hence the flatulence and spasms. To help the child adapt to the environment and teach the intestines to break down lactose, children are given Linex. It populates the gastrointestinal tract with all the necessary types of bacteria, due to which the severity of colic is reduced, the child becomes calmer, sleeps better, and more actively absorbs nutrients from food.

Why is Hilak Forte needed?

The drug regulates the acid-base and salt balance of the intestines, accelerates the regeneration of the epithelium of its walls, normalizes digestive processes, and suppresses the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms.

Hilak Forte is recommended for stabilizing intestinal function after treatment with antibiotics, abdominal surgery, infectious diseases, dietary disorders, exposure to chemicals, and intoxication. The microcultures, acids and salts present in the drops neutralize negative factors, restore the activity of the digestive tract, and improve the absorption of nutrients and electrolytes.

How to take Linex and antibiotic correctly

If the patient has been prescribed antibacterial therapy, you should not wait for the first symptoms to appear, which will indicate a microflora disorder. When taking antibiotics, not only pathogenic microorganisms suffer, but also beneficial ones that participate in the digestive process. Therefore, the main rule for simultaneous use of Linex with antibiotics is that the course of Linex should be started on the same day when the first dose of antibacterial medication was taken.

It is better if the patient refers to the instructions for the antibiotic. In it, you need to pay special attention to the section on the half-life of the drug. It is at this interval that it would be wise to drink Lines in order to achieve the best effect.

For what pathologies is Hilak Forte used?

The list of indications for prescribing the drug includes:

• intestinal disorders: flatulence, constipation, diarrhea;
• consequences of radiation treatment, taking sulfonamides and other antimicrobial agents;
• liver dysfunction;
• gastritis with decreased secretory function of the stomach;
• digestive disorders due to climate change (travelers' diarrhea);
• chronic poisoning with symptoms of intestinal disorders;
• allergic manifestations;
• skin inflammatory diseases;
• recovery stage for salmonellosis;
• dysfunction and inflammation of the gallbladder.

The drug is used in combination with other medications, complementing their action and neutralizing the body's negative reactions. Therapy must be supplemented with detoxification measures and a special diet.

How much to drink Linex for thrush

Thrush is a fungal infection that affects the genitals of both men and women. The causative agent is a fungus - candida, which in itself is not a pathogenic flora. A large percentage of people are carriers of candida, which live in the intestines without causing any negative reactions.

This healthy state of the intestines containing candida fungi is explained by the “armed truce” of the flora. In other words, the intestines maintain a balance in the number of bacteria and fungi, which inhibit the reproduction of each other. As soon as for some reason there are fewer beneficial bacteria than fungi, candidiasis develops.

Linex restores the balance of the flora, as a result of which thrush recedes. To speed up recovery, you can apply antifungal agents topically and supplement therapy with a course of Linex until complete recovery.

How to give Hilak Forte to children

In pediatrics, the medicine is used for children over 2 years of age. In practice, it is possible to prescribe Hilak Forte to infants and newborns: to eliminate pathological regurgitation and prevent its dangerous consequences - aspiration pneumonia. In some cases, drops help eliminate increased gas formation, persistent constipation, bloating and intestinal colic.

• A single volume of the drug for infants should not exceed 15 drops;
• a single dose for children from 2 to 12 years old is 20–30 drops;
• Teenagers can take the medicine in an adult dosage.

In the first days, a three-time dose is recommended. As the symptoms of intestinal disorders decrease, you can reduce the frequency to 2 per day or reduce the dose of drops.

How to properly breed Linex for children

For babies, there is a powder form of Linex, which is packaged in sachets. The powder is identical to that contained in the adult capsule shell. Infants are prescribed Linex as a preventive measure for intestinal colic between the ages of 3 weeks and 3 months. The powder can be diluted in an adapted milk formula if the child is bottle-fed. If you are breastfeeding, you can express some breast milk into a bowl to dilute the powder in it. You can give your child the mixture prepared in this way from a teaspoon.

How many days should you take Linex?

Regardless of what reason provoked the imbalance of beneficial microorganisms in the intestines, Linex will help to cope with it. The duration of treatment directly depends on the symptoms and condition of the patient. As a rule, a 7-day course is enough to restore the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. But in cases where the patient was prescribed antibacterial therapy lasting 10 days, taking Linex becomes longer. First of all, you should take the supplement throughout your course of antibiotics. After which it is better to continue drinking Linex for another week to help the body fully recover.

Some numbers

Some statistics. In the UK, approximately 24 million NSAIDs are prescribed per year. 70% of people over 70 years of age take NSAIDs once a week, and 34% daily. In the United States, up to 6 billion worth of NSAIDs are sold annually. As a result, the risk of developing gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) increases 3–5 times, perforation by 6 times, and the risk of death from complications by up to 8 times. Up to 40–50% of all cases of acute gastrointestinal tract infections are associated with NSAIDs.

This problem is also relevant in our country, for example, according to the Scientific Center for Cardiovascular Surgery named after. A.N. Bakulev, out of 240 patients taking aspirin daily, even in small doses, gastroscopy revealed lesions of the stomach and 12 p.c. in 30% (of which ulcers - in 23.6%, erosions - in 76.4%). A similar picture was observed among colleagues from the All-Russian Research Institute of Rheumatology of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences - in 2126 patients taking NSAIDs without “covering” (protection) of the stomach, erosions and ulcers of the gastroduodenal zone were found in 33.8% of cases. These are very impressive and dramatic numbers of complications from taking NSAIDs, considering the number of people using these drugs in developed countries.

How to take Linex for constipation

Constipation is difficulty defecating or no bowel movements for three days in a row. If constipation occurs as a result of poor nutrition, Linex can help restore the formation and movement of stool lumps towards the exit. However, it is important to understand that one dose of Linex will not save you from chronic bowel dysfunction if the patient does not change his attitude towards food. It is important to increase the amount of fluid consumed, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables, which, thanks to their fiber, help facilitate bowel movements and form soft stools.

Contraindications

Intolerance to drug components or dairy products (lactose), fructose.

Special Recommendations

• Linex should never be washed down with hot drinks or taken with alcohol, because this destroys beneficial bacteria.
• If you have a temperature above 38 degrees, there are traces of blood or mucus in the stool, diarrhea lasts more than 2 days with acute abdominal pain, dehydration and weight loss, have chronic diseases such as diabetes, you should consult a doctor before taking the drug.
• When using the drug during the treatment of diarrhea, you should constantly replenish lost fluid and electrolytes in the body.
• The composition of the drug allows it to be taken simultaneously with other medications, even with antibiotics and chemotherapy drugs.
• Linex does not have any effect on psychophysical activity.

Linex for newborns and children

After birth, children begin to adapt to the new extrauterine world and form their own microflora due to contact with the environment. In the first months of a baby’s life, this process is accompanied by colic, constipation or diarrhea, so according to true indications, you can help his body.

It is recommended for a newborn child up to one year to take drops, and from one year to 7 years, you can take the medicine in sachet form.

Linex and digestion

Linex restores and supports digestion, namely, restores the intestinal microflora and stabilizes the functions of the gastrointestinal tract.

Linex and chronic diseases

Linex can be taken for chronic diseases. But if you have diabetes or immunological deficiencies (AIDS, HIV), you should definitely consult a doctor. The doctor must select a course of treatment, if necessary. In case of intolerance, prescribe an analogue.

Linux and alcohol

The medicine restores the microflora, and alcohol only causes harm. It puts stress on the kidneys and liver and promotes the production of toxins. Alcohol damages the capsule shell, and the beneficial microorganisms included in it die. Linex and alcohol are two incompatible products.

Causes of heartburn

The most common cause of heartburn is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It occurs in 83% of patients with this problem. In addition to heartburn, symptoms such as:

• regurgitation, esophageal vomiting, belching;
• salivation;
• pain when swallowing food;
• difficulty passing food;
• hoarseness of voice;
• nasal congestion;
• coughing;
• glossitis;
• interruptions in heart function.

In addition to gastroesophageal reflux disease, heartburn may be closely associated with:

• Peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum.
• Stomach cancer.
• Functional dyspepsia (a group of diseases that do not lead to changes in the structure of the digestive organs, but cause disturbances in their functions).

Many medications have the property of reducing the tone of the lower esophageal sphincter, which can lead to reflux of contents into the esophagus or themselves cause inflammation. Hormonal, antihypertensive, and anti-inflammatory drugs may have such side effects. Therefore, you need to read the instructions carefully.

Many medications can cause heartburn.

The cause of heartburn can be increased intra-abdominal pressure and conditions leading to this:

• pregnancy;
• ascites;
• flatulence;
• hepato-splenomegaly;
• constipation;
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, etc.

Without treating the underlying disease, taking heartburn medications will not only not help in the future, but will also mask the symptoms of the underlying problem.

Pain due to coronary heart disease can be confused with heartburn.

How it works?

How do these drugs work in our stomachs? Everything is very simple, the negative impact is realized due to the imbalance of defensive and aggressive forces. We have a number of defense mechanisms in our stomach that allow us to withstand the onslaught of aggressors. Among the latest:

• An acid whose pH balance is close to that of battery acid
• Bile and pancreatic juice, which can be thrown into the stomach.
• A number of medications.
• Alcohol and nicotine.
• Irritating food components (spices, spicy foods, etc.)
• Helicobacter pylori infection and so on.

The stomach is protected due to a thick layer of mucus and bicarbonates that neutralize acid, adequate blood supply, and the ability to regenerate very quickly. When we use NSAID drugs, the balance of forces changes towards aggressive mechanisms and damage occurs to the mucous and submucosal layer of the stomach and duodenum.

Linex tool

Creates and regulates the balance of intestinal microflora. The drug includes three main groups of bacteria - Lactobacilli, Bifidobacteria, Enterococci. And other auxiliary components. The bacteria were pre-dried and frozen. This manufacturing technology allows Linex to be stored at room temperature.

The bacteria included in the composition are identical to those found in the intestines. They oxidize the digestive environment, quickly and effectively restore microflora after taking antibiotics, certain diseases and their complications.

The medicine is suitable for people with good tolerance to fermented milk products. It is prescribed to both adults and children.

Linex composition and dosage

The capsule of the drug contains - Lebenin powder 280 mg, (1 gram of powder contains Lactobacillus - 300 mg, Bifidobacteria - 300 mg, Enterococcus 300 mg, as well as excipients lactose - 50 mg, potato starch - 50 mg.) and the excipient magnesium stearate – 8.4 mg.

The capsule shell consists of methylhydroxybenzoate - 0.19 mg, propylhydroxybenzoate - 0.08 mg, titanium dioxide 0.98 mg and gelatin up to 63 mg.

In powder form, the product has the following composition: lyophilized bifidobacteria powder - 100 mg, as well as an excipient - maltodextrin - 1400 mg.

Drops for children are also available. They contain: sucrose, sunflower oil, lyophilized bifidobacteria, maltodextrin, antioxidant sodium ascorbate.

Release form

• Linex is produced in capsules (packs of 16 and 23 capsules);
• Sachets in powder form (packs of 10 and 20 sachets);
• Linex drops for children are available in an 8 ml bottle with a dropper dispenser. The medicine is packaged in a cardboard box.

Each package of medicine contains printed instructions with graphic elements in the form of a logo that glow under UV radiation.

NSAID gastropathy

In the scientific literature, this problem is called “NSAID gastropathy.” The term was first proposed in 1986 to distinguish specific damage to the gastric mucosa that occurs with long-term use of NSAIDs from classic peptic ulcer disease.

The difference between NSAID gastropathy and peptic ulcer disease can also be traced by the affected area. Most often, ulcers can be seen in the stomach, and not in the duodenum. Plus, the changes are more common in older people than in younger people.

"Magic" pills

There is a group of drugs collectively called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which we all have taken at least once in our lives, and many regularly. These are drugs that have analgesic, anti-inflammatory and/or antipyretic effects. Examples include Aspirin, Nurofen, Nice, Ketanov, Ketoprofen and others. Considering the “magical effects” of their action - relieving inflammation, pain and fever - they are prescribed by almost everyone, everyone, always. Prescribed by traumatologists, rheumatologists, therapists, ENT specialists, dentists. Plus, they can be purchased completely freely at any pharmacy. But, along with the “magical properties”, these drugs have a number of side effects that can be divided into 2 groups: cardio risks and gastro risks. Actually, gastrorisks will be discussed in this article.

How to choose a medicine

In fact, the most important point is which medications we take. In the figure you can see the scale of aggressiveness of various drugs from the NSAID group in relation to the stomach.

The most aggressive drugs are Aspirin, Ketorolac, Piroxicam, Indomethacin. If possible, it is recommended to use selective drugs that have minimal gastrointestinal risks. Their use is always more desirable, these include Celecoxib and Rofecoxib. But despite their relative safety, they should be prescribed strictly according to indications by the attending doctor, do not forget about this.