Indications
Jaundice is considered one of the most common diseases in newborns. Usually the baby’s body copes with this disease on its own in a short time, but in some cases drug therapy is required.
To treat the youngest patients, it is customary to use herbal-based medications. Such drugs include Hofitol for newborns. It helps to effectively combat the effects of toxic poisoning in the body and promotes rapid recovery.
In most cases, children suffer from jaundice immediately after birth, while still in the maternity hospital; one-month-old babies also often suffer.
Despite the prevalence of this disease and the extensive experience of doctors in combating it, the disease should not be left to chance, relying solely on the body’s ability to resist. Often immune capabilities are not enough and medications must be used to successfully eliminate the pathology.
The basis for prescribing a drug is the identification of a pathological form of the disease or a long-term absence of positive dynamics. The reason for these deviations from the norm is a malfunction in the functioning of the baby’s internal organs.
Hofitol
If in the second week of the disease there are no positive trends, the doctor prescribes a medicine. The fact is that in an adult, the liver is responsible for removing toxic substances from the body, which occurs when the bladder is emptied, but in a newborn this process is often disrupted and harmful components accumulate in the tissues. In this case, a change in the color of the skin and whites of the eyes is observed.
Usually, one week is enough to adjust the body of a small patient. During this time, all physiological processes return to normal and tissues are freed from toxins.
The body's long-term inability to establish normal liver functioning contributes to the development of encephalopathy, so in this situation the doctor prescribes therapy with Chophytol.
The use of Hofitol is also justified for the following diseases:
- jaundice;
- chronic hepatitis;
- chronic gallbladder pathologies;
- atherosclerosis;
- nephritis;
- flatulence;
- belching;
- renal failure;
- intoxication;
- cholecystitis;
- pathological processes in the liver.
Flatulence
The drug Hofitol has no significant contraindications or side effects, so the use of this medication for the treatment of infants under one year of age is especially popular. If the doctor's recommendations are strictly followed, the jaundice quickly passes and the child recovers.
What is neonatal jaundice?
Jaundice is usually caused by natural processes in the body at the initial stage of a child’s life. When the baby takes his first breath, fetal hemoglobin from red blood cells is converted into indirect bilirubin. This substance is toxic. The kidneys and liver of an adult secrete enzymes that can process it, neutralizing the harm. The result is soluble direct bilirubin, which is excreted naturally. The toxic substance is not eliminated from the newborn’s body due to the immaturity of the systems. Accumulating in tissues, indirect bilirubin provokes icteric discoloration of the skin and whites of the baby’s eyes.
During the first week of life, the child's body launches various functions. Unnecessary substances begin to be processed and subsequently eliminated. As a result, jaundice goes away on its own. Under normal conditions, it does not occur or lasts up to 5 days. If there is no improvement by the 10th day, you need to stimulate the body to neutralize toxins. Otherwise, there will be a risk of nuclear jaundice, leading to encephalopathy.
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Contraindications
Parents of infants are very sensitive to any intervention in the child’s body and are wary of using medications, preferring non-drug options. The use of the drug Hofitol for the treatment of jaundice and liver pathologies in babies, according to pediatricians, does not pose problems for the health of infants.
Numerous studies have confirmed the safety of this product. Side effects when taking Hofitol were detected in rare cases, usually when the baby’s body individually did not accept the substances included in the medication.
The natural basis of the medicine suggests that it is safe, but in some cases this drug is not recommended for the treatment of children. You should not take Hofitol for the following diseases and abnormalities:
Cholelithiasis
- blockage of the bile ducts;
- acute forms of kidney and liver disease;
- cholelithiasis;
- individual intolerance to the components of the medication.
Compliance with the doctor's recommendations and strict adherence to the prescribed dosage and rules for taking the drug will avoid problems for the baby's health.
Analogs
In some cities, finding Hofitol is quite problematic. In such a situation, the drug can be replaced with an analogue. According to doctors, the closest in composition is Allochol. Galsten's remedy has also proven itself to be very effective for jaundice in newborns. Each of these medicines is of herbal origin and is intended to eliminate jaundice.
But since the composition of these medications is different, their effect on the body will also differ. Despite the fact that Galstena can be taken from the first days of life, before starting therapy you should definitely visit a doctor who will tell you whether the medicine is suitable in a particular case. The selection of an analogue should be carried out by a doctor on an individual basis.
Usually the choice of specialists falls on:
- Hofitol. The main active ingredient is artichoke water extract.
- Allohol. The main active ingredients are dry bile and charcoal. The downside of this drug is that it comes in tablet form, which is why many kids refuse to take it.
- Galstena. The drug is made from extracts of milk thistle, chamomile and dandelion. Produced in the form of tablets and drops.
When choosing a medicine, you must pay attention to age restrictions. Some products with a similar composition are approved for use only after 18 years of age.
Composition of the drug
The medication in question is a hepatoprotector, the main goal of which is to restore liver tissue damaged during inflammatory processes. The main active component of the product is an extract from field artichoke.
This plant is distributed in Mediterranean countries. Artichoke has a pleasant taste and local residents actively use it to prepare various dishes. The formed inflorescences are used for food.
In addition to herbal ingredients, this medication includes additional components. The composition depends on the type of medicine.
Additional substances included in the tablets include talc, sucrose, corn starch, gelatin and gum lac.
The medication intended for injection is further diluted with distilled water. In addition to the main component, the following substances are added to the liquid for oral administration: ethyl alcohol, glycerol, distilled water, a weak solution of orange juice and dyes.
When should a child be given Hofitol?
Despite the fact that Hofitol is a homeopathic remedy, today it is increasingly used in traditional medicine. This is due to the fact that many leading pediatricians have evaluated the medicine and claim that it helps get rid of various pathologies, but at the same time it acts delicately and is guaranteed not to harm the child’s health. This medicine is produced by the famous French brand and contains only ingredients of natural origin.
The main active ingredient is artichoke leaf extract; the auxiliary components are:
- talc,
- sucrose,
- gelatin,
- corn starch.
The composition of the drug may vary slightly depending on the form of release. Today in pharmacy chains you can find children's Hofitol, produced in tablet form, in the form of syrup and solution for injections. Pediatricians claim that for infants it is better to choose syrup for internal consumption.
Chophytol is most often prescribed for newborns for jaundice. Despite the fact that the medication is available without a prescription, it can be given to a child only as prescribed by the leading pediatrician. Infantile jaundice is not the only indication for using the drug.
It has also proven itself well against the following pathologies:
- increased concentration of acetone in blood serum,
- chronic hepatitis,
- inflammatory process in the kidneys,
- constant flatulence, nausea,
- severe form of renal failure,
- poisoning of the body.
The peculiarity of Hofitol is that it is suitable not only for the treatment of infants, but also for adult patients.
How to take when treating newborns
The instructions for use explain in detail the method of using Hofitol drops for the treatment of infants. Pediatricians prescribe this dosage form because it is best suited for treating children.
The drug is prescribed by a pediatrician
Hofitol should be given to newborns only as prescribed by a doctor, without changing the dosage or regimen of the medication yourself. The doctor determines these parameters based on the symptoms of the disease and in accordance with the physical development of the baby.
The drug is diluted with plain water in a teaspoon. The newborn swallows this volume of liquid without interference. The therapeutic norm of Hofitol for infants starts from five drops; the exact dosage and amount of medication taken per day is determined by the doctor.
It is correct to use the medication before feeding the baby, on an empty stomach.
For a one-year-old child, the single dosage increases approximately four times, and a tablespoon is used to dilute the medicine. This standard may be acceptable for children under 5 years of age.
The duration of the course depends on the severity and type of disease, but in most cases the doctor prescribes taking Hofitol for 14 days. If necessary, therapy is extended for the same period.
It should be remembered that this medicine is also suitable for treating children over five years of age. For older children, syrup is used, and for adults, tablets are used.
The drug can be taken during lactation
The medication successfully copes with the disease not only in children, but can act as a safe and effective treatment for diseases in pregnant women. Hofitol is also used to treat nursing mothers during lactation.
Recommendations for use
Despite the fact that Hofitol for newborns is as harmless as possible, you can purchase this product and begin treating your baby only after the approval of a physician. You cannot independently prescribe Hofitol to a child of 2, 4, or 5 years old. It must be remembered that the dosage and duration of treatment should be determined by the attending physician, taking into account the stage of the pathology and the individual characteristics of the body.
Since Hofitol is available in different forms, parents will definitely be able to find a remedy that will be optimally suited in a particular case. But if a newborn requires treatment, it is best to choose syrup or drops.
Despite the fact that the drug comes with detailed instructions, it is not always possible to give your baby standard doses. For some infants, this dosage may be too high, which is why it should be prescribed by a specialist.
The doctor will definitely tell you how to give Hofitol to a newborn during the consultation.
Typically treatment is carried out as follows:
- Children who have just been born are usually prescribed five to ten drops. In this case, it is recommended to first dilute the medicine with 5 ml of warm water. Infants should be given the medicine 3 times a day, preferably immediately before feeding.
- Children over 12 months of age should be given more drops. At 5 years of age (2, 3 and 4 years), 10 to 20 drops are usually prescribed. If the child is over 6 years old, a single dose is 2-3 ml. In this case, Hofitol also needs to be pre-diluted with water. It is recommended to take the solution half an hour before meals in the morning, afternoon and evening.
- If the child is over 12 years old, the dosage should be increased. Only a doctor will tell you how exactly Hofitol will need to be taken and in what quantities, taking into account the stage and course of the disease.
Many parents often worry whether the effect of diluted Hofitol will be weakened. There is no need to worry about this, since the manufacturer advises consuming the medicine in a diluted form.
Composition and pharmacological properties
The main component of the drug “Hofitol” is an extract from the leaves of the field artichoke. Artichoke has long been known for its beneficial and healing properties.
Did you know? The ancient Romans considered artichoke dishes to be the food of true gourmets.
In the first half of the 16th century, the fashion for artichoke dishes spread among the aristocratic environment of France. The plant appeared in Russia during the reign of Peter I; it was brought for cultivation in apothecary gardens. Healing properties of " Hofitol " :
- diuretic properties;
- choleretic properties;
- restoration of damaged liver cells;
- effective for difficult-to-treat jaundice.
This medicine is made from medicinal herbs, without the use of synthetic ingredients. "Hofitol" is prescribed for the treatment of children with jaundice if treatment with other means within a month has not given a positive result.
The "Hofitol" solution is used by pediatricians when it is necessary to cleanse the body of the effects of intoxication, or for problems with the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
If the baby’s liver is weakened as a result of an infectious disease, he must be prescribed “Hofitol”.
Find out whether pregnant women can take Hofitol.
Indications and contraindications for the use of Hofitol for neonatal jaundice
The drug is prescribed for severe intoxication - nausea, vomiting, gas formation, the smell of belching, which accompanies jaundice or parasite infestation, liver diseases. If the jaundice is physiological, there is no need to treat the child. The drug is used if it is prolonged or a pathological form has developed that poses a threat to the baby’s health.
Other indications for the use of Hofitol:
- hepatitis;
- cirrhosis;
- fatty hepatosis;
- pathologies of blood vessels;
- nephritis;
- obesity;
- renal failure;
- cholecystitis.
In the first trimester of pregnancy, Hofitol is prescribed to the mother to prevent complications if such a risk is identified.
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Before using the product, you need to consider side effects and contraindications. The drug is prohibited for:
- obstruction of the biliary tract;
- stones in the bile ducts, bladder;
- severe liver failure;
- intolerance to the composition, allergic reactions;
- acute kidney and liver pathologies.