Silymarin - instructions, use, doses, contraindications, reviews of silymarin. Silymarin is a solid support for your liver. Instructions for use Preparations containing silymarin of the Belarusian manufacturer

For liver diseases and for prophylactic purposes, it is useful to take drugs containing silymarin. Instructions for the use of hepatoprotectors report that this plant-derived substance protects liver cells from harmful effects and strengthens the membranes. Silymarin is the name of the active ingredient found in several types of liver protection pills. Medicines containing this medicinal substance are available under different trade names.

Composition and action of the drug

Silymarin is an extract of milk thistle (milk thistle). This component enhances the production of liver proteins and enzymes, strengthens the membranes of hepatocytes and promotes the removal of toxic substances from the body.

The survival rate of patients with cirrhosis of the liver is significantly increased due to the use of drugs with silymarin. Instructions for use also informs that this substance can stop fatty and fibrotic changes.

Silymarin is part of such hepatoprotectors as Karsil, Silymarin Geksal, Silimar and many others. These drugs are available in the form of tablets, capsules or dragees. Medicines have a similar hepatoprotective effect. When prescribing them, it is necessary to take into account all the indications and contraindications provided for in the instructions for the use of silymarin. Prices, analogues and reviews of drugs with this substance will be discussed in detail below.

Indications for use

Hepatoprotectors with silymarin are used for the following diseases:

  • liver damage by harmful substances and poisons (ethyl alcohol, compounds of heavy metals and halogens, as well as hepatotoxic drugs);
  • viral and toxic hepatitis;
  • cirrhosis of the liver;
  • violation of fat metabolism;
  • fatty and dystrophic changes in the liver.

Instructions for the use of silymarin provide for the use of drugs for prophylactic purposes. They can be used to prevent liver disease, but before doing so, you should consult your doctor.

Contraindications

Hepatoprotectors with silymarin are not prescribed for children under 12 years of age. These drugs are contraindicated in the acute period of poisoning, and in the presence of an allergy to the active ingredient.

During pregnancy and lactation, such drugs are prescribed with caution. With gynecological and oncological pathologies (myoma, endometriosis, carcinoma of the uterus, ovaries or prostate), hepatoprotectors are taken under the strict supervision of a doctor in a reduced dosage.

Unwanted Effects

In some patients, preparations with silymarin can provoke unwanted symptoms. During therapy, dyspeptic symptoms, allergies, hair loss, shortness of breath, dizziness, frequent urination can be observed.

Such side effects develop very rarely. These medicines are generally well tolerated if the patient takes the tablets as directed by the doctor and the instructions for use of silymarin. The price of some drugs ("Silymarin Geksal", "Silimar") is low. You can pick up an inexpensive remedy for liver disease, which at the same time will be quite safe.

Cases of drug overdose were not observed in medical practice. If the patient has exceeded the recommended dose, gastric lavage should be carried out and an enterosorbent should be taken.

How to take the drug

Instructions for use "Silymarin Hexal" recommends taking the drug 1 capsule (172 mg) three times a day. With the improvement of the condition, the frequency of reception is reduced to 2 times. This treatment regimen is prescribed for severe liver pathologies.

For milder diseases, 1 capsule is prescribed 2 times a day. For the prevention of liver damage, take 1-2 capsules per day.

In pharmacies, you can find other drugs with silymarin. Instructions for use of each drug must be carefully studied. The required dosage may differ depending on the trade name of the drug and its form of release. The exact number of tablets or capsules can only be determined by the attending physician. Different types of hepatoprotectors with silymarin differ in the quantitative content of the active ingredient.

To achieve a therapeutic effect, it is necessary to take drugs for about 2-3 months.

special instructions

Treatment with hepatoprotectors with silymarin will be effective only if during therapy the patient adheres to a diet and completely refuses alcohol. During treatment, some patients show signs of jaundice. In this case, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Silymarin can act on the body like the female hormones - estrogen. For this reason, patients suffering from tumors of the mammary glands, ovaries and uterus, the drug is prescribed with great care. Otherwise, the active component of the hepatoprotector can provoke the growth of malignant and benign neoplasms.

In some patients, silymarin can cause disorders of the vestibular apparatus, expressed in dizziness and slight incoordination. Therefore, during therapy, you should stop driving a car.

Interaction with other drugs

Instructions for use of silymarin informs that this substance can interact with other medicines. During therapy, care should be taken when taking the following drugs:

  1. Hormonal birth control pills. Silymarin may reduce their effectiveness.
  2. Tranquilizer "Alprazolam" and antifungal agent "Ketoconazole". Hepatoprotectors with silymarin may increase the toxicity of these drugs.
  3. Medications from the group of statins "Lovastatin" and "Vinblastine" and the sedative drug "Diazepam". Silymarin potentiates the action of these agents.

Storage, analogues and prices

Preparations with silymarin should be stored at a temperature not exceeding +25 degrees. Tablets have a shelf life of 2 years, and capsules can be used for 5 years.

In pharmacy chains, you can find the following drugs to protect the liver from milk thistle extracts:

  • Karsil.
  • Karsil Forte".
  • "Silymarin".
  • Silymarin Hexal.
  • "Silimar".
  • "Legalon".
  • "Silibor".

These drugs have a similar pharmacological action described in the instructions for use of silymarin. The price of analogs is from 50 to 700 rubles.

Karsil and Karsil Forte are quite expensive drugs. They are available as dragees (35 mg silymarin) or capsules (90 mg). In pharmacy chains, the cost of "Karsila" is from 300 to 700 rubles, and "Karsila Forte" from 300 to 350 rubles. Before using the drug, you must read the instructions for use of silymarin. Reviews about the price and effectiveness of the drug indicate that despite the high cost, this medicine is not superior in effectiveness to other products with milk thistle extract. In the form of capsules, the drug "Legalon" is also produced. Its price is from 250 to 500 rubles, depending on the content of the active ingredient (70 or 140 mg).

Silibor is also an expensive drug. It is available as 35 mg or 70 mg tablets. Its price ranges from 1000 to 1100 rubles. Capsules "Silymarin" (172 mg) cost about 1500 rubles.

Indications for the use of the drug "Silymarin Geksal" are the same as for other hepatoprotectors with milk thistle extract. The medicine protects and restores hepatocytes. The drug is produced in the form of capsules, which contain more active ingredient than all other analogues. This is reported by the instructions for the use of "Silymarin Hexal". The price of the medicine is about 150 rubles.

The drug "Silimar" costs from 90 to 140 rubles. It is produced in the form of tablets that contain a small amount of silymarin (10 mg).

It can be concluded that the drugs "Silymarin Hexal" and "Silimar" are the most economical option. In addition, in pharmacies you can find the drug "Milk Thistle" in the form of capsules containing the oil of this plant. Their price is from 35 to 70 rubles.

Hi all! Today I want to write a note about another supplement that I started taking personally. It's silymarin and it's great for supporting the liver. For me, this dietary supplement is relevant in a special way. As a child, I had hepatitis A (Botkin's disease or "jaundice"), so the liver has been my weak point since childhood.

Physical activity and intense training create additional difficulties for the liver. For athletes, it is especially important to use drugs that can reduce problems associated with this organ. In addition, bodybuilders who take steroids also need additional supplements in order to repair the liver.

One of the most popular means among athletes for this purpose is silymarin, the instructions for use of which are written below in this article.

- this is the pomace of the milk thistle extract. It is a weed plant and grows along roads in wastelands. Survives in dry soil. It is often used for medicinal purposes, namely the seeds of the plant, because they have a large amount of flavonoids. These are the so-called antioxidants that protect tissue cells from the harmful effects of free radicals in the human body.

And free radicals are the enemy. These are so-called "unstable molecules" that have lost one of their electrons. And they take away the missing electron from a healthy molecule. They greatly accelerate the aging of the body and need to be neutralized. We will talk about this in more detail in another article. But let's not digress now.

The plant also contains a number of phytoestrogenic compounds that support bone strength.

For a bodybuilder, the special value of milk thistle lies in the fact that it is a good HEPATOPROTECTOR. That is, the plant is able to restore the effective functioning of the liver. Supplements with seeds or fruits of milk thistle are used to reduce the negative toxic effects on the body and protect cells from destruction.

The composition of the seeds has an element called SILIBILIN, which affects the liver in two ways:

  • strengthens cell membranes;
  • stimulates the production of new liver cells.

Silymarin also has excellent antioxidant effects. And interacting with radicals, it turns them into compounds, making the latter not so toxic. Milk thistle extract stops lipid oxidation, thereby stopping the subsequent destruction of cellular structures.

In damaged liver cells - hepatocytes, silymarin stimulates the association of both proteins and phospholipids and stabilizes cell membranes, accelerating the recovery of organ cells. Also, the substance stops the release of beneficial enzymes from cells. Products based on milk thistle extracts actively accelerate liver detoxification processes.

Silymarin is prescribed for patients with biliary dyskinesia, a disease in which there are problems with urination. Such an ailment can also appear in athletes, since fanatically intense loads in the gym often lead to illness. So be careful with that.

Many people are too afraid of getting a joint injury, muscle strain, etc. but you need to think in advance about the internal organs. Excessive heroism in the hall, no matter how it was motivated, is ultimately stupidity.

What else is the plant extract useful for?

In addition to working effectively with the liver, milk thistle has a number of functions:

  • Accelerates fat metabolism.
  • Promotes peristalsis (muscle contraction) of the intestinal tract.
  • Restores normal blood flow throughout the body by regulating blood pressure.
  • Acts as an antispasmodic.
  • It has a healing and anti-inflammatory effect.
  • Accelerates the process of removing toxins and toxins from the body.
  • Acts as a diuretic.

According to research by El-Shiltani and Hegasi, described in the journal article "Evidences for antiosteoporotic", silymarin is able to trigger beta-estrogen receptors, which helps to cure osteoporosis.

Milk thistle is prescribed in the treatment of hepatitis, spleen diseases, poisoning, colitis, hemorrhoids. The plant extract is widely used in dermatology and gynecology, even in cases of immunodeficiency, to cleanse the body of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Studies Involving Silymarin

During the experiment, it turned out that silymarin is able to increase the secretion of the hormones of the pituitary and hypothalamus - FSH. The drug caused infertility in female rats.

However, it increased testosterone levels in male rodents after one month of milk thistle supplementation. But even after two months, the level of the male hormone dropped.

Preparations

In bodybuilding, silymarin is widely used for the liver. The product consists of milk thistle extract (seeds and fruits), additional components are also added to the tablets:

  • dextrin(polysaccharide from cornstarch for bonding),
  • titanium dioxide (food additive, used as a dye),
  • aerosil(used as an enterosorbent that removes harmful substances from the body) and others.

In the paragraph "Pharmacological action" you can read the indications for the use of the drug. Milk thistle molecules can resist hepatotoxic elements such as: mushroom poisons, thiocetamide, galactosamine, etc.

Manufacturers focus on the fact that silymarin prevents the negative effects on the liver from the side of toxic substances, which helps in slowing down the process of fatty degeneration. Taking capsules, there is a stabilization of lipids (fat-like substances in our body). The drug is also prescribed for cirrhosis of the liver.

It should be taken orally with water. You can take 1-2 tablets per day. The duration of the course ranges from 8 to 12 months. Only a family doctor can change the dose or duration of treatment.

The drug also has side effects if you do not follow the standard norms for taking milk thistle. Negative consequences include:

  • Diarrhea.
  • Nausea.
  • Baldness.
  • Increased diuresis (increased volume of urine).
  • Breathlessness.
  • Dyspepsia (indigestion).
  • Problems with the vestibular apparatus.
  • Skin diseases.

Contraindications for use

Silymarin is prohibited for persons suffering from intolerance to silibinin and its substitutes, analogues. It is not recommended to take children under 12 years of age and with acute intoxication of the body.

Also, manufacturers warn about the caution of introducing the drug into their diet for women with uterine myoma, lactation, uterine or breast carcinoma. During pregnancy, silymarin can be used only for health reasons of the fetus. Reception of means in the named cases should be supervised by the attending physician.

Interactions with other drugs

The drug weakens the effectiveness of contraceptives, estrogen-containing supplements, enhances the effect of alprozalam (a sedative) and increases the toxicity of ketoconazole (an antifungal agent).

If an overdose of the drug occurs, you should immediately consult a doctor, conduct therapy to clean the gastrointestinal tract and take sorbents according to the doctor's prescription.

What can be replaced and where to buy

The drug is available in capsules, which are washed down with water. There are several types of packaging if you buy silymarin in a pharmacy (but there may be other packaging):

  • 3 blisters of 10 capsules;
  • 6 blisters of 10 capsules.

But personally I buy order it on the Internet. For the last time, I took my favorite and rather cheap company NOW Foods:

You can also buy it online or purchase it from sports nutrition stores. Below I have selected for your convenience the most advantageous offers:

First of all, I advise you to choose silymarin in the trusted American iHerb online store - HERE.

You can also see the presence of the additive in the Russian online hypermarket ozon.ru:

  • Now Foods(the company I took);
  • Uniq Litoral "Alga Silymarin"

If you did not find exactly this remedy on the shelves in pharmacies, the following drug analogues are also possible to maintain the liver:

"ANTRAL" (Ukraine). It is also a hepatoprotective drug, widely used in diseases of hepatitis, cirrhosis, improves sleep and increases appetite. In acute cases of liver disease, the agent normalizes the indicators of the structural and functional state of the organ.

It also activates antioxidant systems. Doctors attribute the drug to the prevention of liver disease due to the harmful effects of toxins: drugs, radiation therapy, chemotherapy. It can be taken by both adults and children.

The advantage of this drug is that it is well tolerated by patients. Only in isolated cases, taking the remedy for a long time, stomach upsets are possible, which disappear with the discontinuation of Antral.

"GEPABENE" (Germany). Another popular remedy containing milk thistle. The release form of the drug is capsules. It is also widely prescribed for ailments of the liver and biliary tract. In addition to the extract of milk thistle, the drug contains dry pomace of fume officinalis. It promotes the excretion of bile, improves its flow into the intestines and normalizes the amount of bile secretion.

Plant extract protects the liver from harmful factors: alcohol, toxins. In addition, it stimulates protein synthesis and promotes the regeneration of liver cells.

When taking this drug, you should pay attention to its side effects: nausea, diuresis, upset, allergies. Do not recommend its use to pregnant women, since today there is no reliable data on the effect of the drug on the fetus. Therefore, before starting the course, you should consult a doctor.

The drug can be bought HERE.

"KARSIL" (Bulgaria). Silibinin in the composition of the drug, in addition to the antitoxic effect on the liver, also reduces the development of steatosis (accumulation of liver fat) and organ fibrosis (cicatricial changes). Another drug activates protein synthesis, helps lipid metabolism, stabilizes cell membranes and binds free radicals.

The drug can be bought HERE.

What others say

There are a lot of opinions on the Internet about taking supplements with milk thistle extract. Basically, reviews about the drug "Silymarin" are positive. Many note good changes in well-being after taking the course of taking the remedy. However, there are a few points worth paying attention to.

Buyers note that the drug itself will not restore the liver. The first thing to do is to stop loading it yourself, observing the diet, not drinking alcohol, not overdoing it with steroids. That is, you yourself understand that this is not a miracle cure if other elementary rules are not followed.

Most users also emphasize that, since the supplement is herbal, real results can only be seen after taking the full course, which lasts from three months to a year or longer.

There are reviews of patients who have chronic liver disease. Already after two months of taking their liver tests are improving.

If you took this supplement, write in the comments if you liked the effect, if you felt anything. I've only been taking it for a few months. I can't say that I felt a very strong effect. But this is from the fact that the liver was already taking care of it before.

But I am sure that at the cellular level it has benefited me. Write your opinion. Bye bye...

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The description is current as of 01/15/2016

  • Latin name: Silimari
  • ATX code: A05BA03, A05BA53
  • Chemical formula: C 2 5 H 2 2 O 1 0
  • CAS Code: 22888-70-6

chemical name

Silibinin + Silikristin + Silydianin

Chemical properties

Silymarin, what is it? This component of various drugs is milk thistle extract . The fruits of this plant contain a group flavonoids having the common name Silymarin.

It should be noted that in traditional medicine, the plant milk thistle have been used for more than 2 thousand years. The first mention of it dates back to the 4th century BC. As hepatoprotector A the remedy has been used since the 16th century, when they used a tincture from the seeds of the plant. In modern pharmacology, milk thistle has been actively used since the 1960s, when it became possible to extract flavonoids plant on an industrial scale. The drug production technology was patented by the 70s of the 20th century, when this drug was standardized and officially recognized as a medicine.

This substance is a mixture of four main flavonoids, which in their molecular structure have some similarities with steroids. Silymarin contains: about 60% silibinin, 20% silicrystine, 10% silidanina And isosilybin. Also, in addition, the medicinal plant contains vegetable oils, vitamin K, proteins, resins, tyramine, histamine, tannins catechu and some other micronutrients.

The substance is part of various drugs - hepatoprotectors. It is produced in the form of syrup, capsules, dragees and tablets for oral administration.

pharmachologic effect

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

Silymarin interacts with free radicals liver cells, reduces their toxicity, interrupts the process of lipid peroxidation, prevents the destruction of cellular structures.

Flavonoids improve microcirculation in liver tissues, take an active part in stabilization processes hepatocyte membranes . This substance stimulates the synthesis of functional and structural phospholipids and protein molecules by stimulating RNA polymerase. Also, the drug has the ability to prevent the penetration of poisons and toxic compounds into hepatocytes by a competitive mechanism.

Under the influence of the drug, the development is slowed down fatty degeneration And fibrotic changes in the structure of the liver. During clinical trials of this drug, it was proved that it significantly improves the condition of patients with liver pathologies, normalizes their biochemical parameters.

The drug has a low absorption capacity. The process takes 2.2 hours. After entering the systemic circulation, the substance undergoes enterohepatic circulation . Metabolism of the drug occurs in the liver tissues by conjugation. The half-life is about 6 hours. Silymarin is excreted mainly with bile in the form sulfate or glucuronides and to some extent through the kidneys.

The drug does not accumulate in the body. With prolonged use of 420 mg 3 times a day, the drug reaches a stable concentration in the blood.

During treatment, the condition of patients with liver failure improves significantly, complaints disappear, and laboratory parameters gradually normalize. The survival rate of patients with liver cirrhosis rises significantly.

Indications for use

This substance is prescribed:

  • with various toxic liver lesions ( alcoholism, poisoning with salts of heavy metals, drugs or halogenated hydrocarbons );
  • as a prophylactic;
  • with chronic hepatitis;
  • as part of complex treatment liver cirrhosis;
  • after toxic or infectious hepatitis;
  • at dystrophy And fatty infiltration of the liver ;
  • as a drug for the correction of disorders of fat metabolism.

Contraindications

The medicine is contraindicated for taking:

Side effects

Usually drugs based on this component are well tolerated.

During treatment, you may experience:

Silymarin, instructions for use (Method and dosage)

The medicine is prescribed for oral administration. The drug is taken after a meal, not chewed, washed down with a small amount of water.

Instructions for Silymarin in the treatment of severe liver damage

As a rule, 140 mg of the drug is used 3 times a day. Then the daily dosage can be reduced to 280 mg per day (for 2 doses).

As maintenance therapy, 70 mg of the substance is used, 3 times a day.

The duration of treatment depends on many factors and is determined after consultation with the doctor.

Overdose

There is no official data and documentation in cases of drug overdose. In case of development, any unusual reactions during treatment with the drug, it is recommended to wash the stomach, take enterosorbents and call a doctor. specific antidote the drug does not.

Interaction

When taking silymarin and ketoconazole the toxicity of the latter increases and its content in the blood plasma increases.

The drug reduces the effectiveness of oral contraceptives and estrogen containing drugs.

Simultaneous use of the drug with alprozolam leads to an increase in plasma concentrations of the latter and increases the risk of adverse reactions.

Terms of sale

No prescription needed.

Storage conditions

Dragees, capsules and tablets are stored in a dark place, at a temperature not exceeding 25 degrees.

Best before date

Depending on the manufacturer and dosage form, the substance can be stored for 2-5 years.

special instructions

The best result can be achieved if the treatment is combined with diet and avoidance of alcohol.

If during the course of therapy with the drug you develop symptoms jaundice, then you need to contact a specialist to adjust the dosage and treatment tactics.

Sometimes silymarin has estrogen-like action . Therefore, before starting treatment, it is necessary to consult a doctor.

If the patient has disturbances in the functioning of the vestibular apparatus, then the risk of developing such reactions increases. There may be an increase in current symptoms, which will reduce the speed of psychomotor reactions. In this regard, this group of patients during treatment with the drug is not recommended to drive.

children

The safety of using the drug in pediatric practice has not been fully studied. Therefore, the treatment of this group of patients should be carried out under the supervision and on the recommendation of a doctor.

With alcohol

To increase the effectiveness of treatment, the drug should not be combined with alcohol.

During pregnancy and lactation

You can take this substance during pregnancy and lactation only on the recommendation of your doctor. Special care must be taken.

Medicines containing (Silymarin analogues)

Reviews about Silymarin

A few reviews about Silymarin:

  • “... I have been taking these pills since 1985, periodically. Then he began to drink them after he had jaundice. My condition has improved significantly, I began to eat normally, sometimes even drink with friends. Now I always have pills in my first-aid kit, just in case. I drink them before the feast and after it for a few more days ";
  • “... This drug was prescribed to me by a doctor when the tests showed elevated bilirubin and AsAT. However, the medicine did not suit me, my hair began to fall out and an allergic rash appeared on my face. I had to stop treatment.";
  • “... My husband is an athlete, he constantly takes sports nutrition, so liver problems began to appear. She has been taking milkweed for 5 years, periodically, in courses. The husband is satisfied with the result, no reactions have been noticed yet ”.

Silymarin price, where to buy

The cost of tablets Silimar is 80-90 rubles for 30 pieces, a dosage of 100 mg. The price of Silymarin as part of the drug Karsil- about 340-360 rubles for 80 pills of 35 mg each. Price for Silymarin Hexal is approximately 50 rubles for 20 tablets of 5 mg.

Kalymova: I used Hofitol tablets when I got poisoned with lead (thanks to Chinese manufacturers.

Natalya: After an unsuccessful experience of home soap making, she received a chemical burn on her eyes. Mucous.

alexander: antigrippin anvi is a very strong antibiotic, great medicine, that's just it.

Tanya: There is not a word about Minoleksin in the article, but pimply teenagers are treated with this antibiotic.

All materials presented on the site are for reference and informational purposes only and cannot be considered a method of treatment prescribed by a doctor or sufficient advice.

In the complex, the drug "Silymarin" positively affects the ability of the liver to regenerate, cleanses it of toxins, reduces the level of bilirubin, improves bile outflow and skin condition.

Silymarin can be prescribed as a powerful prophylactic drug for all types of hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver tissues, biliary dyskinesia and cholelithiasis, diseases of the gallbladder, intestines, dystrophy and fatty infiltration of the liver, overeating and chronic constipation, to correct lipid metabolism. Silymarin will also help people who lead an unhealthy lifestyle (smoking, alcoholism, drug abuse) and work in environmentally unfavorable conditions, it eliminates the effects of toxic liver damage.

Silymarin is taken orally, after meals, without chewing, with a small amount of water. For the treatment of severe liver damage - 0.14 g 3 times a day, then 0.14 g 2 times a day. In less severe cases and for maintenance therapy - 0.07 g 3 times a day. Solution for oral administration - for elderly patients and children. In severe liver damage, adults - 5 ml 4 times a day, after meals, children - 5 ml 3 times a day; for maintenance therapy in adults - 1 ml 3 times a day, children - 2.5 ml 3 times a day.

At elevated concentrations of the drug in the body, diarrhea may occur.

Since there are no sufficient data on the safety and efficacy of the drug during pregnancy and lactation, Silymarin can only be used during this period under the supervision of a physician, subject to a careful benefit / risk ratio.

So far, there is no information on overdose.

In case of an overdose, it is possible to increase the side effects inherent in the drug, described above. There are no specific antidotes. Therapy is symptomatic.

Store in a dry, dark place at temperatures up to 25 °C.

Granules for solution for oral administration, dragees, capsules

One capsule of the Silymarin dietary supplement contains 300 mg of silymarin or milk thistle extract (also called milk thistle), a medicinal plant that was used in ancient Chinese medicine in the fight against liver diseases, 100 mg of dandelion root extract and 50 mg of artichoke extract. The package contains 100 capsules.

Geksal, Karsil, Geparsil.

Silymarin: instructions for use and reviews

Latin name: Silymarin

ATX code: A05BA03, A05BA53

Active substance: silymarin (silymarin) (lyophilized milk thistle extract)

Manufacturer: Hexal AG (Germany)

Description and photo update: 20.09.2017

Silymarin is a hepatoprotective agent of plant origin.

Release form and composition

  • coated tablets: round, convex on both sides, brown (10 pcs in blister packs, 8 packs in a carton box);
  • capsules (10 pcs. in blisters, in a carton pack of 3 or 6 blisters; 100 pcs. in plastic jars).

Active substance: silymarin (including silibinin) - dry extract from milk thistle fruits, purified and standardized (acetone is used as an extractant):

  • 1 tablet - 35 mg;
  • 1 capsule - 70 or 172 mg.

Auxiliary components of tablets: potato starch, lactose monohydrate, calcium stearate, sodium starch glycolate, opadry (including macrogol 3350, polyvinyl alcohol, partially hydrolyzed, talc, yellow iron oxide E172, black iron oxide E172, red iron oxide E172, titanium dioxide E171).

Excipients capsules: gelatin, sodium carboxymethyl starch, aerosil, dextrin, magnesium stearate, titanium dioxide, yellow iron oxide.

Pharmacological properties

Silymarin interacts with free radicals in liver cells, reducing their toxicity, interrupting the processes of fat peroxidation and preventing the destruction of cellular structures.

Due to the presence of flavonoids in the composition, the drug improves blood microcirculation in the liver tissues and has a positive effect on the processes of stabilization of hepatocyte membranes. By stimulating RNA polymerase, Silymarin stimulates the synthesis of protein molecules, structural and functional phospholipids. The drug prevents the penetration of toxic compounds and poisons into hepatocytes, and also slows down the development of fibrotic changes and fatty degeneration in the liver tissues. Clinical trials have shown that the drug significantly improves the condition and normalizes the biochemical parameters of patients suffering from liver pathologies.

Silymarin has a low absorption capacity. Absorption proceeds for 2.2 hours. After entering the systemic circulation, the active substance undergoes enterohepatic circulation.

The drug is metabolized in the liver tissues by conjugation. It is excreted mainly in the form of glucuronides or sulfate with bile, partly through the kidneys. The half-life is about 6 hours.

The components of the drug do not accumulate in the body. In the case of prolonged administration of the drug at a dose of 420 mg 3 times a day, its stable concentration in the blood is achieved.

In the course of treatment, the condition of patients with liver failure significantly improves, laboratory parameters normalize and complaints disappear. With cirrhosis of the liver, the survival rate of patients is significantly increased.

Indications for use

  • cirrhosis of the liver, chronic hepatitis (as part of complex therapy);
  • chronic inflammatory liver disease (supportive treatment);
  • steatosis (fatty infiltration or dystrophy) of the liver;
  • conditions after infectious and toxic hepatitis;
  • toxic liver damage due to alcoholism, intoxication with heavy metal compounds or halogenated hydrocarbons, the use of drugs (treatment and prevention).

In addition, Silymarin is prescribed for the correction of lipid metabolism disorders.

Contraindications

  • acute intoxications;
  • children's age up to 12 years;
  • hypersensitivity to silibinin or its analogues, to any auxiliary component.

Carefully:

  • pregnancy and lactation;
  • prostate carcinoma;
  • breast carcinoma;
  • carcinoma of the uterus or ovaries;
  • uterine fibroids;
  • endometriosis.

Instructions for use Silymarin: method and dosage

Silymarin should be taken orally by swallowing the tablets/capsules whole with plenty of water.

  • severe liver damage: 1-2 capsules or 4 tablets 3 times a day, then 2 times a day;
  • mild cases and maintenance therapy: 1 capsule or 2 tablets 2-3 times a day;
  • prevention of liver damage in chronic intoxication: 1 tablet 2-3 times a day or 1-2 capsules a day.

The duration of treatment is determined individually, usually at least 3 months.

Side effects

In general, Silymarin is well tolerated, in rare cases the following side effects are possible:

  • from the digestive system: nausea, vomiting, mild diarrhea, dyspepsia;
  • from the urinary system: increased diuresis;
  • from the respiratory system: shortness of breath;
  • from the immune system: hypersensitivity reactions, including skin rash and itching; frequency unknown - anaphylactic shock;
  • others: increased baldness; very rarely - vestibular disorders.

Overdose

There is no information on cases of drug overdose. With the development of any unusual reactions during therapy with Silymarin, it is recommended to wash the stomach, take enterosorbents and consult a doctor.

There is no specific antidote.

special instructions

Silymarin intake should be combined with diet. During treatment, it is forbidden to drink alcoholic beverages.

If jaundice develops, you should contact your doctor to adjust the therapeutic regimen.

According to the instructions, Silymarin can have an estrogen-like effect, so patients who have pathological conditions associated with impaired estrogen metabolism should consult a doctor before using the drug.

In some patients, the drug causes disorders of the vestibular apparatus. In this case, it is recommended to refrain from driving vehicles and performing other potentially hazardous work that requires speed of reactions and increased concentration of attention.

Long-term use of drugs based on milk thistle extract significantly increases the survival rate of patients with liver cirrhosis.

Use during pregnancy and lactation

During pregnancy and lactation, Silymarin should be used with caution only on prescription.

Application in childhood

Since there are no clinical data on the treatment of children, the use of Silymarin in the treatment of patients older than 12 years is allowed only on the recommendation and under the supervision of a physician. In children under 12 years of age, the drug is prohibited.

drug interaction

  • oral contraceptives and estrogen-containing hormone replacement therapy: their effectiveness is reduced;
  • ketoconazole, alprozolam: their plasma concentrations increase and, as a result, toxicity increases;
  • vinblastine, lovastatin, diazepam: their effects are potentiated.

Analogues

Analogues of Silymarin: Silibinin, Silegon, Silimar, Darsil, Silibor, Geparsil, Hypoglisil, Karsil, Karsil Forte, Silymarin Geksal, Legalon, Silisem, Gepaleks, etc.

Terms and conditions of storage

Store in a dry, dark place and out of the reach of children, at temperatures up to 25 °C.

The shelf life of tablets is 2 years, capsules - 5 years.

Silymarin is a herbal medicinal product with hepatoprotective action.

Release form and composition

Silymarin is available in the following forms:

  • Capsules 70 mg (30 pieces in a carton);
  • Capsules 300 mg (50, 100 or 200 pieces in a white plastic jar);
  • Tablets 35 mg (80 pieces in a carton).

Active ingredient: milk thistle extract (silymarin) - 70 mg or 300 mg in one capsule, 35 mg in one tablet.

Indications for use

  • chronic hepatitis;
  • Toxic damage to the liver (drug damage, intoxication with salts of heavy metals, halogenated hydrocarbons, alcoholism);
  • Cirrhosis of the liver (as part of complex treatment);
  • Fatty infiltration and degeneration of the liver;
  • Conditions after toxic and infectious hepatitis;
  • Correction of lipid metabolism disorders.

Contraindications

Silymarin is contraindicated in case of increased individual sensitivity to the components.

Method of application and dosage

Capsules and tablets are intended for oral administration, after meals. They are not chewed, but swallowed whole with a small amount of water or other liquid.

In severe liver damage at the beginning of treatment, Silymarin is prescribed at a dose of 140 mg (2 capsules of 70 mg or 4 tablets of 35 mg) three times a day, in the future - 140 mg twice a day. In less severe cases and as maintenance therapy, the drug is taken 70 mg three times a day.

Silymarin in capsules at a dose of 300 mg is taken 1 capsule three times a day with meals.

Side effects

Silymarin is safe even at high doses. The drug is well tolerated by patients and rarely causes side effects. In rare cases, as a rule, with hypersensitivity to the components, allergic reactions are possible. When taking high doses of the drug, loose stools are possible. With a decrease in the dose of Silymarin, the laxative effect disappears.

special instructions

With long-term use of preparations with milk thistle extract, the survival rate of patients with liver cirrhosis significantly increased.

Silymarin is prescribed with caution to children, pregnant and lactating women.

drug interaction

There is no information on drug interactions with Silymarin.

Terms and conditions of storage

Store in a dry place, protected from light, at a temperature not exceeding 25 °C. Keep away from children.

Shelf life - 2 years.

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