Elkar

Release form

There are 3 known forms of release of Elkar:

1. The solution for oral administration is a clear liquid with a specific odor. Available in dropper bottles of 25, 50 or 100 ml with a measuring cup or spoon. Pros: easy to take, pleasant taste; cons – contains preservatives that can lead to allergies.
2. Solution for injection is a clear, colorless liquid, packaged in ampoules of 5 ml, in packs of 5 or 10 pcs. Pros: quick action of the drug; cons: painful injections.
3. Effervescent granules are white-yellow with a lemon aroma. Packaged in 5 g bags, in packs of 5 or 10 pcs. Pros – convenient to take; disadvantages – long achievement of action.

Compound

The medicine Elkar includes the active component L-carnitine. Concentration and composition for each release form:

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.

How it affects the body

Elkar is designed to correct metabolic processes in the body. Levocarnitine is a natural substance related to B vitamins. It participates in metabolic processes and serves as a carrier of long-chain fatty acids, including palmitic acid, through cell membranes from the cytoplasm to the mitochondria (where these acids are oxidized, forming adenosine triphosphate and acetyl coenzyme).

The product improves the production of enzymes, promotes the breakdown of carbohydrates and fats, reduces body weight, and accelerates metabolic processes. Carnitine increases the secretion and activity of gastric and intestinal juices, food absorption, and reduces fat content in muscles. By taking Elkar, resistance to physical exercise increases, the formation of ketoacids and anaerobic glycolysis is inhibited, and the degree of lactic acidosis decreases.

The drug helps to use glycogen economically and increases its reserves in the liver and muscles. The drug has anabolic, lipolytic properties, and additionally normalizes increased basal metabolism in hyperthyroidism (a peripheral antagonist of the action of thyroid hormones, and not a direct inhibitor of thyroid function).

The additive is well absorbed, reaches a maximum concentration after three hours, and remains at this level for 9 hours. The drug penetrates the liver and myocardium faster than the muscles. The remainder of the dose is excreted by the kidneys in the form of acyl esters.

What diseases does it help with?

"Phenibut" is one of the drugs that are recommended for use for vegetative-vascular dystonia. As noted above, it is capable of, if not completely eliminating, then

significantly reduce the severity of most of its manifestations. At the same time, this drug is prescribed for some mental disorders, in particular panic attacks. Why is this happening?

The fact is that the modern International Classification of Diseases does not contain such a diagnosis as vegetative-vascular dystonia. All manifestations of this pathology are combined into one category of symptoms of disorders of the autonomic system that arise as a result of various mental, somatic or somatoform diseases.

Thus, vegetative-vascular dystonia is not a disease, but a set of symptoms that can be caused, among other things, by panic attacks. The use of this drug allows you to eliminate the following manifestations of a panic attack:

• decreased concentration;
• insomnia and other sleep disorders;
• asthenia;
• excessive anxiety and irritability;
• constant headaches.

People who have taken Phenibut for panic attacks give different reviews about it, but most of them are positive. Already from the first days of use, sleep is normalized, performance and emotional background are increased. Patients noted that they wanted to enjoy life again, and gloomy thoughts disappeared almost completely.

Indications for the use of Phenibut include the following conditions:

1. Anxiety-neurotic disorders, asthenic syndrome, obsessive-compulsive neurosis, increased anxiety, fear and psychopathy.
2. In children, the reason for taking it may be enuresis, as well as stuttering or tics.
3. Urinary retention as one of the manifestations of myelodysplasia.
4. For all kinds of sleep disorders, the drug is recommended for patients in the oldest age group who have nightmares.
5. Coping with premedication is a state of heightened anxiety in patients who are about to undergo painful diagnostic procedures or on the eve of surgical interventions.
6. Meniere's disease and dizziness caused by dysfunction of the vestibular apparatus, as well as to prevent the occurrence of unpleasant symptoms of motion sickness.
7. In the treatment of alcohol dependence, the drug is an adjuvant that helps relieve psychopathological and somatovegetative disorders resulting from withdrawal symptoms.

Phenibut is included in therapy for open-angle glaucoma, based on an integrated approach to treatment.

Advantages and disadvantages

According to reviews from those who took Elkar, you can lose weight from 2 to 6 kg in a month. Advantages and disadvantages of the drug:

How to take Elkar

Before taking Elkar for weight loss, you need to calculate the daily dose. It is 30–50 mg per 1 kg of body weight. For example, if a person weighs 70 kg, then he is prescribed 2800 mg of the drug per day (70*40 mg). One teaspoon of suspension or solution contains 1500 mg of carnitine, so you should take 1.5 teaspoons per day, divided into 2 doses. Rules for using dietary supplements:

• You need to take oral forms of Elkar half an hour before breakfast and lunch;
• the general course of treatment is one month, it should not be extended without a doctor’s recommendation;
• To avoid gaining weight due to increased appetite, you should follow a diet, include low-calorie foods in your diet, and exercise.

Granules

The drug is taken half an hour before meals, dissolving the contents of one sachet in a glass of water. The average daily dose is 1 sachet. The course of treatment should not exceed a month, unless otherwise prescribed by the attending physician.

• When exercising, take 1-2 g three times a day, for anorexia nervosa - 1 g three times a day for a course of 1-2 months.
• For myopathy – 7 sachets per day for a course of 3–4 months.
• In sports medicine, it is necessary to take 1-2 sachets 2-3 times a day.
• For therapeutic purposes - 5-7 g per day for a course of 3-4 weeks before competitions or up to 8 weeks during training.

Oral solution

Elkar drops are taken orally half an hour before meals, diluted with juice, water or tea to improve the taste. Recommended dosages:

• Adults are prescribed a dose of 750 mg (half a scoop) three times a day, if ineffective - 2250 mg (1.5 scoops) three times a day. The course lasts for a month, if necessary, it can be extended for the same amount of time.
• For long-term exercise, the dose is 0.75–2.25 g 2–3 times a day, for anorexia nervosa and during the rehabilitation period – 1.5 g twice a day for a course of 1–2 months.
• In the complex therapy of gastritis, the drug is taken a quarter of a measuring spoon twice a day for a course of 1–1.5 months.
• Treatment of skin diseases involves taking 0.75 g for a course of 2–4 weeks.
• Therapy for hyperthyroidism - 13 drops 2-3 times a day for a course of 20 days, repeated after 1.5 months.
• For brain lesions, 0.75 g per day is prescribed for a course of 4 days, repeated after 2 weeks.
• For carnitine deficiency, take 2-5 drops per 1 kg of body weight 2-3 times a day for a course of 3.5 months.
• Children – 5–48 drops 2–3 times a day for a monthly course, with growth retardation – 13 drops 2–3 times a day.
• In sports medicine, 2.5 g is prescribed 1-3 times a day for a course of 3-8 weeks.

Ampoules

Elcar is administered intravenously by drip or stream, intramuscularly. The contents of the ampoule are dissolved in 150 ml of saline solution or 5% dextrose solution. The daily dose will be 500–1000 mg per day in a weekly course. Then the patient is transferred to oral administration of drops or suspension.

• For acute disorders, the use of 2 ampoules per day for a course of 3 days is indicated, then 1 ampoule per day for a weekly course, repeated after 11 days.
• For encephalopathy and brain lesions, carnitine deficiency, the solution is administered intravenously, 1–2 ampoules per day, or intramuscularly, 1–2 ampoules 2–3 times a day without dilution for a course of up to 7 days, repeated after 2 weeks.
• For hemodialysis or secondary carnitine deficiency, a single injection of 4 ampoules is prescribed.
• In case of acute myocardial infarction - 6-10 ampoules in 2-3 doses for the first 2-3 days, then the dose is halved.
• For cardiogenic shock, 6–10 ampoules are given to 2–3 patients until the patient recovers from shock.

Elkar, how to take it for weight loss. How to take Elkar for weight loss: instructions

It is necessary to take Elkar for weight loss according to the following scheme:
Method of administration: half an hour before meals, dilute 2 teaspoons of the solution with water or juice (100 ml) and drink.

Duration: standard course of treatment – ​​2 times a day for a whole month.

Time of administration: to ensure that L-carnitine levels remain constant throughout the day, try to drink Elcar before breakfast and dinner. If you have trouble sleeping due to late intake, take the supplement before lunch, after consulting with your doctor.

How to make sure that a weight loss product brings the desired effect? According to the manufacturer's instructions, the maximum concentration of the substance is achieved 2-3 hours after administration, and the duration of intestinal absorption is 9 hours. It is optimal to drink the drug a couple of hours before training.

Try to avoid fatty foods, huge portions and late-night snacks. An indispensable condition for turning into Thumbelina (even with Elkar) will be the desire and real actions to combat laziness, and the norm of life will be regular training and home gymnastics.

Increased absolute weight loss can negatively affect the condition of the skin. Nutritionists point out that you can “get rid of” 3-4 kg per month. If you lose a lot of weight when losing weight with Elkar, take measures to restore skin elasticity:

1. Drink at least 2 liters of fluid per day.
2. A weekly sauna/bath in combination with a contrast shower will be useful.
3. Do not refuse to use creams with a lifting effect.
4. Massage will tighten loose skin and be an excellent way to relieve stress.

special instructions

To increase the effectiveness of the drug, you need to follow a diet, limit your diet, and engage in light physical activity. Other special instructions for using the weight loss product:

1. Treatment of children under 3 years of age should be carried out under the supervision of a physician.
2. Taking the drug does not affect the ability to drive vehicles or operate machinery.
3. An overdose of the drug can lead to dyspepsia and myasthenia gravis. Gastric lavage and intake of adsorbents are required.
4. When glucocorticosteroids are taken simultaneously with Elcar, carnitine accumulates in tissues. Anabolic agents enhance the effect of the drug.

Features of application

Phenibut is included in the treatment regimen for panic attacks in adults and children over 8 years of age. This drug should only be taken on the recommendation of your doctor. There are several application schemes:

1. Adults take the drug for panic attacks and VSD three times a day at regular intervals. A single dose is 250 mg of phenibut, which corresponds to one tablet of the drug.
2. Elderly people over 65 years of age should take no more than 500 mg of phenibut per day. These are two tablets of the drug, one of which must be taken in the morning, and the second before bed.
3. The drug helps prevent unpleasant symptoms that occur with seasickness. It is advisable to take it shortly before the trip. If symptoms of motion sickness have already appeared, Phenibut will be useless.
4. To prevent migraine attacks, take 250 mg of the drug (1 tablet) per day for 10 days.
5. Phenibut is rarely used to treat children, but if such a need arises, the doctor recommends taking no more than one tablet per day. This amount of the drug should be divided into two doses.

The drug should not be taken on an empty stomach; the tablets should be washed down with a sufficient amount of water.

The drug should be taken under the supervision of the attending physician. Phenibut for VSD is taken in courses, the duration of which should not exceed 4 weeks. It is not addictive, so stopping its use is not associated with the appearance of new unpleasant symptoms.

The drug is well tolerated by most people, but, like other medications, it has a number of contraindications.

"Phenibut" is strictly prohibited for use by pregnant women, as well as mothers who are currently breastfeeding. If the use of Phenibut during lactation is vital, then the child should be switched to artificial formula. Phenibut easily passes into breast milk, which can negatively affect the development of the baby's brain.

It is also prohibited to use the medicine to treat young children; it can only be taken after reaching 8 years of age. Contraindications for use are insufficient functioning of the kidneys and liver, various pathologies of the intestines and stomach, as well as individual intolerance to individual components of the drug.

Side effects during treatment with Phenibut are rare, but vomiting and nausea, appetite disturbances, pain in the temporal region of the head and dizziness, impaired renal function and an allergic reaction manifested in the form of a skin rash may still occur.

The drug combines well with most drugs used in the treatment of VSD and mental disorders, but during treatment you must completely abstain from drinking alcohol. Alcohol-containing drinks have the opposite effect of the drug, which neutralizes its effect and negatively affects the patient’s well-being.

Analogs

Elkar can be replaced by products with the property of improving metabolism. These include:

• Adenocor is an injection solution based on adenosine, the cost of 6 ampoules of 2 ml each will be 290 rubles;
• Cartan is an injection solution based on levocarnitine, costs 300 rubles. for 5 ampoules of 5 ml;
• L-carnitine - capsules, syrup and tablets with the active ingredient of the same name, price 100 ml of syrup 90 rubles;
• Carnifit is an oral solution based on carnitine, the price for 25 ml is 200 rubles;
• Vinebral - capsules based on vincamine, cost 30 pcs. will be 500 rubles.