What is better Heptral and Heptor

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According to WHOThere are more than two million people in the world suffering from various liver diseases. Most often, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is recorded, less often – such serious processes as cirrhosis and hepatocellular cancer. In the treatment of these diseases, hepatoprotectors are used – agents that can protect the liver from further destruction. It sounds tempting, but in practice, everything is not so rosy. The mechanism of action of hepatoprotectors is not fully understood, and it is still not clear whether such drugs really work or are we talking about a placebo?

In this article, we will compare two hepatoprotectors – Heptral and Heptor, and find out how they differ from each other.

Both drugs are available by prescription.

Indications for use

Hepatoprotectors are prescribed for diseases of the liver and biliary tract with signs of intrahepatic cholestasis (bile stasis):

1. chronic hepatitis of various origins;

2. non-alcoholic fatty degeneration of the liver;

3. toxic damage to the liver, including against the background of taking alcohol, drugs, medications;

4. chronic cholecystitis without stone formation;

5. cirrhosis of the liver.

As an aid, Heptral and Heptor are prescribed for hepatic and other types of encephalopathy, and depression.

How do hepatoprotectors protect the liver?

The main task of hepatoprotectors is to protect liver cells from destruction in various diseases: viral hepatitis, fatty and alcoholic degeneration, etc.

The hepatoprotectors Heptral and Heptor contain the same active ingredient – ademetionine, so they will act the same way. Once in the body, ademetionine compensates for the lack of S-adenosyl-L-methionine and enhances its synthesis in tissues. The deficiency of this component negatively affects the functioning of internal organs and especially the state of the brain and liver.

According to the official instructions, the main effect of ademetionine is choleric. The drug restores the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine in hepatocytes (liver cells), normalizes the transport of bile acids across the membrane and improves bile flow. It is most effective in intralobular cholestasis, when bile production and its secretion from cells are impaired. When taken orally or intramuscularly, ademetionine improves the patient’s condition – relieves itching, normalizes the level of enzymes, and restores digestion. The effect persists for three months after completion of therapy.

The hepatoprotective effect of ademetionine is auxiliary, and it is realized through other mechanisms. The drug normalizes metabolic processes:

1. enhances the removal of ballast substances;

2. removes intoxication;

3. accelerates the regeneration of damaged liver cells;

4. neutralizes the activity of free radicals and acts as an antioxidant;

5. prevents the formation of connective tissue at the site of damaged cells – inhibits the development of fibrosis and cirrhosis of the liver.

Ademetionine affects not only liver cells, but also the central nervous system. With a course application, it protects the nervous tissue from destruction, and also works as an antidepressant: improves mood, normalizes sleep, eliminates fear, anxiety, apathy and other symptoms. This effect of the drug is realized after 7-14 days from the start of therapy.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of drugs

From the standpoint of evidence-based medicine, the opinion about hepatoprotectors is still ambiguous. In foreign literature, there is no special confidence in such means. In one of the large reviews evaluated materials published on hepatoprotectors in leading medical sources (Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library and scientific journals). The authors of the review concluded that such drugs protect the liver from destruction, but did not mention at all about possible adverse reactions and other negative aspects of therapy.

While foreign scientists are arguing about the effectiveness and safety of hepatoprotectors, Russian specialists are conducting clinical trials. IN reviewdedicated to ademetionine, Heptral is presented as a means of a wide spectrum of action. The authors indicate that the drug can be used in various diseases accompanied by a violation of intrahepatic cholestasis – from non-alcoholic dystrophy to cirrhosis of the liver. The study showed that jaundice and pruritus decrease during therapy, the condition of patients (273 people) improves. After analyzing the data obtained, the authors also concluded that the effectiveness of therapy largely depends on the dosage and duration of treatment.

In relation to the Russian hepatoprotector Heptor, clinical trials were also carried out. research, but with fewer patients (40 people). Tests have shown the efficacy and safety of the drug in people suffering from alcoholic liver disease at the stage of cirrhosis.

In 2010, a small comparative research preparations Heptral (in tablets) and Heptor (intramuscular injections). The trials involved 60 people with chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis of the liver. The course of therapy lasted 18 days. Based on the results of the study, the authors concluded that the effectiveness and safety of the drugs are comparable, and the generic Heptor is not inferior to the original Heptral.

Application Scheme

Heptral and Heptor are produced in the same dosage, so the scheme of application does not differ. Inside, hepatoprotectors are prescribed at a dosage of 800-1600 mg per day. The duration of treatment depends on the severity of the disease, but is usually at least two weeks. Often, the drug is first prescribed intramuscularly, then the patient is transferred to tablets.

Adverse Reactions

Heptral and Heptor can lead to the appearance of such undesirable symptoms:

1. allergic reactions – from skin rash to anaphylactic shock;

2. mental disorders: anxiety, insomnia, agitation;

3. headache and dizziness;

4. lowering blood pressure;

5. deterioration of the condition of the veins;

6. abdominal pain, nausea and diarrhea;

7. skin itching and increased sweating;

8. muscle pain.

If any symptom from the list appears, stop treatment and consult a doctor to replace the drug.

Противопоказания

Heptral and Heptor are not used in children under 18 years of age and with identified individual intolerance to the drug. Hepatoprotectors from this group are not prescribed for genetic disorders that affect the methionine synthesis cycle.

Hepatoprotectors can be used during pregnancy, if necessary and under the supervision of a doctor, but only from the second trimester. During lactation, drugs are not prescribed.

Conclusions

To sum up:

1. Heptral and Heptor are hepatoprotectors. Their main task is to preserve and restore the working capacity of the liver. The drugs protect liver cells from destruction, inhibit the development of fibrosis and cirrhosis, and improve bile flow.

2. Heptral and Heptor are similar in composition, indications and contraindications. In a comparative clinical study, no difference was found in the efficacy and safety of the drugs.

In general, the effectiveness of hepatoprotectors is still questionable. There is no definitive evidence that these drugs actually protect liver cells from destruction.

Attention! This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.