Chofitol in pregnancy: why prescribe, how to take and how much to drink

Pregnancy is the happiest period in a woman's life, when the understanding that a new life is growing inside you, so dear and beloved, fills all the thoughts of the expectant mother. Worrying about the unborn baby makes the young mother more careful not only in behavior and choice of food, but also in the use of various medications, even if they comply with the doctor's prescription. So, recently, gynecologists have increasingly prescribed the drug "Hofitol" during pregnancy, which greatly confuses mothers who have studied the instructions for the drug from cover to cover, which has a hepatoprotective, choleretic, and mild diuretic effect.

Why Hofitol during pregnancy?

Having heard from pregnant friends about the prescription of the drug "Hofitol", women look for information about this drug even when planning a pregnancy. So it is not clear to potential mothers why they should take such a drug if their liver and kidneys are in order and they do not suffer from gallbladder diseases.

After all, in the instructions for this medicine, in the section “indications for use” only the following diseases are indicated:

• violation of the tone and motility of the biliary system (biliary dyskinesia),
• inflammatory process in the gallbladder itself (chronic cholecystitis),
• inflammatory liver diseases (hepatitis),
• cirrhosis,
• chronic inflammation of the kidneys (diffuse glomerulonephritis)
• chronic renal failure,
• phenomenon of intoxication.

And almost no word about pregnancy, except for the mention that during this period Hofitol can only be used under the supervision of a doctor.

In fact, doctors are more far-sighted than us mere mortals. Based on the possible consequences, they can prescribe some drugs for preventive purposes, and not only during pregnancy, but also at the planning stage. In this way, many complications that threaten the health and life of the fetus can be avoided.

For example, if a woman had manifestations of late toxicosis during her first pregnancies, it is possible to develop a severe form of gestosis - a pregnancy complication with the following symptoms: edema, increased blood pressure, protein in the urine, convulsions. To avoid this, it is recommended to take Hofitol when planning a pregnancy, without waiting for the appearance of dangerous symptoms that threaten the normal course of pregnancy.

Such a phenomenon as fetoplacental insufficiency is one of the most common causes of early termination of pregnancy, when there is a threat of miscarriage. With this pathology, the placenta is unable to cope with all the responsibilities assigned to it, as a result of which both the fetus and the woman herself suffer. The insidiousness of this disorder is that at the beginning of the disease, when the pregnancy period is still short, it may not manifest itself in any way, creating the false impression that there is no danger. In this case, prophylactic administration of Hofitol can save the life of the unborn baby.

Concern for the health of the pregnant woman and the fetus is also reflected in the prescription of the drug "Hofitol" for diabetes mellitus and toxicosis of pregnancy - conditions when a large amount of acetone accumulates in the blood and urine of the expectant mother, which can lead to various complications. These include: severe dehydration of the pregnant woman's body, intoxication of the mother and fetus, premature birth and even coma or death of the expectant mother. So is it worth taking a drug that helps to avoid such sad consequences?

Many women expecting a baby have a legitimate question: can Hofitol be taken during pregnancy, will this drug harm their unborn child? The full answer to this question is given in the instructions for the drug. If Hofitol is taken as prescribed and under the supervision of your doctor, it does not pose a danger to the baby, because this medicine is a herbal preparation based on the plant extract of field artichoke, which does not contain harmful chemicals.

Indications Chofitol in pregnancy

For whatever purpose, preventive or therapeutic, the doctor prescribed Hofitol during pregnancy, you need to understand that there was a good reason for it, and accept the prescription as it should be, and not run to your friends for advice.

If a pregnant woman is diagnosed with one of the liver, kidney or gallbladder diseases listed in the instructions, the need to take Hofitol is not even discussed, because the life and health of the pregnant woman and her baby are at stake.

No less important is the preventive use of the drug in the following cases:

• If there is a real threat of miscarriage due to a high probability of developing gestosis.
• To prevent fetoplacental insufficiency.
• If laboratory tests reveal a critical amount of acetone in a woman's blood or urine, or to prevent its possible accumulation.
• To prevent a disease that is the scourge of pregnant women - chronic pyelonephritis, which often causes premature birth.
• In case of metabolic disorders in the body of a pregnant woman.
• To relieve symptoms of toxicosis (nausea and vomiting) in early pregnancy.
• As an antioxidant, it helps neutralize free radicals that can cause miscarriage.
• Development of fetal hypoxia.
• Excess weight in a pregnant woman.

"Hofitol" is sometimes prescribed during pregnancy as a means of normalizing metabolic processes and blood microcirculation in the body of a woman expecting the birth of her baby.

Very often, the happy time of expecting a child is marred by unpleasant, and sometimes painful symptoms associated with the increased load on the body of a young mother. Pregnancy is a kind of blow to the excretory and digestive systems. Not only does the uterus, growing from month to month, put pressure on nearby organs, but they also have to work for two. This is why pregnant women so often experience problems with the digestive tract and kidneys.

In this regard, "bad" symptoms also appear, such as stomach upset, accompanied by nausea and vomiting, as well as constipation, which are a particular cause for concern for pregnant women. Experiments have proven that "Hofitol" copes well with these symptoms, which is why doctors so often recommend taking it for nausea during pregnancy, which is a manifestation of both toxicosis in the early stages and stomach upset in the later stages.

If pregnancy also involves gastritis with increased acidity of gastric juice or problems with the gallbladder, the woman is constantly haunted by attacks of excruciating heartburn. Due to its properties to regulate the work of the gastrointestinal tract and bile ducts, Hofitol has found wide application in getting rid of heartburn symptoms during pregnancy.

Quite often, expectant mothers face such an unpleasant manifestation as edema. Most often, they appear on the face and limbs. This situation occurs against the background of metabolic disorders, a large load on the heart and kidneys, which as a result fail. "Hofitol" is able to normalize metabolism in the body, in addition, it has a positive effect on the cardiovascular and excretory systems, in connection with which it is considered a good effective remedy for edema that accompanies a woman during pregnancy, especially in its second half.

Some women complain that their body starts to itch a lot in the later stages of pregnancy. The excruciating itching of the skin does not allow young mothers to rest at night, because it is especially noticeable at this time. The causes of skin itching can be different. This includes stretching of the skin on the abdomen, and gynecological infections, which can manifest themselves in such a strange way, and nervous reactions associated with the constant worries of pregnant women. The cause of skin itching can also be an exacerbation of liver and biliary tract diseases. An increase in estrogen levels during pregnancy can lead to stagnation of bile and the release of bile acid, which gets on the skin and causes such unpleasant symptoms.

"Hofitol" protects the liver and gall bladder, so it is simply irreplaceable in relieving the expectant mother from skin itching, which is a cause of additional concern during pregnancy if the unpleasant symptom is associated with disturbances in the functioning of these organs.

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Release form

In order to make life a little easier for expectant mothers and therapy for patients with liver, gall bladder and kidney dysfunction, the manufacturers of the drug "Hofitol" did not limit themselves to just one form of release in the form of tablets familiar to many. You can also find on sale:

• vials with a solution of the drug for oral administration,
• injection solution in ampoules, used for intramuscular or intravenous injections.

Pharmacodynamics

"Hofitol" is a medicine given by nature itself. The main active ingredient of the drug is an extract from an unusual plant of the Asteraceae family, which can be found on supermarket shelves (for some reason among vegetables). We are talking about artichoke, which is presented in the composition of the drug in the form of an extract of fresh leaves.

The pharmacodynamics of the drug is due to the rich composition and properties of the field artichoke, which were studied by our ancestors, who highly appreciated this plant for its healing effect on the digestive system, especially the liver. Bioflavonoid cynarin, isolated from artichoke leaves, provides the drug "Hofitol" with a choleretic and diuretic effect. In addition, it stimulates the process of liver cell regeneration, and also helps to reduce cholesterol in the blood.

Artichoke leaf extract is also rich in polyphenols, which is responsible for its antioxidant and antitoxic effects.

How can such properties of the drug help expectant mothers? The choleretic effect of the drug can significantly improve digestion, which often fails during pregnancy. The fact is that when bile enters the intestines from the gallbladder, it takes an active part in the process of processing and assimilation of food, which means you can forget about heaviness in the stomach.

In addition, Hofitol, so often used during pregnancy, stimulates not only the release of bile into the duodenum, but also its production in the liver. Thanks to the active work of the liver and intestines, useful substances from the food consumed by the pregnant woman, through the blood, enter the fetus, ensuring its full development.

Hormonal changes during pregnancy can negatively affect intestinal peristalsis, and then the uterus, growing every day, increasingly compresses the intestines. This state of affairs leads to flatulence and constipation. And here again, Hofitol comes to the rescue, improving intestinal function and preventing bloating and constipation.

During pregnancy, the kidneys of the expectant mother work with double force, removing toxic waste from the life of the mother and child, and also participating in the renewal of amniotic fluid. Even healthy kidneys cannot always cope well with such a load, causing the formation of edema in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy. Fluid retention in tissues negatively affects the entire metabolism, which is especially dangerous when it comes to the body of a pregnant woman.

There is another danger that awaits pregnant women if the kidneys begin to fail. Toxins that should be excreted in the urine can enter the blood of a pregnant woman as a result of problems with urination. This condition is called azotemia. It poses a great danger to the child in the womb and exchanging fluids with her.

"Hofitol" has a sufficient diuretic effect, which can reduce swelling without washing out the salts necessary for it from the mother's body. In addition, normalization of urination and removal of toxic waste in the expectant mother significantly reduces the risk of developing azotemia.

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Pharmacokinetics

The pharmacokinetics of the drug "Hofitol" is difficult to describe. Despite the fact that the active substance of the drug is presented only in the form of one plant, its composition is so rich (carotene, ascorbic acid, inulin, polyphenols, bioflavonoids, various acids, vitamins B and C, minerals) that it is simply impossible to isolate the effect of each component on the body. Not to mention the combined effect of various components.

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Dosing and administration

The form in which the drug will be used is determined by the doctor who is monitoring the pregnant woman, based on her condition and the health of the gastrointestinal tract. He also prescribes how much Hofitol should be taken during pregnancy to get the maximum benefit and minimum harm from the drug.

If the prescription specifies such a form of the drug as tablets or a solution for oral administration, then they should be taken either half an hour before meals or directly with food. In this case, it is preferable to use the solution diluted with water.

The drug is prescribed to be taken three times a day. Dosage:

• for tablets – 1-2 pcs. or 200-400 mg per dose,
• for solution – ½-1 tsp or 2.5 to 5 ml per dose.

If there is a need for injection of the drug, Hofitol during pregnancy is used once a day in a dosage of 1-2 ampoules or 5-10 ml, if there is no need to increase the dose or frequency of administration.

The duration of the therapeutic course depends on the prescribed form of the drug and the patient's condition. When using tablets or a solution, the course of treatment ranges from 2 to 3 weeks. Injections are recommended to be done for no more than 2 weeks, after which they switch to other forms of the drug.

When is Hofitol prescribed?

Despite the fact that Hofitol was originally conceived as a hepatoprotective agent for pathological changes in the liver and gall bladder, it has found wide application in gynecological practice. Moreover, the drug Hofitol can be prescribed by a gynecologist both in the early stages of pregnancy and at a later period.

Most often, Hofitol is prescribed in the first trimester of pregnancy to relieve symptoms of early toxicosis, such as nausea and vomiting. A little less often, it is used to stimulate urination to cleanse the body of the expectant mother from toxic nitrogen compounds formed during the life of the woman and the baby in her womb.

In the second trimester of pregnancy, Hofitol can be prescribed as a preventive measure, helping to painlessly avoid such an unpleasant situation as late toxicosis. To prevent the appearance and treatment of symptoms of late toxicosis, as well as to relieve swelling that occurs due to the enormous load on the kidneys of a pregnant woman, Hofitol is often prescribed in the third trimester of pregnancy.

When to prescribe Hofitol therapy during pregnancy, the doctor decides based on the results of the patient's periodic examination and her tests, taking into account the complaints of the expectant mother. Self-prescribing even a seemingly harmless herbal preparation means consciously putting your health and the life of the unborn baby at risk.

Contraindications

Since Hofitol is a herbal preparation, it can be expected that its use does not pose a danger to either a pregnant woman or the fetus in the womb. However, there are conditions when therapy with Hofitol can cause negative consequences.

There are certain contraindications to the use of the drug, which overlap with pathologies that imply taking Hofitol for therapeutic purposes. Therefore, even if the expectant mother knows about her diagnosis, included in the list of indications for the drug Hofitol, this is not a reason to prescribe this drug to herself, because during pregnancy in this way you can only harm not only yourself, but also the baby.

If a pregnant woman is diagnosed with inflammatory processes in the gallbladder or bile duct kinetic disorders, the drug will help only if the inflammatory process is not associated with gallstones, and kinetic disorders are characterized by decreased motility and tone, and not vice versa. In case of cholelithiasis and hyperkinetic dyskinesia of the gallbladder, taking the drug is prohibited.

In case of gallstones, the use of Hofitol can provoke blockage of the bile ducts. Therapy for this condition involves surgical intervention, which is undesirable during pregnancy.

"Hofitol" is a drug intended for the treatment of chronic conditions associated with disorders in the liver, gall bladder and kidneys. Acute pathological processes are treated with other drugs, which the attending physician will inform you about. "Hofitol" can only provoke an exacerbation of the symptoms of an existing disease, which sometimes threatens early termination of pregnancy.

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Side effects Chofitol in pregnancy

Like many other not very strong drugs, Hofitol has a small number of negative reviews related to insufficient action in toxicosis due to the individual reaction of the pregnant woman's body, as well as the appearance of non-specific side effects, such as pain in the liver or the appearance of signs of hemorrhoids without an appropriate diagnosis. The appearance of such signs should be immediately reported to the attending physician. Usually, all manifestations uncharacteristic for the drug disappear quickly after discontinuing the drug or replacing it with another.

Even many herbal preparations, unfortunately, are not free from some troubles associated with their use, called "side effects". The herbal preparation "Hofitol" is no exception. True, there are few side effects when taking it, but it is still better to know about them in order to avoid unpleasant surprises and unnecessary worries typical for pregnant women.

"Hofitol", prescribed during pregnancy in a large dose or taken uncontrollably for a long time, can provoke a condition in the expectant mother that is the opposite of the usual constipation in such cases. But diarrhea, or simply loose stool, causes no less anxiety and fears in pregnant women that this condition can affect the normal course of pregnancy.

Another undesirable consequence of taking Hofitol may be the appearance of an allergic rash (urticaria) on the body of a pregnant woman. Most often, it occurs as a reaction to the ether of parahydroxybenzoate, which is part of the tablets and oral solution.

Very rarely, patients complain that Hofitol causes abdominal colic or increased nausea and vomiting. It is better to inform the attending physician about these reactions; perhaps he will reconsider his prescriptions, because such symptoms may indicate intolerance to the components of the drug.

Overdose

Usually, side effects are mild. If they increase, this may be a sign of an overdose of the drug. In this case, it may be necessary to reduce the dose or stop taking Hofitol.

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Interactions with other drugs

There is no information about the interaction of Hofitol with other drugs in the manufacturer's instructions, and this is another reason to think about whether it is advisable to self-medicate in such conditions.

As for the storage conditions of the drug, like other medicines, it should be stored in specially designated places for storing medicines, where children's access is limited. The recommended storage temperature for any form of the drug should not be higher than 25 degrees, which corresponds to room temperature. Under such conditions, the drug will remain effective and safe throughout the entire shelf life, which is 2 years (injection solution), 3 years (tablet drug), 4 years (oral solution).

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Are there any analogues?

Let's say that Hofitol is not the only artichoke-based drug of its kind. Among Hofitol analogues of a similar composition, successfully used during pregnancy, we can highlight Artichoke Extract and Holebil, which have the same properties and indications, but slightly differ in the amount of active substance per unit volume.

If therapy with Hofitol or the above-mentioned analogs does not give positive results or the pregnant woman has hypersensitivity reactions to the components of the drug, other drugs similar to Hofitol in their effect on the body during pregnancy may be prescribed. But again, drugs such as Odeston, Flamin, Holiver and others with hepatoprotective and choleretic effects can only be used during pregnancy as prescribed and under the supervision of the attending physician.

One of the safest drugs that has a positive effect on the condition and functioning of the liver and reduces the effects of intoxication during pregnancy is Essentiale Forte. This drug is usually well tolerated by patients, the course of its use is unlimited, i.e. women can continue treatment with the drug even after childbirth in the same dosage: 2 capsules 3 times a day. However, it is not recommended to use the drug during pregnancy without consulting a doctor.

To prevent fetoplacental insufficiency and various microcirculation disorders that arise as complications during pregnancy, the doctor may prescribe a drug with antiplatelet and immunomodulatory action "Dipyridamole", an analogue of which are "Curantil" tablets.

"Kurantil" is prescribed 3-6 tablets per day in case of deterioration of placental blood circulation and development of fetal hypoxia. In the first trimester of pregnancy, to prevent toxicosis, placental insufficiency, as well as in the presence of cardiovascular diseases and kidney pathologies, "Kurantil" is prescribed without any particular concerns. At later stages, strict medical supervision is required, even if the pregnant woman is diagnosed with fetoplacental insufficiency, late toxicosis, early aging of the placenta, exceeding the terms of gestation.

Sometimes "Kurantil" can be prescribed as a means to boost immunity, especially during periods of viral and bacterial infections.

Edema and kidney dysfunction observed during pregnancy also require treatment with safe means, so doctors prefer herbal preparations such as "Kanefron", which have anti-inflammatory, anti-edematous and antibacterial properties.

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Reviews of the drug "Hofitol"

As we can see, the three above-described drugs help to cope with the main pathologies that darken the life of a pregnant woman, if, of course, they are used in combination. That is, if the expectant mother has indications corresponding to these drugs, she will have to take all 3 drugs, while Hofitol, often prescribed during pregnancy, can cope with all these problems on its own, without negatively affecting the fetus. That is why this drug is the number 1 choice of doctors and their happy patients.

Reviews from doctors indicate that Hofitol is an effective medicine that helps get rid of the symptoms of early and late toxicosis, has a positive effect on the metabolism in the body of pregnant women, and stimulates the liver, kidneys, and bile ducts. The drug is well tolerated by most patients, without causing significant side effects. With the help of Hofitol, pregnancy proceeds without complications, resulting in strong, healthy babies being born at the right time, and their mothers do not experience any unpleasant sensations or emotions during pregnancy, enjoying the happy time of “waiting for a miracle.”

Reviews from pregnant women and those who took the drug in a similar situation are mostly positive. For some, the drug helped get rid of nausea, for others, the gastrointestinal tract function improved, and others are grateful for the pregnancy saved thanks to the drug.

Many expectant mothers note that they were able to eat normally only thanks to Hofitol, and before that they were rapidly losing weight, suffering from terrible toxicosis. Others are grateful for getting rid of painful constipation and the associated concerns about the course of pregnancy.

Some people were even prescribed Hofitol as a remedy for acne, where it also showed excellent results, cleansing the blood and tissues of toxins and bacteria that cause inflammation. Positive results were also noted in the treatment of psoriasis in pregnant women, who significantly increased the period of remission after childbirth.

Let us remind you once again that risk during pregnancy is far from a noble cause, because we are talking about the life and health of future generations. Preparing for the birth of a healthy offspring is the main concern of the expectant mother, who cannot be irresponsible about her life and health, including taking various medications, even if, according to her friends, they help the pregnancy go smoothly.

Even if the same Hofitol, according to the manufacturer, consists of entirely natural components a thousand times, there is always a risk of developing a hypersensitivity reaction or the occurrence of dangerous consequences associated with an unaccounted diagnosis, which often happens when pregnant women prescribe the drug to themselves.

No matter how useful Hofitol or other drugs are, during pregnancy you need to be especially careful when taking medications, carefully listening to the opinion of specialists and the sensations that arise, not relying only on your meager knowledge of pharmacology and medicine. Such an attitude to your health in the expectant mother is a guarantee of a successful pregnancy and the birth of a long-awaited healthy baby to the joy of all relatives.