Most expectant mothers have fears and experiences associated with the upcoming birth, and with the health of the baby, and with the changes in life that will occur after the baby is born. They often increase anxiety, worsen mood, and interfere with normal sleep. In addition, many pregnant women suffer from mood swings and surges in emotions, and stress can badly affect the state of the baby in the womb.
Therefore, to eliminate anxiety and reduce the tension of the nervous system, the doctor can prescribe this to the expectant mother safe sedativelike "Glycine".
Features of the drug
"Glycine" is available in the form of tablets, which dissolve behind the cheek or under the tongue. They are characterized by their white color, sweet taste and round shape. These tablets are sold in packs of 50 (there are also packs of 10 or 20 tablets) and are over-the-counter. Their shelf life is 3 years, and you need to keep such a medication at home in a dry place at temperatures below 25 degrees Celsius.
The drug got its name from the amino acid of the same name, which is its main ingredient. This amino acid is nonessential, that is, it can be synthesized in the body from other amino acids. It is also found in various foods, such as liver, oatmeal, beef and nuts.
Each tablet "Glycine" contains 100 mg of this amino acid, and the auxiliary components of the drug are methylcellulose and magnesium stearate. These substances are added to the composition of the drug in a small amount to maintain a dense shape.
There are no sweeteners, dyes, preservatives or other harmful additives in the "Glycine" composition.
How does it work?
Unlike glycine from food, which enters the digestive tract, where it is absorbed, like other amino acids, and is included in protein metabolism, the main component of "Glycine" in tablets enters the bloodstream, being absorbed into the small vessels of the oral cavity.
After that, it is transferred to the brain cells and acts on the nervous system, enhancing the processes of inhibition and reducing nervous excitement. This normalizes the function of the brain and has a positive effect on the emotional and psychological state of the patient.
In addition, thanks to the use of "Glycine", you can reduce the harmful effects of many drugs that inhibit the central nervous system. However, we note that such effects are observed only with the correct use of the tablets - if they slowly dissolve in the mouth.
If swallowed, the glycine will enter the stomach, eliminating its effect on the brain cells.
Is it allowed during pregnancy?
In the list of contraindications for taking "Glycine" there is no mention of the fact that such pills are prohibited during the period of gestation. Doctors often prescribe them to expectant mothers, calling them safe for the baby in the stomach, since the active substance "Glycine" gets to the fetus in small quantities. And even the percentage of the medicine that has penetrated the baby does not have any harmful effect either on the development of the baby or on the condition of the uterus.
Due to the natural origin of the drug and the mild effect on the woman's body "Glycine" is more beneficial than harmful during pregnancy, as it protects the nervous system of the expectant mother from stress and has a calming effect. After a course of such a medicine a woman becomes less nervous and emotional, responds adequately to changes in her life, and the quality of her sleep improves.
The drug can be used in the early stages of gestation, and in the second or third trimesters.
When is it assigned to expectant mothers?
One of the most common reasons for the use of "Glycine" during pregnancy are strong feelings and sleep disturbance. The drug is in demand as protection of the central nervous system from the load that is on the brain during the gestation of an infant. It is prescribed for fatigue, nervousness, anxiety, decreased appetite, weakness, intermittent sleep, insomnia, or difficulty falling asleep.
Thanks to the intake of "Glycine", the expectant mother can adjust the rhythm of rest and sleep, avoiding overwork. This drug is also prescribed for the prevention of depression and neurosis, because these problems can appear or worsen while carrying a baby.
As many pregnant women note in their reviews, the "Glycine" course soothes, increases efficiency, reduces anxiety and improves mood.
Such a drug is also prescribed if the expectant mother has high blood pressure. Since many medicines for lowering blood pressure are contraindicated during pregnancy, and such a symptom often accompanies the gestation process, you have to resort to safe means for the baby, which includes "Glycine".
This medication is also used for more serious problems with the brain, for example, if a woman is diagnosed with a head injury or has developed encephalopathy. It is also included in the treatment of gestosis and intrauterine hypoxia.
Although the drug is called harmless to the fetus, its independent use without consulting a doctor is not recommended.
A good specialist will help determine whether the expectant mother really needs "Glycine", whether such a medicine will harm the female body, and also determine the optimal dosage regimen and the duration of the course of such pills.
In addition, it is possible that after talking with a specialist, a woman will be able to avoid taking medications by changing the daily routine, frequent walks, relaxing baths, listening to classical music and similar influences, which also calm the nervous system well. In such cases, taking "Glycine" is no longer needed.
Contraindications
In the annotation to the medicine, it is noted that it should not be prescribed only in case of hypersensitivity to glycine or auxiliary ingredients of tablets.
When your blood pressure drops, taking the drug requires extra caution.
There are no other contraindications for such a medication, but for any serious illness or any problems with bearing it is important to consult a doctor and strictly follow the prescribed treatment regimen, without exceeding the dosage.
Potential harm
Occasionally, "Glycine" causes itchy skin, rashes and other allergic symptoms, in the event of which the use of the tablets is immediately stopped. If the expectant mother has a tendency to low blood pressure, then treatment with "Glycine" can provoke hypotension, which will adversely affect the condition of the pregnant woman and requires discontinuation of the drug. Other adverse reactions usually do not occur while taking the tablets.
In addition to intolerance, the harm of "Glycine" is also due to its overdose. If a woman accidentally takes more pills than the doctor prescribed, it can cause nausea, decreased blood pressure, lethargy, dizziness, and other symptoms. When they appear, a doctor's examination is recommended.
Instructions for use
The drug is taken, regardless of the diet, twice or three times a day. The dosage is selected for each expectant mother separately, but usually one tablet is used at one time. It is placed under the tongue or behind the cheek, after which it is slowly absorbed so that the components of the drug fall into the sublingual capillaries. It is impossible to swallow "Glycine", but crushing the tablet into powder or dividing it into smaller pieces so that it dissolves faster in the mouth is allowed.
As for the duration of use, then do not drink "Glycine" once, as it will be ineffective and will not affect the state of the brain in any way. For a visible therapeutic effect, this medication is taken in a course that usually lasts from seven days to one month. How long the tablets should be used for a particular expectant mother should be checked with the doctor.
If it is necessary to repeat the course, it is possible not earlier than a month after the completion of the previous one.
Reviews
You can see quite a lot of positive feedback on the use of "Glycine" from both patients and doctors. According to women who took "Glycine" while waiting for a child, the drug helps with poor sleep, anxiety, increased anxiety and similar problems.
Its effectiveness is assessed as average, since the drug cannot cope with severe stress. Patients usually refer to the advantages of tablets as good tolerance, pleasant taste and affordable cost (the average price of 50 tablets is 30-40 rubles).
Analogs
Choosing a similar medicine, the expectant mother may come across other variants of "Glycine", which have a slightly different name. Among them there are full-fledged analogues, which have the same dosage and the same scope of application ("Glycine-MHFP" and "Glycine-Bio"), and preparations with a higher dose of the active ingredient ("Glycine forte", containing 250 mg of amino acid per one tablet). The use of these drugs, instead of "Glycine", during pregnancy is permissible, but first you should consult your doctor.
However, there are also dietary supplements under the name "Glycine". One of them is a tablet called Glycine Forte Evalar. They contain not only a high dose of amino acids (250 mg in each tablet), but also other active substances, which are vitamins from group B (they are represented by vitamins B12, B1 and B6). According to the manufacturer, this supplement helps to normalize sleep and enhance mental performance, but it is contraindicated for pregnant women.
Among drugs with a similar effect, instead of "Glycine", can be used Valerian tablets. Such a remedy is praised for its plant-based and good calming effect, so many expectant mothers choose it for fatigue, stress and insomnia.
But due to the increased risk of an allergic reaction, the use of "Valerian" while waiting for the child should be monitored by a doctor.
For more information on taking the drug "Glycine" during pregnancy, see the next video.
