A drug such as glycine is prescribed by many doctors in childhood. And so that parents are not afraid to give this remedy to babies, they should know how this drug works, why the child's body needs it, and what dosages will be safe at different ages.
The nature of glycine
This compound is an aminoacetic acid, which is a nonessential amino acid (it is synthesized in the human body from other amino acids). The basis of the name of such an aliphatic acid is the word "glycos", which in ancient Greek meant "sweet". Glycine, like other amino acids, is found in both plant and animal foods. Its sources are liver and beef, oatmeal, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, nuts and other foods.
2 principles of operation
If glycine enters the child's body as part of food, it is broken down in the digestive tract along with other amino acids, and then transferred to the liver and other organs, taking part in the synthesis of proteins.
A completely different effect will be with glycine, which in the form of a tablet is absorbed in the oral cavity. It goes directly into the bloodstream and is transported to the brain, where it "works" as a transmitter. Under its action, the formation of glutamic acid in neurons decreases, which leads to a decrease in the effect of excitation. Instead, neurons begin to produce GABA, which has an inhibitory effect.
This action normalizes metabolic processes, improves the functioning of the nervous system, improves the psychoemotional state and stimulates intellectual activity. In addition, glycine that got to the brain receptors relieves conflict, lowers aggressiveness, improves mood, and reduces the toxic effects of medications that depress the central nervous system.
Indications
Glycine is used in childhood as:
- A natural sedative with a mild effect.
- Means for normalizing sleep.
- Drugs against muscular dystrophy.
- A stimulant of mental activity.
- A protective agent for emotional stress, stress and strokes.
- Nootropic drug in the treatment of nervous diseases.
The reasons to prescribe glycine to a child are:
- Brain lesions.
- Memory impairment.
- Concentration problems.
- Stress.
- Psycho-emotional overload.
- Delayed mental development.
- Sleep disturbances.
Contraindications
The main contraindication in which glycine is not prescribed is the individual intolerance of such an amino acid or excipients in the composition of the tablets.
Side effects
A rare adverse reaction to glycine use is allergy, which manifests itself as hives or skin rashes. If the dose is too high, the drug can cause nausea, dizziness, and a decrease in blood pressure.
Combining glycine with other medicines
Glycine is noted to reduce the toxic effect of drugs on the brain, therefore it is often prescribed together with drugs of the group of antidepressants and neuroleptics.
If you give a child glycine at the same time as medications that have a hypnotic, tranquilizing and sedative effect, the effect of inhibition of the central nervous system will add up.
At what age can children be given?
Glycine can be prescribed from the first year of life, however, use before the age of 3 years should be monitored by a doctor.
Dosage and instructions for use
Tablets, in which glycine acts as the main active ingredient, must be dissolved under the tongue or behind the cheek (between the gums and upper lip). The duration of use and dosage are primarily influenced by the reason for the appointment, therefore, a doctor should prescribe such a drug.
Babies
For babies under one year old, glycine is prescribed only for serious medical indications. In this case, the dose of the drug, the frequency of administration and the duration of therapy should be established by the attending physician.
If he prescribed glycine to a baby, the tablet is ground into powder, which is applied to the nipple or immediately placed in the baby's mouth. The duration of the appointment under the age of one year usually does not exceed 2 weeks. An alternative to prescribing glycine for babies under one year old is the use of the drug by a nursing mother.
Children 1-2 years old
At this age, glycine is prescribed half a tablet (50 mg) three times a day. After two weeks of this regimen, the drug is given for another week, once a day, 50 mg.
Children 3-4 years old
At this age, the dosage of glycine is 100 mg per dose (1 tablet). The drug is prescribed for 1-4 weeks with a frequency of administration 2-3 times a day.
Children over 5 years old
A single dosage of glycine for children of this age is 1 tablet, which must be absorbed in the mouth without crushing. It is given to the child 2 or 3 times a day, the course of treatment is usually 7 to 14 days, but can increase to 1 month. If the child has trouble sleeping, the drug is given at night 20 minutes before the baby goes to bed.
Komarovsky's opinion
A popular pediatrician considers the nootropic effect of glycine unproven and claims that the drug is useful mainly for doctors and parents. For the first it helps to ease the responsibility, and for the second it brings peace of mind that at least something is being done. Such medicine does not harm small patients, but, according to Komarovsky, it does not help. A well-known doctor believes that he is discharged mainly "just in case."
Feedback from parents
Most of the parents who gave glycine to their children noted the harmlessness and effectiveness of its action. Many say that after a course of such a drug, the child became less restless, his mental activity, in particular, memory and attention, became more active. It is also often mentioned about normalization, after taking glycine, sleep and muscle tone. It is much less common to hear complaints of uselessness and allergic reactions.
