In the treatment of pathologies of the liver and biliary tract, drugs based on medicinal plants are often used. One of these tools is Galstena. Do children treat this drug and in what cases will it benefit the child's body?
Release form
Galsten is produced in two forms:
- Drops. It is a yellowish transparent solution that has a slight specific aroma. It can become cloudy during storage, but this does not affect efficiency. One package contains 20, 50 or 100 ml of such liquid.
- Pills. They have a round, flat shape and no smell. The color of these tablets is often white, but there is a marble color and blotches. One blister contains 12 tablets, and one pack can contain from 1 to 4 blisters.
Composition
Any form of Galstena contains 5 active substances. Three of them are of plant origin (obtained from milk thistle, dandelion and celandine), and two are represented by mineral compounds (phosphorus and sodium sulfate). The drops additionally contain ethyl alcohol, and the tablets include magnesium stearate and potato starch, as well as lactose monohydrate.
Operating principle
Galstena is a homeopathic medicine that can affect the functioning of the liver and the functioning of the biliary tract.
It has the following effect:
- Protects liver cells by reducing cytolysis.
- Helps eliminate cholestasis in the hepatic ducts.
- Improves the evacuation of bile.
- Helps relieve dyspepsia.
- Relieves spasms in the biliary tract.
- Reduces the severity of inflammation.
- Prevents the appearance of gallstones.
Indications
The drug is prescribed:
- With acute hepatitis.
- With chronic liver pathologies.
- With diseases of the gallbladder.
- With an exacerbation of pancreatitis, which occurs in a chronic form.
- In the postoperative period, if postcholecystectomy syndrome has developed.
The drug is often included in the treatment of atopic dermatitis and other forms of allergy. Galsten can also be prescribed with antibiotic therapy to protect liver cells from the adverse effects of antibacterial drugs. Children are advised to give this remedy with increased acetone, constipation, bloating, bitterness in the mouth and other unpleasant symptoms.
From what age is it allowed to take?
Galstena can be used in children of any age, but small patients of the first years of life should be given such a remedy only after agreement with the doctor.
Contraindications
Do not give drops or tablets if you are hypersensitive to any of their ingredients.
Side effects
Occasionally, Galstena provokes increased salivation. The medicine often does not cause other negative effects.
Instructions for use
Galstena is taken either 60 minutes after a meal, or half an hour before feedings / meals. Drops should be drunk neat, but not prohibited and diluted with water or human milk. For breeding children under one year old, use a teaspoon of liquid, and for older children, a tablespoon.
The tablets must be sucked under the tongue until they are completely dissolved. If the child is small, the tablet can be dissolved in milk or water. Before swallowing the medication in liquid form, you need to hold it in your mouth for about 30 seconds.
If a child has hepatitis or pancreatitis, then Galsten is recommended to be taken three times a day for at least three months in such a single dose:
- For a child of the first year of life - 1 drop or half a tablet.
- For children 1-12 years old - 5 drops or half a tablet.
- For a teenager over 12 years old - 10 drops or a whole tablet.
If a small patient has cholelithiasis, chronic cholecystitis or postcholecystectomy syndrome, then the drug is prescribed for a course of 3 months. With such pathologies, Galstena is taken three times a day, 5 drops / half a tablet (children under 12 years old) or 10 drops / 1 tablet (adolescents).
When the disease is acute and the symptoms are very pronounced, more frequent drops are allowed. The drug in a single dosage by age is given to the child every 30-60 minutes, but not more than 8 times a day. When the condition improves, they switch to three times the application.
Overdose and drug interactions
A negative effect from Galstena in too high a dose has not been previously recorded. The drug can be taken along with any other medicines.
Terms of sale and storage
Galstena is an over-the-counter drug and is sold freely in pharmacies. The average price of 20 ml drops is 330-350 rubles, and packs of 12 tablets are about 280 rubles.
Both drops and sublingual tablets should be kept at home at temperatures below 25 degrees Celsius. The drug must be out of reach of children. The shelf life of the liquid form is 5 years, and the tablet form is 3 years.
Reviews
Galsten is praised by most parents for its effective action, ease of use and a minimum of contraindications. Mothers confirm that such a remedy is good for acetone, bitterness in the mouth, constipation, cholecystitis and other problems. In negative reviews, there are complaints about unpleasant taste and high cost.
Analogs
Other drugs with a similar effect can replace Galstena, for example, Carsil, Holosas, Ursofalk and others. However, they differ in both composition and indications, therefore they should be appointed by a specialist.
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