In modern therapy it is impossible to do without the achievements of the twentieth century - antibiotics. Over time, doctors began to identify more and more negative qualities, but an equivalent replacement has not yet been obtained. This means that you need to learn to eliminate negative consequences for the body. One of the helpers is the probiotic Linex. Instructions for use with antibiotics are not very informative, limited to good compatibility and the need for an interval between doses.
We will present updated information and opinions obtained on the basis of the practical experience of doctors in treatment with antibacterial drugs. We will consider only the effect of the group’s products on the intestinal flora, without touching on the general spectrum of action on pathogenic microorganisms.
Release form and composition
The drug is available in 3 medicinal forms:
- bottles;
- blisters;
- capsules.
But the latter form of medication is most often used. The Linex Forte instructions claim that one capsule contains 12 million lactic acid microorganisms:
- Streptococcus faecium.
- Lactobacillus acidophillus.
- Bifidobacterium infantis.
During the manufacturing process of the drug, they are dried by vacuum freezing. Such bacteria are components of the normal microflora of the human intestine. This is what explains their beneficial effects. Once in the human body, they inhibit the development of pathogenic bacteria. In addition, the drug “Linex Forte” provides another positive effect on the body. The instructions indicate that the medication stimulates the immune system (specific and nonspecific).
The drug also contains excipients. These are inulin with oligofructose, anhydrous glucose, potato starch, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, titanium dioxide, yellow iron oxide.
Linex and Linex Forte - which is better?
There are two varieties of this drug, the difference between which lies in the composition of the tablets. Thus, regular Linex contains three types of lactobacilli - Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Enterococcus, while capsules labeled Forte contain only two groups of beneficial microorganisms, but in double quantity. In addition, the strains of bacteria themselves differ:
- for Linex it is B. infantis;
- and B. animalis subsp. lactis - can only be found in Fort.
Similar differences will be found in the auxiliary components, but if we compare the products according to the type of classification, the main difference between the usual Linex is that this medicine is a pure probiotic, and Forte is a synbiotic - drugs that contain additional specific substrates necessary for nutrition and growth bacteria.
This means that regular Linex promotes the colonization of the intestines with a wider range of representatives of normal microflora, but does so more slowly compared to Linex Forte. And Linex Forte acts faster, but helps populate the intestines with a smaller range of beneficial bacteria.
The need for probiotics
Linex is a representative of probiotics, recommended for use during antibiotic therapy. Taking antibiotics leads to the destruction of not only pathogenic microflora, but also beneficial bacteria inhabiting the human intestines. As a result, the immune system weakens, and defense mechanisms against microbes that penetrate the gastrointestinal tract are also weakened.
Probiotics are drugs containing strains of beneficial bacteria that normally inhabit the human gastrointestinal tract. They should not be confused with prebiotics - they are only food for beneficial microflora, which will not give the desired result if healthy microflora is destroyed by antibiotics.
If probiotics are not taken during antibiotic treatment, the following adverse reactions may develop:
- stool disorder;
- nausea, vomiting;
- lack of appetite;
- dizziness, dehydration.
Probiotics do a good job of restoring natural microflora and thereby make antibiotic therapy more effective - the introduced microflora also begins to fight pathogenic microorganisms.
Pharmacological effect
Linex Forte is a drug that normalizes intestinal microflora.
Each capsule contains 109 colony-forming units of live lyophilized lactic acid bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA-5) and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (BB-12), which are a normal part of the natural intestinal microflora.
Lactic acid bacteria have protective, enzyme-producing and synthetic functions, i.e. they participate in the synthesis of substances with antibacterial activity, hydrolysis of proteins, fiber, starch and fats, deconjugation of bile acids, synthesis of organic acids, amino acids, vitamins B, C and K.
Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria due to the fact that:
- reduce pH in the intestines;
- compete with pathogenic bacteria for nutrients;
- produce metabolites that have a toxic effect on pathogenic microorganisms;
- form broad-spectrum antimicrobial substances and bacteriocins that prevent the growth of fungi and bacteria;
- interact with adhesion receptors, thereby preventing the colonization of other potentially pathogenic microorganisms.
Scheme for using Linex for prevention
The need for prophylactic administration of a prebiotic arises not only after antibiotics, but also for patients exposed to cytostatic drugs during the treatment of tumors. Medicines, together with malignant cells, suppress the growth of normal epithelium. Therefore, the flora of microorganisms in the intestines and other organs (bronchi, vagina in women, urinary tract) changes towards the loss of beneficial bacteria.
If there are no changes in stool and dyspeptic symptoms, the dosage should be reduced to 1-2 capsules of Linex (morning and at dinner) or 1 capsule of Linex Forte. The drug should not be taken constantly. To support normal digestion, it is enough to complete the course, then consume kefir or yogurt with bifidobacteria.
Parents think about preventing diarrhea when they go on a trip to the sea with their children. When bathing, a child may drink dirty water, which can lead to infection. Prevention of intestinal infections becomes a holiday problem. The condition of young children is complicated by adaptation to an alien climate and conditions of transport and life. For peace of mind, it is recommended to take Linex 2 weeks before travel in a reduced dosage.
Indications for use
What does Linux help with? The annotation for the drug states that it is advisable to use it during treatment or for the prevention of dysbacteriosis. In addition, this medicine will help eliminate the symptoms associated with microflora disorders:
- constipation;
- diarrhea;
- flatulence;
- bloating;
- nausea and vomiting;
- burping;
- stomach cramps;
- intestinal pain;
- allergic reactions caused by a malfunction of the gastrointestinal tract.
Diarrhea
As a result of a disturbance in the intestinal microflora, a deterioration in the digestibility of nutrients and fluid absorption develops, which leads to diarrhea. Just in this case, you need to take probiotics, such as Linex.
There are several features of diarrhea: the presence of pain, frequency of urges, unpleasant smell of stool, pasty appearance of stool, periodic constipation.
If the duration of diarrhea is more than 2 days at a temperature above 38 degrees, nausea, vomiting, or headache occur, you should notify your doctor. Such symptoms indicate an infectious-inflammatory process that is in no way related to dysbacteriosis. This requires complex therapy.
For diarrhea in children, the medication should be used only in consultation with a doctor. If the baby's bowel dysfunction lasts more than two days, additional examinations are carried out to exclude infectious and inflammatory diseases.
What if diarrhea becomes a side effect of Linex in children?
There have been cases of drug-induced diarrhea, which can be caused by taking Linex or other probiotics. A common cause is intolerance to components or sensitivity to lactose. The symptoms are as follows:
- bloating;
- gas formation;
- attacks of nausea;
- deterioration in general health;
- watery stools;
- skin rash.
In this case, you should stop taking the drug and choose a replacement.
But you shouldn’t rush to give up Linex either, since such symptoms can be caused by poor diet and consumption of fatty foods.
If the balance of microflora in the gastrointestinal tract is disturbed, some types of foods will not be completely digested. And this can cause both diarrhea and constipation. Therefore, bad stool when taking Linex for no more than 2-3 days should not be a cause for concern.
Dosage and method of administration
The instructions for use indicate: Linex Forte is taken orally, preferably during or after meals. Capsules should be taken with a small amount of liquid. When prescribing Linex Forte to children and patients who cannot swallow the capsule whole, it should be opened, pour the contents into a spoon and mix with a small amount of liquid.
- Adults and adolescents over 12 years of age are prescribed 1 capsule. 1-3 times/day.
- Children aged 2 to 12 years - 1 capsule. 1-2 times/day.
- Newborns and children under 2 years of age - 1 capsule. 1 time/day
Diarrhea in children under 6 years of age should be treated under medical supervision.
The duration of treatment depends on the cause of the development of dysbiosis and the individual characteristics of the organism. The drug Linex Forte can be taken until the symptoms of dysbiosis disappear.
The recommended dosage of the drug should not be exceeded.
Analogs
Like any pharmacological drug, Linex has analogues. They differ in composition - the content of lactic acid bacteria, etc. Another significant difference is the price. Common analogues:
- "Acilact";
- "Acipol";
- "Biosporin";
- "Bifikol";
- "Good luck";
- "Lactobacterin";
- "Lactulose";
- "Lizalak";
- "Probifor";
- "Florin forte";
- "Effidigest".
It is believed that diarrhea may be a side effect of Linex in children. Is it so?
special instructions
Before you start using the drug, read the special instructions:
- When treating diarrhea, it is necessary to replace lost fluids and electrolytes.
- Linex Forte should not be washed down with hot drinks or taken simultaneously with alcohol.
- There is no need for special precautions when disposing of unused Linex Forte.
- The patient should consult a doctor if, before starting to use the drug, he has a body temperature above 38 ° C, blood or mucus in the stool, diarrhea lasts more than 2 days and is accompanied by acute abdominal pain, dehydration and weight loss; and also in the presence of chronic diseases (diabetes mellitus, HIV infection).
Why drink Linex after antibiotics: beneficial properties of dietary supplements
In the instructions for each antibiotic, in the “side properties” section, in addition to allergies, symptoms familiar to many are described:
- stomach ache,
- bloating,
- diarrhea.
Their appearance against the background of improved well-being after illness is perceived as a disaster. The person is weakened, the body does not have enough protection for an additional fight. Young children and older people are especially hard hit.
It has been established that the symptoms are caused by the ability of antibiotics, simultaneously with the destruction of pathogenic microorganisms, to suppress the normal intestinal microflora. According to scientists, up to 30% of patients suffer from digestive disorders after treatment. According to the degree of negative impact, drugs of the penicillin group destroy bifidobacteria and lactobacilli to the maximum; the effect is less pronounced for quinolones, lincomycins, macrolides, and cephalosporins.
The intestines are damaged regardless of what was treated - bronchitis, sore throat or otitis media. In response, opportunistic flora grows on the mucous membrane, which does not have sufficient beneficial properties, and does not exclude the possibility of additional infection. A violation of the ratio of different types of bacteria is called dysbiosis. This is a term, not a diagnosis. Whether it turns into pathology depends on the patient’s immunity and the ability to ensure the restoration of optimal balance.
Created synthetic and semi-synthetic antibacterial drugs have less negative effects. Some drugs are produced in different pharmaceutical companies and countries, improved in quality composition, and replace the previous base. The latest generation of drugs treats the body's microflora most carefully.
These include:
- penicillins such as Ampicillin, its analogues Amoxicillin, Flemoxin Solutab,
- the combined drug Amoxiclav (amoxicillin + clavulanic acid) is enhanced by the ability to inhibit the enzyme β-lactamase of bacteria,
- Azithromycin and Sumamed are antibiotics from the macrolide group that block the synthesis of protein components in the microbial cell.
Doctors do not consider the appearance of signs of dyspepsia as a reason to discontinue antibiotic therapy. Treatment must be continued until the pathogens disappear completely. In difficult cases, it is allowed to use two antibiotics, replace them, or use the intravenous or intramuscular route of administration instead of oral administration. To prevent digestive disorders, it is necessary to add probiotics to the therapy complex. The most convenient and popular for its qualities is Linex.
In the pharmacy chain, the probiotic is presented in several forms:
- capsules in blisters, contain 300 mg of lyophilized but viable lacto-, bifidobacteria, enterococci, additional components include gelatin, lactose,
- sachet powder contains lactobacilli and maltodextrin and requires prior dissolution in water,
- children's drops in a bottle of 8 ml (6 drops correspond to the number of bacteria in one capsule),
- the enhanced form of Linex Forte was created specifically for use by adult patients; the dose of the bacterial composition is significantly greater than in conventional capsules.
Once in the intestines, the contents of Linex are distributed throughout. By compensating for lost beneficial microorganisms, the drug helps:
- restore the disturbed balance between beneficial and opportunistic bacteria, which is crucial in eliminating diarrhea,
- establish the production of necessary vitamins (K, group B, PP, folic and ascorbic acid),
- stimulate local and general immunity, activate the synthesis of immunoglobulin A and endogenous interferon, protect the mucous membrane from the introduction of pathogenic agents,
- provide conditions for the flow of bile, the production and functions of digestive enzymes.
All together creates a protective barrier against damaging effects. Most doctors consider prescribing Linex after antibiotics to be a reasonable and necessary decision.
Reviews
We have selected some reviews from people who have taken Linex Forte:
- Marina. Of all the probiotics I tried, Linex Forte turned out to be the most effective. I had to take it to restore my intestinal microflora. The result was not long in coming: the abdominal pain decreased within an hour, then the bloating went away, and after a couple of days the condition of the intestines began to improve significantly, which was also shown by an analysis for dysbacteriosis. This drug has only two nuances: firstly, one capsule per day is enough only if you drink Linex to prevent dysbacteriosis. For treatment you need two capsules. Secondly, the price is quite high. Good drugs always cost money.
- Nastya. Capsules were prescribed to a 2.5 year old child for the treatment of dysbiosis. Of course, bacteria are all expensive, but they are worth it. Diet and treatment with bacteria fixed everything in 0.5 months)
- Pasha. Our pediatrician always prescribes Linex Forte when treating children with antibiotics. Somehow there wasn’t enough money to buy this drug, and the pharmacy recommended an analogue. The child still suffered from diarrhea and abdominal pain. I had to go back and buy Linex Forte, since its effect begins immediately after the first dose of the drug. First, the pain subsides, and then the stool improves. Moreover, it is enough to drink one package, that is, simultaneously with antibiotics. Repeated treatment has not yet been necessary. There may be some bacteria missing in this drug, but it works 100%.
According to most reviews, Linex Forte is an effective drug that restores disturbed intestinal microflora, including errors in nutrition and changes in cuisine when traveling, after taking various medications, including antibiotics. There are isolated reviews from patients for whom the drug did not help, that is, in their case it turned out to be ineffective.
The disadvantages of many include the high cost.
Linex for newborns
Dysbacteriosis is an absolutely normal phenomenon for a newborn baby. While in the womb, the baby's body is protected from interaction with microorganisms, and only at the time of birth does he encounter them for the first time. The speed and correct formation of intestinal microflora largely depends on what kind of bacteria it is.
Another problem that almost every family has to endure to one degree or another is colic. The period of formation and maturation of the baby’s gastrointestinal tract is on average 3 months. To accelerate the growth and development of healthy microflora, on the recommendation of a doctor, it is allowed to give Linex to children 28-30 days from birth . In most cases, an improvement in the baby’s condition and a decrease in the frequency of attacks is observed after 5-7 days of use.
If it is necessary to use antibiotics immediately after birth, the child can be given Linex Forte to compensate for their harmful effects, and after antibiotics Linex is taken for 30 days in children's forms.
Hilak Forte or Linex?
Linex Forte capsules in many ways benefit from a variety of similar products, while with the regular version of Linex the situation is somewhat different. Many people are interested in what is the difference between Hilak Forte and Linex, which of these remedies is better for treatment?
In fact, both drugs are often prescribed by doctors together. This is not surprising, since one of them is a probiotic and the other is a prebiotic. Simply put, the main difference is that the first drug will deliver nutrients to the microorganisms contained in the second drug.
This means that among these means it makes no sense to choose the best. They create a combination that is much more effective than taking one or another medicine separately. However, none of these funds can be considered cheap; their initial cost is approximately 250-300 rubles.
How to enhance the effect of Linux
Lactic acid bacteria that live in the intestinal cavity of a healthy person feed on carbohydrates, milk sugar, fiber and many other types of digestible and indigestible polysaccharides. As a result of vital activity, microorganisms actively multiply, which helps to suppress pathogenic flora. To speed up these processes and extract maximum benefit, it is recommended to combine Linex with prebiotic drugs (Hilak Forte, Duphalac, Inulin, etc.).
Taking lactulose preparations will have the best effect if the baby is prone to constipation, however, in case of dysbacteriosis, caution must be exercised. Some pathogenic species of bacteria also readily feed on indigestible polysaccharides, releasing large volumes of gases, which can further worsen colic. In this case, you should start taking prebiotics with small doses.
Linex Forte or Bifiform?
Linex forte contains lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, and Bifiform contains bifidobacteria and enterococci. This difference between the types of beneficial bacteria included in the preparations also determines the different areas of their application. Thus, Linex Forte is most effective for the treatment of dysbiosis and various acute or chronic intestinal lesions caused by bacteria. And Bifiform is most effective for the treatment of dysbiosis, in which fungi of the genus Candida predominate, and there is also candidiasis of the vagina or intestines.
Thus, Linex Forte is recommended to be taken in cases where dysbiosis is caused by a bacterial component. And Bifiform is optimal in cases where dysbiosis is combined with intestinal or vaginal candidiasis.
When to take probiotics
Medicines containing beneficial strains of bacteria can be taken after or while taking antibiotics. If you know in advance that the patient will be treated with antibiotics, you can start taking Linex in advance. There are no strict restrictions in this regard.
There are no restrictions on taking antibiotics after Linex - prepared intestinal microflora will enhance the effect of antibiotic therapy, but in the future it will still be necessary to restore the quantitative ratio of beneficial bacteria. Therefore, doctors rarely recommend using Linex before starting antibacterial therapy.
Storage conditions and shelf life
Shelf life – 2 years.
Storage conditions: out of reach of children at temperatures up to 25 °C.
How to take Linex Forte and what does it help with? — tips and recommendations on News4Health.ru
Life in the modern world is replete with many factors that negatively affect human health. The main ones are poor ecology, questionable quality of food, contaminated drinking water, poor quality medical care, as well as stressful situations and bad habits. Therefore, it is so important to pay attention to regular healing of the body using various methods and means. Be sure to consult a specialist so as not to harm your health!
