Capsules are a dosage form. Features of use, difference between capsules and tablets

tablets, capsules, dysphagia

A few years ago, a survey of 5,000 people was conducted in the Netherlands, 30% of whom admitted that they had difficulty swallowing drugs in tablets and capsules. Only a third of such patients report their problem to the doctor, and the remaining patients either refuse altogether. drug therapy, or crush the pills and pour out the contents of the capsules, despite the need to swallow them whole as indicated in the instructions. And thus disrupt the treatment process!

WHAT ARE THE DOSAGE FORMS?

A number of studies have found that the therapeutic effectiveness of the drug and the likelihood of side effects are largely influenced by dosage form facilities.

According to the current State Pharmacopoeia Russian Federation, depending on the state of aggregation secrete solid, liquid, soft and gaseous dosage forms.

Solid dosage forms include tablets, capsules, powders, granules, dragees, lozenges, etc.

Some types of liquid dosage forms are solutions, drops, suspensions, decoctions, and infusions.

Typical soft shapes- ointments, gels, liniments, creams.

As for gaseous dosage forms, these include, for example, aerosols and sprays.

WHY DO ORAL MEDICINES NEED A COVER?

As is known, absorption (absorption) of most oral drugs occurs in small intestine. But you still need to get to it, having overcome the esophagus and, most importantly, the stomach. If the active ingredient of the drug is not enclosed in a special acid-resistant shell, then it will certainly interact with the aggressive components of digestive juice (hydrochloric acid, enzymes), begin to gradually degrade and lose its pharmacotherapeutic activity. Clinical effect the medicine will be weaker than expected, but the risk of side effects may increase significantly. This is the first reason why you cannot crush the tablets in the shell and open the capsules. But by no means the only one!

In the treatment of many diseases (for example, arterial hypertension), it is important to maintain constant concentration active substance in blood. This, in particular, is achieved by “packaging” it in special dosage forms that provide gradual, controlled release of the drug over a long period of time. The names of such long-acting agents are often supplemented with the word “retard” (from the Latin retardo - slow down, tardus - quiet, slow). Examples include Arifon® retard and Egilok® retard.

In this case, if the integrity of the tablet or capsule is broken, the active substance is released and absorbed immediately, in in full. In this case, a concentration of the drug is created in the patient’s blood that significantly exceeds the therapeutic, and sometimes even toxic.

HOW TO MAKE MEDICATION TAKING EASIER?

What should patients do if they have difficulty swallowing tablets that cannot be split or chewed, as well as capsules? To help, there are several ways to make it easier to take such drugs.

1. Sip with head turn. Put the medicine in your mouth, drink it with water and try to swallow it, while turning your head slightly to the side. This promotes wider opening of the pharynx and thereby facilitates the passage of the drug into the esophagus.

2. “Lucky moment” method. Open your mouth and wait until it is completely filled with saliva and you definitely want to swallow. Don't miss this moment and immediately put the drug on your tongue. Excessive saliva will make the pill or capsule slippery, and sipping immediately will minimize the chance of it rolling off the tongue and down the cheek.

3. "Bottle" method. It was developed by pharmacologists from the University of Heidelberg (Germany) specifically to make tablets easier to swallow. Place it on your tongue, then wrap your lips tightly around the neck plastic bottle with water. Throw your head back sharply and take a large sip.

4. Sip with head tilted. And this method is also proposed by the specialists mentioned above. It is ideal for taking capsules. Place the medication on your tongue and take some water into your mouth. Then tilt your head forward so that your chin is almost close to your chest, and in this position, swallow the capsule.

5. "Like clockwork"! Despite the fact that doctors strongly do not recommend taking medications with any food, you can resort to this method (if others do not help) when taking a coated tablet or capsule. Lubricate it with a small amount of honey or oil, and then put the drug on the tongue and swallow with water.

Note: We hope that these simple, but, as doctors say, quite effective methods will help make the process of taking medications more comfortable!

1. Many people often have great difficulty swallowing pills. This is justified by the structure of our palate - an anatomical formation. It is what separates our oral cavity from the nasal cavity. Often the functions of our oral cavity, as well as the mucous membrane, swallowing tablets is not allowed due to their structure. And people with a similar oral cavity structure are not recommended to swallow tablets. We ask you to take this into account.

2. Tablets come in various shapes - smooth and rough. Some of us prefer capsules to tablets - the same tablets, but only in an elongated shape. We recommend drinking them for those people who do not fit the description in the first step. These tablets are actually easier to swallow due to their shape. In addition, these capsules are smooth and easy to swallow without getting stuck in the mouth.

Parents were asked to give these drugs to their children at home, aged 1 to 4 years, and almost all 98% took the pill without problems. How amazing is that? If not physical problem, we can all swallow food and drink without problems. Dr Diane Van Reijt-Nales, the study leader and member of the Dutch Medical Assessment Commission, said the ability to swallow a tablet is something that is important to study, so that you don't always have to resort to medicine in liquid form.

It's one thing to say it, and another to achieve it. Parents like Diane Loban know all too well the resistance children experience when it comes to taking medication. When they are sick, getting my kids to drink fluids can be a feat, they can cry and feel miserable when they have to take antibiotics, especially the banana flavored ones.

3. Those people who are afraid, or for some reason cannot swallow tablets in the form of capsules, we recommend “using” chewable tablets. Such medications should be chewed as best as possible in order to avoid heartburn and stomach irritation. Typically, such tablets are not recommended for small children and infants. 4. Sometimes the opportunity arises when you can crush the tablet and drink it with something sweet, for example, juice or compote. However, not all tablets can be used in this way. For example, you cannot drink those capsules that have an acid-resistant shell. They should not be chewed as they are not intended to dissolve directly in the stomach. They must enter the intestines, and there they must dissolve the shell, and at the same time release the contents of the tablet or capsule. If such tablets are chewed, they will negatively affect the mucous membrane of our stomach.

However, the tablet option doesn't seem to be working for Loban, who says their children are now 9 and 12 and "not yet interested in swallowing a tablet that can't be sucked in." Psychologist Katherine Dalsgaard believes taking a few "simple steps" can help persuade a reluctant patient. "I've seen what heroic parents have to do to get their children to take the pill and that look of betrayal on the child's face when they manage to get the medicine into their mouth."

At his clinic at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, he uses behavioral therapy to help children with anxiety problems, among others. Sometimes you get emergency calls, when a parent must change the medication simply because the child cannot swallow it.

5. There are tablets that can be crushed into n-number of parts. Typically, the tablets are divided into ten equal pieces. Usually these medicines have a special notch across their base. But, just in case, it is better for you to ask your doctor about the correctness of taking these tablets, or read the instructions on the medication package.

His solution is ingenious, although simple. I use a method called "shape" which is practiced with small pieces of candy, such as for decorating cupcakes or ice cream. "Most of the time, when they put them on the bottom of their tongues, they don't even bother with them, and little by little we move forward with bigger and bigger candies."

If they have regression, then back off with a smaller candy size. The doctor says this therapy usually works in one session of one hour. Dalsgaard also recommends parents familiarize themselves with a technique developed by Alberta Children's Hospital in Canada.

6. If you really can’t crush the tablet into many small pieces, then you can do the following in this case. Take a large sip of water before swallowing the medicine. She will moisten her throat, and in this case the tablet will pass unhindered into the esophagus. Keep in mind that such tablets cannot be taken while sitting, much less in a lying position. They only drink while standing.

The baby is encouraged to move their head - from left to right or from top to bottom - until they find a position that works best for them while swallowing. The theory is that by tilting the head 45 degrees to one side, the diameter of the esophagus increases slightly and swallowing takes a little longer to make the procedure easier.

A new option coming out is "minipilling", 2, 3 or 4 mm, specially designed for children. But it is still in development, according to Stephen Tomlin, consultant pharmacist in children's services at Evelina Children's Hospital in London.

7. If the tablet is stuck in the throat, or does not go into the stomach, then you can eat some food to help the tablet reach its destination. Many people suggest that you can take a piece of bread and wash it down with water. This way you will push the tablet through and dislodge it from the place where it is stuck.

"Making a tablet for kids is a pretty limited market, so they end up being very expensive." The significance of the Dutch study is that it is the first time that children's acceptability of swallowing pills in their own homes has been analyzed, particularly when the participants were not ill.

Dr. Van Reijt-Nals hopes her research will help parents understand that a child under 5 years of age can successfully swallow a pill. What we know from parent reports is that many children like to take pills and they do it alone, and this avoids the stressful moment of not wanting to take a syrup they don't like.

As you know, medications are produced in the form of mixtures, drops, tablets, capsules, etc.
I am prescribed capsules, the instructions for use of which say “Do not chew.” I can’t swallow them: many years ago, while probing, my throat was damaged, and since then I’ve chewed everything, even semolina porridge. Well, I can’t swallow and that’s it! How can I then be treated, because the chewed capsule does not “work” as it should, if there is any benefit from it at all?

For his part, Tomlin believes it doesn't matter how old the child is. "By at least"You have to give them the option to choose between liquid medicine and a tablet, many liquids like antibiotics are terrible and tablets don't taste good." Swallowing a pill, tablet or capsule is an important skill that many of us take for granted until we have a child to swallow it. There are many things, from anxiety to stubbornness, that can make it difficult for a child to swallow a pill.

As with any activity, learning to swallow a tablet takes practice. If you teach your child to right time and rightly so, it can be a positive experience that will boost your child's confidence and confidence. In no time, it will be something both will take for granted.

Comments: 16 »

Gelatin capsules dissolve directly in the stomach and the medicine gets there without touching the mucous membrane of the stomach and larynx. If your throat is damaged, the contents of the capsule may have a negative effect on it. Ask your doctor about the contents of the capsule and, if possible, take it without the shell.

You should definitely consult your doctor. Perhaps he will prescribe you other medications. If the instructions for the medicine say that you can’t chew, then you can’t!

Although many medications come in chewable or drinkable form, some medications are best taken as tablets, pills, or tablets. In fact, some tablets that are meant to be swallowed whole should never be crushed, crushed or chewed because this can be dangerous. And some medications are designed to take effect over several hours at a time, rather than having the full effect of a hit. This would not be possible if the medicine was chewable or in liquid form.

When should children study?

Before giving any medicine to your child, follow the instructions on the package leaflet and ask your child or pharmacist any questions you may have. Every child is unique; therefore, the age at which children learn to swallow pills varies. Try to avoid comparing your child to other children, including siblings. In general, children should be at least 4 years old and at a stage where they seem to want to cooperate and are motivated to learn new skills.

Talk to your doctor, it is quite possible that he can replace the capsules with tablets.

If it is not possible to take the contents of the capsule without the shell, your doctor will prescribe you another medicine. And in the future, tell your doctor right away about your problems so that he takes them into account when prescribing treatment.

Hello! In general, it is impossible to chew the capsules, they are hard. I take the capsule and pour the powder from the capsule into a spoon with water, and then drink the medicine.

Ideally, you should practice with your child before you need the medication so you don't put pressure on them. Start with something very small, like the nuggets that top some ice cream or cakes. After several effective attempts, gradually increase the size of the candies. Then you can switch to pills such as non-reproducible vitamins.

Practice when you have turned off the TV, cell phones and smartphones, and there are no other distractions. Don't expect your child to learn this skill from one day to the next: practice it 5-10 minutes a day for 2 weeks. Before your child swallows his first tablet, remind him of the other skills he's learned and is doing right now, and explain why it's important to take his medication to help him feel good. If possible, have your child watch you swallow your medicine or multivitamins before he hits him.

The capsules do not need to be chewed or bitten, because... they should begin to act on the body after they dissolve. There are cases that biting the capsule can affect the enamel of the teeth.

The capsules must not be chewed. Without the shell, you can scratch your larynx and stomach with the contents of the capsule. The contents can also be damaged tooth enamel. Contact your doctor, let him prescribe you injections, each medicine is duplicated by injection, but is also much more effective than tablets and capsules.

When it's your child's turn, remember that you must be and appear calm. If he is nervous, his son will do the same. Be positive even if things don't work out the first time and avoid any negative comments. Are you also interested in avoiding negative experience associated with tablets. For example, if you tried to put a pill in your child's food and he realized it, this could be counterproductive and create mistrust.

To swallow the tablet, ask your child. Feel right when the head is centered and straight, avoiding tilting the head too far back, which may interfere with swallowing behavior. Swallow before a few sips of water to “practice” the swallowing behavior, and then place the tablet on your child's tongue and ask him to drink water again. . Check the medicine package to see if the tablet can be taken with food. If so, and unless you say the tablet must be taken on an empty stomach, you may want to ask your child to sip something thicker than water, such as milk or a milkshake.

To answer your question, I can say one thing: you cannot chew the capsules. Do not be afraid to consult your doctor; now the same medicine can be available in different forms. In addition, it can be used in different ways. For example, when restoring intestinal flora, you can ferment milk using the contents of the capsules. This way, you won’t have to swallow them, and the medicine will be effective. But in any case, you need to consult a doctor. Medicines are very expensive, there is no point in being treated and not getting a therapeutic effect.

You can also try injecting the tablet into semi-solid foods such as pudding or applesauce. Praise your child when he swallows the tablet well. If you don't succeed, calmly tell your child that everything is okay and try again. If your child refuses to try, stop playing the sport and take a break. You can always try this later.

If the tablet seems too large for your child to swallow, ask the pharmacist if it can be cut in several places. Chances are, with enough patience and practice, most children learn to swallow pills, tablets, and capsules.

Chew the capsules at will it is forbidden. You need to re-visit the specialist who prescribed the medications for you. Perhaps they will replace them with another drug.
If you chew the capsules, you will not get the desired therapeutic effect.

No, no and no again, as stated above. As for whether there is any benefit, it depends on the drug. Most of them are produced in the form of capsules so that the contents are released directly in the stomach. In general, it is better to consult a doctor to prescribe the drug in a different form (injections, for example). Although if this is a drug for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, then this option will not be suitable for obvious reasons.

However, some children may have problems receiving it, e.g. Children who are very nervous about new medications and new experiences; children who have had bad experiences such as nausea or vomiting when trying to swallow pills; children with developmental delays; oral motor problems; or behavior problems. With these children, it may be wiser to delay teaching and talk to a doctor first.

For most children and many adults, even swallowing pills is a difficult task and they fear it to the point of hating it. Almost all drugs and medications come in tablet form. People face problems swallowing medicinal tablets, due to fear of suffocation if the pills do not pass through the feeding tube. The bitterness of the pills makes it even more difficult. This article is written to help people overcome this “pill phobia”.

You cannot chew capsules, the capsule should dissolve in a certain place in the gastrointestinal tract no sooner, ask your doctor to prescribe it for you. similar drug in another dosage form.

I once tried the contents of a capsule - you can get either a terrible bitterness or a burn, but I didn’t get to that point. If for some reason you can’t take the capsules, then I think you need to dissolve it in about a glass of water and drink

Most medications come in tablet form. None of us are completely immune to disease, and the need to swallow medicinal pills is inevitable. Therefore, studying safe technology swallowing any pills is a skill that can be useful. Children are more often afraid of swallowing bitter medicines.

Let's look at some simple tricks to help you or your children swallow pills easily. Ways to overcome the fear of swallowing pills. We are used to swallowing food. The reason most people have trouble swallowing medications is because of their bitter taste and fear of choking. Learning to swallow pills is something that can be improved with practice and proper technique.

Under no circumstances should the capsule be chewed; it should dissolve in your gastrointestinal tract after a certain time after swallowing. If you chew it, the gastric juice will neutralize the healing properties of the capsule. And of course, I advise you to contact your doctor.

You can take the capsule in other ways. Open the capsule, dissolve the contents in a tablespoon of water and drink. Then the medicine will also work.

Knowing the Correct Technique This tip is especially good for adults who have trouble swallowing. Relax first before taking the pills. Sit in a quiet place with a glass of water and pills. Don't be afraid to take pills. It's very easy to do if you know the right technique. If you are afraid of it, there is a greater chance that your swallowing will create fear in your throat, which will eventually cause the pills to get stuck in your throat. This is a cycle that needs to be broken.

Stand or sit when you swallow the tablets. Take one tablet per right hand and a glass of water in the other. Take a small sip of water, which moistens the esophagus and lubricates the way to easily lower the pill. Open your mouth completely and place your tongue. Then take more drinks with water. Before you know it, the pill has gone inside your stomach.

Chewing capsules containing the drug is not permissible, since some substances placed in the capsule shell have the form of prolonged action granules, that is, actions with a gradual release of the main substance. A sharp increase in the amount of drug in the blood plasma due to deformation of the capsule and its contents can lead to adverse consequences.. However, the very desire to bite into the capsule, which arose out of fear of deformation of the larynx, can be regarded as a manifestation of obsessive-compulsive syndrome and requires the assessment of a specialist psychotherapist.

Placing the medicine in a capsule requires that it dissolve strictly in the stomach. However, if you have difficulty swallowing (as in your case), you can carefully open the capsule and add the contents to an acidic drink or food that does not require chewing (for example, fruit juice or applesauce). This is how we gave the child medicine for his pancreas. Good luck!

You can speed up the action of the pill or enhance its effect, minimizing the risk adverse reactions or, on the contrary, get poisoned by taking usual dose of the drug... The regimen and method of use radically affects the work of many medications: from ordinary vitamins to potent drugs.

After the tablet enters the body, it must dissolve in digestive tract, penetrate through the walls of blood vessels into the blood. Then the active substance is distributed throughout the body and exerts its effect, after which it enters the liver, where it is destroyed and excreted with unnecessary metabolic products through the kidneys or intestines. This is the most common pathway taken in the body medications for oral administration.

What we eat and drink during treatment can slow down or speed up the absorption of the drug, interfere with its inactivation in the liver, or even remove the drug from the body in transit, without any effect. Therefore, it is important to know how to take pills correctly.

What should I take with my medications?

The universal liquid for washing down tablets is clean, non-carbonated, warm or room temperature water. Cold water slows down absorption in the stomach and may, during illness, provoke nausea and vomiting. The amount of water should be at least half a glass (100 ml).

Only some medications can be taken with milk and are even beneficial. These are drugs from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that we most often use for pain and fever: aspirin, ibuprofen, ketanov, analgin, indomethacin, voltaren and others, as well as steroid hormones: prednisolone, dexamethasone. Milk has a protective effect on the gastric mucosa and reduces the likelihood of the damaging effects of these drugs on it. The exception is drugs from these groups in the form of tablets or capsules coated with an enteric coating (such information can be found on the packaging) - their contents are released only in the intestines.

Generally not recommended for use with tablets mineral water, since they contain ions of calcium, iron and other elements that can enter into chemical reaction with the components of the drug and interfere with their absorption.

The most complex interactions are observed when tablets are taken together with vegetable and fruit juices: they can both weaken and enhance the effect of the drugs. On the “black list”: apple, cherry, pear, grape, lemon, orange, pineapple, beetroot, tomato, viburnum and many other juices. The most dangerous is grapefruit. About 70% are incompatible with it existing drugs, including blood pressure lowering medications, heart medications and oral contraceptives. Drugs to reduce blood cholesterol(atorvastatin, simvastatin, etc.) together with grapefruit juice cause massive destruction muscle tissue And renal failure. Moreover, for the development of an adverse effect, 1 glass of juice is enough, it all depends on individual characteristics body. Therefore, it is recommended to stop drinking grapefruit juice three days before starting treatment with any medications (including injections).

It is not harmless to take some medications with tea and coffee. Tannins, catechins and caffeine contained in these drinks can play a cruel joke, for example, reducing the effectiveness oral contraceptives. On the other hand, oral contraceptives increase the side effects of caffeine, which can lead to insomnia. Tea and coffee reduce the absorption of many other medications: antispasmodics, cough suppressants, glaucoma etc. But paracetamol washed down with tea will relieve symptoms faster headache, since caffeine increases the penetration of the drug into the brain.

The most explosive mixture can result from the combined use of drugs and alcohol of any strength. Ethanol and its metabolic products enhance the effects (including side effects) of psychotropic, antiallergic drugs, drugs for pain and fever, reduce the effect of antibiotics, diabetes drugs, drugs that affect blood clotting and anti-tuberculosis tablets. And the most dangerous thing is that in some cases alcohol, together with completely harmless drugs, causes poisoning, even fatal outcome as a result of liver failure. This most often happens when taking antibacterial drugs with alcohol, antifungal medications and paracetamol.

When to take the tablets: on an empty stomach or after meals?

Considering the fact that active ingredients drugs can enter into unwanted interactions with food, and the consequences of these connections are poorly understood; most drugs are recommended to be taken on an empty stomach.

If the instructions say “on an empty stomach,” this means that the medicine should be taken an hour before meals or 2-3 hours after. This regimen of administration, firstly, minimizes contact of the tablet with food. Secondly, it is believed that in the intervals between meals the secretion of hydrochloric acid gastric juice minimal, which also affects the work of many medications. Thirdly, the medicine taken on an empty stomach works faster.

The exception is those medications that irritate the mucous membrane gastrointestinal tract, for example, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, aspirin, etc.). For the same reason, it is recommended to take iron supplements after meals for treatment. anemia, although they are absorbed better on an empty stomach.

The connection with food intake is especially important for drugs for the treatment of the gastrointestinal tract, because each of them affects individual stages of digestion, and therefore must enter the body at a certain time. So, medications that reduce acidity and relieve heartburn are taken 40 minutes before meals or an hour after. Enzymes (mezim, pancreatin, festal) are drunk during meals, as they must be mixed with food. Pre- and probiotic preparations are usually taken during or after meals.

Antacids (almagel, maalox, de-nol and others), as well as sorbents (smecta, Activated carbon, polyphepan) interfere with the absorption of most drugs, so the interval between their use and the use of other drugs should be at least 1-2 hours.

Time of day and interval for taking medications

The daily amount of medication is usually divided into several doses to ensure a more or less constant concentration active substance in the body, as well as reduce the single dose and the likelihood of side effects. Therefore, the instructions for the drugs and the note from the doctor usually say: 2-3 times a day. However, for some medications, the dose should be divided not throughout the daylight hours, but throughout the day. That is, a three-time dose means taking the medicine every 8 hours, a 4-time dose means taking the medicine every 6 hours, and so on.

Such a strict regime must be maintained, for example, when treated with antibiotics, which is often overlooked. If you take antibiotics irregularly, for example, by taking a long break for night sleep, the concentration of the active substance in the blood will fluctuate greatly. This is unlikely to cause overdose symptoms during the day, but at night it is highly likely to lead to the development of treatment resistance. That is, while you sleep, microbes adapt their metabolism to the antibiotic residues in the blood. Further treatment this drug will not be effective.

For convenience, many medications come in the form of long-acting tablets or capsules that can be taken only once a day. IN morning hours take diuretics, hormonal drugs, medications, caffeine content and adaptogens (ginseng, Eleutherococcus, Rhodiola rosea, etc.).

Forgotten pill rule

If you forgot to take a pill, estimate how much time has passed since “X”. Depending on the period of delay, three options are possible. First: if it is very close to the next dose, skip the forgotten pill completely, but keep in mind that the effect of the treatment may be reduced. The second option is that you take the medicine as soon as you remember it, but take the next dose according to the old schedule. This can be done if you take the medicine 1-2 times a day and up to next appointment at least half of the time period remains. You cannot double the dose of medication at one time. The third option to fix everything: you take a single dose of the medicine and start a new countdown, that is, shift the dosage schedule by the number of hours missed. This is the most rational method for short-term treatment, for example, if you have been prescribed antibiotics for 5-7 days.

Can I split tablets and open capsules?

If the tablet does not have a groove (scores, notches) to separate it into parts, most likely it is not intended for consumption in pieces. As a rule, these are all drugs that are coated with a protective coating. If they are broken, dissolved, chewed or crushed, they reduce their effectiveness. However, this can be neglected when emergency assistance is required.

When taken orally, the tablet begins to act after an average of 40 minutes. If you need a quick effect, you can put the medicine under your tongue or chew it thoroughly and keep it in your mouth along with warm water. Then the absorption of the medicine will begin directly in the oral cavity and the effect will occur within 5-10 minutes.

Gelatin capsules consisting of two halves are also not recommended to be opened. The shell protects the contents from contact with air, accidental entry into Airways(can cause irritation) or is destroyed only in the intestines, ensuring the medicine is delivered exactly to the target without loss.

However, exceptions are sometimes made to this rule. Tablets and capsules are divided into parts if a person cannot swallow a large capsule or titration of the medicine is required (individual dose selection). These cases should be discussed with your doctor.

Is it possible to avoid side effects of medications?

Compliance with doses, regimen and rules for taking medications helps minimize the risk side effect, but you cannot completely protect yourself from troubles during treatment. You need to be alert. Most of complications become noticeable in the first days of therapy. This different kinds allergic reactions, nausea, abdominal pain, stool disturbances, headaches, swelling and other manifestations that usually disappear when the drug is replaced with a similar one or after treatment is stopped.

Delayed and most severe complication treatment is liver failure, kidney function is less likely to suffer. These organs are involved in the neutralization and removal from the body of almost all medications, including those that many of us take lightly: oral contraceptives, drugs for blood pressure and arrhythmia, lowering blood cholesterol, drugs for joint pain. By the way, it is these drugs that most often cause drug-induced hepatitis when taken for a long time.

The insidiousness of drug-induced damage to the liver and kidneys is that initial stages diseases, when they can still be easily corrected, are asymptomatic. Therefore, everyone who takes medications for a long time needs to do it once every six months. biochemical analysis blood and general analysis urine. These basic tests allow you to monitor liver and kidney function. In case of significant deviations from the norm, it is necessary to interrupt treatment and consult a doctor.