Special products containing beneficial bacteria are prescribed to people who have problems with the balance of microflora. Some of the most popular drugs include Linex and Linex Forte. As it may seem at first glance, these drugs are almost the same, but certain differences still exist. Consider the probiotic drug Linex. Instructions for use, price, reviews and analogues will be described in detail.
Compound
Linux includes:
- enterococci;
- bifidobacteria;
- lactobacilli.
Linek Forte contains:
- lactobacilli;
- bifidobacterin;
- oligofructose;
- inulin;
- iron oxide yellow.
The main difference between these medications is that the second one includes a larger number of auxiliary substances, but there are fewer bacteria.
Comparing these two drugs with each other in composition, we can come to the conclusion that Linex is most suitable for use for preventive purposes. It is mainly prescribed in combination with antimicrobial drugs. Linex Forte is prescribed for therapeutic purposes following antibiotic treatment.
Effect of the drug
The effect of Linex is aimed at the formation of the correct intestinal microflora. Since these medications are classified as probiotics and prebiotics, they guarantee effective protection of the intestines and normalization of digestive processes.
Linux also has the following effect:
- minimizes the possibility of infection with bactericidal and infectious pathologies;
- suppresses pathogenic bacteria;
- increases the synthesis of vitamins, amino acids, proteins and minerals;
- prevents the occurrence of allergic reactions;
- helps fight dermatitis and other skin diseases, significantly reduces the severity of acne;
- prevents the development of abnormalities in the functioning of the liver, stomach and intestines;
- stimulates the immune system;
- helps normalize digestive and metabolic processes;
- has a protective and enzyme-producing effect;
- increases nonspecific resistance of the body;
- enhances peristalsis.
Indications
If we compare Linex and Linex Forte according to indications for use, then in such a case it is impossible to identify differences, because both medications are prescribed for the same cases. Let's consider the indications for the use of Linex drugs. Instructions for use describe the following indications:
- for complex therapy of dysbacteriosis;
- when diagnosing a bacterial or viral infection of the digestive system;
- during the period of use of antimicrobial or antibacterial drugs;
- in immunodeficiency conditions;
- in complex therapy of allergic manifestations;
- during a sudden change in the usual diet;
- for preventive purposes;
- for diarrhea, constipation and increased gas formation;
- constant belching;
- abdominal pain;
- nausea and vomiting;
- for colic and abdominal cramps;
- with nervous overstrain.
Features of use
Taking drugs in complex therapy with antibacterial agents has its own characteristics. According to the instructions, at least 2 hours should pass between taking antibiotics and Linex in any form.
Probiotic therapy should continue for at least a week after the use of antibacterial drugs. During this time, the balance of the intestinal flora will be restored.
The combined use of Linex and Linex Forte with alcoholic beverages significantly reduces the effectiveness of the drugs, which should be remembered by adult patients.
Despite the fact that Linex is well tolerated by patients, the use of probiotics during pregnancy is possible only after appropriate prescription by the attending physician.
Instructions for use
The dosage, duration of administration and frequency in each individual situation are selected individually, depending on the factor that provoked the formation of dysbacteriosis and the personal nuances of the human body.
Let's look at how to take Linex correctly. The instructions for use describe that Linex is prescribed to adults and children over 12 years of age, two capsules three times a day. It is not recommended to take the medication on an empty stomach, because this can provoke an adverse effect on lactobacilli contained in gastric juice. To eliminate this effect, you need to take the drug while eating food. Combining Linex with alcoholic beverages is prohibited. The duration of taking Linex varies within a month.
Linex for children under 3 years of age in powder form, after mixing it with any liquid or food of liquid consistency. The medication should be diluted immediately before use. It is strictly forbidden to store the diluted suspension. In order for Linex to provide maximum benefit to a child, it must be taken during food consumption.
The dosage of Linex in childhood depends entirely on the age of the child and is:
- children under 7 years old – 1 sachet once a day;
- children from 7 to 12 years old – 2 sachets once a day.
For young children, manufacturers recommend purchasing Linex in the form of drops . For children under 12 years of age , it is recommended to give 6 drops once a day, combining the use of the medicine with meals. Adding drops to hot liquids is strictly prohibited.
Linex Forte capsules are taken orally. There is no need to bite them into pieces and destroy the integrity of the shell. They must be swallowed and washed down with liquid. To achieve the maximum effect, it is necessary to take the medicine only during or after meals.
If for various reasons it is difficult for a person to swallow the capsule, then it must be carefully opened. The entire contents are poured into a spoon and then diluted with liquid. The dosage of Linex Forte depends entirely on the age and personal characteristics of the person. The medication is prescribed for children from birth to two years old , no more than one tablet per day, from 2 to 12 years old 1 tablet twice a day, and for adults and adolescents over 12 years old, one tablet 3 times a day.
Like ordinary Linex, the duration of therapy for Linex Forte is determined in each individual case individually. As for the duration of therapy, it can vary from one week to a month. After this you need to take a break. Repeated treatment is possible only a month after the end of the course.
Prescription for pregnancy and lactation
The question often arises whether it is possible to take Linex during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The instructions for use describe that according to research results, no undesirable consequences were identified when using Linex and Linex Forte. But, despite this, there is no information about the complete safety of these drugs, so use is allowed only under the strict supervision of a doctor.
Dosage and method of use
Linex Forte differs from regular Linex in dosage. This is due to the increased number of beneficial microorganisms in the first preparation. Let's look at the method of use and the required doses for all patient groups.
Linex in capsules:
- Children from the first day of life to 2 years should use 1 probiotic capsule three times a day;
- patients from 2 to 12 years old need to take 1 to 2 capsules three times a day;
- Children over 12 years of age and adults with symptoms of dysbacteriosis (including diarrhea and constipation) are prescribed 2 capsules three times a day.
Linex Forte in capsules:
- a child from birth to 2 years should take 1 capsule of the product once a day;
- for children from 2 to 12 years old, it is necessary to use 1 Linex capsule 1 to 2 times a day;
- Patients over 12 years of age are prescribed 1 capsule of the drug 1 to 3 times daily.
The duration of treatment with Linex and Linex Forte is from 7 to 30 days. Repeated therapy can be carried out no earlier than a month after the end of the course.
A certain difference between Linex and Linex Forte becomes obvious when using a more concentrated product in children. The use of the drug in children under 6 years of age can only be carried out under the supervision of a pediatrician.
special instructions
There are some special rules in the use of Linex Forte and Linex. The instructions for use state that it is strictly prohibited to take it simultaneously with drinks containing alcohol! Do not take medications with hot drinks, because in this case, the viability of the drug components is lost. It is recommended to take medications during or after meals.
If the temperature rises above 38 degrees, you should immediately consult a qualified professional. It is also necessary to contact a doctor if there is blood or mucus in the stool, as well as upset stools for several days. When treating diarrhea, all measures must be taken to replenish the loss of water and electrolytes.
Unlike Linex, Linex Forte should not be taken by children from birth to one year.
The medication does not have a negative effect on the ability to operate machinery and drive vehicles.
Treatment with both drugs should continue for at least 7 days. Only during such a period of time can the intestinal flora be restored.
Analogs
Linex and Linex Forte are among the most common products that are intended for treatment and preventive measures for the gastrointestinal tract. If for some reason the patient cannot be prescribed Linex or Linex Forte, then in this case the drugs can be replaced with the following analogues:
Acipol is a domestic analogue of Linex, which is prescribed for the prevention of dysbiosis, treatment of inflammation in the intestines and microflora disorders in various organs. The cost of Atsipol is about 350 rubles. Compared to Linex, its disadvantage is that it contains only one type of beneficial bacteria and does not contain bifidobacteria.
Lactobacterin is another Russian-made analogue containing only lactobacilli. Available in bottles and widely used in gynecology and dentistry for the treatment of oral infections. In addition, the drug is often prescribed for dysbiosis, problems with the gastrointestinal tract and low immunity.
Bifidumbacterin is available in the form of tablets and suspensions, therefore it is prescribed to both adults and children. This drug is an analogue of Linex when taking antimicrobial agents, as well as for normalizing immunity and improving digestion processes.
Florin Forte - due to the fact that this analogue contains lactobacilli, prebiotics and bifidobacteria, it perfectly normalizes digestion, stimulates increased immunity and activates the development of beneficial microorganisms.
Bifiform - an analogue is produced in Denmark and is effectively used as an alternative to Linex. If we compare these drugs with each other, the main difference between Bifiform is the presence of bifidobacteria and enterococci in it, but the absence of lactobacilli.
Enterol is produced in France and is often prescribed as an analogue of Linex to eliminate diarrhea and prevent dysbiosis. However, the drug should not be prescribed to pregnant and lactating women.
Maxilak - this sinobiotic contains a prebiotic and 9 types of beneficial bacteria. The drug is recommended for use while taking antibiotics, as well as for problems with intestinal function.
Bifidum BAG - the drug is prescribed as an analogue of Linex if the patient is diagnosed with acute intestinal infections and gastrointestinal pathologies. Can also be used for preventive purposes.
Biogaia is an analogue that is prescribed for use in childhood. The drug is aimed at developing beneficial microorganisms, increasing immunity and has an antimicrobial effect.
Baktisubtil is a probiotic that contains antibacterial components that help restore intestinal microflora, as well as get rid of diarrhea, enterocolitis and enteritis.
It is not recommended to choose a Linex analogue on your own. This should only be done by a qualified specialist, taking into account the diagnosis, the severity of the pathology and the personal characteristics of the body.
Linex tool
Creates and regulates the balance of intestinal microflora. The drug includes three main groups of bacteria - Lactobacilli, Bifidobacteria, Enterococci. And other auxiliary components. The bacteria were pre-dried and frozen. This manufacturing technology allows Linex to be stored at room temperature.
The bacteria included in the composition are identical to those found in the intestines. They oxidize the digestive environment, quickly and effectively restore microflora after taking antibiotics, certain diseases and their complications.
The medicine is suitable for people with good tolerance to fermented milk products. It is prescribed to both adults and children.
Linex composition and dosage
The capsule of the drug contains - Lebenin powder 280 mg, (1 gram of powder contains Lactobacillus - 300 mg, Bifidobacteria - 300 mg, Enterococcus 300 mg, as well as excipients lactose - 50 mg, potato starch - 50 mg.) and the excipient magnesium stearate – 8.4 mg.
The capsule shell consists of methylhydroxybenzoate - 0.19 mg, propylhydroxybenzoate - 0.08 mg, titanium dioxide 0.98 mg and gelatin up to 63 mg.
In powder form, the product has the following composition: lyophilized bifidobacteria powder - 100 mg, as well as an excipient - maltodextrin - 1400 mg.
Drops for children are also available. They contain: sucrose, sunflower oil, lyophilized bifidobacteria, maltodextrin, antioxidant sodium ascorbate.
Release form
- Linex is produced in capsules (packs of 16 and 23 capsules);
- Sachets in powder form (packs of 10 and 20 sachets);
- Linex drops for children are available in an 8 ml bottle with a dropper dispenser. The medicine is packaged in a cardboard box.
Each package of medicine contains printed instructions with graphic elements in the form of a logo that glow under UV radiation.
Linex or Linex Forte?
These two drugs are rightfully considered full-fledged analogues. But at the same time they have slightly different composition. Linex Forte contains not three groups of beneficial bacteria, but only two, but their concentration is increased a hundred times compared to regular Linex.
Linex is classified as a probiotic because... it contains living microorganisms, and Linex Forte is considered a symbiotic. Medicines also differ in dosage. Linex is always prescribed for use in smaller quantities.
It is quite problematic to say exactly which of the drugs Linex or Linex Forte will be more effective. The effectiveness of each remedy depends on numerous nuances, such as the nature of the disease and the personal characteristics of the body. In addition, it should be taken into account that, despite the significant concentration of beneficial microorganisms in Linex Forte, it does not contain enterococci. This indicates that regular Linux will suit someone better. In each individual case, the selection of the most effective medication is carried out personally. Only the attending physician should prescribe the medicine.
Linex
Linex belongs to the group of eubiotics. The human intestine is home to a mass of microorganisms that have a rather complex history of relationships with each other and with the environment, full of local conflicts and even full-scale military operations, leading to an imbalance in the intestinal biocenosis. Eubiotics are preparations of bacteria that are representatives of normal microflora and prevent the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms. In particular, Linex contains vacuum-dried live lactic acid bacteria of the species Bifidobacterium infantis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Enterococcus faecium, which play an important biochemical role in the human body and are present in the intestines from birth.
The bacterial triumvirate of Linex creates the very acidic environment in the intestines that inhibits the growth of pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microflora and allows digestive enzymes to fully demonstrate their activity. In addition, these bacteria take an active part in the synthesis of vitamins B, C, K, which, in turn, make the body resistant to adverse environmental factors. Among other important “job responsibilities” of bacteria collected under the shell of the Linex capsule, a prominent place is occupied by the synthesis of substances with antimicrobial activity, participation in the metabolic processes of bile acids and bile pigments, and optimization of the body’s immune status.
It is advisable to link the intake of the drug to the diet, taking it with a small amount of water immediately after meals. Children under 3 years of age, as well as persons for whom the capsule size is too large, can open it by pouring the contents into a spoon and stirring it in a small amount of liquid. Linex, regardless of the patient’s age, is taken 3 times a day, only the number of capsules differs: 1 (children under 2 years old), 1-2 (children 2-12 years old) and 2 (teenagers and adults). The duration of treatment is determined depending on the individual characteristics of the patient’s body and the etiology of dysbacteriosis.
Taking Linex comes with some restrictions and precautions. Thus, you should not take the drug with hot drinks and combine treatment with alcohol consumption. Before starting treatment, if the patient has symptoms such as elevated body temperature (over 38 °C), the presence of mucus or blood in the stool, diarrhea and acute abdominal pain that has not stopped for 2 or more days, weight loss, as well as If there is a history of chronic diseases, medical consultation is necessary.
