While expecting a baby, any expectant mother tries to avoid taking medications, but there are times when it is impossible to do without medications. The condition for which a pregnant woman may need treatment with medication is determined by the attending doctor, taking into account the patient’s complaints and the results of her tests.
Doctors, when prescribing medicinal support for pregnant women, try to select effective herbal preparations that act in a gentle manner. One of these remedies is Hofitol, which is used to eliminate swelling and symptoms of toxicosis, to improve blood circulation between the body of the mother and the unborn child. Let's figure out why Hofitol is prescribed to pregnant women and how to take it correctly.
Therapeutic effect and composition
The drug Hofitol is made from artichoke leaves, which people have used since ancient times to treat kidney and liver diseases. This plant contains a large amount of carotenes and B vitamins.
The therapeutic effect of medicines with artichoke is due to the presence in plant materials of a rich set of natural glycosides, organic acids, essential oils, trace elements and inulin.
When used, it has the following effect on the body:
- the process of bile outflow is normalized, which is sometimes disrupted due to compression of the liver by the enlarged uterus;
- kidney function improves: the drug has a mild diuretic effect, reducing the likelihood of increased blood pressure and the appearance of edema;
- the amount of creatinine and urea in the blood decreases;
- protects the liver from the effects of negative environmental factors, which is very important, since this organ works with double load during pregnancy;
- improves blood flow in the mother-placenta-embryo system;
- the risk of developing embryonic hypoxia is reduced;
- metabolism is normalized, symptoms of toxicosis are smoothed out.
This herbal preparation does not have an antibacterial effect. If the appearance of edema is associated with inflammatory processes in the urinary system caused by pathogens, Hofitol is prescribed in combination with antimicrobial drugs.
Effective for various kidney pathologies.
The drug is available in the form of syrup, tablets or solution for injection. In addition to artichoke extract, Hofitol contains ethyl alcohol and orange syrup.
How does Hofitol work in the body?
The field artichoke and the drug Hofitol, produced from its fresh leaves, have a unique combination of beneficial properties for the body of a pregnant woman:
- Mild diuretic. Thanks to the enhanced removal of fluid without harm to the mother and fetus, the formation of edema is prevented.
- Choleretic. Taking Hofitol normalizes the flow of bile, which is impaired due to the large size of the uterus in late pregnancy.
- Hofitol has a whole range of properties, including diuretic, jaundice, antioxidant and others.
Hepatoprotective. The vitamins, microelements and minerals contained in artichoke leaf juice normalize metabolism. Combined with improving the flow of bile and reducing the amount of waste in the body, this is a powerful factor in protecting the liver.
- Antioxidant. Thanks to the ascorbic acid and flavonoids contained in the leaves, the woman’s body is protected from the harmful effects of free radicals.
- Detoxifying. Nausea stops, appetite improves against the background of early toxicosis. The excretion of nitrogenous wastes (creatinine and urea) from the body increases.
- Hypocholesterolemic . The result of reducing cholesterol in the blood is an improvement in the condition of the walls of blood vessels, expansion of their lumen and normalization of uteroplacental circulation.
Indications
Hofitol is prescribed during pregnancy for the following pathologies:
- fluid retention and swelling;
- the likelihood of developing fetal hypoxia;
- prevention of gestosis in later stages;
- excess acetone in the blood caused by diabetes;
- biliary dyskinesia;
- jaundice or hepatosis caused by metabolic disorders;
- fluid retention and swelling.
A pregnant woman needs to remember that there are no completely safe medications, and this statement also applies to herbal preparations. Uncontrolled, independent use of Hofitol is unacceptable during pregnancy; the decision to prescribe it is made only by the attending physician.
Side effects and contraindications
Hofitol is contraindicated for gallstones, liver failure, bile duct obstruction, especially if there is a risk of blockage. Like any medicine, Hofitol can cause allergies.
If you take the drug for a long time, diarrhea may occur. If unpleasant symptoms appear during treatment, stop using the product and consult your doctor.
Hofitol during pregnancy is prescribed only for strict indications. The herbal preparation has positive effects on the body, but limitations and side effects should be taken into account. Whether Chofitol is necessary and possible during pregnancy is decided by a specialist in each individual case.
Analogs of Hofitol and drugs with similar effects
If Hofitol is not suitable for the expectant mother due to individual intolerance to the components of the composition, the doctor may recommend products with a similar principle of action. An analogue of the medicine is the drug Artichoke extract - its active substance is also an extract of artichoke leaves. These tablets can only be taken as prescribed by a specialist.
Table: medications that can replace Hofitol during pregnancy
Photo gallery: Medicines that have a similar effect to Hofitol
What is Hofitol?
Women carrying a child often wonder why Hofitol is prescribed to pregnant women. This medicine is made from plant materials – field artichoke, which is a medicinal plant.
Artichoke is useful for:
- disruption of motor activity of the walls of the biliary tract with a decrease in their tone;
- chronic inflammation of the walls of the gallbladder without stone formation;
- chronic inflammation of the liver;
- cirrhosis;
- chronic inflammatory process in the kidneys;
- chronic kidney failure.
Hofitol for nausea during pregnancy is prescribed by doctors for the above pathological phenomena. Uncontrolled use of the drug, carried out independently, is prohibited.
Does it help with toxicosis?
Toxicosis in the early stages can manifest itself as mild vomiting, which bothers a woman no more than five times a day. Such vomiting does not cause changes in blood and urine tests, does not lead to weight loss and does not impair the functioning of the body. Moderate vomiting occurs up to ten times a day, leading to weight loss, increased blood bilirubin, decreased blood pressure and a deterioration in the patient’s general condition.
Excessive vomiting painfully manifests itself up to twenty times a day, leading to a significant deterioration in overall health with an increase in body temperature, tachycardia, a drop in blood pressure and changes in blood and urine (increased bilirubin, acetonuria). These conditions should be distinguished from:
- inflammatory diseases of the digestive tract (gastritis, pancreatitis, appendicitis, hepatitis);
- peptic ulcer;
- oncopathology of the stomach;
- infectious diseases (food poisoning, viral hepatitis, neuroinfections);
- thyrotoxicosis;
- brain diseases (tumors, migraines, injuries, strokes);
- poisoning with medicines, drugs, carbon monoxide, pesticides;
- pathologies of the kidneys and urinary tract.
Before prescribing antiemetics and other drugs, including Hofitol, for toxicosis, you need to undergo an extensive examination. Diagnostics includes laboratory tests of blood and urine, ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity, kidneys and thyroid gland, fibrogastroscopy, examination by a therapist, ophthalmologist, neurologist, infectious disease specialist, urologist, surgeon, endocrinologist and gastroenterologist.
Among the herbal remedies for mild toxicosis, it is recommended to use ginger. In addition, the treatment regimen includes dietary recommendations:
- food should come in small portions and often;
- food should be fresh and rich in vitamins;
- You should avoid smoked meats, fatty, salty and spicy foods, as well as those foods whose smell causes vomiting;
- Still mineral waters, herbal teas, tea with lemon are useful.
A woman suffering from toxicosis should spend more time in the fresh air, engage in feasible physical exercise, and receive more positive emotions. In severe cases, hospitalization and the use of medications to stop vomiting and restore acid-base balance and fluid volume in the body are indicated. It should be remembered that it is impossible to place two pregnant women with toxic vomiting in the same room, so as not to cause additional reflex attacks. In addition to hepatoprotectors and Chofitol, the prescription of sedatives that calm the nervous system in case of toxicosis of any degree is justified for pregnant women.
Examples of exercises on a fitball for pregnant women
- Place your palm in the chest area, the other palm in the stomach area, close your eyes, listen to your breathing, feel the beat of your heart, listen to what is happening inside you. And the warmth from the palm of your hand helps you get ready to do the exercises. Open your eyes and get started.
- Then start with pull-ups, this is a very pleasant exercise, it awakens the spine and it is very pleasant. When performing the exercise, you can jump and swing on the ball, this will further relax your ligaments and you and bring a smile to your face.
- Let's start warming up the neck. Tilt your head forward, backward, to the side and feel a very pleasant stretch in your neck; do the same in the other direction. Look over one shoulder, over the other and make several circular movements.
- Let's move on to the shoulders. Do circular rotations back and forth, taking turns. Press your shoulders towards your ears and lower them. All muscles must be warmed up before you begin the main exercises.
- Next we stretch our elbows and wrists. You can do it together, you can do it separately.
- Now an exercise with the funny name “watermelon-nut”. Imagine that we are pinching and holding a large watermelon, then we are pinching a nut between the shoulder blades. We repeat several times. The exercise helps open the chest and thoracic spine.
- Now twist in one direction and the other, warming up the spine. Perform the exercise 3-4 times in each direction.
- Warm up the lateral abdominal muscles. We spread our arms to the sides parallel to the floor and bend to one side and the other. The exercise is done 7-8 times in each direction.
- We must alternate exercises, we can do twisting again, only more open. In one direction and in the other direction 5-6 times.
- Pelvic movements. We strengthen the pelvic muscles, move the pelvis forward, backward, to the side and to the other side. Then we connect the exercises in a circle.
- We take a breath, hold it and try to go deeper, immerse ourselves in the ball. Count to 5 and exhale. Rest, relax and do it again. The internal pelvic muscles become tense.
- We start stretching on the ball, stretch one leg to the side and reach towards it with our shoulders. You feel a pleasant stretch under the knee. And we do it in the other direction.
- Alternate and repeat exercises. In between, relax and unwind.
Review Reviews
Women who used hofitol during pregnancy left mostly positive reviews of this drug. As a percentage, 85% of respondents note a positive effect. This applies to reviews of the use of Hofitol for toxicosis. The drug is well tolerated, and the positive effect is associated with cleansing the body due to a decrease in urea and a diuretic effect.
Medical reviews of Hofitol during pregnancy depend on what this drug is prescribed for. Doctors note a decrease in blood urea in most patients, a decrease in the frequency of vomiting and an improvement in the general well-being of pregnant women.
Instructions for use
The instructions for use note that the drug is a choleretic drug and can only be used as indicated and under the supervision of a doctor.
It cannot be used for:
- acute kidney pathologies;
- stones in the gall bladder and ducts;
- acute lesions of the liver tissue;
- allergies to the components of the drug.
Can it be used early?
Hofitol for toxicosis of pregnant women in the early stages is prescribed by specialists of various profiles in the presence of chronic pathology of the kidneys and hepato-biliary system, as well as in cases of increased urea due to excessive vomiting. This drug is not primary for toxic vomiting. If it was prescribed, the doctor will explain to the woman how to take Hofitol during pregnancy for toxicosis.
Side effects to consider:
- development of diarrhea (typical for large doses and long-term use);
- allergic reactions.
How to take the pills?
Having figured out why hofitol tablets are prescribed during pregnancy, a woman needs to decide on the dosage. One tablet contains 200 mg of extract from the leaf part of the field artichoke plant. This plant is rich in ascorbic acid, carotene, vitamins - thiamine and riboflavin, as well as inulin, which characterizes it as medicinal and useful for metabolic processes.
How to take Hofitol during pregnancy, if justified by the presence of a pathological process, depends on the severity of the condition and the weight of the patient. Take 2-3 tablets three times before meals, distributing them evenly throughout the day. The body of a pregnant woman is sensitive to the intake of various substances, so one should remember the presence of not only the main substance, but auxiliary components and shell components.
How to drink the solution?
The dosage of Hofitol in solution during pregnancy is from half to one teaspoon, which corresponds to 2.5 - 5 ml. Add a little water to the medicine and drink it before meals three times a day.
Be aware of the presence of flavorings and alcohols, including ethanol. Continuous use of the drug is not permitted; a course of treatment is indicated for a maximum period of three weeks.
Is it allowed while breastfeeding?
Chofitol during breastfeeding (BF) is prescribed for the same indications as during pregnancy, that is, for pathology of the liver and kidneys. The main condition is the absence of exacerbations and good tolerability. Chophytol during breastfeeding can cause allergic reactions in mother and child, therefore it is used only under the supervision of a specialist.
The presence of auxiliary components is taken into account:
- corn starch;
- magnesium trisilicate and stearate;
- talc.
Treatment of newborns
The administration of the drug to newborn children, that is, in the first four weeks, is controlled by pediatricians and must take into account the child’s body weight. For children it is used for hepatitis, nephritis with increased urea. The medicine is given in a solution of 5 drops three times a day before feeding.
Everyone knows that the body of a pregnant woman is subjected to enormous stress. Perhaps there is no organ that would be left unattended by the immune system and hormonal imbalance, so the expectant mother needs support. To do this, it is recommended to review your diet, avoid stress and regularly walk in the fresh air. If this is not enough, folk recipes and natural medicines come to the rescue, one of which is Hofitol.
Why fitball?
For a better pregnancy and easier childbirth, regular physical exercise is needed. Considering the special situation of a woman during pregnancy, modern medicine recommends using a fitball as a tool and assistant. A fitball is a large gymnastic ball, 65 or 75 cm in diameter. Exercises with a fitball have no contraindications and allow you to keep the expectant mother’s body in good physical shape with light loads.
Fitball is a safe and simple projectile. It can withstand weights of up to 300 kg and does not explode if damaged. If the ball is punctured or cut, it slowly deflates. These features of the gymnastic ball help avoid injuries.
What is Hofitol?
Hofitol is a natural herbal preparation based on field artichoke extract. The medicine contains an aqueous extract of its leaves, rich in biologically active substances, vitamins B1 and B2, carotene, ascorbic acid, and inulin. The combination of these components has a beneficial effect on metabolism.
During pregnancy, this remedy is prescribed very often. It improves blood circulation in the uterus and placenta, thereby easing the load on the kidneys and liver and normalizing their function. Taking the drug has a positive effect on the oxygen supply to the fetus and improves the child’s vital signs. It also has a preventive effect against many malformations and fetal hypoxia, and reduces the likelihood of gestosis.
Hophytol is prescribed for chronic cholecystitis, gallbladder dyskinesia, renal failure, fatty hepatosis, detection of acetone in the blood, difficulty urinating, chronic hepatitis, atherosclerosis, giardiasis, impaired blood flow, threatened miscarriage, as well as an increased risk of eclampsia and preeclampsia.
For the expectant mother, the drug is useful for improving metabolism, as it has a mild diuretic and choleretic effect. It removes waste and toxins from the body, protects liver cells from harmful substances, and removes excess urea from the blood. As a result, the expectant mother feels much better.
Hofitol is available in several forms:
- tablets with 200 mg of active substance;
- oral solution;
- ampoules for injection (5 ampoules of 5 ml).
During pregnancy, it is allowed to take tablets and administer the drug intramuscularly. The oral solution is prohibited because it contains alcohol.
How to choose a fitball?
When buying a fitball, consider your own height. Women taller than 175cm should use a fitball with a diameter of 75cm; women shorter than 175cm should use a ball with a diameter of 65cm. The size of the selected ball is explained by the fact that in a sitting position, the knees of the expectant mother should be located below the hips.
You need to inflate the fitball so that it is comfortable to sit on, which means it must be stable. This is especially important during pregnancy. To do this, a ball measuring 65 cm is inflated to 60 cm, and a ball measuring 75 cm is inflated, respectively, to 70 cm.
How to take Hofitol during pregnancy?
Hofitol is allowed to be taken at any stage of gestation, especially if there are reasons for taking it for preventive and therapeutic purposes. The indications are:
- liver diseases (cirrhosis, hepatitis);
- cholecystitis;
- difficulties in the outflow of bile and biliary dyskinesia.
The drug is prescribed for chronic kidney diseases, renal failure, in the diagnosis of fetoplacental insufficiency, the threat of fetal hypoxia, and with an increased risk of developing nephropathy and gestosis.
Contraindications
Despite the natural composition and the absence of synthetic additives, the drug cannot be used by all pregnant women. Contraindications for use are:
- liver pathologies accompanied by severe disturbances in the functioning of the organ;
- liver failure;
- blockage of the bile ducts (impaired flow of bile).
If you have a history of these diagnoses, you must inform your doctor about this.
