Heptral for dogs

Heptral is a medication used in dogs for intoxication and liver disease. It was developed for humans but is also successfully used in animals. This safe medication is highly effective. It can be used as monotherapy (treatment with a single drug) or in combination with other medications.

General description

Heptral is available as a lyophilisate (porous powder), which is used to prepare an injection solution, and as tablets. These small oval tablets are enteric-coated. The tablets are white, sometimes with a yellowish tint. The bioavailability, or absorption rate of the active ingredients in tablets, is only 5%, so they are rarely used in animals. They are sometimes used as maintenance therapy for chronic conditions.

The lyophilized porous mass, white or yellowish-white in color, is packaged in glass vials. The lyophilisate must be free of inclusions or foreign impurities. The active substance concentration per vial is 400 mg. The lyophilisate is sold with a solvent packaged in glass ampoules. Each ampoule contains 5 ml of liquid consisting of purified water, sodium chloride, and L-lysine. The solvent and porous mass must be mixed before injection.

Please note! All hepatoprotector dosage forms should be stored at a temperature of 15 to 25 degrees Celsius. If the lyophilisate changes color, discontinue use.

Operating principle

The active ingredient in Heptral is a substance called adeomethionine. This substance allows the medication to have the following effects on the body:

• helps to get rid of toxins and heavy metals;
• improves tissue regeneration;
• stimulates metabolism;
• restores liver function;
• increases bile production.

The drug's key feature is its hepatoprotective properties. When ingested, ademetionine promotes the production of a substance necessary for liver cell formation. Because the body receives sufficient "raw materials," the liver, damaged by pathologies or toxic substances, recovers more quickly, as the synthesis of new cells accelerates.

The drug's action is based on a complex chemical process. This process produces substances that serve as the basis for the formation of proteins, hormones, and cell membranes. This is what enables the drug's regenerative properties. Ademetionine is also involved in various biological processes. Its use improves blood and urine parameters. Heptral's unique properties also include its ability to positively influence the body's oxidation-reduction mechanism for cleansing toxins, poisons, and heavy metal salts. This significantly accelerates recovery after poisoning when using this hepatoprotector. Toxicity in liver cells is reduced by increasing bile synthesis and its rapid flow into the gastrointestinal tract.

The half-life of the active substance in the body is 2-3 days, but the hepatoprotective effect of the drug persists for another 3 months after the end of the course of treatment.

When is it applied?

For dogs, Heptral is prescribed for liver diseases of various origins:

• with cirrhosis;
• with hepatitis;
• in hepatic encephalopathy;
• for fatty liver.

The drug is also successfully used to treat cholestasis (bile stasis). The medication can be used for both acute and chronic conditions. For chronic, protracted conditions, the hepatoprotector can be used during periods of exacerbation to stabilize liver function.

Heptral can be used for dogs and for various intoxications caused by the following factors:

• medicinal preparations;
• toxins and poisons;
• parasites.

The medication can be used during recovery after chemotherapy, intensive therapy with strong medications, and in cases of poisoning, including chemical poisoning. It is often used for piroplasmosis and other viral infections. Its use helps prevent serious complications or restore liver function in cases of liver damage.

How to apply

The instructions for using Heptral for dogs indicate an average dosage of 10 mg per 1 kg of body weight, but may be adjusted upwards by a doctor depending on the specific condition and symptoms. Injections are typically used for several reasons. The bioavailability of the active ingredients is significantly higher, meaning they are more effective. Furthermore, using a solution allows for more accurate dosage calculations. However, even exceeding the dosage does not cause complications or side effects.

Tablets are used only as maintenance therapy. It's important not to break the tablet, but to administer it whole. To do this, the tablet should be forcefully placed on the back of the tongue, using a special device called a pill pusher. Breaking the tablet will reduce its effectiveness. This is because the enteric coating acts as a protective layer, ensuring the active ingredient is absorbed in the intestines rather than destroyed by gastric juices.

Heptral injections

You can use a hepatoprotector administer intramuscularly Or intravenously. The second option uses intravenous drips. Intramuscular injections are painful. It is recommended to administer the medication slowly. Subcutaneous administration is not recommended.

To prepare the solution, you need to follow these simple steps:

1. Open the ampoule with solvent.
2. Draw the liquid into a sterile syringe.
3. Pierce the rubber stopper of the vial containing the lyophilisate with a needle and inject the solvent inside.
4. Shake well to dissolve the porous mass.
5. Draw the required amount of the prepared solution into the syringe.

Injections should be given once a day. The dog should be given the injection in the morning, as the medication can cause increased activity (one of the side effects).

Please note! Do not store the prepared solution. Any remaining medication must be discarded. Prepare a fresh solution for the next injection.

Contraindications and side effects

Heptral is considered a safe medication for dogs. It should not be used if there is an intolerance to any of the ingredients. It is advisable to avoid treatment during pregnancy and lactation.

The instructions list a lengthy list of side effects for Heptral, but dogs generally tolerate the drug well. In case of intolerance, the following symptoms may occur:

• allergic skin reactions (rash, itching, redness);
• disruption of the digestive system (diarrhea, vomiting);
• sleep disturbance;
• anxiety;
• fever;
• muscle spasms, etc.

Price

A pack of 20 Heptral tablets costs 1,600-2,000 rubles. A pack with 5 vials of lyophilisate and 5 ampoules of solvent costs 1,700-1,900 rubles. Some pharmacies sell them individually. A single package (lyophilisate and solvent) costs approximately 350 rubles. The medication can be purchased at any pharmacy.

Owner reviews

Tamara, the owner of a Rottweiler:

"Due to severe piroplasmosis, the dog's liver began to fail. At first, we tried Essentiale, but there were no results. The doctor changed the treatment and prescribed Heptral. This medication saved our dog. Improvements were noticeable on the second day. Initially, we administered it intravenously, then we gave injections. Now, his liver function tests have completely returned to normal. The high price of the medication is fully offset by its effectiveness."

George, the boxer's owner:

"The dog's sudden deterioration in health was caused by chemical poisoning. Apparently, the dog had encountered the poison somewhere. Heptral was included in the comprehensive treatment. Emma tolerated the injections well. The only downside was that they were very painful. We had to hold the dog together. The treatment results were encouraging. All indicators returned to normal over time."

Veterinarian Reviews

Anna, a veterinarian from the DobroVet clinic:

"This is an effective hepatoprotector. In my practice, there are virtually no cases where this medication was in vain. Its effectiveness has been confirmed not only for liver disease, but also for viral infections and poisoning. Some owners, due to the high cost, replace it with Heptor, a similar medication. But personally, I always insist on the use of Heptral."

Grigory, a veterinarian with 10 years of experience:

"Using Heptral is a waste of money. The liver is capable of regenerating itself. Incidentally, only in Russia and a few other countries is this medication recognized as a medicine; in the rest of the world, it's a dietary supplement."

Read also:

• Hepatolux for dogs
• Fosprenil for dogs
• Hepatoject for dogs