Capsules "Linex": in which cases the probiotic helps, and in which - powerless

Capsules "Linex" or its baby forms in the form of sachets / drops are considered a universal remedy, almost without side effects and suitable for use in all age groups, including newborns and the elderly over 70 years old. Preparations based on lactobacilli are considered safe in the countries of the former USSR and in the West, where they are not even referred to as drugs, but as dietary supplements. But there is another trend: thanks to advertising and messages about their safety, patients tend to overestimate their benefits and use them unnecessarily often to avoid digestive upsets.

Composition and action

"Linex" for adults is a solid, soluble capsule only in the intestines. For children, a sachet with powder or drops for dissolution in water / drinks is produced. Their contents are cultures of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium infantis and Enterococcus faecium. All these are lactobacilli, not adapted for survival in the digestive environment of the stomach. According to the manufacturer, they are immune to antibiotics. But this is not subject to objective verification. The powder, which contains beneficial bacteria, is formed by a mixture of lactose (a nutrient medium for them), starch, magnesium stearate and dextrin.

Among the varieties of Linex, the following drugs exist.

• Linex forte. Containing two strains of lactic acid bacteria against three in the usual Linex (Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp, lactis), but in a higher concentration and with a different nutrient base, enhanced by fructose, glucose and inulin. Inulin should not be confused with insulin. It is another polysaccharide and is in no way associated with the hormone of the pancreas.
• Linex Gastro. It contains cultures of Bifidobacterium infantis, Enterococcus faecium and Lactobacillus acidophilus species L. gasseri. They also belong to lactic acid intestinal bacteria, therefore the purpose of the prefix “gastro” indicating the stomach is unclear here (judging by its composition, the preparation is not intended to improve its functions).

Proven effects

Lactic acid bacteria perform several important functions in the intestine, and therefore Linex allows you to establish in the intestine:

• acid-base balance - since digestive bacteria produce a number of acids (lactic, amber, vinegar);
• hygiene of its internal environment - due to the synthesis of hydrogen peroxide and bacteriocins (compounds that inhibit the growth of pathogenic microflora and fungi);
• the production of a number of vitamins — Group B and vitamin K produced in the body itself.

Indications for use of Linex concern:

• dysbiosis;
• colic (in all age groups);
• bloating;
• colitis of any etiology;
• diarrhea of ​​any etiology;
• constipation (except caused by obstruction and medication);
• intestinal infections, including rotavirus and pathogenic staphylococcus strains.

Myths

There is an opinion that Linex and other probiotics strengthen immunity in children from two to 12 years old by improving digestion and reducing the number of food infections. In fact, the quality of the immune system in children does not depend on the frequency of diseases of intestinal infections, and the use of Linex does not affect this indicator, because it:

• not an antibiotic or antiseptic;
• Does not instill hygiene in the place of parents;
• Does not sterilize food and water if they are contaminated.

Another misconception observed even by some doctors is that the use of Linex helps children against atopic dermatitis. This is the name of the immune response that usually occurs on the introduction of complementary foods or other factors. She is not inclined to repeat in adulthood, although there are known cases of its subsequent consolidation in the form of a full-fledged allergy. Often, with the start of the Linex course, skin rashes disappear. But in half the cases the “trick” does not work. And there are several reasons for this.

• Lack of real relationship. Autoimmune reactions are not associated with the quality of digestion - only with the composition of the food. And if the breakdown of food substances is “lame”, and “non-formatted” compounds are formed in the stomach / intestines that can provoke an acute immune reaction, they do not enter the bloodstream. For substances with the wrong chemical formula, there are no carrier proteins capable of identifying them, connecting with them, and delivering them to the target tissues. This is one of the mechanisms for maintaining metabolic stability.
• Lack of astringent properties. Linex does not help to remove “extra” elements from the intestinal cavity - only absorbents can do this. Therefore, their appointment with atopic dermatitis, presumably caused by incomplete splitting of food, is more appropriate.

The fact that Linex sometimes works as a stimulant and an “organizer” of the proper functioning of the immune system is explained by a well-known effect, which they deliberately try not to resort to, but are often observed as an accident. This is a phenomenon when the immune defense, unable to cope with some disease or itself creating an allergic / autoimmune reaction, activates or starts to work correctly when a new infection occurs.

Due to the superinfection of a cancer patient who has contracted a venereal disease or fungus, he may unexpectedly receive remission for up to a year, and an allergic person to ragweed - freedom from it until the next flowering season of the plant. This also works with Linex if lactobacilli in it turned out to be “something new” for the microflora of the digestive tract.

The positive effect of superinfection on the immune system rarely lasts long, works unpredictably, and the harm caused by the new pathogen / its treatment exceeds the benefit of the improvement. Of course, Linex has an advantage over superinfection. But this mechanism does not justify the appointment of Linex for candidiasis of the esophagus, mouth or vagina, fungal skin lesions. Its oral administration does not affect the course of such pathologies. For topical use, the drug is also not suitable (lactobacilli in its composition do not survive on the skin and can dramatically disrupt the vaginal microflora).

Admission restrictions

Linex and other probiotics are considered safe.Their "active substance" (rather, "being", since we are talking about a colony of lactic acid bacteria) is not absorbed into the blood (not metabolized). Only the excipients with which they feed leave the intestines.

Lactose, fructose and glucose are sugar. Their content in terms of the size of Linex capsule is insignificant, and does not significantly affect the daily glycemic index of food. But they can be dangerous for diabetics by raising the sugar level by an extra unit or two (depending on the circumstances).

The only strict contraindication to taking the drug is the individual intolerance of some components of the drug. Especially often it concerns lactose - milk sugar. Inability to assimilate it forms the lion's share of side effects of Linex. Therefore, the use of Linex can provoke:

• increased diarrhea;
• the appearance of mucus in the stool;
• vomiting
• colic.

The reviews of doctors who observed the consequences of the appointment of Linex for various pathologies also indicate that its administration is undesirable for:

• pain in the stomach of an unexplained cause;
• temperature above 38 ° C;
• feverish conditions;
• bloody diarrhea;
• diarrhea lasting more than two days in a row;
• diabetes mellitus (due to the polysaccharides in the basis of the drug);
• immunodeficiencies (HIV infection, taking immunosuppressants).

Important Nuances

The drug has other features of use.

• Pregnancy and lactation. Reception "Linex" during breastfeeding and during pregnancy is not excluded, just not recommended. Theoretically, the drug does not affect them. Lactobacillus intestines will not leave, and sugar from the auxiliary part of the drug is metabolized like regular carbohydrates from food. But practical research on this issue is not enough. A compromise solution is to appoint Linex to the mother only as a doctor, and the drug should be taken under his supervision.
• Concomitant antibiotic treatment. The manufacturer claims that bacterial cultures in Linex have immunity to them. But in order to avoid checking the level of their resistance in practice, the intake of Linex with antibiotics should be carried out with a difference of three to four hours.
• Infant age. Linex is indicated for use by children under three years of age with diagnosed and proven dysbiosis. Temporary deficiency of lactobacilli can lead to the fact that breast milk will not be absorbed. But without prescribing a doctor, giving the drug to children is not worth it.
• Missed Reception. For various reasons, this happens to adults and children. If one dose is missed, the next one should not be doubled in order to compensate - you just need to continue the course as before.

Instructions for use "Linex"

The basic intake of Linex for adolescents from 12 years of age and adults: two capsules three times a day, with food or immediately after a meal. The drug should not be taken with hot dishes or alcoholic beverages.

• Children under two years. Daily dose of capsules (whole or opened, with stirring contents in milk / artificial mixture): one three times a day with equal intervals between doses.
• Children under 12 years old. They are prescribed one or two whole / opened capsules three times a day with food.

Dosage "Linex forte" for different age categories differs from that prescribed for the usual "Linex" in a smaller direction.

• Children under two years. It is necessary to mix the contents of one capsule once daily with milk.
• Children under 12 years old. They are prescribed one capsule twice a day, with food.
• Teens from 12 years old and adults. The dosage depends on the severity of the signs of dysbiosis: one capsule one to three times a day with meals.

Answering the question of how to give Linex for Children to a child, we can say that:

• children from the first week of life to seven years - appoint one sachet or six drops of the drug in dissolved form once a day after meals;
• children from two to seven years old - you need to give one sachet or six drops twice a day, dissolved in a warm drink / water, after eating;
• children from seven to 12 years old - you should take two sachets or six drops twice a day, diluted with water, milk or another drink, after eating.

A single dosage of drops for children does not change depending on age - the number of its receptions per day changes.

In adolescents and adults, when choosing any modification of the drug, the course of treatment should be carried out before the normalization of intestinal digestion, peristalsis and stool. For children from the first weeks of life to 12 years old, it is better to distribute the use of Linex in courses with a fixed length of two weeks / month - depending on the doctor’s recommendations, the speed of the onset of improvements and tolerability of the drug.

Reviews

I must say that I underestimated Linex. I was prescribed a whole course of antibiotics, and for the price to me this course came out in a pretty tidy amount, and decided not to buy Linex yet. My antibiotic course has already ended, and I myself decided that the use of Linex was not necessary for me.

I thought maybe there are cheaper Linex analogues, there are similar drugs, but it's all a bit wrong. The pharmacies advised some yoghurts to buy, in the end, I didn’t buy anything. Examinations showed that now I have trouble with the intestines and liver. They said that it’s quite possible that these antibiotics were removed like that, especially since there were several of them there, and maybe if I softened the blow with Linex, then everything would have been a bit more rosy.

In general, do not neglect this drug, my advice to you. Although, it would seem, somehow people used to live without Linex and everything is fine, but to see the ecology and lifestyles make themselves felt.

Nika, https: // www. otzyvua. net / linekslinex / review-299504

When my daughter was ill with the flu, she developed otitis media, I have a sore throat, and as a result we both took antibiotics. She managed with flemoxin, and I tried both amoxicillin andazithromycin, but only unidox helped, a complete collapse came from three antibiotics to the intestines. The pediatrician told her daughter to drink Linex, she decided to drink with her. We drank capsules, everything, as expected, according to the instructions. But I did not see the effect at all. My daughter's chair settled on the third day of admission, the stomach ceased to bother. And this catavasia continued with my chair, gas and colic, and as a result I went to the therapist and asked what to do. I thought some gastritis had already developed. The therapist, without looking and feeling, prescribed a normospectrum, to my question why he said that there is a complete complex of bacteria for the intestines, it helps even in difficult cases. I asked about linex, she said that it is more for children, because there one of the bacteria is not absorbed in adults at all. In short, as I understood, there is no point in drinking Linex for adults, it’s not clear just why it is advertised in this way. Then they would have made it a medicine only for children, everything would be logical. And to be honest, I still do not understand how to be treated with these probiotics and how to choose them. No tests, no examinations .... And this despite the fact that the composition is different everywhere.

Jay_Lo, http: // irecommend. com / content / samyi-populyarnyi-no-ne-samyi-effektivnyi

I used to buy Acipol, but I didn’t like that it should be taken several times a day, while calculating the length of time between taking antibiotics so that the drug does not lose its effectiveness. And with Linex Forte you need to take only 1 capsule per day, which, you see, is very convenient!

Oksana34, http: // irecommend. com / content / lineks-forte-vsego-1-kapsula-v-den-dlya-profilaktiki-disbakterioza-kak-pravilno-prinimat-lin

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