The feasibility and features of using the drug "Linex": as a means of combating colic in newborns

What is Linux

This is a remedy that helps restore the balance of intestinal microflora, due to the fact that it contains special bacteria that inhabit the intestines and normalize its functioning. According to the instructions, it is not a medicine, but refers to dietary supplements.

Due to its composition, the probiotic promotes:

• inhibition of growth and reproduction of pathogenic microbes;
• optimization of digestive enzymes;
• formation in the body of ascorbic and folic acids, as well as B vitamins and vitamin K;
• increasing the body's resistance to various negative factors: infections, poisons, parasites, etc.;
• better breakdown of proteins, fats and carbohydrates;
• efficient metabolic transformation of bile acids and better absorption of bile pigments in the liver.

Reviews

Parents mainly emphasize the positive aspects of drug therapy:

• easy to use;
• easy to give to children;
• after using the drug in newborns, the intensity and frequency of colic decreased;
• improved digestion and sleep;
• the stool returned to normal.

The negative aspects include:

• high price of the drug;
• poorly soluble in liquid.

Here is one of the reviews about this drug:

Natalia, 27 years old, Kazan : “I am the mother of charming twins. It so happened that my children were born ahead of schedule, so we were very susceptible to various diseases in the first year of our lives. Very often these diseases were lingering colds, one started, the other then continued in a new circle and we could not cope without antibiotics. And of course the side effects from them were not very pleasant. Dysbacteriosis began for us at 4 months of age, the pediatrician prescribed Linex for us, 1 capsule 3 times a day, for a course of 2 weeks. He helped us a lot. After that, if we suddenly started taking antibiotics, then immediately together I gave them Linex 1 capsule per day, dissolved the powder in boiled water for a month and we had no colic, no gas, no dysbacteriosis. We started sleeping much better. I am satisfied with this drug and recommend it to all my friends.”

Linex quickly normalizes the child’s condition and well-being without causing any harmful effects on the body. The drug should definitely appear in every mother's medicine cabinet.

When not to take medicine

There are various forms of release of this product, which contain different components, so many people have a little confusion.

We need to understand the following:

• The dietary supplement for children, which is available in the form of drops or powder, does not contain any obvious allergens. However, the instructions for use indicate possible adverse reactions, such as skin rash and itching. If they occur, it is not worth continuing to give it to the newborn.

But the probiotic in the form of capsules, according to the instructions for use, contains lactose and the remains of milk protein. If a newborn has lactase deficiency or galactose intolerance, then you should not take this medicine, but it is better to use other forms or possible analogues.

Also, do not use the supplement for infants who are allergic to dairy products.

As a rule, Linex capsules are not prescribed for newborns; it is advisable to recommend it to children over 2 years of age. Parents need to remember one important rule: before using any drug, you must carefully read the instructions for use and pay close attention to contraindications and adverse reactions that may occur.

What is better Acipol or Linex for children?

Acipol is a probiotic. It is available in capsules that can be used for the treatment and prevention of dysbiosis in patients older than 3 months. The drug is well tolerated by children; only in cases of hypersensitivity to its composition can it cause allergies.

In addition, the dietary supplement Acipol Malysh is available for sale, which is available in drops. They can be used to normalize the intestinal microflora in children from birth.

The differences between Linex and Acipol are insignificant and after consultation with a doctor, you can give any of these drugs to your child.

Composition of the drug

This supplement is a third generation probiotic, which includes:

• Lactobacillus acidophilus ( Lactobacillus acidophilus ). These bacteria are present in the human gastrointestinal tract and maintain an acidic environment due to the formation of lactic acid. This is a kind of protection, because many harmful bacteria are unstable to an acidic environment and die in it.
• Bifidobacterium ( Bifidobacterium infantis ), which is also present in the human intestine and likes an acidic environment.
• Enterococci ( Enterococcus faesium ). These bacteria ensure the fermentation process of food without emitting gases and create the necessary acidity of the environment. They also have high endurance.

Drops

It also contains excipients, depending on the release form. Linex drops additionally contain:

• sunflower oil;
• sucrose;
• maltodextrin;
• antioxidants: sodium ascorbate, citric acid, DL-alpha tocopherol.

Linex also contains maltodextrin in powder form.

Capsules

The drug, produced in capsules, includes several excipients:

• lactose;
• maltodextrin;
• potato starch;
• magnesium stearate;
• gelatin;
• titanium dioxide.

Linex forte dosage schedule

The doctor should decide how to take the drug depending on the patient’s age, diagnosis, and severity of the clinical picture.

If the intestinal microflora is disturbed, the drug should be taken in the following dosages:

As part of the complex treatment of diseases associated with Helicobacter pylori, as well as to eliminate constipation, the probiotic should be taken 1 capsule three times a day.

If stool retention occurs, you need to include foods that have a laxative effect in the child’s diet, make sure that he drinks enough during the day, tries to empty his bowels at the same time, and also leads an active lifestyle (does gymnastics, moves more).

If you do not have bowel movement for more than a week, you should definitely consult a doctor.

Indications for use

According to the instructions for use, such a probiotic is prescribed if a child is taking antibiotics or has problems with the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), which are accompanied by:

• bloating;
• diarrhea or constipation;
• colic;
• indigestion, etc.

In addition, Linex can be prescribed for poisoning and various gastrointestinal infections.

Sometimes doctors prescribe this supplement as an additional source of beneficial bacteria if:

• the newborn was born prematurely or by caesarean section;
• the baby is bottle-fed;
• the child has an unbalanced diet;
• the baby was in the maternity hospital for a long time;
• if the baby has immaturity of the gastrointestinal tract.

Indications

Linex capsules contain live enterococci, bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. They are recommended to be taken for the treatment and prevention of dysbiosis, which can manifest itself with symptoms such as:

• stomach upset;
• stool retention;
• bloating;
• nausea;
• vomit;
• belching;
• abdominal pain;
• allergy.

Linex Forte capsules contain live lactic acid bacteria (bifido- and lactobacilli) and can also be taken if the intestinal microflora is disturbed.

In addition, they are recommended for children over 12 years of age for constipation, and also as an adjunct to Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy.

Dietary supplements are taken to:

1. normalize intestinal microflora during and after antibiotic therapy;
2. prevent stomach upset caused by infections of the digestive tract of viral and bacterial etiology;
3. normalize and maintain the composition and function of the intestinal microflora in children with colic, flatulence, diarrhea, stool retention and other dyspeptic disorders;
4. prevent the development of atopic dermatitis;
5. boost immunity.

Side effects

The dietary supplement is tolerated quite well by the child’s body and in most cases does not cause any adverse reactions. However, if a newborn has a tendency to be allergic to some of the components that make up Linex, it should be taken with caution or it is recommended to select a suitable analogue.

To avoid causing adverse reactions in children suffering from lactose and galactose intolerance, you should not use probiotic capsules.

What is better to give a child Hilak Forte or Linex?

Hilak Forte is available in drops that can be used in children of any age. The medication is recommended for eliminating intestinal dysbiosis caused by antibiotic therapy, treatment with sulfonamides, and radiotherapy. It helps with poor digestion, increased gas production, indigestion, constipation, pathologies of the liver and gallbladder, inflammation of the small and large intestines, diseases of the digestive tract accompanied by low acidity. It is recommended for salmonellosis in the recovery stage, allergic skin reactions, and disorders of the digestive system caused by climate change. Hilak Forte drops have a wider range of applications, but this does not mean that they are better, as they can cause allergies and cause constipation and diarrhea. In addition, they should not be taken if there is hypersensitivity to their composition, impaired absorption of dextrose and galactose, deficiency of lactase and isomaltase, or hypolactasia.

Many children do not like the taste of the drops and spit them out.

How to give Linex to newborns

If a newborn is prescribed a probiotic, you first need to decide in what form Linex should be purchased. According to the instructions for use:

• It is given in drops to a newborn during meals, 5-6 drops per day. It is important that the milk or mixture into which the drug will be added corresponds to body temperature, but not higher, otherwise the microorganisms will simply die without ever reaching the intestines. The duration of such treatment is at least 28 days.
• If Linex is recommended to you in the form of a powder for suspension, then the newborn is given the powder from one packet during meals, 1 time per day. It can be diluted in water, a small amount of breast milk or formula. The contents of the powder must be used immediately after opening.
• If we are talking about capsules, then the newborn is given the contents of 1 capsule 1 time or 3 times a day (depending on the situation), during meals.

The instructions for use also indicate that if a child is taking antibiotics, the probiotic should be taken no earlier than 3 hours later, otherwise its effectiveness will be reduced.

Linex analogs

Today, choosing an analogue for children's Linex is not difficult; many more parents are interested in comparing drugs by price. Considering that the cost of Linex for children in drops is from 460 rubles, and Linex for children in powder from 340 rubles, then among the cheaper analogues one can name Normobact, but it is characterized by a different composition (lactobacteria and prebiotic).

Linex for newborns with colic and dysbacteriosis - reviews

We bring to your attention reviews from some mothers who gave this dietary supplement to their babies.

• Natalya from Omsk shares her story: her baby had dysbiosis, which was additionally accompanied by colic. This situation lasted from birth to 6 months. They tried a wide variety of probiotics, which did nothing to help cope with this problem. The doctor advised me to try Linex and the results were not long in coming. Already on the third day the baby showed noticeable improvements, and later the colic stopped bothering him. She recommends this remedy to everyone, although it is not cheap, it works and really helps.
• User Zerkana from Ukraine shares the following: at 3 months, her child began to have problems with her tummy: constipation lasted for 6-7 days, her stomach hurt, and the baby was restless and did not sleep well; in addition, tests revealed staphylococcus and a small amount of beneficial bacteria. A long-term complex treatment was prescribed, which included taking this probiotic. We used Linex in capsules (since it contains several types of beneficial bacteria) in the following way: she expressed a little breast milk into a teaspoon, poured out the contents of the capsule, mixed it and carefully let the baby drink. After about 3 weeks, the result was noticeable, and by the end of the week all the alarming and unpleasant symptoms disappeared, the baby began to feel good and the stool returned to normal, so this supplement is effective, especially in complex treatment.
• Elistina from Moscow writes that at about three months old, her daughter began to have red spots appear and grow all over her body, then changes occurred in her stool: it was liquid, with a greenish tint and had an unpleasant odor. We completed a course of antibiotics, everything seemed to have gone away, but recently the sore returned again, and another unpleasant symptom appeared: the skin on the palm is cracking and it does not heal. A friend recommended Linex to Elistina and improvements appeared in just a couple of days: the wound on her palm began to heal. After the treatment, the child stopped itching. Now they are undergoing tests to determine the main problem, but the drug has really helped them at this stage. Despite the fact that the drug is expensive, it works, so she recommends this remedy to those who are faced with a similar problem or the problem of dysbiosis.
• Irina from Buturlinovka writes that the pediatrician diagnosed her newborn baby with dysbacteriosis; it is not uncommon, especially in children of the first year of life. They were prescribed Linex, and they began to drink it. Within a week, the baby’s condition improved, so she recommends this drug as an effective remedy for bacteriosis.
• Ekaterina from Teraspol (Moldova) learned about this supplement after the birth of her son. He started having problems with his tummy; his stools could not return to normal for a long time and were green in color. They tried various probiotics, but they did not work, and then the doctor advised them to try Linex. Within a week, the problems with stool disappeared, and the baby began to feel much better. Now this drug is constantly in their home medicine cabinet, because it is given not only to children, but also to adults.

What dosage should I take?

The powder can be added to any drinks whose temperature does not exceed 35 degrees, as well as to liquid foods (porridge, purees, pureed cold soups).

For newborns, the required amount of the drug is mixed with breast milk or formula and given from a bottle during feeding.

The dosage of Linex for children is as follows:

• children from birth to 7 years old - 1 sachet per day during meals;
• children from 7 to 12 years old - 2 sachets per day with meals.

Adolescents over 12 years of age can take the drug in capsule form - the dosage regimen will be the same as for adult patients.

Important! The product must be prepared immediately before use. The prepared mixture cannot be stored.

The course of treatment is 30 days. For prophylactic purposes, the drug should be taken for at least 10 days. The exact duration of treatment is determined by the pediatrician, taking into account the available indications.

Helpful information

Pregnancy is a special time in the life of every woman, which is associated not only with joy, but also with various experiences. There are dangerous weeks of pregnancy during which there may be a risk of miscarriage.

A condition such as uterine tone or another pathological condition, namely placental abruption, often occurs, so every expectant mother needs to know about possible symptoms in order to notice them in time and seek help from a doctor. To figure this out, you can also read this information.

How did you deal with colic in your newborn baby? Have you used this probiotic and what can you say about its effectiveness? We invite you to share in the comments your reviews of this tool, if you have used it, personal stories and useful tips. We will also be glad if you also leave your feedback on the article you read.

Bifidumbacterin or Linex: which is better for children?

Bifidumbacterin is a cheaper analogue of Linex. It is commercially available not only in oral dosage forms, but also in suppositories that can be inserted into the anus or vagina. This allows the drug to be used in children who do not take the medicine orally. In addition, vaginal suppositories can be used for vaginal dysbiosis. But this does not mean that Bifidumbacterin is better; it also has contraindications and side effects.

The doctor should decide what to replace Linex with for the child, since each product has its own characteristics.