Elkar, how to take it for weight loss. How to take Elkar for weight loss: instructions

• Customer Reviews

Author: Kristina Lobanovskaya, doctor, practicing nutritionist Article updated: 04/07/2021

The accumulation of adipose tissue is caused by a constant (albeit insignificant) excess of the amount of energy consumed over that consumed by the body and/or a violation of metabolic processes. Based on this, in order to lose weight, you need to reduce the amount of calories you consume from food, increase physical activity and activate metabolic processes, including increasing the rate of fat breakdown.

To solve the latter problem, metabolic and lipolytic agents are used in complex therapy for the treatment of obesity; Elkar (international nonproprietary name Levocarnitine) is considered one of the inexpensive and safe ones. It is produced by the Russian pharmaceutical company Pik-Pharma, the drug is included in the list of over-the-counter products.

Release form

There are 3 known forms of release of Elkar:

1. The solution for oral administration is a clear liquid with a specific odor. Available in dropper bottles of 25, 50 or 100 ml with a measuring cup or spoon. Pros: easy to take, pleasant taste; cons – contains preservatives that can lead to allergies.
2. Solution for injection is a clear, colorless liquid, packaged in ampoules of 5 ml, in packs of 5 or 10 pcs. Pros: quick action of the drug; cons: painful injections.
3. Effervescent granules are white-yellow with a lemon aroma. Packaged in 5 g bags, in packs of 5 or 10 pcs. Pros – convenient to take; disadvantages – long achievement of action.

Elkar analogues. Analogues of the drug Elkar

Before we look at analogues of the drug Elkar, let’s look at the drug itself, specifically its composition, action and use in medicine. Elkar contains levocartinine, which is a natural vitamin-like substance related to B vitamins. But unlike the above-mentioned vitamins, carnitine is synthesized in the human body.

Carnitine plays a significant role in fat oxidation, energy formation, and acceleration of amino acid synthesis. Elcar has lipolytic and anabolic effects. They have normalizing processes to increase basal metabolism in hypothyroidism and other disorders of the thyroid gland.

Despite the fact that carnitine is independently synthesized in the body, situations arise when the need for it increases significantly, for example, during physical, mental, emotional stress, and stress.

Levocarnitine also enters our body with food, for example, fish, meat, dairy products (cheese, milk, cottage cheese), but its intake is insignificant and does not cover all the body’s needs, since a significant part of it is lost during heat treatment of foods.

Elkar is available in the form of an aqueous solution for oral administration. It is a fairly thick transparent liquid with no obvious odor. 1 ml of the drug contains 300 mg of levocarnitine. A solution for intravenous and intramuscular injections and effervescent granules for preparing a solution for oral administration are also produced.

Levocarnitine (Elkar) is used in adults for various diseases and conditions in the dose:

1. For prolonged physical and emotional stress (750 mg (2.5 ml) 2-3 times a day. Course - 1 week).
2. During the period of rehabilitation after operations and serious illnesses (1.5 g (5 ml) 2 times a day. Course - from 1 month).
3. In a set of measures to combat chronic gastrointestinal diseases (375 mg (1.25 ml) 2-3 times a day. Course - 1.5-2 months).
4. For hyperthyroidism. (250 mg 3 times a day. Course - 3 weeks, then break and repeat therapy).
5. In complex therapy of various brain lesions. (750 mg (2.5 ml) 2 times a day. Course - 1 week. After a break, re-prescribed).
6. In the treatment of skin diseases of various origins. (750 mg (2.5 ml) per day. Course - 1 month).
7. For carnitine deficiency. (100 mg per 1 kilogram of weight (5 drops per kg) 3 times a day. The course of administration is 3 months).
8. Before sports competitions and during the recovery period. (2 g 3 times a day. Course - 3-5 weeks).

The daily intake of L-carnitine for children, depending on age, is:

1. Up to 12 months - 10–15 mg/day.
2. From 1 year – 3 years – 30–50 mg/day.
3. From 4–6 years – 60–90 mg/day.
4. From 7–18 years – 100–300 mg/day.

It is not advisable to use drugs with levocarnitine at any stage of pregnancy and lactation due to the lack of studies on tolerability.

Now let’s look at Elkar’s analogues

1. Carnitene. A drug that contains levocarnitine. The drug is available in the form of a solution for intravenous administration, a solution for oral administration and chewable tablets. Application and contraindications for Carnitene are the same as for its analogue Elkar.

2. Levocarnil. Despite the fact that Levocarnil is produced by Evalar, which has established itself as the largest manufacturer of dietary supplements, it is a medicinal product and is available in the form of an aqueous solution for oral administration.

3. Nephrocarnit. A medicinal product containing L-carnitine. Available in the form of a solution for oral administration.

These are all Elkar analogues, which are medicinal products! In addition, levocarnitine contains a large amount of dietary supplements!

Compound

The medicine Elkar includes the active component L-carnitine. Concentration and composition for each release form:

Elkar for children. Elkar solution for oral administration - official* instructions for use

*registered by the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (according to grls.rosminzdrav.ru) See where the instructions from MEDI RU were received

Registration number:

LSR-006143/10

Trade name of the drug:

Elkar®.

International nonproprietary name:

levocarnitine.

Dosage form:

solution for oral administration.

Description:

clear, colorless or slightly colored liquid. A specific odor is allowed.

Compound:

active ingredient: Levocarnitine (Carnifit) 300 mg; excipients: citric acid monohydrate 1.2 mg, methyl parahydroxybenzoate 0.5 mg, propyl parahydroxybenzoate 0.2 mg, purified water up to 1 ml.

Pharmacotherapeutic group:

metabolic agent.

ATX code:

A16AA01.

Pharmacological properties

Pharmacodynamics. L-carnitine is a natural substance related to B vitamins. It participates in metabolic processes as a carrier of long-chain fatty acids (palmitic acid, etc.) from the cytoplasm to the mitochondria, where these acids undergo a process (3-oxidation with the formation of adenosine triphosphoric acid and acetyl-acid). CoA. Improves protein and fat metabolism, increases the secretion and enzymatic activity of gastric and intestinal juices, improves food absorption, reduces excess body weight and reduces fat content in muscles. Increases resistance to physical exercise, inhibits the formation of ketoacids and anaerobic glycolysis, reduces the degree of lactic acidosis, promotes economical consumption of glycogen and increases its reserves in the liver and muscles.

Has anabolic and lipolytic effects. Normalizes increased basal metabolism in hyperthyroidism: it is a peripheral (indirect) antagonist of the action of thyroid hormones, and not a direct inhibitor of thyroid function. Improves metabolism and energy supply to tissues.

Pharmacokinetics. Well absorbed in the intestine, plasma concentrations reach a maximum after 3 hours and remain in the therapeutic range for 9 hours. Easily penetrates the liver, myocardium, and more slowly into the muscles. It is excreted by the kidneys, mainly in the form of acyl esters.

Indications for use

The drug is used as part of complex therapy.

• intense physical activity and psycho-emotional stress: to increase performance, endurance, reduce fatigue, including in older people; • during the period of rehabilitation after illnesses and surgical interventions, injuries, including to accelerate tissue regeneration; • complex therapy of chronic gastritis and chronic pancreatitis with decreased secretory function; • complex therapy of skin diseases (psoriasis, seborrheic eczema, focal scleroderma and discoid lupus erythematosus); • mild hyperthyroidism; • neurological manifestations in vascular, toxic and traumatic brain lesions; • anorexia nervosa syndrome; • diseases accompanied by a lack of carnitine or its increased loss (myopathies, cardiomyopathies, mitochondrial diseases, hereditary diseases with concomitant mitochondrial deficiency) - to compensate for its deficiency as part of complex therapy; • in pediatric practice (treatment of children under 3 years of age under the supervision of a physician): when caring for premature infants, newborns who have suffered birth trauma or asphyxia; children with a sluggish sucking reflex and low weight gain; reduced muscle tone, with insufficient development of motor and mental functions, as well as for the purpose of preventing these disorders in children at risk; for stunted growth and underweight in children and adolescents under 16 years of age. • in adults in sports medicine and during intense training (during the training process when working on aerobic performance): to improve speed-strength indicators and coordination of movements, to increase muscle mass and reduce body fat mass, to prevent post-training syndrome (acceleration of recovery processes after physical activity), in case of traumatic injuries in order to accelerate muscle regeneration.

How it affects the body

Elkar is designed to correct metabolic processes in the body. Levocarnitine is a natural substance related to B vitamins. It participates in metabolic processes and serves as a carrier of long-chain fatty acids, including palmitic acid, through cell membranes from the cytoplasm to the mitochondria (where these acids are oxidized, forming adenosine triphosphate and acetyl coenzyme).

The product improves the production of enzymes, promotes the breakdown of carbohydrates and fats, reduces body weight, and accelerates metabolic processes. Carnitine increases the secretion and activity of gastric and intestinal juices, food absorption, and reduces fat content in muscles. By taking Elkar, resistance to physical exercise increases, the formation of ketoacids and anaerobic glycolysis is inhibited, and the degree of lactic acidosis decreases.

The drug helps to use glycogen economically and increases its reserves in the liver and muscles. The drug has anabolic, lipolytic properties, and additionally normalizes increased basal metabolism in hyperthyroidism (a peripheral antagonist of the action of thyroid hormones, and not a direct inhibitor of thyroid function).

The additive is well absorbed, reaches a maximum concentration after three hours, and remains at this level for 9 hours. The drug penetrates the liver and myocardium faster than the muscles. The remainder of the dose is excreted by the kidneys in the form of acyl esters.

Action and mechanism of weight loss

The drug Elkar works in different directions:

• improves digestion;
• interferes with metabolic processes, normalizing and accelerating them;
• stimulates the activity of the nervous system and brain;
• improves the functioning of many organs;
• helps the body recover after surgery, serious injuries, and illnesses;
• allows you to endure increased physical, mental and emotional stress without loss.

Many of these functions promote weight loss through proper nutrition and exercise. This is the reason for its use as a weight loss drug.

Mechanism of weight loss

A person with a normal metabolic rate, provided there is sufficient physical activity and adherence to the principles of proper nutrition, rarely has problems with excess weight (unless they are caused by genetics or hormones). They appear as soon as metabolic disorders begin. Most often, their cause is a decrease in the production of carnitine by the kidneys and liver, the amino acid responsible for this process.

As soon as its level in the body drops, fats and carbohydrates that come from food are no longer processed into the necessary energy, but begin to accumulate in problem areas.

Elkar artificially allows you to restore the required amount of carnitine in the body. Within a day after the first use of the drug:

• digestion of fats and carbohydrates is improved;
• they are spent without a trace on the needs of the body;
• The fat burning process is launched to obtain additional energy.

Gradually, adipose tissue is replaced by muscle tissue (subject to intense exercise). All this ultimately leads to weight loss. The results are different for everyone, as they depend on age, nutrition and physical activity. On average, 2-3 kg are lost weekly.

Advantages and disadvantages

According to reviews from those who took Elkar, you can lose weight from 2 to 6 kg in a month. Advantages and disadvantages of the drug:

How to take Elkar

Before taking Elkar for weight loss, you need to calculate the daily dose. It is 30–50 mg per 1 kg of body weight. For example, if a person weighs 70 kg, then he is prescribed 2800 mg of the drug per day (70*40 mg). One teaspoon of suspension or solution contains 1500 mg of carnitine, so you should take 1.5 teaspoons per day, divided into 2 doses. Rules for using dietary supplements:

• You need to take oral forms of Elkar half an hour before breakfast and lunch;
• the general course of treatment is one month, it should not be extended without a doctor’s recommendation;
• To avoid gaining weight due to increased appetite, you should follow a diet, include low-calorie foods in your diet, and exercise.

Granules

The drug is taken half an hour before meals, dissolving the contents of one sachet in a glass of water. The average daily dose is 1 sachet. The course of treatment should not exceed a month, unless otherwise prescribed by the attending physician.

• When exercising, take 1-2 g three times a day, for anorexia nervosa - 1 g three times a day for a course of 1-2 months.
• For myopathy – 7 sachets per day for a course of 3–4 months.
• In sports medicine, it is necessary to take 1-2 sachets 2-3 times a day.
• For therapeutic purposes - 5-7 g per day for a course of 3-4 weeks before competitions or up to 8 weeks during training.

Oral solution

Elkar drops are taken orally half an hour before meals, diluted with juice, water or tea to improve the taste. Recommended dosages:

• Adults are prescribed a dose of 750 mg (half a scoop) three times a day, if ineffective - 2250 mg (1.5 scoops) three times a day. The course lasts for a month, if necessary, it can be extended for the same amount of time.
• For long-term exercise, the dose is 0.75–2.25 g 2–3 times a day, for anorexia nervosa and during the rehabilitation period – 1.5 g twice a day for a course of 1–2 months.
• In the complex therapy of gastritis, the drug is taken a quarter of a measuring spoon twice a day for a course of 1–1.5 months.
• Treatment of skin diseases involves taking 0.75 g for a course of 2–4 weeks.
• Therapy for hyperthyroidism - 13 drops 2-3 times a day for a course of 20 days, repeated after 1.5 months.
• For brain lesions, 0.75 g per day is prescribed for a course of 4 days, repeated after 2 weeks.
• For carnitine deficiency, take 2-5 drops per 1 kg of body weight 2-3 times a day for a course of 3.5 months.
• Children – 5–48 drops 2–3 times a day for a monthly course, with growth retardation – 13 drops 2–3 times a day.
• In sports medicine, 2.5 g is prescribed 1-3 times a day for a course of 3-8 weeks.

Ampoules

Elcar is administered intravenously by drip or stream, intramuscularly. The contents of the ampoule are dissolved in 150 ml of saline solution or 5% dextrose solution. The daily dose will be 500–1000 mg per day in a weekly course. Then the patient is transferred to oral administration of drops or suspension.

• For acute disorders, the use of 2 ampoules per day for a course of 3 days is indicated, then 1 ampoule per day for a weekly course, repeated after 11 days.
• For encephalopathy and brain lesions, carnitine deficiency, the solution is administered intravenously, 1–2 ampoules per day, or intramuscularly, 1–2 ampoules 2–3 times a day without dilution for a course of up to 7 days, repeated after 2 weeks.
• For hemodialysis or secondary carnitine deficiency, a single injection of 4 ampoules is prescribed.
• In case of acute myocardial infarction - 6-10 ampoules in 2-3 doses for the first 2-3 days, then the dose is halved.
• For cardiogenic shock, 6–10 ampoules are given to 2–3 patients until the patient recovers from shock.

Mechanism of action

The name carnitine comes from the Latin carnes - meat, since it was from this product that the first vitamin BT was extracted. This natural compound exists in two optically active forms - levorotatory (L-carnitine) and dextrorotatory (D-carnitine). Only the levorotatory form has biological activity.

Levocarnitine serves as a universal stimulant and corrector of energy metabolism. Accelerates the process of food digestion, promotes the absorption of lipids and carbohydrates, improves blood counts, reducing cholesterol levels.

Preparations with levocarnitine are used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, to improve immunity and relieve chronic fatigue syndrome, in order to slow down age-related changes in brain structures in adults. For children, medications containing carnitine are prescribed to normalize the development of the muscular system. L-carnitine transports fatty acids into the mitochondria of cells, where they are burned, releasing the energy necessary for the body. This explains its ability to help reduce body fat and lose weight.

Important! Taking Elkar alone will not lead to the loss of a large number of kilograms. When fighting excess weight, drugs with L-carnitine are used as part of a set of measures:

• fractional meals;
• control of caloric intake;
• reducing the amount of carbohydrates and fats consumed;
• organizing an active lifestyle that includes daily physical activity.

special instructions

To increase the effectiveness of the drug, you need to follow a diet, limit your diet, and engage in light physical activity. Other special instructions for using the weight loss product:

1. Treatment of children under 3 years of age should be carried out under the supervision of a physician.
2. Taking the drug does not affect the ability to drive vehicles or operate machinery.
3. An overdose of the drug can lead to dyspepsia and myasthenia gravis. Gastric lavage and intake of adsorbents are required.
4. When glucocorticosteroids are taken simultaneously with Elcar, carnitine accumulates in tissues. Anabolic agents enhance the effect of the drug.

Indications and contraindications

Indications:

• vegetarianism;
• psoriasis, lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, seborrheic eczema;
• deficiency of vitamin BT (another name for levocarnitine) and retinol;
• anorexia nervosa, lack of appetite;
• problems with the pancreas and gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, pancreatitis);
• renal and liver failure;
• intense, professional sports, sore throat, muscle injuries;
• mild form of hyperthyroidism;
• cardiogenic shock, angina pectoris, heart attack, heart failure, tachycardia;
• chronic fatigue syndrome, overwork;
• brain pathologies based on neurological symptoms, the aging process, impaired blood supply, discirculatory encephalopathy;
• psycho-emotional, physical, mental stress;
• rehabilitation after any therapeutic course;
• depression of higher mental functions.

Contraindications:

• individual intolerance to components;
• children under 3 years of age (relative contraindication: children can take Elkar, but only under the constant supervision of a doctor and with his permission);
• pregnancy, lactation (the consequences of taking the drug for the intrauterine development of the child and its effect on the production of breast milk have not been studied);
• obesity III and stage.

Analogs

Elkar can be replaced by products with the property of improving metabolism. These include:

• Adenocor is an injection solution based on adenosine, the cost of 6 ampoules of 2 ml each will be 290 rubles;
• Cartan is an injection solution based on levocarnitine, costs 300 rubles. for 5 ampoules of 5 ml;
• L-carnitine - capsules, syrup and tablets with the active ingredient of the same name, price 100 ml of syrup 90 rubles;
• Carnifit is an oral solution based on carnitine, the price for 25 ml is 200 rubles;
• Vinebral - capsules based on vincamine, cost 30 pcs. will be 500 rubles.