Cranberries are a very healthy berry. It can be eaten, but, since it has specific taste properties, not all do it.
However, cranberries have many medicinal properties. In cases where the patient is prescribed a medicine with this plant, most people prefer cranberry extract, which is available in the form of capsules or tablets. Such medicines are not classified as medicines, but as active biological supplements. Most often, the extract is used to enhance the main therapy of pathologies of the urinary system, kidneys.
Impact, pharmacological group
Specialists prescribe this drug as an additional component of combination therapy. Cranberry extract is able to enhance anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial therapy, which is carried out using a variety of medications, including antibiotics with a wide range of effects.
The tool has the following pharmacological effects:
- It can enhance the activity of immunity, help in the fight against pathogenic microorganisms.
- It is able to stop pathological processes in tissues having an infectious or inflammatory genesis.
- Prevents the reproduction of pathogenic flora.
- It has anti-inflammatory effects.
- By proper use, a moderate diuretic effect can be achieved.
As a rule, a tablet cranberry extract is recommended for use if the patient has inflammatory processes in the walls of the bladder (cystitis). However, such drugs have a number of other indications.
The main active ingredient in the composition of such drugs is cranberry extract. Auxiliary components are usually starch and talc. In addition, the drug may contain other substances: useful plants, herbs that enhance the healing properties of the drug.
The main features of this tool are its good tolerance and the almost complete absence of negative effects. There is also a drawback - if monotherapy is carried out, the drug exhibits low efficiency.
Dosage Forms
The manufacturers of the drug are available in several dosage forms. Most often these are tablets or capsules.
Other forms of cranberry extract are very rare.
Indications for use
There are several urological pathologies that may be indications for the appointment of funds. The following conditions can be attributed to them:
- Chronic forms of cystitis, pyelonephritis.
- Diabetic nephropathy. In this case, the tool helps to reduce sugar levels, improve kidney function.
- Impaired urine outflow, conditions accompanied by fluid retention.
- The presence of sand in the kidneys, calculi of small size.
- Inflammatory processes in the bladder, cystitis of a specific and non-specific nature.
- Increased load on the organs of the urinary system, kidneys.
- Puffiness syndrome that occurs during pregnancy.
- Other pathological conditions of the urinary system, kidneys, having a chronic type of course.
In addition, cranberry extract in capsules or tablets can be used for other pathologies.
- Decreased immunity activity.
- Gastritis, characterized by high acidity.
- Cholelithiasis.
Also, the drug can be taken as a prophylaxis during periods of colds, viral diseases. Cranberries perfectly stimulate the activity of the immune system, and therefore its extract is often recommended to be used to enhance the effectiveness of the main treatment.
Contraindications
Nominally, herbal remedies have very few contraindications. If they are, they are associated with the individual susceptibility of the body to the components in the composition of the drug. Experts do not recommend the use of cranberry extract in the presence of the following physiological or pathological conditions:
- Violation of the outflow of urine due to relief of the ureter with calculus.
- Tendency to allergic reactions.
- Signs of kidney failure.
- Hypersensitivity to the components of the product, to the product as a whole.
- Individual intolerance to the components in the composition of the product.
If we talk about the failure of renal activity, then preparations with cranberry extract can be used for its therapy, but only on the recommendation and under the supervision of a specialist. Conventionally, the drug can be used during pregnancy in order to eliminate gestosis, but the appointment in this case should be done exclusively by a doctor. The gynecologist will have to evaluate the general well-being of the woman, eliminate her contraindications.
Negative effects, intoxication
Cases of overdose with herbal remedies are quite rare. However, if the patient has taken a large dose of cranberry fruit extract, he should be provided with a warm, plentiful drink, as well as bed rest for 2-3 days.
With the development of attacks of nausea and vomiting, doctors recommend carrying out symptomatic therapy, which will facilitate the general well-being of the patient and stop the unpleasant symptoms that arose against the background of intoxication.
An overdose of the drug significantly increases the likelihood of side symptoms:
- Profuse urination.
- The development of vomiting, nausea.
- Deterioration of well-being.
If the patient has calculi in the kidneys, then the diuretic effect of the drug can provoke their displacement or exit. If the stones are large, it is recommended to refrain from using the product.
Using cranberry extract
On average, cranberry extract therapy lasts 30 days. But the doctor may recommend an increase in the course to 2-3 months. Maximum such treatment can last six months.
The dosage for each patient is determined individually. As a rule, it is recommended to take 1 capsule (tablet) of cranberry extract once a day. It should be taken after meals with a large amount of water.
Dosage for pregnant women is also determined individually. In some cases, women are advised to take up to 3 capsules per day. Since the susceptibility of the body during pregnancy is increased, the likelihood of allergic responses increases significantly.
During lactation, the appointment of funds based on cranberry extract is an occasion to suspend breastfeeding. For children, the drug can only be prescribed by a doctor, and reduced dosages should be used.
Analogs
Any medicine in which cranberry extract is present can be considered an analogue. The most popular are: “Monurel”, “Cystivitis”, “Cystorenal”, “Urinal”.
It is worth remembering that the listed drugs have certain contraindications and are able to provoke the development of unpleasant symptoms. Therefore, the replacement of the drug should be agreed with the doctor.
Cranberry Extract Reviews
Experts respond positively about the extract, recommend its use for the treatment of recurrent and chronic pathologies of the urinary organ, kidneys. Patients report high effectiveness of treatment with such drugs, separately note the natural composition, the almost complete absence of contraindications and negative effects.