Glycine is the simplest amino acid obtained by artificial means. Playing a large role in the function of the central nervous system, it is widely used in neurological practice. The drug is not harmful to health, however, an overdose of glycine can cause unwanted reactions.
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When is the drug prescribed
Glycine, due to its positive effects on the body, is widely used in medicine. The drug is indicated not only for adult patients, but also for children.
The prescription of the drug occurs according to the following indications:
- to relieve feelings of fear, anxiety, tension;
- potentiation of antidepressants and anticonvulsants;
- decrease in emotional reactions;
- to improve memory and mental performance;
- to reduce deviation in behavior for children (deviation from generally accepted norms of a behavioral nature);
- normalization of sleep;
- to reduce the consequences of vascular disorders of the central nervous system and traumatic brain damage;
- relief of manifestations of vegetovascular dystonia.
In addition, glycine often acts as a component of the complex therapy of alcohol and drug dependence as a tool with a mild sedative property. Instructions for use of this pharmaceutical product recommends certain single and daily dosages for its use. But sometimes improper self-administration of glycine can lead to the appearance of negative reactions of the body.
Is an overdose of glycine possible
The traditional dosage of the drug under discussion for an adult patient is taking one tablet (100 mg) three times a day.
The therapeutic course is prescribed by a specialist and ranges from 1 to 4 weeks, which is determined by the indications and age of the patient. But if glycine is taken not for its intended purpose, but in large quantities and for a long period, an overdose is possible.
In some cases, the combined use of glycine with other drugs or alcohol can cause discomfort, accompanied by certain symptoms.
Symptoms in adults and children
The appearance of intoxication, with the use of glycine in combination with alcohol, gives side effects in the following form:
- the appearance of lethargy, increased drowsiness;
- lowering blood pressure;
- dizziness of a non-systemic nature due to intoxication with the drug;
- nausea, vomiting, loose stools;
- decreased muscle tone;
- the appearance of lacrimation, nasal congestion, sneezing, rashes on the skin with an allergic reaction of the body;
- dry mucous membranes of the nasal and oral cavity;
- an attack of panic fear of death;
- the development of bronchospasm with the appearance of symptoms identical to an attack of bronchial asthma.
Not always the consequences of an overdose of glycine are pronounced. Sometimes intoxication is manifested only in drowsiness, a decrease in concentration of attention, impaired coordination of movements.
In children, an overdose of the drug can occur not only by mistake of the parents who gave the child extra pills. Having found glycine, the child himself can eat it in sufficient quantity, since it has a pleasant sweetish taste.
Symptoms of an overdose of glycine and the reaction of the child's body to it, in comparison with manifestations in adult patients, will be more pronounced.
It manifests itself as follows:
- lethargy expressed by drowsiness;
- lowering blood pressure;
- itching of the skin;
- insignificant increase in heart rate;
- a reaction from the intestines in the form of the appearance of loose stools.
This symptomatology of the child’s life is not threatened, but it is necessary to take measures and remove the intoxication of the body.
First aid
The main task, when assisting the victim, is to remove from the body the toxic agent that has got inside. To do this, it is necessary to rinse the stomach of the patient if the drug was taken recently.
The procedure is carried out with ordinary boiled water, which in the amount of 1.5 - 2 liters must be drunk and cause a gag reflex by pressing the root of the tongue. The procedure must be repeated several times. An overdose of glycine in adults is stopped by taking activated charcoal or Polysorb as an absorbent.
If the condition of the victim improves, further consultation of the doctor is necessary on the correction of the course of treatment and the patient's compliance with further recommendations.
If the poisoning occurred in a small child, in this case, urgent qualified medical attention is needed from the doctor, since glycine poisoning can affect the functioning of the kidneys.
Important! The appearance of incomprehensible lethargy and drowsiness in a child, increasing in time, is a direct indication for consulting a pediatrician in order to exclude the effects of a toxic agent on the baby's body.
What could be the consequences
The long-term consequences of an overdose of the substance under discussion have not been recorded. In some cases, an allergic reaction of the body to the administration of the drug inside is possible.
In addition, a slight excess of serum glycine concentration may be recorded. This condition leads to an imbalance between the processes of excitation and inhibition in the cerebral cortex, which can affect the emotional state of a person.
Instructions for use of tablets
Glycine tablets are used by resorption under the tongue, behind the cheek, or as a solution.Depending on the type of pathological process, the dosage of the drug will be different.
For adult patients with central nervous system damage, a single and course administration of glycine is carried out taking into account the individual characteristics of the body and the type of pathological process.
The purpose of the drug is recommended for the following diseases and conditions:
- Damage to the central nervous system of an organic and functional nature, accompanied by sleep disturbance, anxiety, increased emotional excitability. The drug is prescribed 100 mg 2 to 3 times a day for 1 to 2 weeks. According to indications, the intake of glycine can be extended up to a month. Repeated use of the drug is indicated only after a monthly break.
- Violation of night rest. 50 to 100 mg 20 to 30 minutes before bedtime.
- Cerebrovascular accident. In the acute period (during the first 3 to 6 hours after the development of vascular pathology) - 1000 mg per dose. In the next 5 days - 1000 mg per day with further administration of the drug 100 - 200 mg 3 times a day for a month.
- Organic pathology of the central nervous system, including encephalopathy of various etiologies - 100 mg 2-3 times a day for up to 1 month. Course treatment is repeated up to 6 times during the year.
For young children, glycine is given in a crushed form with a teaspoon of water, and older children absorb the tablets on their own.
Recommended use of the drug depending on the age of the child:
- babies up to 3 years - 50 mg 2-3 times a day for up to 2 weeks, followed by a single dose in the same dosage for another 2 weeks;
- children over 3 years old - 100 mg 2-3 times a day for up to 2 weeks, followed by an increase in the duration of admission up to 4 weeks.
In case of sleep disorders, glycine is prescribed at 50-100 mg (depending on age) 20-30 minutes before the child is put to bed.
Indications and the course of treatment with the drug are determined only on the recommendation of a specialist with further dynamic monitoring of the condition of an adult patient or child.
Glycine during pregnancy and lactation
Prescribing the drug to pregnant and lactating women is carried out only as prescribed by the doctor, since there is no reliable information on the safe effect of glycine on pregnancy and lactation.
Contraindications and side effects
Despite the positive effect of glycine on the function of the central nervous system, the drug has contraindications to its purpose.
These include:
- Individual intolerance to the auxiliary components that make up the drug, which can cause an undesirable allergic reaction of the body.
- The period of gestation and lactation, since the effect of the amino acid has not been tested on pregnant and lactating women. In this case, glycine is conditionally contraindicated, and in some cases gynecologists even recommend it for future mothers.
- Work at the factory or another with moving mechanisms, since the drug causes inhibition and helps to reduce concentration.
Compliance with all the doctor’s recommendations and the correct use of glycine will help to avoid overdose of the drug and the negative reaction of the body.
