Himalaya Liv.52 HB for treatment of Hepatitis B

Liv. 52 HB is a patent (pending) polyherbal formulation by Himalaya Drug Company. It is a safe herbal preparation used in the management of hepatitis B infection. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a hepatotropic DNA virus that primarily infects hepatocytes and causes liver disease.

Liv. 52 HB is effective in hepatitis treatment owing to the multi-pharmacological properties of its ingredients. Various clinical studies have established the therapeutic efficacy and safety of Liv.52 HB in the management of hepatitis B.

It improves the clinical manifestations of hepatitis, normalizes the elevated LFT parameters and serum markers for liver dysfunction. Liv.52 HB capsule protects the hepatic parenchyma and promotes hepatocellular regeneration possibly due to its antiperoxidative and antiviral activities.

Difference between Liv 52 and Liv 52 HB: Both have completely different formulations. Liv 52 HB is especially formulated with antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory ingredients for management of Hepatitis B infection (acute and chronic) whereas liv 52 is given for improving appetite and as a liver tonic.

Here is given more about this medicine, such as benefits, indication/therapeutic uses, composition, and dosage.

1. Manufacturer: Himalaya
2. Availability: Online and at medical stores
3. Type of medicine: Proprietary Medicine
4. Indication: Hepatitis B
5. Side-effects: Not reported
6. Adverse Effects: Not reported
7. Drug Interactions: No clinically significant drug interaction reported
8. Special warnings: None
9. MRP/Price: INR 90.00

Ingredients of Liv 52 HB

1. Each Liv.52 HB capsule contains Extracts of
2. Mustaka Cyperus rotundus 125 mg
3. Nagaramustaka Cyperus scariosus 125 mg

Other ingredients

1. Sodium Benzoate IP
2. Capsule colors: Brillant Blue FCF (CI 42090), Quinoline Yellow WS (CI47005)
3. Sunset Yellow Fcf (CI15985)

Key ingredients:

Motha, Mustaka, Bhadramusta (Sans.) or Nutgrass(Eng.) is an annual herb with a small, tuberous rootstock. The tubers contain essential oil, fat, sugar, gum, carbohydrates, starch, albuminous matter, and an alkaloid. They are diuretic, emmenagogue, antihelminthic, diaphoretic,

astringent, stimulant and antiseptic. Due to stomachic, carminative and cholagogue action with astringent properties they are used in anorexia, acute dyspepsia, diarrhea, dysentery and congestion of the liver. They are used in the liver complaints with jaundice, for malarial fever, etc.

Motha lowers the viral load on the liver. It has anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activities which help in liver disorders.

Nagarmotha roots (Cyperus scariosus) or Nagaramustaka or Umbrella’s Edge is found in damp areas. It has stomachic, cordial, antidiarrheal, diuretic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The hepatoprotective property helps to maintain overall liver health.

Biomedical Action

1. Anti-HBV: Works against Hepatitis B Virus to protect the liver and restore normal functioning.
2. Anti–inflammatory: Reducing inflammation by acting on body mechanisms.
3. Antimicrobial: Active against microbes.
4. Appetizer: Improves appetite.
5. Hepatoprotective: Prevent damage to the liver. Motha has hepatoprotective activity, which protects the liver from varied etiologies possibly due to antioxidant activity.
6. Immunomodulatory: Modifies the immune response or the functioning of the immune system.
7. Stomachic: Stimulates gastric activity.

Benefits of Liv 52 HB

1. It protects the liver from hepatotoxins.
2. It is a herbal antiviral.
3. It improves the antioxidant defense system.
4. It reduces inflammation.
5. It is immune modulatory.
6. It suppresses viral DNA responsible for hepatitis B/
7. It promotes hepatocellular regeneration
8. It renormalizes Liver Functions and the liver enzymes and thus improves hepatic functions.
9. It improves appetite.
10. It has clinically significant virological and biochemical benefits in patients with Chronic Hepatitis infection.
11. It reduces the viral load and inhibits of HBsAg.
12. Treatment with Liv 52 HB for 6 months alleviates abdominal pain and poor appetite.

Important Therapeutic Uses of Liv. 52 HB

This medicine is used in the management of Hepatitis B infection.

• Acute Hepatitis B infection
• Chronic Hepatitis B infection

What is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a serious and common infectious disease of the liver. It is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV).

Transmission of Virus

The virus is transmitted by exposure to infectious blood or body fluids such as saliva, menstrual, vaginal, and seminal fluids.

It can spread from mother to child at birth (perinatal transmission), or through horizontal transmission (exposure to infected blood), especially from an infected child to an uninfected child during the first 5 years of life.

The infection can also occur during medical, surgical and dental procedures, through tattooing, or through the use of razors and similar objects that are contaminated with infected blood.

The virus does not spread by holding hands, sharing eating utensils or drinking glasses, kissing, hugging, coughing, sneezing or breastfeeding.

A vaccine against hepatitis B has been available since 1982. The vaccine is 95% effective in preventing infection and the development of chronic disease and liver cancer due to hepatitis B.

Symptoms of Hepatitis

Most people do not experience any symptoms during the Acute infection phase.

Some people suffer from symptoms like the liver inflammation, yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), dark urine, extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain during the acute infection phase.

Diagnosis of Hepatitis B

Blood tests are available to diagnose hepatitis B. They can be used to distinguish acute and chronic infections.

Laboratory diagnosis of hepatitis B infection focuses on the detection of the hepatitis B surface antigen HBsAg. HBsAg stands for hepatitis B surface antigen. If it is found, along with other specific antibodies, it means the person has a hepatitis B infection.

Acute HBV infection: HBsAg and immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody present on core antigen, HBcAg.

Chronic infection: Persistence of HBsAg for at least 6 months (with or without concurrent HBeAg).

Treatment in Allopathy

Acute hepatitis B: No specific treatment. Care is aimed at maintaining comfort and adequate nutritional balance, including replacement of fluids lost from vomiting and diarrhea.

Chronic hepatitis B: Oral antiviral medicines are given. Treatment can slow the progression of cirrhosis, reduce the incidence of liver cancer and improve long term survival.

Prevention of Hepatitis B

Infants should be given hepatitis B vaccine as soon as possible after birth, preferably within 24 hours. The birth dose should be followed by 2 or 3 doses to complete the primary series.

All children and adolescents younger than 18 years old and not previously vaccinated should receive the vaccine.

The Dosage of Liv 52 HB

1. The recommended dosage of medicine is 2 capsules/500mg.
2. Children can be given 1 capsule.
3. It should be taken twice a day, in the morning and evening.
4. For chronic cases, medicine is given for 6 or more months.
5. It is to be taken with water after meals.
6. Or take as directed by a doctor.

Suggestions, Contraindications, Interactions, Side-effects, and Warnings

1. It is completely safe to take this medicine in recommended doses.
2. No adverse effects were reported in any of the reviewed trials.
3. It is safe for long-term use.
4. Effectivity of herbal medicine depends on many factors. A medicine suitable for one person may not essentially give the same result in another person. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) may or may not normalize in a person.
5. It can be taken with allopathic medicines. Maintain a gap of a few hours.
6. Do not eat foods bad for the liver like alcohol, drugs, etc.
7. Avoid candy, chips, donuts and sugary drinks like pop, energy drinks, and sports drinks.
8. Take frequent and small meals at frequent interval.
9. Take nutritious diet as the liver needs a variety of macronutrients (protein, carbohydrate, and fat) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), to be healthy.
10. Drink adequate amount of fluids.
11. Fatigue, or a feeling of tiredness that does not go away after resting, is the most common symptom of chronic hepatitis. Many people lose their appetite and get upset stomachs. People with hepatitis may also suffer from fever, diarrhea and joint pain.
12. Do Exercise. It helps to improve appetite, decrease stress, lessen depression, and help to maintain healthy body weight. If you have been inactive for a long time, increase your activity slowly.
13. Do not take high doses of any vitamin or mineral, especially iron, copper, manganese, niacin, and vitamin A, unless prescribed by a doctor. High doses of some vitamins and minerals can be toxic.