Application on the skin
The skin is a very important organ in our body. The skin is a natural barrier between the environment and the inside of the body. Since the skin is constantly in contact with the environment, it must be particularly robust.
The alpha-lipoic acid is a radical scavenger. Free radicals can damage the skin. If these are reduced, this can have a positive effect on the condition of the skin.
Fewer wrinkles appear, the skin gets more moisture and becomes less brittle and dry. Alpha lipoic acid is produced by the body itself, but is also available in the form of tablets and capsules for oral administration. Creams containing alpha-lipoic acid are also available especially for the skin.
These are very effective for local application on the skin. The creams are available in pharmacies and may contain various additives. All observed side effects are assigned to the category “very rare” (<1/10000 cases).
If the patient notices one or more of the symptoms, the intake of the drug must be stopped immediately and a doctor must be informed. – In the gastrointestinal tract vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea and abdominal pain
- Flavour disorders
- Hypersensitivity disorders such as skin rash or itching
- Headache
- Visual disorders
- Swindle
- Increased sweating as a sign of hypoglycaemia
Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should only take alpha lipoic acid on the express recommendation and under the strict supervision of a doctor. Children and adolescents should not be treated with alpha-lipoic acid, as there are no sufficient study results available.
If there is an allergy to alpha-lipoic acid or one of the other components of the drug, such as the dye yellow-orange S(E110), treatment should also be avoided. If alpha-lipoic acid is taken together with the cancer medication cisplatin, this can lead to a loss of the effect of cisplatin. Iron and magnesium preparations as well as milk (high calcium content) should not be taken together with alpha lipoic acid, as the active substance likes to form compounds with metal (so-called metal chelator) and the effect may be reduced.
Drugs for diabetics (insulin or other oral antidiabetics) can increase their effect by taking additional alpha lipoic acid. This carries the risk of hypoglycaemia. If treatment is given at the same time, blood sugar should be strictly controlled and a doctor should be called if there are signs of hypoglycaemia, who may then have to reduce the dose of the antidiabetic. Alcohol consumption should be avoided, as it can have a negative influence on the course of a diabetic polyneuropathy and make the success of therapy with alpha lipoic acid more difficult.
Alpha lipoic acid in polyneuropathy
Polyneuropathy describes a disease of the peripheral (distal) nerves. Polyneuropathies can be caused by diabetes mellitus (diabetes), excessive, regular consumption of alcohol, diseases of the CNS, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), or without a proven cause, mostly in older people. Free radicals are also involved in the development of polyneuropathies.
These damage the nerves in their structure. By administering alpha-lipoic acid, the formation of radicals is minimized, so that polyneuropathy does not progress as quickly. The progression of the disease can be delayed, but cannot be stopped. The administration of alpha-lipoic acid cannot cure the polyneuropathy.
