Products
Traditional tonics (synonyms: tonics, roborants) are thick preparations, which are mainly offered in glass bottles. Today, effervescent tablets, capsules, tablets and powders, among others, are also on the market. Strengtheners are also manufactured in pharmacies and are available both as approved drugs and as dietary supplements. In many countries, well-known brand names include, for example, Oranol, Supradyn, Biomalt, Geriavit, Fortevital, Strath and Dynamisan. Some of these products are no longer on the market today or are sold under a different name. Tonics are old medicines that have been on the market for decades. They also go back to the tonic wines such as Vinum tonicum, which are mentioned in the earliest pharmacopoeias.
Ingredients
The ingredients of tonics include:
- Vitamins
- Minerals
- Trace elements
- Amino acids such as arginine aspartate, glutamine, phosphoserine, citrulline
- Caffeine
- Sugar
- Plant extracts, for example adaptogens such as ginseng as well as ginkgo, hawthorn and sea buckthorn.
- Phosphatidylcholine such as lecithin, cholinergic substances such as deanol.
- Yeast extract
- Flavors
- Preservatives
- Dyes
Tonics can have a high alcohol content of up to 15%.
Effects
Tonics are attributed effects against mental and physical weakness and fatigue. They provide energy, promote alertness, and increase concentration. Tonics may have adaptogenic properties, i.e., increase the organism’s resistance to stressors and diseases. Sufficient clinical and scientific evidence is not available for all indications and products.
Indications for use
Traditional indications for the use of tonics include:
- Reduced mental and physical performance, lack of concentration.
- Fatigue
- In convalescence, after surgical procedures and anesthesia.
- Diseases
- Stress
- For the prevention and treatment of deficiencies
- For the prevention of colds during the cold season
- In old age, as so-called “geriatrics”.
Dosage
According to the package leaflet. The products are usually taken one to three times a day. The liquid dosage forms are usually administered with a measuring cup or spoon.
Contraindications
Possible contraindications include (selection):
- Hypersensitivity
- Hypervitaminosis
- Overload of the body with minerals and trace elements, for example, an iron accumulation or hypercalcemia.
- Various contraindications exist for alcohol, see under ethanol. These include, for example, liver disease, pregnancy and epilepsy.
- Not all products are suitable for children.
The full precautions can be found in the drug label.
Interactions
Because of their many ingredients, tonics have the potential for drug-drug interactions. Minerals may interfere with the absorption of other active ingredients, such as antibiotics. Some vitamins may interfere with the effects of pharmaceutical agents. Simultaneous administration of other multivitamin supplements can lead to overdose. Interactions may also occur with vitamin K antagonists.
Adverse effects
Possible adverse effects include:
- Gastrointestinal discomfort
- Allergic reactions
- Discoloration of urine by riboflavin, darkening of stool by iron.
- Central nervous disorders such as headaches and dizziness.
