For Patients and Caregivers
What side effects can Healios help manage?
Healios is meant for patients at risk of developing, or currently experiencing cancer mouth sores. Healios is designed to promote and maintain the health of the epithelial cells and mucosal tissues of the digestive tract, particularly the mouth, throat and esophagus. This is a common need of patients who have difficulty swallowing due to chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment.
Healios does not affect thrush (positively or negatively) but can be used alongside any treatment for thrush (typically an antifungal) recommended by your healthcare provider.
Do I need a prescription for Healios?
No, Healios is available over-the-counter. Your healthcare provider can assess your nutritional needs and recommend a supplementation plan that is right for you.
Can I incorporate Healios into my cancer treatment plan?
Yes, Healios can be a part of your supportive care plan. A healthcare professional can help you assess your nutritional needs and recommend a supplementation plan that is right for you.
How much Healios will I need?
Each Healios container lasts two weeks when taken twice a day. Most patients need 4 jars or more depending on their treatment schedule.
How do you use Healios?
Healios comes packaged as a flavored powder that gets mixed with water. Each box contains a bottle and a scoop, so you can measure and mix the solution easily. Once you have mixed Healios, all you have to do is sip the solution, swish it for 10 seconds and then swallow it. Download directions.
How much Healios is in one scoop?
The scoop sometimes settles into the Healios powder, so you may need to fish around to find it. If you lose or can’t locate the scoop use one level tablespoon of Healios in place of one scoop in the package directions.
Why do you swish-and-swallow Healios?
Swishing helps the glutamine in Healios get to all corners of your mouth and soak in. Swallowing allows the glutamine to come in contact with the tissues lining the throat and esophagus that are also vulnerable to mouth sores.
How does Healios taste?
Healios comes in three different flavors, orange, grape, and unflavored. Our customers tell us the Orange flavor is mild and light, similar to Tang, and the Grape version tastes similar to grape-flavored Kool-Aid. Unflavored Healios is less sweet and can be mixed with other liquids similar to water such as juice or broth.
Is there a favorite flavor?
No, all flavors are equally popular, and many patients end up ordering one of each flavor.
Can I mix unflavored Healios with other liquids?
Yes, it can be mixed with any liquids that have the same consistency as water, such as juice or broth, and the temperature can be either warm or cool.
Can I take any other medication to manage and alleviate the pain caused by mouth sores while taking Healios?
Yes, Healios can be taken in conjunction with other medications such as magic mouthwash or lidocaine. However, please note that Healios might not be as effective when used alongside mucoadhesive products such as Mugard. Since many of these treatments coat the lining of the mouth and throat, and that coating can block Healios from being absorbed, for best results use Healios at a separate time of day.
Talk to your healthcare provider about incorporating Healios as part of your supportive care plan.
Would a regular glutamine pill or powder work for me?
Glutamine on its own can be very hard to absorb. Ordinary glutamine powders and pills rely on normal bio-absorption, which can be difficult for cancer patients. In addition, Healios is formulated for rapid absorption of glutamine by the lining of the mouth, throat, and esophagus.
Are the sugars in Healios bad for me?
No, normal diets contain some carbohydrates which get broken down into sugars by the body. The sugars in Healios are important because they help carry glutamine directly into the cells that are vulnerable to mouth sores.
When should I take Healios?
Healios is generally taken twice per day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. If you would like to take Healios more frequently, a healthcare provider can recommend a schedule that fits your treatment plan.
When should I start taking Healios?
You should start taking Healios when you start your cancer treatment. Then continue taking it throughout your treatment plus up to four weeks after. Your healthcare provider can help you decide on a supplementation plan that is right for you.
Are there any side effects from Healios?
No, Healios has not been found to produce any side effects.
Some individuals may be sensitive to glutamine. Do not use Healios if you have sensitivity to monosodium glutamate (MSG), a food additive.
Do not use if you have severe liver disease with difficulty thinking or confusion (hepatic encephalopathy) or are prone to seizures.
Always check with your doctor before using Healios.
What role does glutamine have in general health?
Glutamine is a natural amino acid found in high protein foods like milk, beef, chicken, and fish. Our bodies use glutamine to help make new proteins and to repair and heal damaged tissues. A dose of Healios contains about the same amount of glutamine as you would find in a high protein meal. However, Healios also contains extra ingredients that help glutamine get absorbed rapidly by the tissues that are vulnerable to mouth sores.
Is Healios safe for children?
Yes, Healios was originally created to help children going through cancer treatment. We offer one (1) Healios unit for free to children under the age of 18.
Do children need a different dose than adults?
The dosing instructions in the package insert are appropriate for adults as well as children of all ages. Mix one scoop (~11g) with 25 –100ml of water, swirl in the mouth then swallow.
Can I send someone a gift card for Healios?
You can help friends and loved ones through their cancer treatment with a Gift Card for Healios.
Can I buy Healios at my local pharmacy?
You can buy Healios online or at select treatment centers/pharmacies.
For Healthcare Providers
What side effects can Healios help manage?
Healios is meant for patients currently experiencing, or at risk of developing oral mucositis and esophagitis. Healios’ formulation is designed to promote cell repair and maintain the health of the epithelial cells and mucosal tissues of the digestive tract, particularly the mouth, throat and esophagus.
Can Healios interfere with other medications?
Healios® has not been reported to interfere with other medications and can be used in conjunction with other non-mucoadhesive solutions such as magic mouthwash.
Does Healios have any contraindications?
Some individuals may be sensitive to glutamine. Do not use Healios if you have sensitivity to monosodium glutamate (MSG), a food additive.
Do not use if you have severe liver disease with difficulty thinking or confusion (hepatic encephalopathy); suffer from mania (a mental disorder); or are prone to seizures.
How long does a package of Healios typically last a patient?
One container of Healios lasts 2 weeks when used twice a day, as recommended.
What is the shelf-life of Healios?
The shelf-life of Healios is 3 years. However, once the canister is opened it should be used in about 1 month for highest potency.
How much glutamine is in each serving of Healios?
Each 11g scoop of Healios contains ~ 5g of L-Glutamine.
Does the glutamine in Healios feed the tumor?
No. Studies have shown that while normal tissues can be depleted of glutamine by chemotherapy and radiation, tumors generally get the glutamine they need from the surrounding tissues. Healios targets delivery of the amount of glutamine in a high-protein diet directly to the mucosal tissues that are most at risk of damage.
Can Healios be added to G-tube feeds?
No. Healios needs to come in contact with the affected area in order to promote cellular repair. Healios is formulated to maintain the health of cells lining the mouth, throat and gastrointestinal tract.To experience these benefits, patients should only take Healios by mouth, as directed.
Can my patients purchase Healios at their local pharmacy?
Patients can buy Healios online or at select treatment centers/pharmacies. If you would like to request Healios at your local pharmacy, we can help facilitate this process. Please contact us directly.
Is Healios covered by insurance?
Healios is not currently covered by insurance. However, if you have patients under the age of 18, they can enroll in our pediatric program to get one (1) box of Healios for free.
To learn more about our pediatric program, please visit our program page.
Is Healios FDA approved?
Healios is regulated by the FDA as a dietary supplement, not a drug, and it has passed regulatory hurdles.
Is Healios available for wholesale purchase?
Yes, please contact us at orders@enlivity.com for more information.