During pregnancy, a woman may experience various ailments. It is especially difficult for her to endure stomach pain, heartburn and flatulence. And these symptoms are quite common in pregnant women, especially in the second and third trimesters. The difficulty is that most drugs are contraindicated at this time. And there are not many drugs that relieve such symptoms.
These are mainly
antacids. The most popular of them is Almagel. It has been used for about 50 years and is effective against pain and heartburn. The good thing is that during pregnancy Almagel can be taken. Therefore, after consulting with a doctor, a woman can get rid of suffering with this drug.
Digestive problems during pregnancy
Quite often, in the second half of the period of carrying a baby, a woman suffers from heartburn, abdominal pain and belching. Many believe that this is inevitable and due to the fact that the child's hair grows. But the causes of heartburn and abdominal pain are more prosaic:
- often this is due to the fact that the growing uterus presses on the stomach, reducing its volume; because of this, part of the food along with the gastric juice is thrown back into the esophagus;
- Heartburn can also be explained by the fact that a growing level of progesterone relaxes all the smooth muscles of the internal organs, so the sphincter of the stomach passes food back into the esophagus.
Since it is undesirable for pregnant women to take any medications, and not everyone can calmly endure unpleasant symptoms, it is best to prevent them:
- you need to eat more often, but in small portions;
- do not go to bed after eating;
- Do not eat fatty, sour, spicy and fried.
If the problem could not be avoided, then the only way out is to take antacid drugs. The most famous of them is Almagel. Reception of it in reasonable doses does not harm either the mother or the child.
Is Almagel possible during pregnancy?
Long-term use of the drug has proven its effectiveness and safety. If you take it after consulting a doctor and do not exceed the recommended dose, then Almagel will bring only benefits, alleviating the condition of the woman. The drug can help cope with stomach pain, heartburn, and even some symptoms of toxicosis. The main active ingredients of the drug are alkaline compounds of magnesium and aluminum, which, reacting with gastric juice, neutralize its acidity and turn into water and ordinary insoluble salts. They are not absorbed into the bloodstream and are easily excreted through the intestines.
The positive qualities of the drug should also include the fact that it does not cause flatulence. But, taking "Almagel" during pregnancy, you need to strictly monitor so as not to exceed the dosage. If you drink the drug for too long, you can harm the health of the child and complicate the course of pregnancy.
The composition of the drug and the form of release
"Almagel" refers to the first antacid preparations, as it appeared in the 60s of the 20th century. After it, many other drugs have already been created on the basis of the same components, but this drug still remains popular. Its main active ingredients are oxides of magnesium and aluminum. They quickly and effectively neutralize hydrochloric acid in the stomach. In addition, it includes sorbitol, which has a mild laxative effect. Now there are several types of drug. They differ in the presence of active substances and in the form of release. This drug is more commonly known as a suspension. It is packaged in convenient bottles of 170 milliliters, complete with which comes a measured spoon.
There are three types of suspension that can be distinguished by color:
- The usual Almagel is green. It has the simplest composition, and it is recommended to pregnant women, since it is the safest.
“Almagel A also contains benzocaine, an effective pain reliever. But because of it, this drug is forbidden to be taken by pregnant women. This form of drug release is yellow.
- “Almagel Neo” is not recommended for use during pregnancy, but in some cases this is permissible. An additional component of this form of the drug is simethicone, which helps eliminate gas formation in the intestines. But with strong flatulence and bloating, you can not drink it. The drug is packaged in 10 ml sachets, which is very convenient for a single dose.
There is also Almagel in tablets, but it is not prescribed during pregnancy.
The mechanism of action of the drug
The main active ingredients of the drug, in addition to neutralizing hydrochloric acid from gastric juice, also have another effect:
- have a weak laxative effect;
- help the outflow of bile;
- envelop and protect the walls of the stomach from irritation with hydrochloric acid;
- have a slight adsorbing effect.
A positive property of the drug is that after neutralizing the acid, it maintains the environment inside the gastrointestinal tract at a neutral level for a fairly long time and does not lead to the formation of gases.
When is the drug used?
Medication is taken:
- with gastritis with high acidity;
- stomach ulcer ;
- inflammatory bowel disease;
- reflux esophagitis;
- cholecystitis and pancreatitis;
- bloating;
- heartburn and abdominal pain due to errors in the diet;
- sometimes it is prescribed for flatulence and to relieve some symptoms of toxicosis and gestosis.
Are there any contraindications and side effects?
Not always during pregnancy, Almagel is the drug of choice. It can not be used for kidney diseases and in cases where a woman has intolerance to the components of the drug. In addition, in some cases, the medicine can cause constipation, which for pregnant women is no less painful and dangerous than heartburn.
Sometimes nausea and vomiting can also be observed, so the drug is rarely used to relieve symptoms of toxicosis. But most often, complications occur if a woman takes Almagel too often. In this case, a deficiency of phosphorus may develop in her blood. An overdose is also dangerous for the baby: an excess of magnesium causes hypermagnesemia, which can lead to his death. But a single dose of the drug and even using it for 2-3 days does not harm either the mother or the child. True, after giving birth, it is worth abandoning the use of this medicine, since it is able to penetrate into breast milk, which is harmful to the baby.
How to use Almagel during pregnancy?
The instruction does not recommend using the medicine for women in the position for more than three days. Only in this case, the drug will not harm either the mother or the child. But usually after the first dose relief comes. Liquid gel substance is distributed over the walls of the stomach, protecting them for a long time from adverse effects. Therefore, most often the drug is used once, to relieve symptoms. It is recommended to drink during pregnancy Almagel, 1-2 teaspoons half an hour before meals. Shake the bottle well before use. And in order for the drug to be better distributed over all the walls of the stomach, after taking it it is better to lie down. Because of this, it is not recommended to drink anything within an hour. During pregnancy, Almagel is best not to take more than three times a day. This is quite enough to alleviate the condition of the woman, because the protective effect of the drug lasts about 5 hours.
Reviews on taking the drug
Almagel has been used for many years during pregnancy. Reviews about its use are mostly positive. The drug quickly brings relief and relieves symptoms of toxicosis. Studies have confirmed that its components do not penetrate the blood, therefore, can not harm the child. Positive experience with the drug indicates that Almagel can be drunk during pregnancy. Women like its quick effect, pleasant taste and low price: a bottle costs about 120 rubles, but it lasts for a long time. But if heartburn torments a woman very often, it is better to consult a doctor about the appointment of a safer and more effective drug. Indeed, during pregnancy, Almagel is not recommended to drink for longer than three days due to the risk of complications.