The drug "Mezim" is intended to suppress hydrochloric acid, which negatively affects the patient’s stomach with peptic ulcer, pancreatitis or gastritis. In addition, it is a fairly popular remedy, and is used to improve the digestion process. The drug has proven itself among patients. However, many people are still not sure how to take Mezim. Before or after a meal?
Composition and form of release
As a rule, the drug is available only in the form of tablets in a rich pink tint. They are located on convenient blisters in the amount of ten pieces. Blisters, in turn, are packed in cardboard bundles. The active ingredient is pancreatin of animal origin. As additional substances, colloidal dioxide, sodium salt, cellulose and magnesium stearate are present. In addition, the shell contains macrogol, food varnish and sodium hydroxide.
Useful action
Thanks to the shell, the active component is perfectly protected from the aggressive action of hydrochloric acid. The animal pancreatin contained in these tablets has all the necessary substances that are directly involved in the absorption of proteins, fats and carbohydrates.
How long does Mezim work? As a rule, the effect of the drug comes quickly enough. Residues are excreted through feces, since the active substance is practically not absorbed through the walls of the stomach.
When used
Usually, patients take all drugs containing pancreatin when consuming poorly digested food or with indigestion and pancreas. Often it is prescribed as part of a comprehensive treatment for acute and chronic diseases of the digestive tract. In some patients, due to diseases of the liver, gall bladder or intestines, you may notice loose stools with the remains of undigested food. In such cases, Mezim comes to the rescue, which just helps to process and assimilate food.
This drug showed excellent results in diseases of the pancreas. It relieves pain and facilitates the digestion process. And also Mezim is used before an abdominal ultrasound is done.
How to take it
The number of tablets consumed during the day will depend on the nature of the disease. As a rule, the norm for young patients is how much to drink Mezima, the attending physician prescribes. As for adults, they are recommended two tablets before each meal. Sometimes additional use of Mezima is also required after meals. Tablets are usually swallowed and washed down with water. It is highly recommended not to chew or in any way violate the integrity of the varnish shell.
The course of treatment can last from two to three days and up to several months. For the stomach, Mezim is used only until the digestion process, which is disturbed as a result of food poisoning, is restored. Therefore, it is enough to take one or two tablets before meals and no more than two days.
Contraindications
There are some gastrointestinal diseases in which patients cannot use this drug. For example, if a patient has an acute inflammatory process in the pancreas, then you should wait until the active stage ceases and only then proceed with the treatment of pancreatitis. Due to the fact that this product contains galactose, all patients who have lactose intolerance should also refrain from Mezim. Do not take the drug and children up to the age of three.
Unwanted effects
According to the instructions for use, Mezim tablets, in case of prolonged use, can cause pathological changes in the pancreas. In addition, this tool prevents the complete absorption of folic acid, necessary for the normal development of the fetus in pregnant women. Therefore, Mezim is prescribed during pregnancy only in extreme cases. If sugar-lowering drugs are also used with this drug, then the effect of the second ones will noticeably worsen.
In case of an overdose, constipation often occurs. However, immediately after stopping the pill, adverse symptoms usually go away.
Features of use
As a rule, the drug does not affect the human reaction and therefore it can be used when driving a car or working on complex mechanisms. It is extremely important to swallow the tablets without chewing them in the mouth. Otherwise, ulcers in the oral cavity may occur. The amount of water used to drink the tablet should not be less than one hundred and fifty milligrams.
How to drink Mezim? The best option would be plain, clean water at an acceptable room temperature. Most patients who use this drug cannot drink fruit juices due to their illness. It is allowed to use weak black or green tea with sugar or a decoction of medicinal herbs.
Food addiction
Many patients are interested in: when to take Mezim? Before or after a meal? In fact, there are no strict recommendations. And it is better to discuss this issue with your doctor. But unlike most drugs that suppress the concentration of hydrochloric acid released into the stomach, Mezim has natural enzymes of animal origin that are involved in the digestion of food. That is why it is taken before meals so that it can promote the breakdown of fats and carbohydrates.
In the event that there is an acute deficiency in natural enzymes, which happens after an operation on the pancreas or with pathological changes in its tissue, then you simply cannot do without such a drug as Mezim. In this case, the daily rate can reach up to fifteen tablets per day. According to the instructions for use, Mezim is used both during meals and before. Thus, the shell of the drug has time to dissolve and release the enzymes that are under the shell.
If heaviness is felt in the stomach after eating, then the body should help and take another pill of the drug. That is, you can take the Mezim preparation before or after a meal, observing the recommended dosage, which is no more than two tablets at a time. However, one should not get carried away. In the future, the stomach should fully restore its work.
Storage and analogues
As analogues of Mezima, you can use tools that also contain pancreatin:
- The Pangrol preparation proved to be quite good. It contains pig pancreatic enzymes. This product is available in the form of capsules and is contained in a convenient plastic packaging. Pangrol is contraindicated for those people who are allergic to pork meat. Use whole capsules with plenty of water. Due to the fact that they are quite large, children can sprinkle the powder in a spoon and swallow it as soon as possible, also with water. The product is stored for twenty-four months at a temperature of about twenty degrees.
- The Panzinorm preparation also contains pork pancreatin. In addition, talc, sorbic acid, polysorbate and gelatin are present as additional components. They use it, as well as Mezim, for chronic inflammation of the pancreas, to improve digestion after surgery on the digestive tract, as well as after acute poisoning.
- Quite well-known drug "Pancreatin", in addition to the main component of the same name, contains sodium chloride, cellulose, titanium dioxide and propylene glycol. It is taken, like Mezim - before or after a meal, in the amount of one or two tablets. In case of an overdose, diarrhea or bowel obstruction may occur. Some patients experience nausea, accompanied by vomiting. For most patients, Pancreatin is prescribed individually depending on the nature of their disease.
The Mezim preparation is stored for three years out of the reach of small children and pets. Storage temperature should not exceed twenty-five degrees and fall below ten.