"Smecta" in case of poisoning is used most often. According to its chemical properties, the drug belongs to the group of intestinal adsorbents, and according to its pharmacological action, to drugs for the symptomatic treatment of acute and chronic diarrhea. How to apply Smecta and what is its advantage over other medicines of this group?
The composition of the drug
"Smecta" in case of poisoning acts effectively and quickly due to its composition. The main substance is a powder of natural origin from the group of aluminosilicates, like clay. The international name is dioctahedral smectite, or diosmectite.
It is extracted naturally from natural rocks. To improve the taste and obtain a more stable suspension, when the drug is diluted with water, glucose, saccharin and vanillin are added to the composition. Children's version of "Smecta" is released with an orange flavor.
How does Smecta work?
The action of the drug is based on its ability to selectively adsorb toxic substances and create a protective barrier together with intestinal mucus. In case of poisoning, Smecta takes away poisons, toxins, pathogenic bacteria and even viruses. Due to its special crystalline structure, smectite has a selective effect, does not remove vitamins and minerals from the body. In the intestine, it is not absorbed and passes in transit, exiting naturally and taking poisoning products with it.
The second, no less beneficial effect of Smecta is its ability to increase the amount of intestinal mucus. Forming bonds with glycoproteins contained in it, smectite stabilizes mucus in the intestine and improves its protective properties. Therefore, the effects of aggressive factors - hydrochloric acid in the stomach, bile acids in the intestines, bacteria and their toxins, as well as toxic substances received from the outside - are significantly weakened. With its enveloping properties, Smecta slows down the rate of absorption of poisons and toxins from the intestines into the bloodstream.
Dosage for adults
“Smecta” for diarrhea is taken in the following doses:
- Single dose - one sachet (3 grams),
- The daily dose is three sachets (9 grams).
Before use, the powder is diluted in water (about 100 ml), pouring it out and stirring constantly. A cloudy suspension should form. When settling, the powder partially settles, it can be mixed again without loss of effectiveness of the drug.
How to drink "Smecta" in case of poisoning: after washing the stomach, dilute one packet, drink the mixture. If there is no vomiting, drink the second packet in two hours. Then take according to the instructions, focusing on the manifestations of poisoning - diarrhea and vomiting.
Diarrhea
“Smecta” for diarrhea is taken three times a day, one sachet. The drug is effective in food poisoning with substandard products, of a bacterial nature (salmonellosis, colibacteriosis), mushrooms, poisons of the chemical industry. Used for allergic digestive disorders and drug poisoning .
As a rule, if the disease proceeds without complications, it takes about three days to restore normal stool. After the cessation of diarrhea, you can continue to take the drug for several days, since it has protective properties against the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, damaged during the illness. It is not recommended to take the drug for more than seven days.
The use of "Smecta" with vomiting
The drug does not have an antiemetic effect. However, Smecta in case of poisoning can stop vomiting and reduce nausea. This is due to the fact that toxic products bind and are removed from the body faster.
Since vomiting is a protective mechanism aimed at eliminating toxins and removing them from the stomach, the removal of poisons by enterosorbents stops vomiting. "Smecta" with nausea will help only if the process is local in nature and the central nervous system is not involved. Some fungal toxins, drugs stimulate the vomiting center in the brain. In this case, Smecta is powerless, it will require the introduction of specific antidotes.
With severe vomiting, taking any medications inside is problematic. If the powder you just swallowed came back with vomit, then you should take another dose of Smecta, since the previous portion did not enter the intestine and did not have time to act. In the case when you need to do a gastric lavage from the poison that has recently entered the body, you can do this with plenty of warm water, dissolving two Smecta sachets in each liter. The drug will adsorb poison in the stomach until vomiting occurs.
Benefits of the drug
Compared to other enterosorbents, Smecta has several advantages:
- It has selective sorption properties.
- Smectite particles have a delicate texture and smooth surface, do not injure the intestinal mucosa.
- The drug has enveloping properties.
- Rarely causes an allergic reaction.
- Virtually no side effects.
People often ask if Smecta is possible during pregnancy. Yes, the drug can be taken by pregnant and lactating women, as well as children of any age.
Drug shortcomings
"Smecta" in food poisoning is not shown to every patient. You can not prescribe the drug in the following cases:
- Intestinal obstruction.
- Malabsorption syndrome.
- Fructose intolerance.
With prolonged use of the drug for a period of more than a week or with a significant excess in dosage, a decrease in the activity of intestinal motility and constipation is possible.
A minor drawback of the drug is that before use it is necessary to prepare a suspension of the powder. If you first smectite in a glass and then pour water, then insoluble lumps are formed. If you follow the instructions for breeding difficulties usually does not arise.
Like all enterosorbents, the drug should be taken separately from other drugs, taking a break between them in two hours. Otherwise, Smecta will slow down the absorption of the drug from the intestine or partially absorb it, weakening the effectiveness of the treatment.
How to give to children
Widely used "Smecta" for poisoning in children. In this case, the dosage will depend on age.
- For children up to a year, the daily dose is at most 3 grams (1 sachet).
- From one year to two years give 1-2 sachets per day (maximum daily dose of 6 grams).
- After two years, 2-3 sachets are prescribed per day (up to 9 grams).
If the dosage is accidentally exceeded, nothing bad will happen. Short-term constipation is possible, which is undesirable in case of poisoning, because toxic products must be removed from the body.
“Smecta” in case of poisoning in children is diluted in 50 ml of water, milk mixture, fruit puree. It is advisable to use water, since dairy products slightly reduce the effectiveness of the drug. Small children do not have to give a single serving right away. You can dilute a third of the bag in 20-30 ml of liquid and give one teaspoon for 1-2 hours. Then take a break for two hours and give the next portion. Most Smecta babies do not like the taste. Some people prefer orange-flavored medicine, while others prefer to give regular powder mixed with mashed fruit.
Smecta for alcohol poisoning
Hangover is nothing but poisoning the body with alcohol breakdown products. Basically, nausea and headaches are due to the formation of large amounts of acetate compounds in the tissues. In this case, the drug will not especially alleviate the symptoms. But if a person consumed low-quality alcohol or exceeded the dose, then taking adsorbents improves the situation somewhat.
"Smecta" in case of poisoning - the instruction does not stipulate whether it is alcohol poisoning or not - is taken according to the general scheme - one sachet three times a day. If you abuse the amount of alcohol, you can drink three sachets with a break of two hours. The main thing is not to exceed a daily dose of 9 grams. This method is not recommended for people prone to constipation.
Will “Smecta” help with poisoning if the poisonous substance does not come through the mouth, but, say, through the respiratory tract? No, in these cases all enterosorbents are useless.
Smecta is taken in case of acute and chronic food poisoning, as well as if poisons are ingested through the stomach and intestines. The drug is not absorbed into the bloodstream, but remains in the intestinal lumen, binding and eliminating toxic substances from the body. Diosmectite, which is the active ingredient of the drug, has a selective sorption effect, which distinguishes it from activated carbon. Like all adsorbents based on clay substances, diosmectite has the ability to increase the amount of mucus in the stomach and intestines, to improve its gastroprotective properties in relation to hydrochloric acid, bile, bacteria and their toxins. In order to completely restore bowel activity and stop diarrhea, it is necessary to take "Smecta" course from three to six days.