Heartburn - an extremely uncomfortable burning sensation in the esophagus, accompanied by belching and nausea - is quite common in our time. This is not surprising, given the increased pace of modern life, the abundance of harmful substances and allergens in food, constant stress. Those who constantly or occasionally suffer from heartburn, without even going into details about the causes of this pathology, know that getting rid of it, and, most importantly, getting rid of it quickly, is possible with the help of antacid medications. "Gastal", instructions, application, analogues of which will be considered in the article - only one of the representatives of this vast group of drugs, moreover, quite popular.
What are antacids for?
Before you understand the advantages and disadvantages of this drug and, possibly, look for a cheaper analogue of Gastal, you need to present the characteristics of antacids in general: the principle of their action, due to the chemical composition, possible complications from their administration and other nuances.
Antacids are widely used to treat acid-dependent diseases of the gastrointestinal tract caused by the aggressive effects of gastric juice in relation to the mucous membrane of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. Such diseases include gastroesophageal reflux disease, in which there is a constant reflux of the acidic contents of the stomach into the esophagus, dyspeptic disorders, gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, and pancreatitis.
Heartburn may not be associated with any specific diseases and appear only from time to time after consuming a product or medicine, smoking - and in such cases antacids will come to the rescue.
By neutralizing excess hydrochloric acid in the gastric juice due to a simple chemical reaction, antacids, including Gastal (analogues have a similar effect cheaper), significantly improve the well-being of patients, eliminating heartburn, stomach pain, nausea. In addition, modern means of this group also work as adsorbents, have an enveloping effect, increase the protective properties of the mucous membrane of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract. The Gastala analogue cheap may not have these advantages, working exclusively to quickly neutralize the excessively acidic environment in the stomach.
The history of the use of antacids
Since ancient times, people have struggled with heartburn, the main symptom of acid-dependent diseases, using coral powder, belladonna extract, sodium bicarbonate, or, more simply, baking soda. I must say that many drugs have been developed that not only neutralize the already developed hydrochloric acid, but also lower its secretion. At first it was anticholinergics, then histamine H2 receptor blockers, and finally, the most modern development - proton pump inhibitors. However, these drugs do not act immediately, have contraindications, and, moreover, are more expensive than the same Gastal. Any cheaper analogue of Gastala has a rather quick effect - this is the main advantage for antacid consumers, therefore, it is unlikely that these drugs can soon be expected to leave the domestic pharmaceutical market.
Active substances in antacid preparations and their classification
In antacid pharmacological agents, the active substances are compounds of sodium, magnesium, aluminum, calcium, silicon and bismuth. Attempts to classify this group of drugs have taken place repeatedly. Perhaps the most logical is the division of all antacids into soluble, and therefore absorbed into the blood, and insoluble - not having a systemic effect on the body drugs.
Means of the first group include soda, burnt magnesia, magnesium and calcium carbonates, as well as the popular drugs Tams and Rennie. The effect of taking such drugs is very fast, but does not last long, in addition, there are side effects: belching, bloating (due to carbon dioxide formed as a result of a chemical reaction), increased pressure (due to the effect on the body's water-salt balance), and the so-called "acid rebound". This term refers to an increase in acid production at the end of the antacid. As a result, heartburn returns quickly and with renewed vigor.
Non-absorbable antacids, among which is Gastal (analogues may cheaper belong to both the first and second groups), are devoid of the above disadvantages. As a rule, these are combined agents, which include various compounds of magnesium and aluminum, as well as additional components with antispasmodic, laxative and carminative effects.
Gastal: composition and form of release
This antacid as an active substance contains two components: aluminum hydroxide-magnesium carbonate in the form of a dried gel (450 mg in one tablet), and magnesium hydroxide (300 mg). The use of magnesium and aluminum compounds in a duet is justified: the first component has a soft laxative effect, neutralizing the fixing effect of the second. As a result, Gastal does not have a pronounced effect on the motor-evacuation function of the intestine.
As auxiliary components in this preparation, sorbitol, mannitol, lactose, starch, talc and others are used.
Gastal is produced in the form of tablets for resorption of a cylindrical shape, with a risk. These tablets cannot be swallowed whole, but this is difficult - they are quite large. Do not bite them: the best effect of the drug is achieved through gradual resorption. Thus, the convenience of tablets is combined with the effectiveness of the suspension.
This product is available in three types: tasteless tablets with mint flavor, cherry, and mint. 2, 4, 5, 8, or 10 foil blisters are packed in cardboard packs with 6 tablets of the drug in each.
The effect of "Gastala" on the body
Gastal very effectively neutralizes excess acidity in the stomach and, at the same time, does not lead to a further increase in the secretion of hydrochloric acid. The action of this drug begins immediately after taking it, which is confirmed by positive reviews, and lasts about two hours. During this time, a normal level of acidity is maintained.
In addition to effectiveness for its intended purpose, Gastal has protective properties in relation to the lining of the stomach, increasing the production of mucus, inhibiting the action of aggressive factors, enhancing the regeneration of its damaged areas.
If the patient has no impaired renal function, then Gastal does not exert a systemic effect, and the spent active components of the drug are completely excreted in the form of insoluble salts in a natural way.
Doses of the drug. Contraindications
It is recommended to take no more than 8 Gastala tablets per day, 1-2 tablets at a time, one hour after meals and before bedtime. The preventive use of the drug is also possible occasionally - if you have to eat something obviously harmful, for example.
The recommendations on the multiplicity and dose of administration described above apply to patients older than 12 years. For children 6-12 years of age and patients with low (below 50 kg) weight, the dose is halved.
Do not use this medication for longer than 2 weeks. It is known that prolonged use of magnesium and aluminum preparations can lead to leaching of calcium from bones and destruction of bone tissue, stool disorders, and kidney damage. Among the contraindications to the use of Gastala are individual intolerance to any of its components, impaired renal function, Alzheimer's disease. Any cheaper analogue of Gastal has almost the same list of contraindications.
During pregnancy and feeding, the drug should be used with caution, although it is known that it does not enter the systemic circulation and is not excreted in breast milk.
Interaction with other medicines
Gastal significantly affects the absorption of many drugs. Among them are tetracyclines, iron preparations, barbiturates, fat-soluble vitamins and many other medicines. Therefore, do not take Gastal at the same time as other medicines: you should divide their intake by at least an hour. In general, this applies to all antacids, and not just such a representative as Gastal: analogues and substitutes for the drug also do not need to be taken with any medications. This is fraught with unpleasant consequences.
Analogs of "Gastala"
There are no medicines absolutely identical to Gastal in composition. But there are analogues, the effect of which on the body is expressed in a similar way. In this case, the active substances they contain others. Among the most common antacid preparations, among which you can find a cheap analogue of Gastal, you can mention Almagel, Gaviscon, Maalox, Rennie, Fosfalugel.
The cost of these drugs depends on the form of release and the manufacturer. Drugs produced in Western Europe (Gaviscon, Maalox, Fosfalugel) can not be called cheap. Gastala analogues from Bulgaria, Poland, Croatia, Yugoslavia, India are more accessible to consumers. We are talking about such antacids as Almagel, Alumag, Agiflux, Relzer.
There is an opinion that the analogue of "Gastal" is cheap - this is "Rennie". Indeed, the price of the last drug in pharmacies is usually somewhat lower. But we should not forget that "Rennie" belongs to the group of absorbed antacids, its effect is short-term, and it can cause side effects in the form of "acid rebound", and therefore it is better to use it occasionally.
Russian antacids
Among antacids, no matter how long their list is, it’s rather difficult to find the Russian analogue of Gastal - cheap and effective. There is a synonym for "Rennie" of domestic production - the drug "Inalan", which contains exactly the same active components: calcium and magnesium carbonates .
Combined antacid preparations are also produced in Russia: “Vicair” and “Vicalin”, similar in composition and mechanism of action, produced by several pharmaceutical companies. The last two drugs are interesting in that they contain not only magnesium, sodium and bismuth compounds that reduce acidity and protect the gastric mucosa, but also plant components: calamus rhizomes and buckthorn bark, which have an antispasmodic and laxative effect. We can assume that Vikair is an analogue of Gastal cheap - the price for it, like Vikalin, is only 25-30 rubles for 10 tablets, while Gastal costs about 150 rubles for 12 tablets.