After drinking large doses of alcohol, many take effervescent tablets "Alkozeltser". The instruction says that they quickly and effectively relieve a headache during a hangover. However, the scope of this medicine is much wider. The active components of the drug can not only improve well-being after alcohol excesses, but also help with other types of pain. To understand how this medicine works and in what cases it can be taken, you need to understand the composition and instructions for use of "Alkozeltser".
Components and effects of the drug
The composition of the tablets includes three ingredients:
- acetylsalicylic acid;
- lemon acid;
- baking soda.
All components play a role in stopping the manifestations of a hangover.
Acetylsalicylic acid is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. It is this medicinal substance that eliminates a headache. It also acts as an antipyretic, as it reduces the formation of prostaglandins. Acetylsalicylic acid dilutes the blood, this helps to remove facial swelling after drinking alcohol.
However, acetylsalicylic acid lowers platelet levels in the blood. This affects the coagulation process. In some cases, this is used in the treatment of diseases, but it can be one of the undesirable effects of the drug.
Citric acid and baking soda are also active substances in the composition of Alkozeltser. The instruction reports that soda creates a neutral reaction in the stomach. This allows you to reduce the harmful effects of alcohol on the digestive tract. Citric acid cleanses the body, which is necessary when drinking excessive doses of alcohol.
The medicine is produced in the form of effervescent soluble tablets, on which the name of the drug "Alka Seltzer" is engraved. They also include excipients - povidone, siloxane, sweeteners and flavorings.
Indications
Instructions for use of tablets "Alkozeltser" reports the following indications for their appointment:
- headache with a hangover and other painful conditions;
- toothache;
- sore throat;
- migraine;
- arthralgia in rheumatic diseases.
In addition, the medicine can be used as an antipyretic and used for colds. Effervescent tablets are absorbed much faster and less aggressively affect the stomach. Therefore, they are safer than conventional forms of medication.
Contraindications
However, some patients are strictly forbidden to take "Alkozeltser." Instructions for use report the following absolute contraindications to the use of tablets:
- This medicine cannot be taken by all people prone to bleeding. Therefore, it is not prescribed for hemorrhagic diathesis and for exacerbation of ulcerative processes in the digestive organs.
- For colds in children under 15 years of age, the drug is not used. In this case, the risk of developing severe encephalopathy with liver failure (Reye syndrome) is increased.
- Pregnant women should not take the drug. Acetylsalicylic acid negatively affects the embryo in the early stages and can lead to impaired fetal development. In addition, this remedy can provoke a miscarriage. In later pregnancy, this medicinal substance can lead to bleeding. Also, the drug is not taken with breastfeeding, as it passes into milk.
- If the patient had a history of asthma due to the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and salicylic drugs, then the drug should not be prescribed.
- You should refuse to take the medicine with hypersensitivity to acetylsalicylic and citric acid, as well as to baking soda.
There are diseases in which "Alkozeltser" is not prohibited, but it must be taken with caution. These are chronic ulcerative diseases of the digestive tract, gout, cases of bleeding from internal organs in the anamnesis, liver and kidney pathologies, hereditary deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. In such diseases, the drug is prescribed in a reduced dose, and its administration is carried out under close medical supervision.
Unwanted effects
Patients usually tolerate tablets well. However, in rare cases, unwanted effects appear. The instruction of the Alkozeltser tablets warns of the following possible side effects:
- Since the drug affects platelets, some patients have an increased risk of bleeding.
- Dangerous symptoms may occur from the gastrointestinal tract: vomiting and black stools. They indicate gastrointestinal bleeding. Typically, such symptoms occur either in patients prone to hemorrhage, or when exceeding the recommended dose. Also, some patients complain of heartburn, abdominal pain, and nausea after taking the medicine.
- When using large doses, dizziness and tinnitus are possible.
- Allergy sufferers may experience hives, bronchospasm, and in severe cases, Quincke's edema.
If the patient has undesirable effects, it is necessary to inform the attending physician about them and consult about the replacement of the drug. With symptoms of bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract, you need to call an ambulance.
Overdose
The instruction "Alkozeltser" strictly warns about the inadmissibility of exceeding the recommended dose of the drug. Acetylsalicylic acid affects blood coagulation, and it is dangerous to use it in large quantities.
It often happens that a person suffering from a severe headache takes one effervescent tablet after another. However, the use of an increased amount of the drug will not lead to an increase in the analgesic effect, it can only cause an overdose. If the recommended dose does not help relieve pain, then this drug should be replaced, but do not use it in huge quantities.
In case of an overdose, dizziness, tinnitus, nausea and vomiting occur. It becomes difficult for a person to breathe, eyesight worsens and weakness increases. In such cases, you should call a doctor as soon as possible. Gastric lavage is not always effective, as the medicine is absorbed very quickly.
How to take pills
Tablets must be placed in 200 ml of water. They quickly dissolve, forming an effervescent drink. The instruction "Alkozeltser" recommends taking the following doses of medication:
- For pain: 1 tablet, while the frequency of administration can reach up to 6 times a day.
- At high temperature and severe pain: at one time you can take up to 2-3 tablets. But you can not drink more than 9 tablets per day, this is the maximum allowable dose.
You can not take one tablet after another for a short time, you must observe an interval of 4 hours.
The duration of treatment for pain is 3 days, at elevated temperatures, the drug can be used no more than 5 days.
Patients use this drug to fight a hangover, usually in the morning when they experience headaches and other unpleasant symptoms. However, experts recommend taking this remedy in the evenings. This will help prevent the development of a hangover. It is important to remember that this tool is not able to reduce the harm from alcohol to the body, it can only slightly alleviate a person’s condition after drinking alcohol.
special instructions
In some patients, the drug causes bronchospasm and an asthma attack. People with adenoids, bronchial asthma, allergies and respiratory diseases are exposed to this effect of the drug. They should be careful when taking this remedy.
The instruction of tablets "Alkozeltser" reports that the drug increases bleeding. This must be considered if the patient has surgery. Even such a small operation as tooth extraction requires discontinuation of the drug in 5 to 7 days.
If a person suffers from gout, then he needs to remember that Alkozeltser raises the level of uric acid. This can trigger an exacerbation of the disease.
1 tablet contains 445 mg of sodium. This is important to know for those who follow a diet with the restriction of this element.
The medicine does not reduce the concentration of attention and does not affect the reaction rate.
Interaction with other medicines
The instruction "Alkozeltser" warns that this drug is not compatible with all medicines. The following combinations should be avoided:
- With cytostatic Methotrexate (at a dose of more than 15 mg per week). Their joint administration has a toxic effect on the body.
- With valproic acid. These two drugs also enhance each other's toxicity.
- With thrombolytics, other salicylates and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. As a result of this, the risk of bleeding increases.
- With diuretics, medications for pressure and for gout. Acetylsalicylic acid reduces their effectiveness.
- With diabetes medications and Digoxin. "Alkozeltser" increases their concentration in the body.
- With corticosteroids. Hormones reduce the effect of acetylsalicylic acid.
How to store the drug
Tablets are stored at a temperature of no more than +25 degrees. They should be kept away from children to avoid accidental poisoning. Effervescent tablets are suitable for use for 3 years. An expired drug is not recommended.
Price and analogues
The medicine is dispensed from pharmacies without a prescription, but before using it, you need to consult a doctor. The price of the drug is from 320 to 350 rubles.
Patients are often interested in similar medicines. The analogues of the drug include:
- Aspinat Alco.
- Zorex Morning.
They also include acetylsalicylic and citric acid, as well as baking soda. Indications for use are the same as in the instructions for use "Alkozeltser". Reviews of analogues indicate that these drugs are no less effective and also quickly relieve pain. The price of the drug "Zorex Morning" from 250 to 300 rubles. Aspinat Alco costs about the same, but at the moment this drug is difficult to find in pharmacies.
Tablet reviews
People often leave positive reviews about these pills. Instructions for use "Alkozeltser" reports that this drug can be used not only for a hangover, but also for headaches of any etiology. Patients note that this medicine very quickly removes all unpleasant sensations. If the headache was caused by alcoholic excesses, then it goes away within half an hour. Nausea and discomfort in the stomach also disappear. As a result, a person is able to work normally during the day. Patients report the effectiveness of the drug for migraine attacks, colds, and toothache.
However, for some people, this medicine caused an allergy. Negative feedback is associated with this unpleasant effect. The instruction "Alkozeltser" warns of such a side effect. The drug should not be taken by those people who have already experienced an allergic reaction to other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the past.
Some people write that the drug did not help them get rid of the hangover syndrome. It should be noted that this medicine is not able to eliminate alcohol intoxication. With the use of large doses of alcohol and the development of poisoning, this remedy will not be effective enough. In such cases, special detoxification is necessary.