Today, many people are faced with the problem of increased acidity of the stomach. The reason for this is malnutrition, alcohol abuse, and many other factors, such as stress, ecology, etc.
Of course, this condition is extremely unpleasant, so you need to know how to deal with it. The pharmaceutical market offers a wide selection of drugs that can eliminate this problem. One of them is Gastal. Instructions for use for this medication, as well as indications and contraindications, possible analogues and opinions of doctors and patients, you can read in this article. Therefore, read the information provided in order to be fully equipped. So, what do you need to know about this medication?
Composition and shape
In the instructions for use "Gastal" is described as tablets intended for resorption. The drug contains three active components:
- magnesium hydroxide
- magnesium carbonate
- aluminum hydroxide.
In addition, the medicine also contains auxiliary ingredients that can give the drug a certain shape, and also help it as quickly and better as possible absorbed by the human body. Additional components include additives such as talc, magnesium stearate, starch, lactose monohydrate, silicon dioxide, sorbidol and flavorings.
There are several types of Gastal resorption tablets , indications for use and instructions for which are described in this article. The product may be tasteless, or with a taste of cherry or mint. The taste of the medicine is quite pleasant, so there will be no difficulties with its use.
The tablets are placed in blisters, each of which contains six pills. Blisters, in turn, are placed in cardboard packaging. Each such box can contain ten, five or two blisters.
Each tablet has a round shape and is painted white. Sometimes the drug is characterized by a creamy tint. You should not worry about this, as this is the norm.
A few words about the pharmacological features
The main indication for the use of Gastal is the increased acidity of gastric juice. The tool is able to quickly normalize the activity of hydrochloric acid. At the same time, the popularity of the drug lies in the fact that it has a lasting effect on the body after application. Gastal tablets are able to regulate the activity of an enzyme such as pepsin. However, it is worth considering the fact that the presented medicine is capable of exerting only a symptomatic effect on the human body. This suggests that the very reason for the increased acidity of the stomach can not be eliminated. But, despite this, the medicine still has a positive effect on the digestive system:
- promotes the production of mucus, which actively protects the walls of the stomach, from the large amount of hydrochloric acid produced by it;
- the drug is able to lower acidity;
- the medicine contains special substances that contribute to the rapid restoration of the integrity of the organ.
The tool begins to act very quickly. Almost immediately after applying this medication. In this case, the medicine acts for a rather long time period.
The drug "Gastal", the indications for use of which will be described below, has one very important quality. The tool does not spread throughout the body by the circulatory system, but acts directly in the focus of the disease, and is excreted from the body along with feces. Once again, it is worth recalling that the increased acidity of the stomach also needs to be eliminated the root cause, so not only fight the symptoms, but also contact a medical institution.
The main indications for the use of "Gastala"
This drug has a fairly narrow range of uses. His action is purposeful. Many patients are wondering why Gastal helps. If we speak in understandable human language, then this medication is intended to save you from problems such as indigestion, the occurrence of pain and heartburn. It is with these troubles that the medicine fights beautifully.
As for the clinical picture, the indications for the use of "Gastal" are:
- The occurrence of diseases of an organ such as the stomach, which contribute to a significant increase in the acidity of gastric juice. Such pathologies include gastritis, the development of ulcerative formations, as well as the occurrence of erosive esophagitis reflux (inflammation of the esophagus).
- Also, the drug is prescribed for the occurrence of dyspepsia. The medicine eliminates pain in the digestive system, and also fights heartburn and acid belching after drinking coffee, tobacco and alcohol. In addition, the medicine is able to correct various errors in dietary nutrition and normalizes the state of the stomach after using certain types of strong drugs.
In what cases is it forbidden to use a pharmaceutical product?
It is very important to familiarize yourself not only with the indications and instructions for use with Gastal, but also with cases when this medication is contraindicated. Consider situations where the use of the drug can not only not help, but also greatly harm the body:
- individual intolerance to any components that are part of this drug;
- the medicine should not be used by persons with serious diseases of an organ such as the liver;
- Also, tablets should not be given to children under the age of six;
- it is forbidden to use the remedy for patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease, as well as hypophosphatemia;
- do not take the remedy for those individuals who have individual lactose intolerance.
In some cases, under the strict supervision of a physician, the drug is approved for use by persons with serious kidney disease, as well as children under the age of twelve.
Can a drug cause unwanted effects?
The drug "Gastal", the indications for use of which are described in this article, may have some undesirable effects when used. Consider what the use of this drug can lead to.
Of course, if you have an individual intolerance to some components of the drug, then the development of allergic reactions that make themselves felt in the form of rashes, itching, urticaria and swelling on the body is not excluded.
The tool can lead to negative reactions from the digestive system. Some patients have complained that diarrhea, constipation, nausea, or vomiting may occur while using this medication. Sometimes the color of the feces changes, but this does not lead to any complications.
If you use the drug "Gastal", the indications for the use of which it is very important to study before using the medicine, in the recommended dosages, then the tool will not lead to side effects. However, frequent and prolonged use of the medication can significantly worsen the state of health.
Features of the use of the drug
Before you start using the drug, you need to figure out what Gastal helps. The instruction says that the positive effects of the use of this tool can be obtained only if it is used correctly.
Please note that the presented pills are intended for resorption. This suggests that you should not swallow them. Just put the medicine under the tongue and wait until it is completely dissolved. If you blow up the pill, or drink it with water, then this will not bring any beneficial effect, and can even do harm. Do not take the medicine "before" or "during" the meal. This is best done sixty minutes after eating, as well as immediately before bedtime.
Before using the medicine, be sure to consult your doctor, and also read the instructions for use. What helps Gastal you can read in this article.
Most often, experts recommend that patients take one tablet three times a day. However, in the presence of severe symptoms, the number of doses can be increased to four. At the same time, two tablets can be taken at a time.
For children, the dosage is recommended to be halved. The optimal course of treatment is six to fourteen days. At the same time, it is advisable to use the presented tool together with other drugs that not only fight symptoms, but also eliminate the cause of your problem.
If you feel pain in the abdomen after overeating or poisoning, then just one tablet will be enough to get rid of the discomfort.
What will happen in case of an overdose?
Usually, an overdose of this drug occurs when the patient has taken this drug in large doses for a very long time. Most often, an overdose is indicated by such phenomena as: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Also, with an overdose, conditions such as hypocalcemia, arrhythmia, encephalopathy can develop, and an excess of aluminum and magnesium in the body is found.
Sometimes, with excessive use of the drug, muscle weakness, rapid fatigue, and increased nervous irritability may occur.
In case of an overdose, it is very important to contact a medical institution. There you will be offered symptomatic therapy. Usually, in this case, gastric lavage is carried out, activated charcoal is prescribed, and other medicinal medications, depending on the patient's condition at a particular time.
Important notes
Indications for use of the Gastal medication is not the only information that each patient should be familiar with before starting to use this medication. Please note that there are a large number of nuances that you must definitely familiarize yourself with in order for the treatment to be effective and safe.
The aluminum hydroxide contained in the composition can lead to intestinal obstruction. This is especially true for elderly patients. Therefore, take the remedy with this group of people with extreme caution.
Be sure to monitor your health indicators not only during the use of this medication, but also after that. So, if you notice that after using the medicine, your weight began to fall rapidly, and digestion is impaired, this indicates that the enzymes of the drug led to disruptions in the digestive system. In this case, be sure to seek the help of a highly qualified specialist.
The tool can be taken without a prescription from your doctor. However, this can be done no longer than two weeks. If your health condition does not stabilize during this period, be sure to contact the hospital.
Do not forget that the composition of the product includes lactose. Therefore, taking the drug with its intolerance is prohibited.
Talk about substitutes
Today, almost any medication can be replaced by similar ones. Substitutes are those drugs that have almost identical components in their composition, and also have a similar effect on the body. It is not recommended to replace the drug yourself, as this can harm your health. Usually, analogues are prescribed by doctors in cases where, for some reason, the patient can not take this drug. For example, he is allergic to any one component of the medication, but in the analogue of this component is not.
And so, consider what analogues doctors prescribe to their patients most often:
- "Rennie";
- "Domstal";
- "Phosphalugel";
- "Neosmectin";
- "Pepsad."
Use of the product by pregnant and lactating women
The instructions for use do not contain information that this drug should not be used by pregnant women. Doctors are allowed to take pills "Gastal" to the fair sex, bearing a child. However, this must be done very carefully, under the supervision of a doctor.
However, if nursing women plan to use the medicine, then in this case it is recommended to interrupt breastfeeding, and transfer the baby to artificial feeding.
What do specialists and patients think?
Doctors respond more positively about this medication. The use of the drug quickly leads to positive results, so pain and discomfort in the abdomen soon pass. However, the remedy fights only with symptoms. To eliminate the cause of increased acidity of the stomach, you need to choose other therapeutic medicines. In addition, the medicine rarely leads to undesirable consequences and is safe to use. Indications for "Gastal" allow you to use the remedy for heartburn, poisoning and overeating. The tool normalizes the condition about half an hour after application.
Patients are also pleased with the effect this agent has. The medication is very effective and safe, and also does not spread blood throughout the body. In this case, the tool is relatively inexpensive. For a package containing twelve tablets, you will have to pay about 160 rubles.
The good news is that the drug can be used by pregnant women. This suggests that the medicine is really safe for the body. The main thing is to take it correctly, and not to abuse it.
Take care of yourself, and your body will begin to take care of you.