"Festal" represents a pharmacological group of drugs. The drug is used to reduce the load on the digestive enzyme systems, as well as improving the course of the digestion process.
"Festal": release form
The medication is in the form of a dragee. They have a milky hue, rounded shape, smooth surface. The structure of "Festal" includes several active components:
- Pancreatin
- Hemicellulose.
- Components of bile.
In addition, the composition of the "Festal" in tablets includes additional substances, which include the following:
- talc;
- glycerol;
- ethyl vanillin;
- liquid dextrose;
- titanium dioxide;
- cellafelate;
- Castor oil;
- gelatin;
- calcium carbonate;
- methyl paraben;
- acacia gum;
- propyl paraben;
- macrogol.
Dragees are packaged in aluminum foil strips of 10 pieces. There are 2, 4, 6 or 10 strips in the package. What is Festal, and what is this medicine for?
Pharmacological actions
The structure of the drug "Festal" includes pancreatin, which contains the following enzymes:
- Amylase - helps digest carbohydrates.
- Lipase is the main enzyme that breaks down fats in the intestines.
- Protease is a component that breaks down proteins.
In addition, the drug contains bile substances in the structure. How does "Festal" work? The mechanism of action is to improve the digestion of food, which was disturbed by a decrease in the exocrine function of the pancreas, as well as in the pathological process in the liver or biliary tract.
The hemicellulose enzyme helps digest plant fiber. After using Festal, active substances are released in the lumen of the small intestine, where they have a therapeutic effect. They are not absorbed into the general bloodstream.
Festal: indications for use
According to reviews and instructions for the drug, it is known that dragees are used in the complex treatment of various pathological processes of the digestive system:
- Alcoholic, toxic hepatitis (inflammatory liver disease that develops as a result of the pathological effects of toxic substances on the body).
- Cirrhosis (a chronic liver disease accompanied by irreversible replacement of parenchymal liver tissue with fibrous connective tissue, or stroma).
- Cholecystectomy (surgery to remove the gallbladder).
- Chronic gastritis (inflammation of the gastric mucosa that occurs under the influence of bacterial, chemical, thermal and mechanical factors).
- Duodenitis (inflammation of the mucous membrane of the duodenum).
- Cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder).
- Violation of the circulation of bile acids.
- Dysbacteriosis (a condition caused by a violation of the intestinal microflora associated with a change in the species composition of bacteria).
In addition, "Festal" is also used for functional digestion in the case of ingestion of a large volume of fatty foods, forced prolonged immobilization, with a sedentary lifestyle.
And also a drug is taken to prepare for the implementation of x-ray or ultrasound examination of the digestive system.
Prohibitions and negative reactions
What are the "Festal" contraindications and side effects? A number of pathological and physiological conditions of the body are distinguished, which are considered contraindications for the use of the medication, they include:
- Hepatitis (diffuse inflammation of the liver tissue due to a toxic, infectious or autoimmune process).
- Relapse of chronic pancreatitis (a disease that is accompanied by frequent seizures and leads to pancreatic dystrophy).
- Acute pancreatitis (acute aseptic inflammation of the pancreas of the demarcation type, which is based on pancreatocyte necrobiosis and enzymatic autoaggression, followed by necrosis, gland dystrophy and the attachment of a secondary purulent infection).
- The development of hepatic precoma or coma (a severe disease that is associated with extensive damage to the functional tissue of the liver).
- Hyperbilirubinemia (a pathological change in blood serum, manifested in an increase in the concentration of bilirubin).
- Severe liver failure.
- Mechanical jaundice (a clinical syndrome that develops as a result of a violation of the outflow of bile through the biliary tract into the duodenum).
- Gallstone disease (a disease characterized by the formation of gallstones or bile duct stones).
- Empyema of the gallbladder (accumulation in the cavity of the gallbladder of a large amount of purulent contents that occurs with the participation of a bacterial infection against the background of obstruction of the cystic duct).
- A tendency to develop diarrhea.
- Intestinal obstruction.
- Children's age up to 3 years.
With extreme caution, the medicine is used for cystic fibrosis, as well as during pregnancy. Before starting therapy, it is necessary to exclude the presence of restrictions.
When using the "Festal" dragee, the appearance of negative pathological actions from various organs and systems is likely:
- Colic.
- Nausea.
- Diarrhea.
- Rash on the skin.
- Itching
- Lacrimation.
- Allergic rhinitis (allergic inflammation of the nasal mucosa).
- Hyperuricemia (a condition in which the level of uric acid in the blood exceeds the limit values).
- Hyperuricosuria (excess concentration of uric acid in the blood).
In children, irritation may occur in the sphincter, as well as the mucous membrane of the oral cavity. With the development of negative symptoms, the use of the drug must be stopped and consult a specialist. How to take "Festal" - before or after a meal?
Drug dosage
According to the instructions for use, it is known that the drug is intended for oral use. For adult patients, the average pharmacological dosage is from 1 to 2 tablets three times a day.
How to take "Festal" - before or after a meal? Tablets are taken with meals, washed down with water.
The possibility of taking higher concentrations of the drug is determined by the doctor. In children, the doctor selects the dosage individually. The duration of treatment depends on the indications for the use of the medication.
With a decrease in the functional activity of the digestive organs, it can be several days, if necessary, regular replacement therapy - up to several years. As a diagnostic preparation, "Festal" is used up to 6 tablets a day for 2-3 days before the procedure.
Application features
Before starting treatment with Festal, it is necessary to carefully familiarize yourself with the annotation to the medicine and pay attention to certain nuances. It, as already mentioned above, should be used with extreme caution in patients with cystic fibrosis, as well as in women during pregnancy and breastfeeding (only for strict medical reasons).
For small patients, dragees are used only as directed by a specialist. With the use of Festal, an increase in the absorption of certain antimicrobial medicines and derivatives of para-aminobenzoic acid is likely. Antacids lower the effectiveness of this drug.
"Festal" - these are tablets that are dispensed in pharmacies without a prescription. The appearance of certain doubts regarding the correct use of the drug is considered an indication for consultation with a doctor.
Generics
Similar in composition and pharmacological effects with dragee "Festal" are:
- Enzystal.
- Pancreatin
- Normoenzyme.
- Penzital.
- Mezim.
- Hermitage.
- Panzinorm.
Before replacing the drug, it is recommended to consult a doctor.
What's better?
Mezim or Festal? These are known enzyme drugs that are used both to eliminate lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, and to eliminate unpleasant signs of overeating. The active substance in both medicines is pancreatin, obtained from pig pancreas.
The enzymes that make up the Mezima structure help to absorb proteins, fats and carbohydrates, which play a huge role in many processes. Mezim is available in tablet form. The action of the drug is aimed at the production of its own enzymes of the internal organs.
Thus, the composition of the drugs is identical. The differences are in the enzymatic activity of the strains and additional components. Assigning a "Festal" or "Mezim", the doctor takes into account these nuances.
Mezim or Festal - which is better? Medications have a number of minor differences:
- Mezime contains fewer strains, so it is considered more harmless. The drug has a pronounced aroma. The list of restrictions is short, since there is no bile in the composition.
- "Festal" has a pleasant taste, but it is not recommended to take with a number of diseases. There is a huge list of contraindications.
When to use Mezim
Both drugs have long been used in gastroenterology, and have proven themselves, making selection difficult. But based on the numerous responses of doctors and patients, we can conclude:
- Mezim is well suited for long-term treatment of pancreatic diseases and digestion.
- "Festal" should not be used for lesions of the liver and gall bladder. It is better to take this medicine in small courses.
- Both medicines do very well with signs of overeating. But it is not recommended to call one medicine a generic of another.
Mezim and Festal are medications, so only a specialist can prescribe them. When choosing, the severity of the disease and the individual characteristics of the body are taken into account. The cost of Mezim varies from 50 to 270 rubles.
Proper storage
The shelf life of Festal is 3 years. The medication should be stored in a dark and dry place, away from children at an air temperature of no more than twenty-five degrees. The cost of the drug varies from 120 to 650 rubles.
Opinions of patients and doctors
As numerous responses about the Festal show, it is very popular among patients of various groups. According to most patients, this is an excellent highly effective medicine that helps improve digestion, as well as eliminate many negative symptoms.
In addition, there are many patients who have to use "Festal" for many years. For example, with constant functional insufficiency in the digestive system. Due to its natural origin and an increased degree of purification of this medication, it is usually used as a substitute for its own enzymes.
In addition, Festal receives many reviews from patients who use such medications for any disease of the gastrointestinal tract. At the same time, patients are trying to choose the best remedy for themselves and are interested in information about pills on medical sites, why they help, how to use it before or after eating.
It is possible that some patients use this drug for other purposes, because they do not know exactly what it is intended for. It should be noted that they will not immediately experience the occurrence of negative effects when used improperly, but this will certainly manifest itself over time.
If the patient constantly has digestive problems, it is important to consult a gastroenterologist in time, who will prescribe a full examination and recommend a certain treatment.