Smecta is an excellent drug for the treatment of food poisoning and other disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. The drug belongs to drugs from the group of antidiarrheal drugs. "Smecta", analogues of which may belong to other pharmacological groups, has its own characteristic features.
Why Smecta is so popular
The active substance of the drug is dioctahedral smectite, or diosmectite. This is a powder of natural origin from the group of aluminosilicates, like clay. Smecta (its analogues based on the same active substance) has a number of unique properties:
- It has selective adsorbing properties. That is, it fixes toxins, viruses and pathogenic microbes in its discoid-crystalline structure, without affecting low molecular weight substances (vitamins, micro and macro elements).
- It stabilizes the mucous barrier, forming polyvalent bonds with mucus glycoproteins. Thus, it has an indirect enveloping effect, prevents the absorption of toxins from the intestine and protects its membrane from damage.
- Aluminum diosmectite is not absorbed from the intestines under any circumstances.
- In recommended doses, the drug does not affect intestinal motility.
- Smecta and other preparations based on diosmectite do not stain the stool and do not interfere with X-ray studies of the stomach and intestines.
- The drug can be given to newborns.
Indications for the use of "Smecta"
First of all, Smecta is prescribed for diarrhea of various origins, for the symptomatic treatment of heartburn and bloating. The drug is successfully used in adults and children with food poisoning and intoxication. The list of gastrointestinal dysfunctions in which the drug is used:
- acute diarrhea;
- chronic diarrhea;
- diarrhea of an allergic origin;
- after taking the medicine;
- as a result of a change in diet;
- infectious diarrhea;
- heartburn;
- bloating;
- other symptoms of dyspepsia.
Other drugs with the same active substance
For the treatment of acute diarrhea, not only Smecta is suitable. Analogs, the price of which is slightly lower than the widely advertised drug, contain the same diosmectitis and are prescribed in the same doses.
- "Neosmectin." Available in powder form in 3.76 g sachets. The package may contain 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, or 30 sachets. Manufacturer Pharmstandard-Leksredstva OJSC, Russia. The cost of packaging of 10 packages is 133 rubles.
- "Diosmectite." The powder is packaged in bags of 3 g. In a package of 10 or 30 pieces. Producer "Pharmacor Production", Russia. The cost of a small package is 130 rubles.
- Benta. Powder in 3 g sachets, in a package of 20 or 40 sachets. Producer "Dzhankoysko-Sivash DEZ", Autonomous Republic of Crimea. The cost of 80 rubles.
For comparison, 10 bags of "Smecta" cost about 155 rubles.
An analogue of Smecta for children is Neosmectite with an orange flavor.
Enterosorbents - analogues of "Smecta"
According to the pharmacological classification, "Smecta" refers to antidiarrheal drugs. Its closest “relatives” are medicines from the group of intestinal sorbents. They also have the ability to bind harmful substances and pathogens in the intestinal lumen, but have a weaker enveloping effect than Smecta. Analogs of the drug of the old generation may not have it at all - like activated carbon. In addition, some are not recommended for children under one or three years of age. Here is a list of these enterosorbent drugs:
- "Polyphepan";
- Enterosgel;
- Polysorb;
- Ultrasorb;
- Sorbentomax;
- "Filtrum";
- Enterodez;
- Almagel;
- Activated carbon.
People often ask whether Enterosgel or Smecta is better. There is no definite answer, it all depends on the specific situation.
Enterosgel
Enterosgel is available in
gel or paste
form . The latter may be with a sweet taste, especially for children. The active substance is hydrosilicon methylsilicic acid. Like diosmectite, it has a selective sorption effect, that is, it removes only toxins, poisons, bacteria and viruses from the intestine, and does not affect
intestinal motility. It is prescribed mainly for poisoning of various origins, including chronic, allergies. With hepatitis and renal failure. Enterosgel removes harmful decay products, facilitating the course of the disease. So the answer to the question: "Enterosgel" or "Smecta" - which is better? " will depend on the signs of the disease. If the symptoms of poisoning prevail, they take Enterosgel. And in case of acute diarrhea and bloating, choose Smecta.
Smecta or Polysorb
Polysorb contains a colloidal form of silicon dioxide. This substance captures and removes everything from the body, regardless of the molecular weight of the particles. Preference is given to him in case of acute poisoning with potent poisons, with food and drug allergies, acute intestinal infections. The drug has contraindications:
- bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract;
- peptic ulcer;
- decreased bowel tone, constipation.
Also, it should not be given to children under the age of one year.
Imodium
The drug "Imodium" has a completely different mechanism of action than Smecta. It does not affect the cause of diarrhea, but reduces the sensitivity of the nerve receptors of the intestinal wall. As a result, peristalsis slows down, the tone of intestinal muscles decreases and diarrhea stops. Such treatment is justified in rare cases. After all, with poisoning and infections, diarrhea is a protective reaction of the body aimed at removing harmful microorganisms from their intestines, their toxins and poisons. It is used as prescribed by a doctor for acute and chronic diarrhea. It has many contraindications, in particular infectious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, inflammation in the intestines, peptic ulcer, pregnancy and lactation, and childhood.
By the way, Imodium, whose price is by no means the lowest (25 rubles per tablet), can be replaced with other drugs, where
loperamide hydrochloride is also the active substance:
- "Lopedium" - 5 rubles;
- “Vero-loperamide” - 1 ruble;
- Loperamide - 1 ruble;
- "Diara" - 3 rubles per tablet.
Linex
For intestinal infections and diarrhea, Linex is often prescribed. To the question of which is more effective, Linex or Smecta, there is also no definite answer. Linex is a drug from the group of probiotics. It contains three types of cultures of living bacteria, which are normal inhabitants of the intestine. Taking it, the patient restores the microflora and as a result improves digestion. Linex itself does not have an antidiarrheal effect.
Therefore, it is desirable to take Linex and Smecta at the same time, observing the two-hour interval between medications. The first drug will improve digestion, and the second will stop diarrhea and remove harmful foods from the intestines.
Linex should be preferred if diarrhea occurs as a result of taking antibiotics that upset the intestinal microflora, or in case of chronic digestive upset due to dysbiosis.
What is better for children
"Smecta" is often prescribed to newborns to reduce gas formation, during the formation of digestion or with an intestinal upset. And this is justified, since the drug has a minimum of side effects, is not absorbed from the intestine and is effective in a variety of pathologies:
- food allergies;
- digestive disorders due to a change in the mixture;
- drug diarrhea;
- vomiting and heartburn;
- flu and rotavirus infections;
- bloating, colic, flatulence.
The drug and any other analogue of Smecta for children based on diosmectite should be used with caution in case of a tendency to constipation. In case of bloating and increased gas formation, “Espumisan” or “Bobotik” preparations can be given instead. In mild cases, it is better to do with physiotherapeutic methods or
dill water. In case of poisoning, children under one year of age are given one of the intestinal sorbents: Polyphepam, Enterosgel, Polysorb MP. Remember that with diarrhea, a pediatrician should prescribe all drugs. Perhaps the reason is more serious than you thought, and you will need treatment with antibacterial drugs.
Attention! Giving children under 6 years of age medicines based on loperamide (Imodium, Lopedium, Diarol) is prohibited.
For diarrhea of a different nature, poisoning and increased gas formation in the stomach and intestines, the Smecta drug is recommended. Russian-made analogues containing the same active substance are Neosmectin and Diosmectite. They are somewhat cheaper, accepted according to the same scheme and have effective sorption and enveloping action. In case of poisoning, you can take medicinal analogues from the group of intestinal sorbents - Enterosgel, Polyphepam, Polysorb and others. Such drugs as Imodium, Linex, or Enterol are not substitutes for Smecta and can be prescribed in addition to it.