Almagel for gastritis

Inflammation of the gastric mucosa is a fairly common disease that requires diet and specific drug treatment. Among the various medications, doctors often prescribe Almagel, an antacid that neutralizes the aggressive action of gastric acid on the mucous tissue. Almagel for gastritis helps eliminate pain and restore the internal walls of the stomach.

Indications Almagel

Almagel can be prescribed for various digestive disorders that develop against the background of poor nutrition, bad habits, regular medication intake. Almagel is appropriate for gastric ulcer, enterocolitis, alimentary toxic infections, etc. [ 1 ]

Most often, Almagel is prescribed for gastritis with high acidity. The active ingredients of the drug neutralize and inactivate hydrochloric acid within three to four minutes of taking the drug. The duration of the drug's action is more than an hour.

The components of Almagel have a predominantly local effect, so the drug does not have a negative impact on the functioning of other organs.

In addition to gastritis, Almagel is often used:

1. at the stage of exacerbation of peptic ulcer disease; [ 2 ]
2. for reflux esophagitis, gastroesophageal reflux;
3. in case of erosions of the mucous tissues of the digestive system; [ 3 ]
4. at the stage of exacerbation of pancreatitis;
5. for heartburn and periodic pain in the stomach area.

• Almagel becomes the "number one" remedy for exacerbation of gastritis in many patients. This is explained by the effective combination of ingredients of the drug, due to which an adsorbing, antacid and enveloping effect is provided. Moreover, exacerbation of gastritis is successfully "relieved" by all varieties of this drug, including Almagel A or Neo.
• Almagel is prescribed less frequently for gastritis with low acidity, since this drug additionally neutralizes the acidic environment. It is permissible to use Almagel A between meals or 1-1/2 hours before meals.
• Almagel for atrophic gastritis is prescribed in combination with other medications that prevent pathological changes in the gastric mucosa. In this case, Almagel creates a special protective coating for the mucosa, which helps to accelerate the healing of defects.
• Almagel for gastritis and pancreatitis is prescribed before meals so that the drug has time to act not only in the stomach, but also further along the digestive tract. It is optimal to take the drug 30 minutes before the main meal. Already starting the meal, you should additionally take special drugs that facilitate the digestion of food - for example, Pancreazim, Mezim, Festal, etc. About an hour after eating, it is recommended to take Linex or Lactone to restore the digestive system. Only a comprehensive approach will allow you to cure gastritis and pancreatitis simultaneously and effectively. Important: only a doctor can prescribe treatment. Self-medication should not be done.

Release form

The active ingredients in Almagel are aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide. The first compound affects the production of pepsin. When aluminum hydroxide and hydrochloric acid combine, aluminum chloride is formed, and the acid is neutralized. A similar process is also found when it combines with magnesium hydroxide, forming magnesium chloride. The latter is necessary to maintain intestinal motility, which can be disrupted under the influence of aluminum chloride.

Almagel is produced in special bottles with a capacity of 170 or 200 ml.

In addition to Almagel, another type of medication can be prescribed for gastritis – Almagel A. This remedy has a similar composition, but it contains one more ingredient – anesthesin. Its function is to quickly relieve stomach pain. Almagel A helps even with severe pain, can relieve attacks of nausea and vomiting.

Another type of the drug is Almagel Neo. An additional ingredient in the composition is simethicone - a well-known remedy that easily copes with increased gas formation in the intestine. Almagel Neo for gastritis is prescribed when the disease is accompanied by flatulence, increased production of intestinal gases.

There is also a tablet form of the drug - Almagel T. Each tablet contains 500 mg of magaldrate (magnesium hydroxide with aluminum). The auxiliary components are mannitol, sorbitol, MCC and magnesium stearate.

Pharmacodynamics

Almagel belongs to a series of antacids - that is, it neutralizes free acid compounds in the gastric cavity, inactivates pepsin, which causes a decrease in the digestive capacity of the secretion. The balanced composition of the drug has an enveloping, adsorbing property, which is very important for gastritis. The mucous tissue of the stomach acquires additional protection due to the stimulation of the production of prostaglandins (cytoprotective capacity). This prevents the development of inflammatory, erosive and hemorrhagic processes when using irritating and aggressive agents - for example, ethanol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory or corticosteroid drugs, etc.

The therapeutic effect of Almagel for gastritis is observed after 3-4 minutes. The duration of the effect varies, depending on the fullness of the stomach:

• if Almagel was taken on an empty stomach, its effect can last up to 1 hour;
• If Almagel was taken within an hour after a meal, its effect will be evident within 3 hours.

Almagel does not lead to secondary hyperproduction of gastric juice.

Pharmacokinetics

Almagel has virtually no systemic effect on gastritis, since it leaves the body without being absorbed into the circulatory system.

Aluminum hydroxide:

• absorbed in small quantities that do not have a clinically significant effect and do not change the concentration of aluminum salts in the bloodstream;
• distribution – absent;
• metabolism – absent;
• excreted in feces.

Magnesium Hydroxide:

• magnesium ions are absorbed in an amount of no more than 10% of the total dose taken, without affecting the concentration of magnesium in the bloodstream;
• distribution – local;
• metabolism – absent;
• excreted in feces.

Dosing and administration

Before each dose, shake the bottle of Almagel. After that, fill a spoon or measuring cup with the suspension and take the required dose.

How much Almagel to drink for gastritis, the dosage and frequency of administration are determined by the doctor. If there is no opportunity to visit a doctor, Almagel is taken as follows:

• children 10-12 years of age – 1-2 ml up to 4 times a day;
• children under fifteen years of age – 2-3 ml up to 4 times a day;
• Adult patients – 5-10 ml three or four times a day.

It is optimal to take Almagel for gastritis approximately 20-30 minutes before meals. It is important not to perform any physical activity after taking the drug: it is better to lie on your side until the drug takes effect.

On average, the duration of taking the medication is 2-3 weeks, but can be extended up to 3 months, at the discretion of the doctor.

Application for children

Doctors do not recommend treating gastritis with Almagel for children under 10 years of age. If the need for such treatment is justified, it is carried out carefully, under the supervision of the attending physician, for a short period of time (3-6 days).

Use Almagel during pregnancy

The question of using Almagel for gastritis in pregnant women is quite controversial. Previously, special studies were conducted on rodents, as a result of which scientists did not find teratogenic or other negative effects on the fetus. However, clinical trials involving pregnant women have not been conducted, so it is impossible to confidently state the complete safety of the drug.

Based on this, doctors cannot recommend the use of Almagel for gastritis in pregnant patients. If there is an urgent need to take the drug, then treatment is carried out only under the supervision of a doctor and for no more than five or six days in a row.

There is no information about the active components of the drug getting into breast milk. Therefore, taking Almagel during lactation is also not welcomed. Treatment with the drug is allowed only after carefully weighing the possible consequences and expected benefits. However, even in this situation, the intake should not last more than three or five days.

Contraindications

It is not recommended to take Almagel for gastritis in the following situations:

• in case of hypersensitivity to any of the main or auxiliary components of the medication;
• in severe renal failure;
• during pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• in Alzheimer's disease;
• with hypophosphatemia;
• until the child reaches 10 years of age;
• in case of fructose intolerance.

Side effects Almagel

Almagel for gastritis can cause difficulties with defecation, but this problem disappears after reducing the dosage.

Dyspeptic symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and an unpleasant taste in the mouth are rarely observed. Allergic processes and increased magnesium levels in the bloodstream were recorded in some patients.

With prolonged treatment of gastritis with large doses of the drug, accompanied by insufficient phosphorus intake with food, osteomalacia may develop.

Long-term use of the drug should be accompanied by regular testing and monitoring by the attending physician. If the kidney function is insufficient, the patient may experience mood swings.

Overdose

A single accidental use of a large amount of Almagel is usually not accompanied by any serious symptoms. In some cases, constipation, bloating, and a metallic taste in the mouth develop.

If overdose during gastritis occurs constantly, then the following conditions may develop:

• nephrocalcinosis syndrome (diffuse deposition of calcium salts in the renal structures);
• difficulty with defecation;
• hypermagnesemia;
• slight drowsiness.

In some cases, manifestations of metabolic alkalosis are observed:

• mood swings;
• ups and downs of mental activity;
• muscle numbness, myalgia;
• feeling of fatigue, irascibility;
• change in taste sensations.

If an overdose is suspected, it is necessary to ensure rapid removal of the drug from the body: wash the stomach, induce vomiting, take a sorbent drug.

Interactions with other drugs

It is not recommended to take Almagel with other medications for gastritis, as it impairs their absorption and, accordingly, neutralizes their therapeutic effect. It is optimal to take other medications two hours before taking Almagel, or two hours after it. The ability of the drug to neutralize acid in the stomach can negatively affect the effectiveness of most medications when taken together.

The drug should not be combined with any tablets or capsules with an enteric coating. Such a combination can lead to the destruction of this coating, irritation of the stomach walls and the mucous membrane of the duodenum.

While taking Almagel, you cannot take tests to determine the acidity of gastric juice. It is also inappropriate to determine the level of gastrin and phosphorus in the serum, or to examine the pH of the serum and urine.

Storage conditions

Almagel does not require specific storage conditions. It is placed in a place protected from direct light and heat, inaccessible to children and mentally inadequate people. The product is stored at temperatures from +10 to +25°C. It is not necessary to place Almagel in the refrigerator, and it is prohibited to place it in the freezer (the product will lose its medicinal properties).

Shelf life

Almagel is stored for two years and is disposed of when the expiration date indicated on the packaging expires.

Analogues

The following medications are complete analogues of the drug Almagel in terms of active composition:

• Altacid;
• Adjiflux;
• Maalox.

Other medicines have a similar but more extensive composition:

• Secret;
• Riopan;
• Gastal.

Replacement of medication with analogues is carried out only after consultation with a doctor. This is especially important if the treatment is prescribed to a pregnant or nursing woman, or a child. It is not recommended to independently replace one drug with another.

Which is better: Almagel or Maalox for gastritis?

Many questions sometimes arise regarding the replacement of drugs with their complete analogues. For example, Almagel and Maalox are two practically identical aluminum-magnesium antacids, the action of which is based on the same active ingredients. But, as practice shows, there are still some differences:

• the active composition of the drugs is the same, but the ratio of the ingredients is different;
• Maalox has a smaller list of side effects and contraindications;
• Maalox does not cause persistent constipation, as it has virtually no effect on the quality of intestinal peristalsis;
• additional components present in the composition of one and the other product are different;
• Maalox has a faster and longer lasting effect than Almagel;
• Almagel is available in several versions (regular Almagel, Almagel Neo and Almagel A), which distinguishes it from Maalox;
• Maalox has a long shelf life (up to three years);
• Almagel is not recommended for children under 10 years of age, and Maalox is prescribed only for children aged 15 and above.

It is difficult to say which of the drugs to give preference to. The doctor should answer this question more reasonably. After all, when choosing a drug, not only the individual characteristics of the patient's body are taken into account, but also the indications and contraindications.

Reviews

For most patients suffering from gastritis, Almagel has become the drug of choice – both for preventing exacerbations and for eliminating them. According to numerous reviews, this medication effectively alleviates the clinical signs of the disease with a predominance of pain and increased gas formation. A persistent effect is detected already on the second or third day of treatment. After four doses of the drug, sufficient neutralization of the acidic environment is ensured, maintaining the pH of the stomach in the range of 3.0-4.9 during the entire treatment period.

The only drawback of the drug, as users say, is such a side effect as constipation. However, as clinical practice shows, difficulties with defecation appear after regular use of the drug for 10-14 days. Short courses of treatment rarely cause such a complication.

Almagel is considered one of the safest drugs for gastritis, which allows it to be prescribed to patients of different age groups. During pregnancy, its use is allowed for three days, under medical supervision. Almagel is easy to take, as it has a pleasant citrus taste. In addition, the drug is affordable, unlike other drugs with a similar effect.