Almagel

Almagel is an antacid drug. Among its functions is the neutralization of gastric juice secreted by the body. The drug reduces the level of hydrochloric acid in the gastric juice to the optimal required values. Almagel has a local anesthetic effect, and in addition, a choleretic and slight ruminatory effect.

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Indications Almagel

The medicine is recommended for use in:

• Acute gastritis with high acidity;
• Ulcer of the duodenum or stomach (in the acute stage);
• Esophagitis;
• Food poisoning;
• Enteritis and duodenitis;
• Hiatal hernia;
• Flatulence;
• Discomfort or pain in the abdominal area due to dietary irregularities, alcohol or drug overdose, or high doses of caffeine and nicotine.

The drug can be taken as a preventative measure – to prevent the development of ulcers as a result of taking glucocorticosteroids or non-steroidal drugs that have an anti-inflammatory effect.

Release form

Almagel is available in 170 or 200 ml bottles.

Pharmacodynamics

The drug is evenly distributed over the gastric mucosa. Thus, the medicine provides long-term gastroprotection. Its functions also include buffering and antacid - the concentration of acid in the gastric juice between doses of the drug is maintained within 4-4.5 / 3.5-3.8. Thanks to sorbitol, a mild laxative and choleretic effect is performed. The therapeutic effect of the drug appears 3-5 minutes after administration and lasts for 70 minutes.

Pharmacokinetics

It is almost not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.

Dosing and administration

The medicine is taken orally; the bottle with the contents must be shaken before use.

Dosage for adults: 1-2 teaspoons half an hour before meals and before bedtime. If the desired effect cannot be achieved, it is recommended to increase the dose to 3 teaspoons. A maximum of 16 teaspoons of the medicine can be taken per day. When taking Almagel in maximum doses, treatment cannot be carried out for more than 2 weeks.

Children under 10 years of age are prescribed a third of the adult dose; children 10-15 years of age – half.

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Use Almagel during pregnancy

During pregnancy, it is prohibited to take the medicine for more than 3 days. It is not recommended to use during lactation.

Contraindications

It is prohibited to use Almagel in the following cases:

• In severe kidney diseases;
• For Alzheimer's disease;
• If there is high sensitivity to the elements of the drug;
• Infants up to 1 month.

Side effects Almagel

Side effects include constipation, nausea and vomiting, abdominal cramping, and taste disturbances. In some cases, drowsiness. Long-term use of Almagel can cause osteomalacia in a patient who eats food with a low phosphorus content and who is predisposed to developing calcium-phosphorus metabolism disorders.

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Overdose

Symptoms of an overdose of the suspension include the following signs:

• fatigue;
• facial flushing;
• exhaustion; muscle weakness;
• muscle numbness; muscle pain;
• inappropriate behavior;
• mental disorder;
• mood swings; nervousness;
• slow breathing;
• sensation of an unpleasant taste.

To eliminate an overdose, it is necessary to first remove the remains of the drug from the body. To do this, wash the stomach, stimulate vomiting, give sorbents and a laxative.

Interactions with other drugs

Benzocaine is prohibited to be used in combination with sulfonamides (as they are antagonists of the antibacterial effect).

In combination with ketoconazole, cardiac glycosides, iron-containing agents, tetracyclines, ionazid, antihistamines, ciprofloxacin, cimetidine, phenothiazine, and rhinitildine, Almagel creates insoluble compounds, due to which the absorption of these medications becomes less.

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Storage conditions

The medicine should be kept at a maximum temperature of 25°C in a dry place. Almagel must not be frozen.

Shelf life

The medicine should be kept at a maximum temperature of 25°C in a dry place. Almagel must not be frozen.