Barol

Barol is a proton pump blocker used in gastrointestinal diseases. Let's consider the indications for its use, dosage, side effects and therapeutic effect. The drug is part of a pharmacological group of drugs used in gastrointestinal diseases for the treatment of duodenal and gastric ulcers. Its action is based on reducing the level of hydrochloric acid production in the gastrointestinal tract.

Indications Barol

Barol is prescribed for the following diseases:

• Symptomatic ulcerative or erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease.
• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
• Active duodenal ulcer (peptic).
• Active gastric ulcer (benign).
• Supportive and symptomatic treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease.
• Combination therapy with antibacterial drugs for the eradication of Helicobacter pуlоri in peptic ulcer of the duodenum or stomach.

Indications for use are based on the pharmacological properties of the drug. Before starting therapy, it is very important to exclude any malignant neoplasms. If it is prescribed to patients with severe liver and kidney dysfunction, then medical supervision is required in the early stages of treatment.

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Release form

The drug is available in capsules with an enteric coating of 10 and 20 mg of rabeprazole sodium. This form of release simplifies the treatment process, as it allows you to calculate the required dosage for the entire course.

Active ingredient: rabeprazole sodium. Excipients: magnesium carbonate, nipromellose, neutral pellets, titanium dioxide, sodium hydroxide, talc, magnesium carbonate, methacrylic acid copolymer, macrogol, iron oxide red/black.

Pharmacodynamics

The active component of the drug is an antisecretory compound, i.e. it is chemically substituted by benzimidazole. Pharmacodynamics indicate anticholinergic properties. Rabeprazole sodium is not an antagonist of histamine H2 receptors. The substance inhibits the secretion of gastric acid by specifically inhibiting the enzyme H+/K+-ATPase of the parietal cells of the stomach. This type of enzyme system is a proton pump, as it blocks the final stage of acid production. The component is transformed into an active sulfanamide form and interacts with the cysteine of the proton pump.

Antisecretory activity occurs one hour after taking a single dose and reaches its maximum values after 2-4 hours. Suppression of basal function and stimulation of acid secretion with food occurs one day after taking the first dose and lasts for 48 hours. The effectiveness of the drug increases with daily use of the dosage prescribed by the doctor. However, stable suppression of secretion occurs 3 days after the start of treatment. After completion of therapy, secretory activity is restored within 2-3 days.

The drug affects the concentration of gastrin in the blood serum. With regular use of tablets for 12 months, the concentration of gastrin increases and inhibits acid secretion. After stopping treatment, the gastrin level returns to its original level within 10-14 days.

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Pharmacokinetics

The processes of absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of a drug are its pharmacokinetics. With their help, you can find out how quickly the therapeutic effect occurs and how the drug behaves after entering the body.

• Absorption – after oral administration, the capsules pass through the stomach and dissolve in the intestine. Rabeprazole is rapidly absorbed, with its maximum plasma concentration occurring after 3.5 hours. Bioavailability is 52% and does not increase with repeated use. Food intake does not affect absorption.
• Distribution and metabolism – the degree of binding to plasma proteins is 97%. It is metabolized by the kidneys in the form of several metabolites: thioether, carboxylic acid, dimethylthioether, mercapturic acid conjugate and other minor metabolites.

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Dosing and administration

To achieve the desired treatment result, the doctor selects the method of application and dosage of Barol for each patient:

• Active benign gastric ulcer and peptic ulcer of the duodenum - 20 mg once a day or 10 mg 2 times a day. The course of treatment is 4 weeks.
• Erosive, ulcerative form of gastroesophageal reflux disease – 20 mg 1 time per day or 10 mg 2 times per day for 4-8 weeks.
• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome - initial dose 60 mg per day, maximum 100 mg. Duration of treatment is individual for each patient.
• Symptomatic therapy of GERD (without esophagitis) – 10 mg once a day for 4 weeks or until complete disappearance of painful symptoms.
• Eradication of H. Pylori infection in combination with antibiotics – dosage is individual, treatment should not last longer than 7 days.

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Use Barol during pregnancy

Treatment of gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer in expectant mothers has certain difficulties. Since the use of many drugs during pregnancy is contraindicated. Barol is also prohibited. Its active substance penetrates the placental barrier and into breast milk.

The proton pump inhibitor is not prescribed for the treatment of pediatric patients. It affects the speed of reactions, so it is not recommended to use it when working with machinery and vehicles.

Contraindications

Barol is prohibited for use in case of individual intolerance to rabeprazole and other components included in its composition. Contraindications for use apply to pregnant women and children. The drug is not prescribed for patients with malignant neoplasms.

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Side effects Barol

As a rule, Barol is well tolerated. Side effects occur when the doctor's recommendations are not followed and are minor or moderate in severity.

• Most often, disorders of the liver and digestive tract occur: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, flatulence, constipation. In rare cases: disturbance of taste sensations and activity of liver enzymes.
• The drug may cause pathologies of the hematopoietic system: leukopenia, thrombocytopenia. Problems with the nervous system are possible: headaches and dizziness, drowsiness, depression.
• Barol can provoke allergic reactions: skin itching and rash, bronchospasms, angioedema.

Other side effects include: back and chest pain, sinusitis, pharyngitis, leg cramps, urinary tract infections, vision problems and weight gain.

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Overdose

If the recommended dosage or duration of treatment is exceeded, adverse symptoms appear. Overdose manifests itself as: headaches, increased sweating, nausea and vomiting, dry mouth, increased side effects.

There is no specific antidote; symptomatic, supportive therapy is recommended.

Interactions with other drugs

It has been experimentally established that rabeprazole has a weak interaction with other drugs. To achieve the desired treatment effect, Barol can be used in combination with additional agents.

Rabeprazole reduces gastric secretion of hydrochloric acid, this affects the pharmacokinetics of drugs whose absorption is based on the acidity of gastric juice. The drug reduces the concentration of Ketoconazole in the blood plasma and increases the concentration of Digoxin. Interaction with other drugs is compiled and monitored by a doctor.

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Storage conditions

The tablets must be kept in the original packaging, protected from sunlight, moisture and out of reach of children. The recommended temperature is up to 25 °C. Compliance with the storage conditions prevents premature deterioration of the medicine.

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Shelf life

Barol is recommended to be used within 24 months from the date of manufacture. After this period, the tablets should be disposed of and prohibited from being taken. Spoiled Barol causes uncontrolled side effects.