Gastal

Gastal is a combined antacid drug used for acid-dependent gastrointestinal diseases.

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Indications Gastal

The list of indications for Gastal includes: acute and chronic hyperacid gastritis; inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis); gastroesophageal reflux disease; acute inflammation of the duodenum (duodenitis); exacerbation of gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer; functional intestinal dyspepsia (including putrefactive and fermentative).

Gastal is used to relieve heartburn, sour belching and stomach pain caused by any nutritional errors or medications.

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Release form

Gastal is available in the form of 300 mg tablets (for oral administration) and lozenges.

Pharmacodynamics

Gastal contains aluminum oxide monohydrate (aluminum hydroxide), magnesium carbonate (magnesium carbonate) and magnesium oxide (magnesia). These substances bind and neutralize the hydrochloric acid of gastric juice and thereby reduce its acidity (increasing pH). Thus, the irritating effect of gastric juice on the mucous membranes of the digestive system is stopped.

Magnesium promotes the formation of mucoid secretion of the gastric mucosa, which increases the protection of its cells from hydrochloric acid.

At the same time, the drug does not affect the overall acid-base balance of the body.

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Pharmacokinetics

The interaction of aluminum hydroxide with hydrochloric acid in gastric juice leads to the formation of insoluble aluminum phosphate salts, which are excreted by the intestines.

Magnesium carbonate and magnesium are absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract; the presence of magnesium causes a laxative effect, since the osmotic pressure in the intestine increases, which increases the volume of its contents and the rate of excretion.

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Dosing and administration

Gastal should be taken whole with water, one hour after meals - one or two tablets up to five times a day (or when heartburn occurs).

Gastal lozenges are used after meals (60 minutes) – one tablet several times a day; the maximum daily dose is 8 tablets, and the duration of use is two weeks.

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Use Gastal during pregnancy

It is not recommended to use Gastal to treat heartburn during pregnancy.

Contraindications

Contraindications for Gastal include severe renal impairment, phenylketonuria, serum phosphate deficiency (hypophosphatemia), intestinal obstruction, Alzheimer's disease, and age under 12 years.

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Side effects Gastal

The use of Gastal, as well as other antacids containing aluminum hydroxide, may be accompanied by a deterioration in the absorption of phosphates in the intestine and a decrease in their amount in the blood (hypophosphatemia). As a result, side effects are possible in the form of:

• kidney failure;
• intestinal disorders (diarrhea or constipation);
• accompanied by pain, softening of the bone tissue of the skeleton (osteomalacia) and fragility of bones (osteoporosis);
• decreased muscle tone;
• increased levels of calcium salts in the urine and their deposition in the bladder (urolithiasis);
• an increase in the magnesium content in the blood (hypermagnesemia), which is manifested by a decrease in blood pressure, hyporeflexia and increased thirst;
• encephalopathy with cognitive impairment.

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Overdose

Exceeding therapeutic doses of Gastal, as well as prolonged use of this drug, can cause a deficiency of phosphorus and an excess of aluminum and magnesium in the body.

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Interactions with other drugs

Antacids prevent the absorption of other oral medications in the gastrointestinal tract, so any medications should be taken orally no earlier than two hours after taking Gastal.

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Storage conditions

It is recommended to store Gastal tablets at normal temperature in a place protected from moisture.

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Shelf life

3 years.