Gastrofect

Food should be a pleasure to people, otherwise, when the process of eating is associated with unpleasant sensations as a result of the development of gastrointestinal pathologies, the body reacts to food as a negative factor, a decrease in appetite and other symptoms that do not contribute to a person's well-being. In this case, in order to establish the process of digestion, and therefore, metabolism, and to allow a person to enjoy eating, without fear of unpleasant sensations after a while after a meal, preparations are shown from the category of enzyme means that help to normalize digestion. And one of these drugs is just "Gastrofect".

Indications of the gastrofecta

So, the use of enzyme preparations is justified in cases where there is a digestive disorder, and the body can not cope with this problem on its own. Therefore, "Gastrofectus is prescribed for enzymatic deficiency of the digestive system, as well as indigestion of food caused by nutritional errors (for example, taking too fatty foods or consuming large amounts of protein, alcohol abuse, irregular eating, etc.).

"Gastrofect" is also indicated when symptoms of dyspeptic disorder appear, such as eructation, nausea, heaviness in the stomach, flatulence, heartburn.

But the drug has a positive effect primarily on the liver, which means that the main indications for its use are metabolic disorders in this organ, and developing on this background fatty hepatosis (fatty degeneration of liver cells, or its obesity).

Other indications for taking the drug are:

• hepatitis of various etiologies,
• secondary hyperlipidemia (a high level of lipids in the blood due to a violation of lipid metabolism);
• hypertriglyceridemia on the background of quantitative and qualitative disorders of lipoproteins (drug therapy plus diet),
• an increased level of cholesterol in the blood and developing against the background of this pathology, for example, atheromatosis,
• pathology of the gallbladder and bile ducts, for example, dyskinesia (motor disruption) of the bile ducts,
• hyperacidity conditions associated with increased secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach.

Release form

The drug is manufactured by the pharmaceutical industry in the form of effervescent tablets, easily soluble in water. The active substance of the drug "Gastrofect" is betaine. This substance is a derivative of glycine and has the chemical name of trimethylglycine.

Weight of betaine in the composition of one effervescent tablet is 2 grams. An additional component of the drug is sodium bicarbonate (which is also baking soda, according to some scientists, which can prevent the development of cancer). In a tablet it is contained in an amount of 1.5 g.

Another component of the enzyme preparation is citric acid. It is only 0.2 g in one tablet. Besides the fact that together with soda it helps the tablets to dissolve quickly in water, providing "effervescence", it also participates in metabolic processes occurring in the body, helps to remove harmful toxins and excess salts from it , promotes the burning of carbohydrates.

Pharmacodynamics

Betaine, which is the active substance of the drug "Gastrofect", is not alien to the human body. This enzyme is found in many food products: sugar beet, wheat bran, spinach, seafood, bread, sunflower seeds. If such foods are eaten regularly, many diseases can be successfully avoided, thus prolonging one's life and making it happier.

This substance is also produced in our body as a result of processing of choline (vitamin B4), coming from food products.

Betaine is successfully used in cosmetology and medicine. In the first case, it is used as a protector against dehydration of cells, in the second - a stimulator of hepatic metabolism and digestion (due to the regulation of the acidity of gastric juice).

The liver actively participates in the metabolism of carbohydrates and takes part in lipid metabolism, and also helps to remove from the body toxic substances coming from outside or formed in the process of metabolic processes. Any violations in the liver have a negative effect on the work of the whole organism.

The drug "Gastrofect", thanks to betaine, has:

• lipotropic (protection of the liver from fatty dystrophy, prevention of the deposition of harmful cholesterol on the walls of blood vessels and in the form of stones in the gallbladder),
• hepatoprotective (restoration and maintenance of the functionality of the liver, including its antitoxic action),
•  and choleretic action,
• facilitates the process of digestion of food and the metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates.

Pharmacokinetics

The drug is not toxic to the human body. Betaine is rapidly absorbed into the intestines, entering the bloodstream and forming significant concentrations in various tissues of the body. The half-life of the substance ranges from 17 minutes to 1 hour (with the use of tablets).

The increase in the half-life of the drug with each new dose indicates that betaine is able to accumulate in the body.

Excretion of betaine from the body is occupied by the intestine. A small amount of the drug is excreted along with the urine.

Dosing and administration

The drug "Gastrofect" goes on sale in the form of effervescent tablets, intended for oral administration. And this means that the tablets must first be dissolved in water and taken inside the ready-made solution.

To dissolve 1 tablet (single dose) you need to take half a glass of water. The frequency of taking the drug depends on the prescription of the doctor and varies from 1 to 3 times a day.

Take the drug doctors recommend in intervals between meals.

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Use of the gastrofecta during pregnancy

The use of the drug during pregnancy has not been studied sufficiently, therefore, before proceeding with this medication, you should always consult with your doctor.

Contraindications

But the contraindications for the drug "Gastrofect" is not so much. It is not used if the patient has increased sensitivity to the components of the drug and an increased likelihood of developing allergic reactions.

If problems with digestion are associated with the abuse of alcohol, then during treatment with alcohol, the drug will have to be abandoned, because "Gastrofect" and alcohol are incompatible.

In pediatrics, the drug is not used to treat patients younger than 12 years.

Side effects of the gastrofecta

Most often, the drug "Gastrofect" does not cause undesirable consequences. Only in case of hypersensitivity to the components of the drug can there be various allergic reactions.

Very rarely, patients taking the drug complained of diarrhea and the appearance of symptoms of dyspeptic disorder, which is associated with the presence of macrogol in the tablets. 

Overdose

There were no cases of drug overdose in medical practice, however, in case of appearance of undesirable symptoms it is recommended to wash the stomach and take antihistamines.

Sometimes taking betaine can trigger the appearance of a fishy smell in exhaled air and stool.

In case of unusual reactions, which are not peculiar to the drug "Gastrofect", the medicine should be discarded and the doctor should inform about the symptoms that have arisen.

Interactions with other drugs

The interaction of "Gastrofect" with other drugs is associated with the presence in the drug of betaine in the form of citrate. This substance may slightly reduce the effectiveness of antibacterial agents.

But it interacts positively with choline, pepsin, vitamins of group B (especially with vitamin B12), creatine and folic acid.

The drug produces a slight alkalizing effect, which helps reduce the acidity of gastric juice. In this regard, absorption in the stomach of peroral drugs may decrease.

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Storage conditions

Store the medicine manufacturer recommends in the original packaging away from sources of moisture, heat and sunlight. The optimum storage temperature is 15-25 degrees.

Shelf life

The shelf life of the drug "Gastrofect" is 36 months, during which it maintains its effectiveness and is safe for humans.