Gastrophyte

Probably many people at least once when visiting a pharmacy have noticed herbal mixtures in identical yellow cardboard boxes with similar inscriptions: "Gastrofit", "Nephrofit", "Gepatofit", "Bronkhofit" and a schematic drawing of human internal organs. These mixtures are produced by the Kharkov scientific and production company "Eim", and they have already earned the recognition of many doctors and their patients.

This time we will talk about the drug "Gastrofit". Its relevance is due to the fact that diseases of the digestive system occupy the lion's share among all pathologies known to mankind. Of course, there are also many drugs, but not all of them are so effective with such a gentle effect on the gastrointestinal mucosa. And here we have both treatment and care in one person.

Indications Gastrophyte

A collection of leaves, flowers, fruits and roots of 15 medicinal plants called "Gastrofit" is prescribed in cases where normalization of the gastrointestinal tract is required, which is disrupted due to the development of such pathologies as:

• chronic form of gastritis (inflammation of the gastric mucosa), occurring against the background of normal or low acidity of gastric juice,
• functional dyspepsia (also known as non-ulcer or essential dyspepsia, neurotic gastritis, gastric neurosis, etc.), which is not an organic lesion of the gastrointestinal tract,
• inflammation of the mucous membrane of the duodenum (duodenitis),
• inflammation of the mucous membrane of the pylorus of the stomach and the adjacent duodenum (gastroduodenitis),
• enterocolitis (the most common disease of the gastrointestinal tract, characterized by inflammation of the intestine, affecting both the large and small intestines),

The drug is also used as part of complex therapy for ulcerative lesions of the stomach and duodenum, and inflammation of the colon mucosa (colitis).

"Gastrofit", as a medicinal herbal collection, is useful not only for the treatment of various pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, but also as a preventive measure to prevent relapses of diseases.

Release form

The drug "Gastrofit" is produced in the form of a medicinal collection, which is presented in the form of crushed parts of leaves, fruits, flowers and rhizomes of plants, effective in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The color of the composition is uneven, gray-green with inclusions of elements of different colors. The mixture emits an unobtrusive, pleasant herbal aroma.

The herbal collection is packaged in hermetically sealed, individually packaged filter bags, convenient for brewing the infusion. The weight of one bag is 1.5 g.

The filter bags are in turn packed 20 pieces per yellow cardboard box with a schematic drawing of the internal organs of a person. The digestive system is clearly highlighted in the diagram.

The collection consists of 15 plant components. Each filter bag contains:

• calamus (rhizomes) – 90 mg,
• marshmallow (root) – 105 mg,
• cumin (flowers) – 105 mg,
• black elderberry (flowers) – 90 mg,
• St. John's wort (herb) - 90 mg,
• calendula (flowers) – 105 mg,
• nettle (leaves) – 105 mg,
• mint (leaves) – 105 mg,
• wormwood (herb) – 75 mg,
• chamomile (flowers) – 105 mg,
• Sophora japonica (fruit) – 120 mg,
• licorice (root) – 120 mg,
• yarrow (herb) – 90 mg,
• sage (leaves) – 90 mg,
• rose hips (fruit) – 90 mg.

Sometimes you can find a collection packed in a cardboard container without filter bags. The weight of the package with the medicinal collection "Gastrofit" is 100 g:

• wormwood – 5 g,
• calamus, elderberry, St. John's wort, yarrow, sage and rose hips - 6 g each,
• marshmallow, caraway, calendula, nettle, mint and chamomile - 7 g each,
• Japanese pagoda tree and licorice - 8 g each.

This form of the drug requires dosing using a tablespoon, which is not included with the drug.

In addition to the collection, on pharmacy shelves you can find this same drug in the form of syrup, which can be used to treat gastrointestinal pathologies in children starting from 3 years of age.

The syrup contains extracts of the same herbs as the herbal mixtures. It is packaged in 150 ml polymer bottles, which are then placed in cardboard boxes that look similar to the packaging of herbal mixtures.

Pharmacodynamics

The medicinal gastrointestinal collection "Gastrofit" exhibits a pronounced antispasmodic effect (relieves spasms of the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract and the pain associated with them). Thanks to many herbs included in the composition of the drug, we can confidently talk about the anti-inflammatory and soothing effect of the medicinal collection on the mucous membrane of various organs of the digestive system.

In addition, the drug promotes rapid healing and regeneration of damaged tissues of the stomach and intestines, including the duodenum. The instructions also note the choleretic and mild laxative effect of the herbal remedy.

By relieving inflammation and improving the condition of the digestive tract mucosa, Gastrofit is able to regulate the gastrointestinal tract, stimulate intestinal motility, and normalize stool.

Pharmacokinetics

Conducting pharmacokinetic studies in multicomponent drugs is very difficult, therefore there is no information about such studies in the instructions for the drug.

Dosing and administration

Since "Gastrofit" has 2 different forms of release, differing in dosage options, the method of their use is also slightly different.

The most convenient form is medicine in dosed filter bags. 2 such bags (3 g) are poured with 150 g of boiling water and, after infusing for 15 minutes, drunk warm about half an hour before meals. There is no need to filter the infusion. The procedure is repeated 3 times during the day.

When purchasing a 100-gram economical pack of the mixture, you will have to stock up on a separate dry tablespoon to measure out the required amount of the preparation.

In this case, it is advisable to prepare the daily dose of medicinal infusion at once by brewing 2 tablespoons of the herbal mixture with ½ liter of boiling water. Infuse the composition for 1 hour. When using, the required amount (150 g) is heated to a warm state. The frequency of administration and dosage are the same as in the previous case. It is universal for children (over 12 years old) and adults.

The duration of the therapeutic course depends on the pathology and the patient's condition and is determined by the attending physician. In most cases, treatment with drugs lasts for 1 or 2 months, but if the symptoms are caused by minor disruptions in the gastrointestinal tract, as in non-ulcer dyspepsia, then a week is enough. If necessary, the course of treatment can be repeated.

The drug in the form of syrup is dosed depending on the patient's age. Thus, for children aged 3-7 years, a single dose is 5 ml, children aged 7-14 years can be given from 5 to 10 ml of syrup, and the dosage for teenagers and adults is the same - 10 ml.

The frequency of administration is determined by the doctor and can vary from 3 to 5 times a day. The drug can be taken either in pure form or added to water or tea.

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Contraindications

According to the official instructions, the drug "Gastrofit" has the following contraindications for use:

• hypertension (stages II B and III),
• acute heart failure,
• CHF,
• low levels of potassium in the blood serum (this condition is called hypokalemia),
• mechanical jaundice,
• the presence of stones in the gallbladder that are larger than 10 mm (cholelithiasis),
• acute inflammation of the gallbladder (in medical terms, acute stage of cholecystitis),
• acute stage of hepatitis, characterized by pronounced signs of inflammation in the liver with disruptions in its functioning,
• cirrhosis,
• acute inflammation of the pancreas (acute pancreatitis),
• inflammation of the respiratory tract in children, accompanied by narrowing of the larynx (croup),
• inflammation of the bronchi with limitation of respiratory function (obstructive bronchitis),
• tetanic syndrome, characterized by increased neuromuscular excitability and a tendency to develop convulsions,
• inflammation of the venous wall with the formation of a blood clot (thrombophlebitis),
• high blood clotting rates,
• hypersensitivity to any of the components of the drug.

The drug in the form of herbal and plant mixtures is not intended for the treatment of children under 12 years of age. It is not advisable to use the syrup in the therapy of small patients who are under 3 years of age.

The possibility of using the drug "Gastrofit" during pregnancy or breastfeeding should be discussed with a doctor. In order to avoid unforeseen consequences due to insufficient research in this area, pregnant women are prescribed the drug only in the form of fees and only if the benefit to the woman is significantly greater than the risk to the unborn baby.

During lactation, taking the drug is possible in case of refusal to breastfeed and temporary (or permanent) transfer of the baby to milk formula.

Side effects Gastrophyte

"Gastrofit", like the vast majority of herbal preparations, is well tolerated by most patients. Quite rare cases of allergic reactions are mainly associated with individual intolerance to one or more components of the multicomponent preparation.

Side effects of the drug can be observed in the form of various itchy rashes (urticaria, dermatitis) and swelling of the skin. Some patients may experience increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight (photosensitivity).

And although severe allergic reactions are not observed during the first doses of the drug, further use of the drug may increase these manifestations to dangerous to the patient's health. Therefore, in case of such reactions, you should immediately consult your doctor so that he or she can reconsider his or her prescription.

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Overdose

The herbal preparation "Gastrofit" is non-toxic to the body. It is used without consequences in fairly large doses, as provided in the instructions for the preparation. No cases of overdose have been described so far.

However, you should not experiment, since the use of both synthetic and herbal preparations in doses exceeding the recommended ones, or for a long time without a break, can, at a minimum, lead to an increase in the side effects of the drug, as well as cause such phenomena as nausea, vomiting, bowel disorders, etc.

Interactions with other drugs

Taking any drug, even one of herbal origin, should be done taking into account drug interactions with other drugs, provided that you are taking any other medications.

In the case of the drug "Gastrofit", its long-term use in parallel with drugs for arrhythmia, cardiac glycosides, adrenocorticosteroids, as well as with laxatives and most diuretics can cause a violation of the water-electrolyte balance in the body.

You should not use Gastrofit before performing work that requires concentration. It is also advisable to refrain from driving a car during therapy with the drug.

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Storage conditions

Storage conditions for the drug "Gastrofit": packages with herbal mixture and syrup are recommended to be stored at a temperature of no more than 25 ^° C, protected from children, moisture and direct sunlight.

Shelf life

It is prohibited to use the drug after the expiration date, which is only 2 years, for both the collection and the syrup.

Other drugs with the same name

On the pages of medical portals you can find descriptions of 2 more herbal preparations in the form of a solution for oral administration.

One of them in a 100 ml bottle is produced by the Russian company "Farmafite". The composition of the drug includes: licorice root, yarrow herb, plantain leaves and anise oil. Additional components: alcohol, water, sugar.

The herbs in the preparation have anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, regenerating, choleretic, carminative and tonic effects. In this regard, the solution "Gastrofit" from "Farmafit" is considered an effective medicine for gastritis with normal and reduced acid formation in the stomach and all those pathologies that are described in the indications for the use of the Kharkov collection and syrup.

The drug is intended for the treatment of adult patients and children over 7 years of age. It is not advisable to take the herbal solution during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as in case of individual intolerance to some components of the drug. The presence of sugar-containing components in the drug requires caution when taking it by patients diagnosed with diabetes.

The medicine should be taken 1 teaspoon 3 times a day. It is better to take it not in its pure form, but diluted in 1/3 glass of water or any other drink (except milk and dairy drinks).

The herbal preparation "Gastrofit" in the form of a solution should be stored in a place protected from the sun for 2 years. The storage temperature should be within 2-18 degrees.

Some pharmacy websites also list another drug called "Gastrofit". However, there is no photo of the drug attached anywhere, and its manufacturer is not mentioned. It is only stated that it is a herbal solution for internal use, which contains: chamomile and calendula flowers, yarrow herb, fennel essential oil (aka dill), buckthorn bark, sorbitol (about 40%).

According to the instructions, indications for use of the drug are:

• dyskinesia (motility disorder) of the biliary tract,
• constipation caused by decreased activity of intestinal smooth muscles (also called atonic),
• excessive gas formation (flatulence), manifested in the form of bloating or distension of the abdomen, belching, hiccups, loud and abundant gas discharge, cramping pains, rumbling in the abdomen. In turn, the pathological condition can be caused by both the use of certain products and some diseases (dysbacteriosis, pancreatitis, colitis, cirrhosis of the liver), inflammatory processes in the intestine, intestinal infections and parasites, structural disorders.

Contraindications to the use of gastronomic herbal solution are:

• bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract caused by various pathologies,
• ulcerative lesions of the stomach and duodenum due to the possibility of bleeding,
• acute stage of hepatitis,
• mechanical jaundice, called obstructive,
• intestinal obstruction,
• acute inflammatory processes in the abdominal cavity (appendicitis, peritonitis, etc.),
• acute and chronic forms of glomerulonephritis (a dangerous immune-inflammatory disease of the glomeruli of the kidneys that filter blood).

The use of the drug "Gastrofit" in the form of a solution for oral administration is considered unacceptable during pregnancy, breastfeeding. The drug is also not intended for use in pediatrics.

The sweet solution should be used with caution by patients with diabetes, since the sorbitol content in the drug is quite high.

Taking the medication may be accompanied by allergic reactions, intestinal colic, decreased stool frequency and increased frequency of bowel movements.

Method of administration and dosage. A single dose for any pathology is 5 ml (1 teaspoon) if taken three times a day and 10 ml if the drug is taken twice a day.

Take the medicine half an hour before meals, in pure form or diluted in a small amount of liquid.

The therapeutic course usually lasts 21-28 days, but if necessary, the course of treatment can be repeated.

Medicine or dietary supplements?

If "Gastrofit" from the company "Aim" is classified as a medicinal product of plant origin, then many other products with the same name can be classified as biologically active food supplements (BAA), which alleviate the symptoms of some gastrointestinal pathologies and have a positive effect on the digestion process itself.

Such dietary supplements include the drug "Gastrofit" in the form of tablets (in a package of 2 blisters of 10 tablets) from the company "New Life". In its composition we find calendula, linden and chamomile flowers, St. John's wort, calamus and yarrow.

The majority of herbs have anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and soothing effects on the gastrointestinal mucosa. St. John's wort, among other things, is also considered a hemostatic agent, while yarrow can effectively expel worms. The antispasmodic, regenerating, noticeable diuretic and choleretic and slight antipyretic effects of the drug are also indicative.

The dietary supplement should be taken in tablets 2 times a day 10-15 minutes before meals. Single dose - 1 tablet.

If you experience intolerance reactions to some components of the drug, it is better to stop taking it.

The shelf life of the dietary supplement is 3 years, provided it is stored in a room with an air temperature of 5-25 degrees.

"Gastrofit" or "Gastrophyt"?

If you dig through the pages of online pharmacies, you can find another drug called "Gastrofit", but the name on the green cardboard packaging is written in Russian and English. The latter is read as "GASTROPHYT".

This drug was developed by the Pakistani company BioZone, which specializes in the production of pharmaceutical products based on plant components. Production facilities are located in different countries, including Kazakhstan, where the imported dietary supplement "Gastrofit" is manufactured.

The drug from the BioZone company is presented in pharmacies in the form of a herbal syrup in a 120 ml bottle, which effectively fights nausea, eliminates pain, has a pronounced calming effect on the gastric mucosa and the gastrointestinal tract as a whole.

This effect of the drug is due to its composition:

• goutweed significantly improves digestion, among other things, it has analgesic, anti-inflammatory and diuretic effects,
• Damask rose also relieves stomach pain, effectively fights pathogenic microorganisms, including fungal infections, exhibits antioxidant and astringent properties, cleanses the blood,
• mint normalizes the secretory function of the stomach, stimulates the motor function of the stomach and intestines, relieves symptoms of nausea, vomiting and excessive gas formation,
• Licorice is one of the most useful herbs for digestion, it helps to normalize stomach acidity, has excellent antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties,
• fennel is considered an effective remedy for flatulence and has become widely used in pediatric practice,
• Senna is a universally recognized effective and safe laxative that relieves constipation,
• ginger relieves inflammation and spasms in the stomach and intestines, and also has a mild laxative effect,
• cumin and cinnamon are also famous for their pronounced antispasmodic effect, they relieve symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, cinnamon also has astringent and antiseptic properties,
• Ferula is a good antioxidant, antispasmodic and antiseptic, effectively fights parasites (worms), protects the gastrointestinal mucosa from damage.

The drug is considered safe for children of different ages, and is even recommended for use in cases of unpleasant feelings of heaviness and heartburn associated with poor nutrition in schools and other educational institutions, as well as with the consumption of fast food and sweet carbonated drinks.

The drug has a positive effect on heartburn, bloating and pain in the abdomen, nausea and vomiting, bowel disorders. It is indicated for such pathologies as gastritis, ulcerative lesions of the stomach and duodenum.

Method of administration and dosage. Syrup "Gastrofit" is dosed depending on the patient's age. A single dose is:

• children 1-2 years old – 0.5 tsp,
• children 2-12 years old – 1 tsp,
• teenagers and adults – 2 teaspoons of syrup.

The syrup has a pleasant sweet ginger taste with a delicate mint note, so even the smallest ones will have no problem taking it.

The herbal syrup should be taken 3 times a day. It can be consumed in its pure form or diluted in water for a 15-day course. For chronic pathologies, it is recommended to repeat the therapeutic course 3 to 4 times a year, especially in spring and autumn, when diseases worsen.

There are no special contraindications to the use of the drug, but allergic reactions may develop against the background of increased sensitivity. The drug should not be used for the treatment of infants.

Since the syrup contains a sweetener, it should be taken with caution by those with high blood sugar levels, in particular patients with diabetes.

Herbal tea "Gastrofit"

Herbal tea "Gastrofit-1" is also used as an auxiliary remedy for gastritis with high acidity and ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract. It is produced in Kazakhstan by the company "TES".

In the tea package we find 20 filter bags of 1.5 g each, containing crushed parts of the following plants:

• chamomile (flowers),
• yarrow (herb),
• calamus (rhizomes),
• licorice (roots).

The method of application and dosage of herbal tea are the same for all pathologies and ages: pour 1 or 2 filter bags with a glass of boiling water and leave for about half an hour, stirring occasionally for better release of useful substances from the composition.

It is advisable to drink tea 1 hour after the main meal. Frequency of intake – 3-4 times a day.

The composition of the tea is quite modest, but effective for gastrointestinal pathologies. It is not suitable only for those who have hypersensitivity to one or more components of the aromatic herbal drink.

You can buy tea without a doctor's prescription. It should be stored for no more than 2 years in a dry, well-ventilated place.