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Gastrocepin
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025
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Indications Gastrocepina
The drug is intended for the treatment of patients with gastrointestinal pathologies, in which the main condition for effective treatment is the protection of the mucous membrane of the digestive organs from the irritating effects of an acidic environment.
The main indications for the use of the drug are gastric ulcer and/or duodenal ulcer (treatment of acute and chronic forms of the pathology), as well as gastroesophageal reflux disease.
In addition, the drug can be used to treat gastritis with normal and increased secretory function of the stomach, duodenitis, esophagitis, pylorospasm, erosive processes on the gastric mucosa prone to bleeding.
Release form
The drug "Gastrotsepin" can be found on pharmacy shelves in the form of tablets and injection solution. The main active ingredient in both cases is pigenzepine dihydrochloride (a benzodiazepine derivative, which is an M 1 -cholinergic receptor blocker).
Tablets containing 25 or 50 mg of pirenzepine dihydrochloride have a round shape and beige tint, which is typical for tablets. There is a break line along one side of the tablet, with the engraving "61C" visible on both sides. The other side of the tablet is decorated with the engraved logo of the manufacturer.
The auxiliary components of the drug in tablet form are lactose, corn starch, magnesium stearate and silicon dioxide.
The tablets are packaged in blisters of 10 pieces. The cardboard packaging of the drug may contain 2, 5 or 10 blisters (20, 50 or 100 tablets). This information is reflected on the outside of the packaging.
The injection colorless solution is packaged in cardboard boxes of 5 ampoules. Each ampoule contains 2 ml of solution, in which we find more than 10 mg of pirenzepine and additional components in the composition of sodium chloride and acetate, propylene glycol, trihydrate, acetic acid, water for injection.
Pharmacodynamics
Gastrocepin is a dose-dependent anticholinergic drug. The action of pirenzepine in doses specified in the instructions is associated with the blockade of M 1 -cholinergic receptors (muscarinic receptors) of the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in a decrease in the production of gastric juice and a decrease in its acidity due to the selective inhibition of the production of pepsin and hydrochloric acid. High doses of the drug can affect muscarinic receptors in other organs. Pirenzepine is not able to pass through the blood-brain and placental barriers if taken in doses that do not exceed the maximum effective ones.
Has gastroprotective properties. Slightly reduces gastric motility.
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Pharmacokinetics
When taken orally, it is absorbed from the intestine only partially, mainly acting locally on the receptors of the gastrointestinal mucosa. The maximum concentration of the drug in the blood is observed after half an hour with injection, and after 2-3 hours with oral administration. Bioavailability is about 20%.
It is excreted in urine and feces in its original form. The half-life of the drug is within 10-11 hours.
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Dosing and administration
According to the official instructions for the drug "Gastrocepin", the tablets should be taken half an hour before meals. The tablet does not need to be chewed, but it is recommended to drink a sufficient amount of liquid (preferably water).
The usual daily dose of the drug is 50 mg (2 tablets of 25 mg). In this case, the tablets are taken 2 times a day (morning and evening).
Sometimes, in the first days of therapy, doctors prescribe an additional dose of medication at lunchtime.
In some cases, the dosage may be increased to 150 mg. And then the daily dose can be divided into 3 or more doses.
The course of treatment can last from 1 to 1.5 months. During this time, the patient must regularly take the drug, even if the disease seems to have retreated. Premature refusal to take the drug is fraught with a rapid return of unpleasant and dangerous symptoms.
The solution of the drug is used for intramuscular and intravenous injections or infusions. The solution should be administered into the vein slowly to avoid pressure and heart rate surges and prevent the development of thrombophlebitis.
A single dose is usually 10 mg (1 ampoule). It should be administered 2 times a day. The interval between administrations is 12 hours.
Therapy for stress ulcers is carried out by administering a single dose of the drug 3 times a day (daily dose - 30 mg). In severe cases of gastric ulcer and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, it is recommended to administer a double dose of the drug at one time (single dose - 20 mg, daily - 60 mg).
Intravenous drip administration of the drug is performed after the drug from the ampoules is mixed with saline, Ringer's solution or 5% glucose solution. The prepared composition must be used within 12 hours.
Use Gastrocepina during pregnancy
Due to insufficient study of the drug's effect on the fetus, the use of Gastrocepin during pregnancy is considered undesirable.
A small amount of pirenzepine may pass into breast milk. Therefore, it is advisable to stop breastfeeding during therapy with the drug.
Contraindications
The drug is not prescribed to patients who have had intolerance to at least one of the components of the drug. It is prohibited to use the drug to treat patients with intestinal obstruction.
Oral forms of the drug are not used in cases of galactosemia, lactase deficiency or impaired absorption of lactose in the intestine.
Caution should be exercised during therapy with the drug in patients diagnosed with glaucoma or benign prostatic hyperplasia, as well as in those who experience an increased heart rate (tachycardia).
Side effects Gastrocepina
During therapy with the drug, patients most often complain of dryness of the oral mucosa. Quite often, they experience changes in stool (usually constipation, less often diarrhea), various rashes on the skin, migraine-like pain, and accommodation disorders. Much less often, urinary retention is observed in the body. Severe allergic reactions (Quincke's edema and anaphylactic shock) can develop only against the background of intolerance to individual components of the drug.
The occurrence of such undesirable effects as urinary retention, visual impairment, tachycardia and increased body temperature requires discontinuing the drug and consulting a doctor.
Due to the possibility of developing such a side effect as accommodation disorder during therapy with the drug, it is better to avoid performing work that requires concentration and driving a car.
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Overdose
When treated according to the instructions for use and the doctor's prescription, no cases of overdose were noted.
Exceeding the permissible dose may result in the development of some undesirable effects. The patient may be bothered by hot flashes, dry skin and oral mucosa, vision problems. Taking the drug in large doses may provoke reddening of the skin, increased temperature and heart rate, urinary retention and intestinal obstruction, choreoathetosis, mydriasis. Twitching of the facial muscles, drowsiness or, conversely, anxiety and restlessness, delirious states may also be observed.
When taking the drug orally, first aid is carried out in the form of gastric lavage and administration of activated carbon. However, it will not be possible to completely remove the drug from the body with its help. Blood transfusion or its purification by hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis will also be ineffective.
In cases of severe intoxication, which is characterized by an increase in body temperature, tachycardia and delirium, a small amount of a parasympathomimetic agent can be administered intravenously (the drug "Physostigmine" is recommended).
In case of glaucoma, local application of the drug "Pilocarpine" is indicated. In case of acute attacks of the disease, administration of m-cholinomimetics is indicated with mandatory subsequent referral to a specialist doctor.
Interactions with other drugs
It is not recommended to take the drug "Gastrocepin" in parallel with H2-histamine receptor blockers . The drugs can enhance each other's action (synergism), resulting in a significant reduction in the production of gastric juice and its acidity, which is fraught with digestive disorders.
"Gastrocepin" is also able to reduce the negative irritating effect of anti-inflammatory drugs on the gastrointestinal mucosa, improving their tolerability.
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Storage conditions
It is recommended to store the drug at room temperature, not exceeding 25 degrees. Protect from moisture. Keep out of reach of children.
Shelf life
Under appropriate storage conditions, the shelf life of the drug is 5 years, after which it is not recommended to use Gastrocepin.
Attention!
To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Gastrocepin" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.
Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.