Maalox mini

Joint Franco-Italian pharmacological company Sanofi-Aventis SpA (Italy) and Sanofi-Aventis France (France) recently presented a drug related to the pharmacological group of combined antacids (simple salts). This is Maalox mini, the main active ingredients of which are the algal and magnesium hydroxide (algeldratum, magnesii hydroxydum).

Indications Maalox mini

Directivity of the action of active components and causes indications for the use of Maalox mini:

• Inflammation of the gastric mucosa (manifestations of acute gastritis ).
• Gastritis of chronic form, diagnosed with indicators of gastric juice production (its secretory production) at a normal or elevated level. Period of exacerbation, manifested by acidic eructations and heartburn.
• Hernia of the esophageal opening of the diaphragm.
• Acute period of ulcerative and erosive pathology of the stomach and duodenum.
• Allergic reaction to taking medications, manifested by discomfort in the stomach area.
• Discomfort and heartburn caused by the abuse of tobacco, drugs, alcohol, strong tea and coffee.

Release form

On the drugstore market the preparation is represented by some variety of packages. The form of the release of the drug is a suspension for oral administration made in a sachet (small single packets of a certain dosage) made of aluminum foil. On top of the mini-packaging is covered with a thin layer of polyethylene and polypropylene. One sachet contains six grams (or 4.3 ml) of the drug. On the shelves of pharmacies you can find cardboard packages, which contain six, ten, twenty, thirty and, respectively, forty mini-bags.

Pharmacodynamics

Neutralizing drug Maalox mini has a directional effect on a specific problem that has arisen. Pharmacodynamics Maalox mini is not burdened with actions of a systemic nature. Tested by Rosset-Rice method in vitro, the drug showed a level of its antacid capacity of about 20 meq per one mini-sachet.

The drug in question can eliminate heartburn for several hours, due to the cupping of free hydrochloric acid in the stomach of the patient. At the same time, excessive excessive production of hydrochloric acid is not provoked. Introduction Maalox mini in the patient's body allows you to lower the peptic activity of gastric juice. Active active substances of the preparation pass X-ray radiation well. Magnesium hydroxide and algodrat contribute to enveloping the gastric mucosa, which helps to reduce the harmful effects on the shell of the digestive tract. Pharmacodynamics Maalox mini shows, similarly, adsorbing action.

[1], [2], [3]

Pharmacokinetics

The active substances of the preparation (magnesium hydroxides and algebra), which have neutralizing properties, are used to localize the problem. When administered orally in the recommended amount, almost not absorbed, so the pharmacokinetics of Maalox mini and applied strictly directed, not differing in systemic.

[4]

Dosing and administration

Maalox mini is prescribed only to patients who have reached the age of 15. The drug is administered orally, after an hour and a half after eating, in case of heartburn. Dosage and administration: the contents of one or two packages, without diluting, squeezed into a tablespoon or immediately into the mouth. But before opening the package, carefully pound the contents with your fingertips. After that, the package can be opened.

If the desired result does not occur, two hours later, the administration of the same dosage of the drug is permissible. But it is not recommended for a day to take more than 12 mini-packages. The duration of treatment is limited to two to three months. In case of a one-time introduction - the recommended number - one - two mini-packages.

If a history of the patient has a mild form of renal insufficiency, the number of sachets of the drug that the patient can take throughout the day, are reduced to eight units.

[8]

Use Maalox mini during pregnancy

During the passage of studies on animals and having little experience of using the drug in treatment therapy for women in an "interesting position", the teratogenic effect was not ascertained. Teratogenic effect is a violation of the normal development of the fetus under the influence of some unfavorable factors: physical, chemical (medicinal) or biological (eg, viruses) effects. However, the use of Maalox mini during pregnancy, due to the minimality of the results of clinical data is allowed only if the real help for a woman's health outweighs the possible risk to the child. In this case, the reception of the drug is desired by small dosages and not for a long time.

Due to the fact that Maalox mini does not have systemic properties, but acts directly on the pathology site, it is not required to stop feeding the baby with breast milk during its period of administration.

Contraindications

Care should be taken with any medication. There are also contraindications to the use of Maalox mini.

• Hypersensitivity of the patient to the component composition of the drug.
• Severe form of renal dysfunction.
• Hypophosphatemia - decrease in the level of inorganic phosphorus compounds in the blood serum.
• There is a restriction on age: not recommended for children and adolescents under 15 years.
• Low level of sucrose in the blood.
• Intolerance of the patient's fructose.
• Glucose-galactose malabsorption - the loss of these components entering the digestive tract, due to the insufficiency of their absorption in the small intestine.

With great care, it is necessary to appoint Maalox mini at:

• Diabetes mellitus, because the drug in question has sucrose in its composition.
• Porphyria if the patient is on hemodialysis.
• In the period of gestation of a woman's baby and feeding his chest.
• Alzheimer's disease.
• In the case of a diet with predominantly low-phosphate food. Taking the drug can provoke phosphate deficiency.

[5], [6]

Side effects Maalox mini

Taking the drug, especially for a long time, can provoke the appearance of concomitant negative symptoms. Side effects of Maalox mini, in case of maintaining the recommended protocol of treatment, are rare. The intensity of the detected symptoms is low. Still may appear:

• Increases in the urge to caloric discharge or, conversely, constipation.
• Attacks of nausea.
• Defect of taste perception.
• Emetic urges.
• Growth of plasma concentrations of magnesium and / or aluminum.
• Falling blood pressure.
• Dehydration of the body.
• Hyporeflexia is a decrease in segmental reflexes.

If the Maalox mini is taken for a sufficiently long time, including large doses, you can observe:

• Hypophosphatemia especially if the patient eats food with low phosphorus content.
• Nephrocalcinosis - the presence of calcium deposits in the kidneys.
• Hypercalciuria is an increase in the level of calcium in the urine.
• Osteoporosis is a decrease in the strength of bone tissue caused by a decrease in the calcium content in the bones.
• Hypocalcemia - a decrease in the content of ionized calcium in the blood serum.
• Osteomalacia is a systemic disease characterized by insufficient mineralization of bone tissue.
• Patients with kidney problems can develop:
  • Encephalopathy is a pathological brain damage.
  • Microcytic anemia.
  • Dementia - acquired dementia, characterized by degradation of thinking, memory.

But it is worth recalling that if all the recommendations are followed, the side effects of the Maalox mini are almost not registered.

[7]

Overdose

It has already been said that, if all the requirements listed in the instruction are met, the manifestation of the side symptoms is minimized. And if you consider that the medicine is almost not absorbed by the mucosa of the digestive tract, it is possible to say with great probability that it is impossible to overdose. But if the drug has been used for a long time or the dosage of the drug has been significantly exceeded, an overdose of Maalox mini preparation may be obtained as a more intense manifestation of side symptoms.

Recommendations to stop this problem - drink plenty of flu while taking strong diuretics. In the presence of renal failure, it is shown, without delay, to conduct hemodialysis, or peritoneal dialysis.

[9], [10], [11]

Interactions with other drugs

Any action must be justified. Therefore, before you enter the drug in the complex therapy, it is better to know what effects can be obtained by the interaction of Maalox mini with other drugs.

For example, in tandem with quinidine, the probability of an increase in the quantitative component of quinine in the patient's blood and its overdose increases.

Joint reception of Maalox mini with the drugs and medicinal classes listed below leads to a decrease in the percentage of their absorption of the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract. It:

• Salicylates (for example, acetylsalicylic acid).
• Blockers of H2-histamine receptors.
• Propranolol and isoniazid.
• Indomethacin and metoprolol.
• Atenolol and chloroquine.
• Levothyroxine and diflunisal.
• Ketoconazole and digoxin.
• Bisphosphonate and penicylamine.
• Ethambutol and polystyrene sulfate.
• Fluoroquinolone and lansoprazole.
• Sodium fluoride and iron salts.
• Lincosamide and tetracycline.
• Phenotiazine neuroleptics.
• Phosphorus-containing food additives.

But this result can be avoided by spreading the reception of this pair of drugs at a time with a difference of two hours, for the drugs of the  fluoroquinolone group, the safe interval is four hours.

Maalox mini increases the concentration of  citrates in the blood, mainly for patients suffering from kidney dysfunction. And in combination with salicylates, it provokes their rapid utilization and excretion together with urine, which leads to increased alkalinity of urine.

[12], [13], [14], [15]

Storage conditions

A cool room with a temperature of no more than 25 ° C, isolation from direct sunlight - these are the main storage conditions for Maalox mini. One need only add that any medication should be inaccessible to children.

[16]

Special instructions

Maalox mini is excellent, for a long time, it suppresses heartburn and eructations with sour. One should not just forget that it is not worthwhile to attribute a drug to yourself, it is fraught with unpleasant consequences. Any medication should be prescribed only by a doctor - a qualified specialist.

Shelf life

Three years is the expiration date of the drug in question, which must be indicated on each package of the drug. It is necessary to closely monitor the final date of use and not exceed it.