Gastrolite

Many people have at least once or twice in their lives encountered such an unpleasant phenomenon as diarrhea, which, along with nausea and vomiting, is one of the most unpleasant symptoms of food poisoning. However, diarrhea can also be caused by other reasons, such as gastrointestinal diseases and metabolic disorders, infectious diseases and allergic reactions, etc., etc. But no matter what causes diarrhea or vomiting, these phenomena are not only unpleasant, but also unsafe for health, since they are associated with the loss of a large amount of fluid by the body. And this is despite the fact that our body is almost 80% water. And yet, if there is a problem, there must be a solution, for example, in the form of the drug "Gastrolit".

Indications Gastrolite

As you know, the water in our body is not in its pure form. It contains dissolved particles of microelements responsible for the normal functioning of our body. An aqueous solution containing particles of these substances is called an electrolyte. Maintaining an optimal water-electrolyte balance is the key to the smooth functioning of our body.

By losing water through vomiting and diarrhea, the body also loses nutrients that help it function normally. In this situation, a lack of potassium and sodium is especially felt, as a result of which a person's performance decreases, blood pressure drops, edema appears as a result of a decrease in the osmotic pressure of the blood, tachycardia develops, and symptoms of heart failure appear.

It turns out that, on the one hand, vomiting and diarrhea are an excellent opportunity for the body to cleanse itself, but on the other hand, there is a danger of developing dehydration, hypokalemia, hyponatremia, and other pathologies associated with a violation of water-electrolyte balance.

Indications for the use of "Gastrolit" are situations in which a disorder of water-electrolyte metabolism is possible. These include prolonged diarrhea associated with eating disorders or gastrointestinal diseases, with a high probability of developing dehydration, which is indicated by: the appearance of intense thirst, dry tongue, skin and mucous membranes, decreased tone of the eyeballs, a decrease in body weight by 10-15%, a drop in blood pressure.

The drug is also indicated for various types of intoxication accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea, in which there is a strong loss of fluid from the body, as well as for acetonimic syndrome, in which multiple vomiting is observed.

Release form

The antidiarrheal drug "Gastrolit" is produced in the form of a cream-colored powder, packaged in individual sachets of 4.15 g. The package contains 15 such disposable sachets.

A solution for oral administration is prepared from the powder and water, which resembles chamomile tea in smell, color and taste. The solution may have a small sediment, which is considered quite acceptable.

The concentration of dissolved substances in 1 liter of solution is 240 mOsm/l.

Composition. What is the powder for the preparation of the solution used for diarrhea? It is a multi-component composition with several active substances:

• Sodium salt of hydrochloric acid or sodium chloride (NaCl) - 0.35 g in 1 sachet,
• Potassium salt of hydrochloric acid or potassium chloride (KCl) - 0.3 g in 1 packet,
• Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) – 0.5 g in 1 packet,
• Anhydrous glucose - 2.98 g in 1 sachet,
• Powder from dried chamomile flowers - 1 sachet contains 0.02 g of dry extract.

Pharmacodynamics

The drug "Gastrolit" belongs to the category of antidiarrheal drugs, since it not only saturates the body with water lost during diarrhea or vomiting and helps restore electrolyte balance, but also has an astringent effect.

The drug is safe even for infants, so it can be successfully used to prevent water-electrolyte imbalances and acidosis in babies if you start giving the drug to the child immediately after vomiting or diarrhea occurs.

The solution contains cations (Na and K) and anions (Cl and HCO3 or bicarbonate) necessary for the body _to maintain the electrolyte balance, which is disturbed due to diarrhea. Glucose is included in the composition of the drug as a source of energy (a source of carbohydrates), which also promotes rapid absorption of trace elements from the solution.

Chamomile helps actively combat digestive disorders accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting. It has a mild astringent, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effect, helps normalize intestinal peristalsis and prevents flatulence.

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Pharmacokinetics

The main part of the drug is excreted from the body by the kidneys with urine. Some part is found in feces, a small amount of electrolyte is excreted with sweat. Only glucose is completely metabolized in the body, forming water and carbon dioxide.

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Dosing and administration

The drug "Gastrolit" is a powder for oral administration. The contents of the bag are poured with hot boiled water in the amount of 1 glass (200 g) and stirred so that the powder dissolves. Even if the medicine does not dissolve completely, this will not worsen its medicinal properties. But adding sugar to the composition to improve its taste is not recommended.

The prepared solution is used within 24 hours.

As for the effective dosage, it directly depends on the patient's age. The main "blow" to the disease is delivered in the first 4-5 hours from the onset of diarrhea. During this period, an adult should drink from 500 ml to 1 liter of solution. Then you need to drink a glass of medicine after each bowel movement until the stool is normalized.

The pediatric dose is calculated based on the baby's body weight. Children in their first year of life are given a solution for approximately 5 hours based on the optimal ratio of 50 to 100 ml per kilogram of the patient's weight, then the dosage is reduced to 10 ml per 1 kg of weight, which is given after each liquid bowel movement.

Babies should not be given large amounts of liquid at once, as it simply will not be absorbed in the intestines and will come out with the feces. This means it makes sense to divide the dose into small portions (5 ml), which are given at intervals of 10 minutes.

Children aged 1-3 years are first given a solution in the amount of 50 ml/kg, and after 4-5 hours they begin to give the medicine only after the act of defecation (10 ml per 1 kg of weight), until the stool is normal.

Children over 3 years old are given half a liter of the solution to drink within 4-5 hours, and then after each bowel movement the child should drink ½-1 glass of the Gastrolit solution. And so on until the diarrhea subsides.

Preventive doses to prevent dehydration: for adults - 200 ml of solution, for children - 10 ml per 1 kg of weight. They should be taken after each visit to the toilet until the stool is normal.

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Use Gastrolite during pregnancy

It is permissible to use the drug "Gastrolit" during pregnancy, although it is always better to consult a doctor before using the medicine. The same can be said about children under 2 years old.

Contraindications

Despite the fact that Gastrolit is used to treat diarrhea even in small children, the drug can have a negative effect on the well-being of some groups of patients.

Contraindications to the use of the drug are mainly related to its unusual composition and pharmacokinetics. In the first case, we are talking about individual intolerance to individual components of the multicomponent drug, excess of certain microelements in the body (hyperkalemia and hypernatremia), restrictions associated with the inclusion of glucose in the drug (pathologies such as diabetes mellitus and impaired absorption of carbohydrates, known as glucose/galactose malabsorption syndrome).

As for the limitations caused by pharmacokinetic features (the drug is excreted mainly by the kidneys), in this case they are associated with pathologies in which kidney function is impaired (chronic or acute renal failure, anuria).

There is no point in giving the drug for uncontrollable vomiting. But for hypertension and CHF, the drug is recommended to be taken with caution and under the supervision of a doctor. This is due to the fact that the drug contains sodium.

The presence of potassium in the drug requires caution in using the antidiarrheal agent in patients with oliguria.

Those with liver disease, as well as in cases of prolonged diarrhea (more than 24 hours), should also consult a doctor about the possibility of using this drug.

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Side effects Gastrolite

The drug "Gastrolit" is in most cases well tolerated by patients of different ages. However, there have been cases of side effects of the drug in the form of gastrointestinal tract disorders, manifested by bouts of nausea and vomiting.

If the patient already has slightly elevated blood potassium levels, hyperkalemia may develop due to impaired renal excretion of potassium, as well as as a result of long-term use of the drug. This condition is characterized by a decrease in the amount of urine, vomiting attacks, stomach pain, muscle weakness, edema, seizures, fainting. Numbness of the limbs, paralysis, apathy, changes in the ECG (bradycardia, arrhythmia) may then be observed.

If the patient has hypersensitivity to the drug, there is a high risk of developing various allergic reactions.

Overdose

Such a phenomenon as drug overdose is observed mainly in patients with serious kidney problems. A symptom of overdose is a condition called hypervolemia. It is characterized by: increased blood pressure, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, headaches, dry mouth, edema syndrome.

In such cases, the electrolyte content in the blood is monitored. Depending on the patient's condition, therapy is prescribed aimed at relieving unpleasant symptoms and normalizing the functioning of the patient's organs and systems.

Interactions with other drugs

The interaction of the drug "Gastrolit" with other drugs generally does not lead to negative reactions. However, in order to avoid the development of such an unpleasant and even dangerous pathology as hyperkalemia (in severe cases, even a fatal outcome is possible), it is better not to use the drug simultaneously with other drugs that contribute to an increase in the level of potassium in the body. Such drugs include potassium-sparing diuretics (diuretics), as well as drugs angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors used for heart disease.

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Storage conditions

Powder for diarrhea and dehydration "Gastrolit" does not require special storage conditions. It is enough to store it in a dry place at room temperature not exceeding 25 degrees.

Shelf life

If the storage conditions are met, the shelf life of the drug will be 24 months. The ready-made aqueous solution of the medicinal powder "Gastrolit" should be used during the day.