"Maalox": indications for use. The drug "Maalox": tablets, suspension, prices, instructions

Table of contents:

"Maalox": indications for use. The drug "Maalox": tablets, suspension, prices, instructions
"Maalox": indications for use. The drug "Maalox": tablets, suspension, prices, instructions
Anonim

Unfortunately, disorders of the digestive tract can hardly be considered a rarity. And most people at least once in their lives faced such an unpleasant problem as heartburn. This phenomenon significantly impairs the patient's quality of life. That is why drugs that help get rid of this phenomenon are more than in demand today.

Modern pharmaceuticals offer a huge selection of such drugs. And many patients are interested in questions about what the Maalox drug is, indications for use and the effect of taking it. Are there side effects? Are there any contraindications? Can the drug be used by pregnant women? This information will be useful to many readers.

Medication forms

Liquid suspension and tablets are the release forms of Maalox. The suspension is a white liquid with a slight mint odor. It is sold either in 250 ml glass bottles or in small bags.

Small white round-shaped tablets, which also have a mild minty smell and taste, can be purchased at the pharmacy.

Chemical composition of tablets

maalox tablets
maalox tablets

The drug contains two active ingredients at once. Each Maalox tablet contains 400 mg of magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide. As auxiliary agents in the manufacture of the drug, substances such as sodium saccharinate, powdered mint flavor, mannitol, sorbitol, as well as magnesium stearate, sucrose and powdered sugar with starch are used.

Pills are placed in blisters of 10 pieces. Today they sell cardboard packs with two or four blisters.

Maalox suspension composition

maalox suspension
maalox suspension

What does this form of the drug "Maalox" consist of? The suspension, of course, contains the same active substances. In 100 ml of liquid there are 4 g of sodium hydroxide and 3.5 g of aluminum hydroxide. Purified water is used as the basis for the preparation of the suspension. In addition, the medicine contains some excipients - hydrogen peroxide, concentrated hydrochloric acid, as well as mannitol, sodium saccharin, sorbitol, citric acid monohydrate, methyl parahydroxybenzoate, peppermint essential oil and propyl parahydroxybenzoate.

Main pharmacological properties

"Maalox" today is considered one of the most effective and fast-acting antacids. Its active ingredients have the ability to quickly neutralize free hydrochloric acid, which is present in gastric juice and often causes severe heartburn.

Under the influence of the drug, the pH of gastric juice increases, which leads to a decrease in the activity of the pepsin enzyme. On the other hand, the drug has strong enveloping and adsorbing properties. Thus, it neutralizes the impact of negative factors on the mucous membrane of the stomach and esophagus.

It is worth noting that aluminum and magnesium hydroxide have a local effect. These components are practically not adsorbed into the blood.

Drug "Maalox": indications for use

Maalox indications for use
Maalox indications for use

In fact, this drug helps to eliminate a lot of problems caused by disruption of the digestive system. So when do doctors prescribe Maalox to patients? Indications for use are as follows:

  • The drug is recommended for patients with peptic ulcer of the stomach and intestines in the acute phase.
  • Indications include acute gastroduodenitis and a chronic form of the disease at the acute stage.
  • The medicine is indispensable for reflux esophagitis, as well as hiatal hernia, which are often accompanied by severe heartburn.
  • It's no secret that taking certain medications is accompanied by various dyspeptic symptoms, in particular, heartburn, pain in the stomach, and sour belching. In such cases, the drug "Maalox" also helps to cope with the symptoms, and is sometimes used to prevent such side effects.
  • This medicine is also excellent for digestive disorders caused by dietary errors, smoking, alcohol and coffee abuse.

Instructions and recommended doses of tablets

How to take the drug "Maalox"? The instruction in this case is quite simple. Doctors recommend drinking one or two tablets 1 to 2 hours after a meal. Also, the medicine can be taken at night, since it is during sleep that most patients suffer from heartburn.

maalox instruction
maalox instruction

By the way, in no case should you swallow a pill - you need to keep it in your mouth until completely absorbed. If the discomfort in the abdomen is caused by an improper diet, then the medication can be taken once. In all other cases, you must adhere to the schedule prescribed by the doctor. But in any case, do not forget that the maximum duration of treatment is 2 - 3 months.

Maalox suspension: recommended doses and rules of administration

How to take the suspension "Maalox"? The instruction in this case states that the maximum single dose is 15 ml (this is approximately equal to one tablespoon of liquid). You need to take the medicine in the same way as tablets - 1 to 2 hours after eating or when discomfort occurs in the epigastric region. Shake the suspension jar before use.

In some cases, this drug is prescribed to children. But the dosage for small patients can only be determined by the attending physician.

Are there any contraindications to treatment?

The medicine "Maalox" perfectly copes with the symptoms of many diseases of the digestive system. Unfortunately, not everyone can accept it. To begin with, as a contraindication, it is worth noting the increased individual sensitivity of the patient to any of the constituent components. Otherwise, an allergic reaction may develop, the intensity of which will depend on the degree of sensitivity.

In addition, the drug is not prescribed to patients with severe renal failure. Hypophosphatemia is also considered one of the contraindications. And the medicine is not used to treat people suffering from sucrase deficiency or fructose intolerance. Given the presence of sorbitol in the preparation, glucose-galactose malabsorption is also a contraindication to therapy.

Naturally, there are so-called relative contraindications. For example, the treatment of people with certain disorders in the work of the kidneys is carried out very carefully. Patients with porphyria and Alzheimer's disease are also at risk. The drug should be used with caution if your diet contains a low amount of phosphates, as there is a risk of developing phosphate deficiency. Pregnancy and childhood are also considered relative contraindications, but with the right dosage, the he alth risk is minimal.

Side effects of treatment

medicine maalox
medicine maalox

Immediately it should be noted that when taken correctly, Maalox tablets rarely lead to the development of certain abnormalities. Only occasionally do patients complain of some digestive disorders. In particular, sometimes therapy is associated with the appearance of constipation or, conversely, diarrhea. Some patients experience occasional nausea or vomiting. Much less often, the drug leads to a change in taste sensations.

But long-term use of this drug can affect the mineral balance in the body. Some patients develop hypophosphateria. Rare side effects include nephrocalcinosis, impaired normal kidney function, as well as osteoporosis and osteomalacia, which are associated with a lack of certain nutrients in the body.

Very careful use of the drug for the treatment of patients with impaired renal function. The fact is that these people are most prone to the manifestation of adverse reactions. In particular, against the background of therapy, a decrease in blood pressure, the appearance of constant thirst, hyporeflexia are possible, microcytic anemia, encephalopathy and dementia develop much less often.

In any case, if any deterioration occurs, you should immediately seek medical help - you may have to replace the drug with an analogue or at least reduce the dose.

Interaction with other drugs

Before you start taking your medicine, be sure to tell your doctor about any other medicines you are taking. For example, the simultaneous use of "Maalox" with quinidine increases the risk of overdose.

In addition, this drug slows down the absorption of drugs such as acetylsalicylic acid, glucocorticosteroids, ketoconazole, atenolol, propanolol, lincosamides, tetracyclines, fexofenadine, etc.

Citrates may increase plasma aluminum concentrations when taken concomitantly, especially in patients with renal insufficiency.

Can pregnant women take the drug?

maalox reviews
maalox reviews

Pregnancy is an extremely important period in the life of every woman. Unfortunately, many of the fair sex at this stage have to deal with a lot of problems - hormonal disruptions, reduced immune defenses and, of course, digestive problems. In particular, many pregnant women suffer from heartburn, which is mainly the result of a sharp increase in the volume of the uterus due to the growth of the child. The fetus puts pressure on all internal organs and often leads to the backflow of gastric juice into the esophagus.

Can Maalox be used to treat such heartburn? Indications for use indicate that it was to eliminate this problem that the medicine was created. But, as you know, during pregnancy, the range of permitted drugs is greatly reduced.

It should be said right away that studies on a group of pregnant women have not been conducted, so modern medicine does not have enough information to confirm the presence or absence of a teratogenic effect. On the other hand, some doctors still prescribe the drug to pregnant patients, but only if the expected benefits for the mother outweigh the potential risks for the growing fetus.

Separately, it is worth talking about the use of medication during breastfeeding. Studies have shown that the active components of the drug do not penetrate into breast milk, so there is no need to stop feeding the baby during treatment.

Drug "Maalox": price. Suspension or tablets - which is cheaper?

Certainly, the issue of cost is extremely important for many patients. And the drug "Maalox" in this regard can please customers. Do not forget that the cost may depend on many factors - this is the form of release, the manufacturer, and the financial policy of the pharmacy.

For example, "Maalox suspension", contained in a bottle of 250 ml, will cost you about 300 rubles. The price of "Maalox-mini" will be the same - this is the same suspension, but only packaged in convenient bags, which, by the way, some pharmacies sell by the piece. This form of the drug is more convenient if you need to keep it with you at all times.

What is the cost of the tablet form of the medicine "Maalox"? The price (tablets) is approximately 150 - 200 rubles - this package contains 20 pieces. The cost of 40 tablets ranges from 280 to 350 rubles.

Reviews of doctors and patients

drug maalox
drug maalox

This medicine is popular today. Doctors speak positively about the drug, as it helps to cope with a lot of problems. The remedy is widely used both to eliminate heartburn and abdominal discomfort, and to treat more serious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

What do the patients themselves say about the drug "Maalox"? The reviews are mostly positive. Of course, the drug helps to quickly, sometimes almost instantly eliminate heartburn - both tablets and suspension have this property. An undoubted advantage is a small list of contraindications. And the quite affordable cost of the drug makes it even more in demand.

As for the shortcomings, perhaps only the taste can be attributed to them - some patients note that it is not too pleasant, but not nasty either.

Recommended: