Burning in the esophagus and discomfort are the main symptoms of heartburn. Pharmacy chains offer a wide range of medicines for this disease. The medicine “Gastal” is gaining great popularity, which not only eliminates burning pain in the esophagus, but also helps with stomach ulcers, gastritis and kidney failure. "Gastal" for heartburn has a quick and effective effect, but it, like other medicines offered by pharmacy chains, has side effects and contraindications.
"Gastal" is often prescribed for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases.
When is it appointed?
The doctor prescribes Gastal if the patient has the following diseases:
- acute gastritis;
- ulcerative lesions of the stomach;
- chronic inflammation of the gastric mucosa with changes in secretion during exacerbation;
- ulcerative lesions of the duodenum;
- acute duodenitis;
- chronic pancreatitis at the acute stage;
- reflux esophagitis;
- hyperphosphatemia;
- hernia UNDER;
- acute pancreatitis;
- heartburn;
- dyspepsia of various forms;
- epigastric pain.
Indications for use of "Gastal"
First of all, the action of Gastal is aimed at eliminating heartburn, which can be associated both with the use of certain medications and with diseases of the digestive system.
Gastal heartburn tablets are used for burning sensation associated with:
- with gastritis with increased secretion of hydrochloric acid;
- for peptic ulcers of the stomach and duodenum;
- with disruption of the digestive glands: inflammation of the pancreas, disruption of the gallbladder;
- when erosions appear on the mucous membrane of the esophagus or stomach (areas of tissue with a surface defect);
- Gastal temporarily relieves unpleasant burning sensations caused by a hiatal hernia.
It is allowed to use "Gastal" in case of a temporary error in the diet, which is more often observed during holidays and family feasts.
Does it help?
The heartburn remedy "Gastal" should be used if necessary to reduce the acidity of gastric juice to normal, protect the gastrointestinal mucosa, promote the healing of erosions and ulcers, and neutralize the negative effects of excessive amounts of bile acid.
After the tablets enter the body, a connecting reaction of magnesium and aluminum with the acid that is in the stomach begins to occur. As a result, the acid is reduced to the required level. In addition, in the process of using the drug, you can avoid constipation, which is observed if you drink similar medications containing exclusively aluminum oxide. But since Gastal contains magnesium hydroxide, upon contact with hydrochloric acid it is converted into magnesium chloride, which can have a laxative effect. The medicine is not absorbed into the blood, and the metabolic products of the drug penetrate into the intestines and are excreted along with the feces.
Release form and composition
Gastal is available in tablet form and is designed for resorption. This is a combination product that includes 2 active substances:
- Magnesium hydroxide.
- Aluminum hydroxide.
The drug has an anesthetic and absorbent effect, gently envelops the gastrointestinal mucosa. After use, the secretion of gastric juice is reduced, balance is improved and discomfort disappears. The duration of action of the drug reaches 2 hours.
Since Gastal is made for resorption, there are a variety of flavors, namely mint and cherry. The package contains a different number of tablets to choose from. Gastal is white in color; you can also buy the medicine without flavorings.
In addition to affecting gastric juice and its secretion, tablets can reduce the secretion of pepsin, thereby reducing the effect of various acids. This leads to improved digestive processes. After taking Gastal, many processes are launched in the body that allow the mucous membrane to be restored.
The drug does not penetrate the bloodstream and does not affect other organs, so Gastal is used during pregnancy, but with the permission of a doctor. Gastal tablets, the price of which can vary depending on the quantity and taste, can be bought without a prescription in almost all pharmacies. The cost ranges from 75 to 300 rubles.
How to take during pregnancy and breastfeeding?
Heartburn in pregnant women is a fairly common symptom, but dealing with it is not so easy. The main difficulty in relieving burning pain in the esophagus during pregnancy is the small list of medications that are allowed to be taken during pregnancy. Basically, antacids that neutralize burning in the esophagus contain aluminum, and it is categorically not recommended for pregnant women, as it can lead to possible damage to the baby’s bones. For this reason, Gastal is contraindicated for pregnant women.
It is not recommended to treat heartburn with Gastal during the lactation period, since the aluminum salts contained in the drug can pass into breast milk. For this reason, any medicines containing aluminum are prohibited. However, as a last resort and under the strict supervision of a doctor, it is allowed to use Gastal once.
About the mechanism of action of the drug
"Gastal" is an emergency remedy to get rid of heartburn. The antacid properties of the drug not only block the excess production of gastric juice and reduce its acidity, but also control the production of pepsin and other digestive enzymes that can provoke heartburn symptoms.
You can take Gastal both to combat severe discomfort localized in the esophageal area and to get rid of heaviness in the abdomen.
In addition, the drug demonstrates effectiveness in temporarily neutralizing pain experienced by people suffering from gastric ulcers or erosive gastritis.
Video:
Some of those who cannot boast of correct eating behavior and regularly overeat or consume foods with unhealthy chemical compositions take Gastal for preventive purposes to reduce the risk of consequences.
The drug "Gastal", taken in accordance with the instructions, not only neutralizes heartburn, but also stimulates the normalization of the digestion process.
Thanks to this fact, people who always have Gastal on hand can quickly rid themselves of various symptoms of dyspeptic disorders.
On average, the duration of the effect achieved after taking one tablet of the drug lasts for two hours.
The active substances included in one dose of the product are capable of neutralizing hydrochloric acid, the volume of which is equal to twenty moles.
A side effect of the drug is inhibition of the activity of certain digestive enzymes, such as pepsin, lysolecithin, etc.
Timely blocking of excessively “raging” enzymes eliminates the signs of primary functional stomach disorders and allows a person to regain comfort.
Video:
The additional substances contained in the drug seem to envelop the walls of the stomach, creating a thin protective barrier that stimulates the regeneration of damaged tissues.
Therefore, by taking Gastal, you can not only get rid of heartburn, but also forget about the pain that is localized in the epigastric region.
Special substances formed by mixing the components of the drug formula stimulate the epidermal growth factor of mucous cells.
The process of tissue regeneration is also enhanced thanks to phospholipids, which accumulate in the stomach under the influence of the active substances of Gastal.
Pediatric dosage
The drug "Gastal" is strictly forbidden to be given to children under six years of age. From 6 years to 12 years of age, the medication is prescribed in a pediatric dosage. A child over 12 years of age can receive the medicine according to the adult dosage prescribed in the instructions. However, the teenager’s weight should be taken into account; if his body weight is less than 50 kg, then he is entitled to a child’s dosage, if 50 and above, then it is already allowed to treat heartburn with adult doses.
The tablets should be dissolved, so it is better to offer the baby a medicine with a cherry flavor rather than mint. It is important that the child dissolves the pill completely and does not swallow or chew it. Thus, children under 12 years of age take the drug half or a whole tablet 60 minutes after meals. The result is approximately five times every 24 hours, i.e., as many meals as are taken. The daily dose for children should not exceed five tablets. The course of treatment lasts about two weeks or until symptoms stop completely.
How to take Gastal for pregnant women
The tablets are taken orally, dissolving in the mouth until completely dissolved. The maximum daily dose is 8 tablets. It is optimal to take the tablet 1 hour after meals and at night.
Considering that heartburn occurs spontaneously in pregnant women, regardless of the time of meal, it is allowed to take Gastal on demand, without exceeding the daily dosage. The course of treatment can be different - from a single application to 2 weeks. The duration of use in pregnant women should not exceed 14 days.
Interaction with other medications
When using the drug "Gastal", which helps with heartburn, you should take into account its ability to change the effect of other drugs that are taken in parallel with this drug. This is due to the ability of Gastal to slow down the absorption of other medications, increase their effect or lead to disruptions in their work.
It is not recommended to use Gastal together with medications that contain iron, as well as with fat-soluble vitamins and medications that affect blood clotting. Thus, Gastal must be taken with such medications, maintaining an interval of an hour or two.
Composition, form, packaging, description
What does Gastal help with? Before answering this question, you should find out in what form this drug is marketed.
According to the instructions, the mentioned medication is available in the form of lozenges. They come in cherry and mint flavors, as well as a white or cream color, round beveled shape, and smooth surface.
The active ingredients of this product are magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide-magnesium carbonate gel. In addition, the medicine contains such auxiliary ingredients as sodium cyclamate, lactose monohydrate, mannitol, sorbitol, sodium saccharinate, corn starch, peppermint flavor, magnesium stearate and talc.
The drug in question goes on sale in blisters and cardboard boxes.
Overdose
During the treatment of heartburn with the drug "Gastal", no cases of overdose were identified. However, if you use this drug incorrectly and neglect the timing of treatment, then magnesium and aluminum, which are part of the drug, can lead to an increase in their concentration in the blood. This can lead to bone disorders, osteoporosis and nephrocalcinosis. And if the patient has been diagnosed with impaired renal function, then in case of an overdose, thirst, low blood pressure and decreased reflexes may be a concern.
It is important to adhere to the dosage indicated in the instructions, since excessive consumption of calcium and magnesium, which are contained in the drug, can lead to constipation or diarrhea. If the patient observes the above signs of overdose, then he should relieve the symptoms with special medications and continue therapy with Gastal in recommended doses.
Contraindications
Treatment with Gastal is contraindicated in the following situations:
- individual intolerance to the components of the drug;
- low levels of phosphorus in the blood;
- impaired filtration function of the kidneys;
- Alzheimer's syndrome.
"Gastal" during pregnancy and lactation is prescribed only on the recommendation of a doctor. Also contraindicated is children under six years of age.
special instructions
Before taking Gastal, which helps with heartburn, you should familiarize yourself with its special treatment instructions. It is not recommended to treat burning in the esophagus with this drug in patients with impaired renal function. If the drug does not help, and signs of heartburn continue to bother you for more than three days, then you should consult your doctor. It must be remembered that Gastal is a symptomatic drug that can relieve burning in the esophagus; it cannot cure the main cause of heartburn. The medicine is produced in the form of absorbable tablets, so they should not be swallowed or chewed.
Analogs
In the pharmacy you can find medications similar to Gastal tablets, that is, those that have an antacid effect, but contain other active ingredients. Such drugs include:
- "Adzhiflux";
- "Almagel";
- "Almagel Neo";
- "Almagel A";
- "Maalox mini";
- "Inalan";
- "Altacid";
- Gaviscon;
- "Maalox";
- "Gastracid";
- "Gaviscon forte";
- "Alumag";
- "Relzer";
- "Palmagel".
"Renny" or "Gastal"?
Before determining which drug is better, you should study their characteristics separately. The drug "Gastal" is not absorbed into the blood, reduces the acidity of the juice to the normal limit, does not disturb the acid-base balance and does not have an irritating effect on the gastrointestinal tract. Heartburn medicine "Rennie" normalizes stomach acidity, neutralizing its excessive amount. Thanks to the powerful Rennie formula, which has the ability to reduce symptoms, you can get rid of burning pain in the esophagus in just a few minutes.
“Gastal” and “Rennie” help equally quickly, but the duration of their action may differ, since it directly depends on the causes of the pathology that provoke a burning sensation in the esophagus, as well as on the individual characteristics of the digestive system. Medicines differ in their systematicity: “Gastal” can be used on an ongoing basis, while “Rennie” has a highly effective immediate effect and should be used once.
The main difference between the drugs is their contraindications. "Gastal" contains aluminum hydroxide, which is contraindicated for Alzheimer's disease, and "Rennie" is prohibited for use in case of calcium deposits in the kidneys and hypercalcemia. "Gastal" is not prescribed to children under six years of age, and "Rennie" is contraindicated in adolescents under 12 years of age.
Gastal for heartburn during pregnancy
Is it possible to gastal during pregnancy? During this period, the use of various medications should be accompanied by caution. Opinions about whether gastal is allowed for pregnant women are very different.
Some experts argue that the medicine does not pose any particular danger due to the fact that it is not absorbed into the blood and is eliminated fairly quickly. Consequently, the baby is not harmed.
However, frequent and uncontrolled use of gastal can lead to aluminum salts penetrating into the blood. As a result, unpleasant consequences arise for the baby: impaired skeletal formation, reduced absorption of iron, decreased child immunity, and the development of various pathologies.
In addition, spontaneous miscarriage may occur in the short term, and premature birth may occur in the third semester.
Therefore, the use of Gastal during pregnancy is possible only with the permission of a medical professional.
