Maalox for gastritis: how to take it to treat the stomach

Medicine Maalox

The drug belongs to the group of antacid drugs and is used in the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The use of Maalox helps to achieve a rapid therapeutic effect. According to the manufacturer, the product almost instantly relieves heartburn, helps cope with stomach pain, protects the mucous membrane from gastric juice, reduces the effects of hydrochloric acid and promotes the regeneration of soft tissues.

Composition and release form

Maalox is available in three forms: chewable tablets, suspension in bottles and sachets. Tablets come in two types: with and without added sugar, which allows people with diabetes or patients on a diet to choose a more convenient form of the drug. Tablets are sold in cardboard packs of 10, 20 or 40 pieces. In the form of suspensions, Maalox is sold packaged in dark glass bottles of 250 ml or 15 ml sachets. Before use, the suspension is homogenized.

Regardless of the form of release of the drug, the composition of the active components remains the same. It contains aluminum hydroxide or algeldrate and magnesium hydroxide. The amount of active ingredients in suspensions and tablets differs slightly, but they all produce the same therapeutic effect. The dosage of auxiliary and active components of all types of the drug is indicated in the table:

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

The mechanism of action of Maalox is based on the interaction of active components, due to which the drug has the following effects:

• Antacid - magnesium and aluminum salts formed as a result of a chemical reaction neutralize the hydrochloric acid of gastric juice, reduce the overall acidity of the stomach, and provide protection for the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Adsorbent - aluminum algeldrat binds toxic substances, facilitating their removal from the body along with feces.
• Enveloping - a protective lining of the stomach formed by magnesium, ensures a decrease in acidity for a long period of time and even after its partial convergence, hypersecretion does not form in the stomach, which provokes the appearance of such unpleasant symptoms as bloating, heaviness, and flatulence.

What are Maalox tablets for?

The packaged form of the suspension is designed to stop the appearance of heartburn and acid belching caused by any reason. When the solution in bottles and tablet form helps eliminate all the symptoms that appear in the following conditions or diseases:

• exacerbation of peptic ulcer of the stomach or duodenum;
• hernia at the esophageal opening of the diaphragm;
• reflux esophagitis;
• gastritis or gastroenteritis with increased stomach acidity;
• dyspepsia of the digestive tract - heartburn, stomach pain, sour belching, heaviness - caused by taking medications, poor diet, abuse of coffee, cigarettes or alcohol.

Indications for use

Based on the manufacturer's recommendations in the instructions, the drug is used to combat heartburn, eliminate heaviness and other negative symptoms of the stomach. The drug is used if pain occurs. "Maalox" improves the condition of such problems as:

• Chronic gastroduodenitis;
• Burning sensation in the gastrointestinal tract;
• Esophagitis and pain in the abdominal area;
• Ulcer, including the rectum during periods of complications of the disease;
• Belching, hiatal hernia.

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It is possible to use the drug to eliminate unpleasant symptoms after coffee. Consumption after alcoholic beverages is not allowed. The use of Maalox is possible not only in case of unpleasant symptoms, but also as a prophylactic agent, for example, after taking anti-inflammatory drugs.

Contraindications

All contraindications must be divided into two categories:

Complete ones include:

• Use by children under 15 years of age;
• Fructose intolerance;
• Hypophosphatemia;
• Sensitivity to the components of the drug;
• Having problems with kidney function.

Among the relative prohibitions is the use by pregnant and nursing mothers, patients with Alzheimer's disease, and those undergoing hemodialysis. It is possible to use the drug for patients in this group, but with precautions.

Directions for use and dosage

The main manual for the drug Maalox - instructions for use states that tablets and suspension are intended for the treatment of patients over 15 years of age. The tablets must be chewed or sucked thoroughly, and the liquid solution must be taken unchanged. Any form of Maalox should be taken after meals 1-2 hours or before bedtime. As a rule, the therapeutic effect occurs 15-20 minutes after taking the medicine. The dosage and course of treatment depends on the chosen form of the drug.

Maalox tablets

To eliminate the unpleasant symptoms caused by increased stomach acidity in various diseases, the instructions for use advise taking 1-2 tablets an hour or two after meals or at night, but no more than 3-4 tablets per day. If the patient is diagnosed with reflux esophagitis, then the medicine should be taken 30 minutes after eating. The duration of such therapy is selected individually by the doctor, but, as a rule, for a period of 10 to 60 days.

If stomach discomfort occurs periodically, for example, after drinking alcohol or breaking a diet, then Maalox can be taken once in an amount of 1-2 pieces. The maximum permissible dosage is 12 tablets, and the number of doses is no more than 6 times. However, patients suffering from diabetes should choose a medicine that does not contain sugar.

Maalox in bags

The instructions advise that before opening the package of medicine, you should carefully mix the contents of the bag with your fingers. Maalox for gastritis is taken orally an hour and a half after a meal or when heartburn occurs in a dosage of 1 or 2 sachets. If the drug does not work, you can take Maalox again, but at least 2 hours after the previous dose. The course of such treatment should not exceed 2-3 months. If unpleasant sensations occur sporadically, take 1-2 sachets at a time.

Suspension in a bottle

Before starting to take the suspension, it is recommended to shake the bottle vigorously several times, without turning the container upside down. The liquid is swallowed without dilution, but if after taking it there is an unpleasant taste in the mouth, you can drink a few sips of plain water. The duration of treatment usually ranges from 14 days to 3 months. The dosage of Maalox suspension depends on the type of disease:

• for acute gastritis, take 15 ml of suspension or 1 tablespoon of solution 1-2 hours after meals, 3-4 times a day;
• to protect the gastric mucosa during reflux esophagitis, drink 1 tablespoon of solution 30-60 minutes after eating;
• for peptic ulcers, drink the medicine half an hour before meals;
• if heartburn, heaviness, belching, or stomach pain occurs occasionally, the suspension can be drunk regardless of food intake.

How to use Maalox correctly

Since Maalox can be liquid or in pills, the methods of its use and dosage differ. The drug can be combined with others, but not at the same time. For example, how to use Maalox with De Nol? According to the instructions, it is drunk half an hour before meals. After 1.5-2 hours – “Maalox”. Then these drugs are compatible.

How and when to take the pills

Pills must be dissolved or chewed until completely dissolved. After this, you can drink a small amount of plain water. To eliminate the discomfort caused by high acidity, take 1-2 pills a couple of hours or two after eating.

The drug also allows that it can be dissolved before bedtime. The number of times allowed for use is 3-4 per day. For reflux esophagitis, chew the tablets half an hour after eating. The duration of the course of treatment is determined by the doctor on an individual basis. Usually indicated from 10 days to 2 months.

The instructions for using Maalox tablets allow you to take no more than 12 tablets daily - you can take two at a time, then the frequency of administration will be 6 times. If you need to eliminate one-time attacks of heartburn or heaviness in the stomach, it is enough to dissolve 1-2 pills. Chewable tablets are available with and without added glucose. Diabetics should only buy sugar-free products.

How and when to use Maalox-plus suspension

The instructions for the Maalox suspension indicate that the liquid must first be shaken, but turning the container upside down is not recommended. To prepare the medicine packaged in sachets, you just need to knead them well with your hands. Then squeeze the liquid from one edge into a corner, cut it and squeeze the product into a spoon. You need to drink it undiluted.

If the suspension is taken from a bottle, then it needs to be measured out into 15 ml (this is 1 tbsp). It is also swallowed without dilution. If after this you feel an unpleasant taste in your mouth, you can drink some still water.

Method of use for high stomach acidity: Maalox tablets are chewed 1-2 hours after meals, for reflux esophagitis - after half an hour or 60 minutes. If a peptic ulcer is being treated - 30 minutes after eating. The course of treatment in each case is determined individually - from 2 weeks to 3 months.

Use for gastritis

Dragee "Maalox" for gastritis is taken 2 hours after meals, 2 pills. You can consume them six times a day in total. They need to be kept in the mouth until completely dissolved. If you use a suspension from a bottle, you must first shake the liquid.

Then it is drunk undiluted, 15 ml (this is one tablespoon). The duration of treatment should not exceed three months. To relieve isolated acute attacks, the drug is taken in the same dosages, but half an hour after meals.

Use for pancreatitis

Maalox suspension for pancreatitis should be drunk before bedtime and an hour after each snack or meal, 15 ml. Subject to 3 meals a day - 4 times a day. If the tablets dissolve, then you need to take 2-3 of them. If you feel better, the dosage is reduced by half. The duration of treatment is 2-3 months.

How and when to use Maalox mini

Instructions for use of "Maalox"-mini indicate preliminary mixing of the substance. To do this, you just need to knead the bag well in your hands. This type of drug is intended to relieve isolated attacks. For example, if you have heartburn, you only need to drink one sachet of Maalox after the onset of discomfort. To prevent symptoms, you can take the suspension 1-2 after meals. You are allowed to take the medicine a second time only after two hours. The maximum dosage per day is no more than 12 sachets.

Use during pregnancy

During the experiments, no threat to the mother and fetus was identified, since no research was carried out on them. Therefore, the drug is recommended only if the benefits outweigh the possible risks.

Maalox should be used with caution during pregnancy. Pregnant women are allowed to use the drug only occasionally

"Maalox" is taken during pregnancy to relieve discomfort such as heartburn, sour belching, and heaviness in the stomach. The product is used for diseases that are indicated as indications in the instructions.

You can drink the product during pregnancy for no more than three days. Afterwards there is a break. The usual dosages are those indicated for adults. When breastfeeding, Maalox is used only when necessary, in single dosages. However, at the first negative use, the use of the product is stopped.

During pregnancy and lactation

Laboratory tests on animals did not give a clear answer as to whether Maalox can harm the fetus. To date, no cases of negative effects of active substances on the intrauterine development of a child have been recorded. However, due to the lack of reliable data, the use of this medicine is permissible only after consultation with a doctor. If you follow all the instructions specified in the instructions, you can take Maalox while breastfeeding.

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Application for children

The minimum permissible age for use of the drug by children is 15 years, but no real studies have been conducted. However, Maalox is not capable of causing significant harm. The duration of its use for patients in this group does not exceed one month with reduced doses of single use.

• For children under one year (from 4 months) – 2-3 ml or 0.5 teaspoons;
• For children 1-5 years old – 5 ml or 1 teaspoon;
• 5-15 years – 10 ml or 1 dessert spoon.

For children, the drug is given 120 minutes after a meal, and for reflux gastritis after 30-60 minutes. There can be no more than three doses per day. In the presence of increased acidity in housing and communal services, the drug can be taken for up to one month. To combat one-time symptoms, it is enough to take one Maalox-Mini sachet.

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Drug interactions

When used simultaneously with citrates, the absorption of algeldrate increases, which may create certain health risks in people suffering from renal failure. When taking Maalox with quinidine, there is a risk of increasing serum concentrations of the latter. When combined with citrates, an increase in plasma concentrations of aluminum is possible. Concomitant use of salicylates leads to alkalinization of urine. In addition, this drug reduces the severity of the effects of the following drugs:

• Acetylsalicylic acid;
• Histamine blockers;
• Fluoroquinolone;
• Sodium fluoride;
• Glucocorticosteroids;
• Chloroquine;
• Propranolol;
• Diflunisal;
• Digoxin;
• Bisphosphonates;
• Sodium polystyrene sulfate;
• Ethambutol;
• Isoniazid;
• Ketoconazole;
• Neuroleptics;
• Penicillamine;
• Tetracycline antibiotics;
• Atenolol;
• Metoprolol;
• Phosphorus-containing dietary supplements;
• Indomethacin;
• Lansoprazole;
• Lincosamide;
• Levothyroxine;
• Iron compounds;
• Fexofenadine.

special instructions

If during treatment symptoms from the gastrointestinal tract persist for more than 10 days or a worsening of the condition is observed, then the diagnosis should be clarified and treatment adjusted.

If during treatment symptoms from the gastrointestinal tract persist for more than 10 days or a worsening of the condition is observed, then the diagnosis should be clarified and treatment adjusted. A 2-hour interval between taking Maalox and other drugs and a 4-hour interval between taking Maalox and fluoroquinolones should be observed. Long-term use of the drug Maalox should be avoided in case of impaired renal function.

When prescribing Maalox to patients with mild to moderate renal failure, plasma concentrations of aluminum and magnesium should be carefully monitored, and if they increase, the use of the drug should be immediately discontinued. Algeldrate with a low phosphate content in food can lead to the development of phosphorus deficiency in the body. Therefore, when using it, especially long-term, it is necessary to ensure a sufficient intake of phosphates from food.

One mini-package of the drug contains 3.15 g of sucrose and 0.2 g of sorbitol, respectively, the maximum daily dose contains 37.80 g of sucrose and 2.4 g of sorbitol. Despite the fact that the drug is available without a prescription, it is recommended to consult a doctor before using the drug during pregnancy and lactation (breastfeeding), as well as in adolescents over 15 years of age and in patients with mild to moderate renal failure.

Side effects

If the instructions for use are followed, negative reactions of the body occur extremely rarely and, as a rule, are insignificantly expressed. All types of the drug can provoke the same side reactions:

• diarrhea or constipation;
• nausea with vomiting;
• changes in the sensitivity of taste buds;
• allergic reactions - itching, rashes, urticaria, Quincke's edema, anaphylactic shock;
• feeling of thirst;
• lowering blood pressure;
• calcium deposits in the kidneys;
• increased concentration of magnesium in urine;
• an increase in the amount of aluminum in the blood;
• decrease in phosphorus and calcium concentrations;
• osteomalacia;
• encephalopathy;
• microcytic anemia;
• complication of Alzheimer's disease;
• decreased reflexes.

Side effects

The drug can cause a variety of side effects, primarily a change in taste and a decrease in blood pressure. In addition, the following manifestations are possible:

• Stool disorders;
• Dementia;
• Nausea;
• Thirst;
• Osteoporosis;
• Hypocalcemia;
• Nephrocalcinosis;
• Encephalopathy and so on.

At the same time, the occurrence of side effects is extremely unlikely, mainly due to an overdose or violation of the manufacturer’s recommendations for taking the drug.

Contraindications

All varieties contain the same list of contraindications. Thus, according to the instructions, taking the drug is strictly prohibited in case of severe renal failure, intolerance to maltitol, glucose or fructose. Maalox should not be taken by patients with severe renal failure or with individual intolerance to the components of the composition. You can take the medicine with caution if you have the following conditions or diseases:

• pregnancy and lactation;
• renal dysfunction;
• porphyria;
• Alzheimer's disease;
• lack of phosphates.

Drug Maalox #8212; properties, dosage, analogues

Attention: the information is not intended for self-medication. We do not guarantee its accuracy, reliability or relevance to your situation (although we strive to do so). Treatment must be prescribed by a medical specialist.

Maalox has antacid and adsorbent pharmacological effects. it neutralizes increased acidity by regulating the activity of gastric juice.

The main indication for its use is hypersecretion during exacerbation of various types of gastritis and ulcers. The product helps to alleviate not only pain of various origins. but also to suppress dyspeptic symptoms #8212; belching, heartburn.

Description of the properties of Maalox

The tablets contain magnesium and aluminum hydroxides, as well as excipients #8212; mannitol, magnesium stearate, hydrochloric acid. Since the tablets are chewable, their ingredients include sorbitol, sucrose and peppermint flavor.

The composition of the suspension is similar.

If you are intolerant to sucrose and fructose, the medicine is contraindicated. Other contraindications are:

• hypophosphatemia;
• renal failure;
• diabetes;
• Alzheimer's disease;
• pregnancy (except for particularly difficult cases);
• intolerance to components.

Maalox is intended for adults only. It is not recommended for children and adolescents under 15 years of age.

During breastfeeding, mothers can take the drug only on the advice of a doctor.

Side effects primarily affect those patients who have kidney problems. With long-term use of these tablets, the development of encephalopathy, microcetal anemia, and hyporeflexia is possible.

If individual intolerance is discovered, nausea, changes in taste sensations, and stool disorders will occur.

Maalox does not mix well with many other medications. It is advisable not to take other medications 2 hours before taking it and for two hours after.

What should the dose be?

Maximum daily dose #8212; six tablets. You should take one or two tablets after meals and before night #8212; for a restful sleep.

When it comes not to fighting a chronic disease, but to eliminating the consequences of poor nutrition, you need to take two tablets at once.

The medicine in the form of a suspension is taken at the rate of one tablespoon (or one packet) after each meal.

Duration of course #8212; no more than 1-2 months.

Analogs and prices

Among similar products we will name almagel, alumag, gastracid, altacid.

Maalox and almagel have approximately the same price. Less well-known drugs gastracid and alumag can cost significantly less.

Analogs

There are drugs on the pharmaceutical market that are similar in composition or principle of action. Complete analogues of the drug are considered to be such products as: Gastal, Rennie, Inalan tablets, Phosphalugel gel and Gastroromazole suspension. Similar in principle:

• Almagel;
• Palmagel;
• Gestid;
• Coalgel;
• Altacid;
• Almol;
• Rivolox;
• Ajiflux;
• Alumag;
• Gastracid.

Maalox price

The only disadvantage of the drug is its high price compared to cheaper analogues. In some regions, its cost can reach 600 rubles and more. However, this is the only drawback of the drug. Average prices for medicine in Moscow vary depending on the volume produced and are presented in the table:

Composition and release form

Maalox is an antacid (acid neutralizing) pharmaceutical drug. This anti-bloating medicine comes in chewable tablets and an oral suspension. One tablet of Maalox contains:

• Active ingredients: Aluminum hydroxide - 400.0 mg;
• Magnesium hydroxide - 400.0 mg;

Maalox anti-bloating tablets are flat and round in shape with beveled edges. One package of medicine contains 10-20 chewable tablets.

Maalox suspension is available in two pharmacological forms:

• Gel-like suspension in a sealed bottle (100 ml). This mixture contains equal amounts of active substances - 4 g each. Also, in addition to the main components, the Maalox anti-bloating suspension contains citric acid, 30% hydrogen peroxide and water;
• Gel-like dosage suspension. Sold in 15 ml sachets. Each measuring sachet contains 600 mg of magnesium hydroxide and 525 mg of aluminum hydroxide.

This medicine is provided without medical indications or an appropriate prescription.