In gastritis, there is often a need for the use of antacid, adsorptive and enveloping agents, whose purpose is to protect the stomach walls from the corrosive effects of hydrochloric acid.
Covering agents, distributed on the walls of the stomach, have analgesic, antiemetic and fixing action, antacid - reduce the acidity of gastric juice, adsorbents - remove toxins from the stomach. Such preparations are often used in the form of suspensions.
The main advantages of suspensions are the possibility to create long-lasting medical products and give them a pleasant taste. In addition, taking medications in this form does not require chewing and is prescribed for children and people with problems in swallowing. In the treatment of various types of gastritis, a significant role is played by the circumstance that the enveloping properties of medications are best manifested when taking the medication exactly in this form.
Popular suspensions with gastritis are magnesia, aluminum hydroxide, Almagel, Maalox, Fosfalugel, Smekta, Vicair and others.
One of the antacid preparations successfully used in the treatment of gastritis with high acidity is Almagel. The gel contains aluminum and magnesium hydroxides. The first of them significantly reduces the release of pepsin, which ensures the digestion of food, and, reacting with hydrochloric acid, neutralizes its effect. Magnesium hydroxide, in addition, prevents the occurrence of constipation.
Almagel neutralizes the acidity of gastric juice for several minutes after ingestion, the effect lasts up to 2-3 hours. The components of the drug are active only in the stomach and intestines, almost not absorbed into the blood and without exerting a harmful effect on other organs.
The bottle must be shaken before using the suspension. Half an hour after taking it, you do not want to use any liquid.
Do not take Almagel to children until the month pregnant and lactating, people with Alzheimer's disease and kidney disease, with intolerance to the constituents of the drug.
One of the popular suspensions for gastritis is Fosfalugel. The drug has an enveloping, neutralizing and absorbing effect. It does not cause toxic effect, therefore it can be used for treatment of children and pregnant women. One of the infrequent side effects of using Fosfalugel is the occurrence of constipation.
In gastritis with reduced acidity, Maalox, which is an analog of Almagel, can also be prescribed.
Smecta, produced in the form of a powder, and Enterosgel used for making suspensions are used to purify the stomach from toxins.
Antacid and enveloping drug suspensions from gastritis are usually taken after a meal. Dosage is selected by a gastroenterologist depending on acidity, propensity to constipation or diarrhea, age of the patient and concomitant diseases.