"Maalox" preparation - instructions for use

Very often, patients who suffer from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract begin to take their medications without the doctor's prescription to facilitate their condition. This is especially true of the so-called antacid medicinal substances, prescribed for the elimination of heartburn, for example, the drug "Maalox." The instruction for the use of this enveloping gel or tablets indicates that it is necessary to start systematic treatment with this remedy only after consulting a qualified therapist or gastroenterologist.

Mechanism of medicinal action of maalox

Most often, antacids are used to symptomatically eliminate heartburn or discomfort in the epigastric region. This statement fully applies to the drug "Maalox" (the instruction for use confirms this). For the convenience of the patient, a gel is offered in single-use packs, a gel in mini-packs, tablets for ingestion and chewing. That is why the drug is currently the most popular drug in patients with diseases of the digestive tract, which are accompanied by high acidity of the gastric juice.

In the maalox composition there are two hydroxides - magnesium and aluminum. The therapeutic effect of this drug can be explained, firstly, by creating a protective film on the surface of the mucous membrane that occurs when the drug contacts the proteins of the cell wall, and secondly by suppressing the production of hydrochloric acid. Due to this, the analgesic effect of this complex drug is realized, magnesium being responsible for the rapid disappearance of a pain attack or heartburn, while aluminum guarantees a long-term action of the drug.

Useful and undesirable effects of the appointment of maalox

Maalox, indications for the use of which are not limited only to gastritis with high acidity, peptic ulcer of the stomach and the upper part of the small intestine (duodenum), are also prescribed to relieve unpleasant sensations in patients with reflux esophagitis, hernia of the esophagus. In some cases, doctors of various specialties advise taking this medicine to prevent irritation of the gastrointestinal mucosa - with the systematic administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, steroid hormones, substances that can irritate the mucosa of the esophagus and stomach (in this case, maalox, the use of which is not prolonged, doctors appoint In the form of tablets).

Many patients use this medicine for months, and do not seek to seek medical help. But at the same time it is worth remembering that maaloks, the instruction for use of which contains contraindications to the appointment, can provoke a violation of the mineral metabolism due to a change in the absorption of trace elements from the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract. This is why this categorically is not recommended for children under 14, pregnant women and mothers who breastfeed.

Can I use different forms of Maalox at the same time? If the doctor recommends the patient any form of "Maalox" preparation, the instruction manual will always tell you whether it is possible to replace the gel in bags or mini-tablets with tablets and vice versa. As with most analogues of this drug (Almagel, Gastocide, Alumag), one dose of the drug contains approximately the same amount of magnesium and aluminum hydroxides, so if necessary, you can take one dosage form instead of the other. In many respects the choice of a specific form of release of maalox depends not on the appointment of a doctor, but on the patient's preferences. In addition, it should be remembered that any antacid agent in the form of a gel begins to act 20-30 minutes faster than the same medicine taken internally in the form of tablets (they can be dissolved in the oral cavity to accelerate the action).