Gastal tabs #60

The drug belongs to the class of symptomatic agents that do not cure the cause of the pathology, but only eliminate its clinical manifestations.

Release form and composition

Gastal is available exclusively in the form of lozenges. The production was organized at the facilities of the Croatian pharmaceutical company PLIVA HRVATSKA, d.o.o. The drug is available in the form of tablets of the following types:
    With mint flavor.
    Mint flavored.
    Cherry flavored.
All options for tablets are painted white, have a smooth surface with a bevel. Mint and cherry flavored tablets are available in packs of 24 and 48 pieces. And Gastal without flavors goes on sale in packs of 12, 30 and 60 tablets.
As active components, all types of tablets contain the following substances:
    aluminum hydroxide-magnesium carbonate gel - 450 mg;
    magnesium hydroxide - 300 mg.
Tablets with the taste of cherries and mint and without the addition of flavoring contain various auxiliary components. However, we list only those substances that are able to provoke the development of an allergic reaction or have potential intolerance:
    Tablets with mint cherry flavor - lactose, mannitol, starch, aspartame, mint or cherry flavor;
    Tasteless tablets - mannitol, sorbitol, lactose, corn starch, sodium cyclamate, saccharin, peppermint flavoring.

Action and therapeutic effects - what the tablets are from

Tablets eliminate the high acidity of gastric juice and the associated symptoms of digestive disorders. The drug is taken to eliminate heartburn, heaviness and pain in the stomach with peptic ulcer, erosion and gastritis, as well as with alcohol, fatty, fried and spicy foods, excessive smoking. We can say that Gastal tablets are designed to eliminate the symptoms of diseases of the stomach and duodenum, as well as to relieve the discomfort caused by smoking, drinking coffee, tea, junk food or alcohol.
Gastal is a drug from the group of antacids that reduce the acidity of gastric juice. The tablets are combined, because they contain two components - compounds of aluminum and magnesium, which enter into a neutralization chemical reaction with hydrochloric acid. As a result of the neutralization of part of hydrochloric acid, Gastal normalizes the overall acidity of the gastric juice. By eliminating excess acidity, the digestion process is normalized, and the symptoms of dyspepsia (belching, heartburn, pain and heaviness in the stomach, etc.) are removed. Gastal acts quickly and effectively, maintaining normal acidity for a long time after the use of tablets. And this is precisely the antacid effect of the drug.
The antacid effect of Gastal develops immediately after administration, and lasts for 2 hours. One tablet is able to neutralize hydrochloric acid in an amount of 21.5 moles.
 In addition to neutralizing hydrochloric acid, Gastal inhibits the activity of the enzyme pepsin, and also reduces the intensity of the action of lysolecithin and bile acids. These effects also have a positive effect on digestion, eliminating functional upset stomach.
Tablets activate various mechanisms that provide processes for the protection and restoration of the normal structure of the gastric mucosa. This effect is called the cytoprotective effect of tablets, which consists in stimulating the production of mucus (mucin) and sodium bicarbonate. Mucus covers the surface of the stomach and prevents the damaging effect of hydrochloric acid. And sodium bicarbonate neutralizes the excess produced by the cells of the stomach acid. The regenerative effect of Gastal is due to the development of a special substance - the epidermal growth factor, which accumulates in the damaged area of ​​the mucosa and accelerates the process of restoring the integrity of the surface. The accumulation of phospholipids in the wall of the stomach under the influence of the drug also helps to accelerate the restoration of the integrity of the mucosa at the site of an ulcer or erosion.
Tablets are not absorbed into the bloodstream and do not affect other organs and systems. Aluminum hydroxide enters into chemical interaction with hydrochloric acid, resulting in the formation of salt. This salt in the intestines again chemically reacts with phosphates and carbonates, forming insoluble aluminum compounds, which are excreted along with feces. And magnesium hydroxide, interacting with hydrochloric acid, forms a magnesium chloride salt. And it is magnesium chloride that has a laxative effect that prevents constipation.

Indications for use

Tablets are used in the presence of the following conditions:
    Heartburn caused by medication, alcohol, coffee, junk food, smoking, etc.
    Diseases that are associated with increased acidity of the gastric juice, such as gastritis, erosion, peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum.
    Gastric ulcers of any origin, for example, "aspirin", stress, etc.
    Erosion of the mucous membranes of the stomach, esophagus and upper intestines.
    Reflux esophagitis.
    Hernia of the esophagus.
    Acute pancreatitis or exacerbation of chronic.
    Fermentation or putrefaction dyspepsia.
In acute and chronic pancreatitis, as well as fermentative and putrefactive dyspepsia, Gastal is used as a symptomatic tool in the complex therapy of these pathologies.

Instructions for use - how to take

Tablets dissolve, laying under the tongue or cheek. The tablet should not be swallowed whole or chewed, it should be absorbed slowly, like a candy or caramel.
Adults and adolescents over 12 years old take Gastal, one or two tablets one hour after each meal, and one additional - in the evening, immediately before bedtime. In total, you can take the drug from four to six times a day. The maximum allowable daily dosage is eight tablets.
The duration of the course of therapy is determined by the rate of disappearance of painful symptoms. That is, after normalization of health, the intake of Gastal tablets must be stopped. The maximum allowable duration of a course of continuous use of the drug is two weeks. If there is a need to take pills for longer than 14 days, you should consult your doctor.
In addition, tablets can be taken occasionally in order to prevent the irritating effect on the gastric mucosa of various substances. For example, this should be done before drinking alcohol, eating fatty or fried, etc. Gastal's prophylactic administration is especially recommended for people suffering from gastritis, erosion, peptic ulcer and duodenal ulcer.
Gastal children can be given no earlier than six years of age. The dosage for children 6 to 12 years old is half that of an adult. That is, a child can take half a tablet after each meal.
People with low weight and children should take Gastal tablets in lower doses and a shorter period of time. It is also necessary to reduce the dose and duration of treatment for patients suffering from impaired renal function.

Overdose

An overdose of tablets for the entire period of use of the drug has not been registered even once. However, continuous use over a long period of time of preparations containing magnesium and aluminum can lead to an increase in the concentration of these elements in the blood. This, in turn, is fraught with the development of osteomalacia (destruction of bone tissue), leaching of calcium from bones, osteoporosis, encephalopathy and calcium deposition in the tubules of the kidneys (nephrocalcinosis). If a person suffers from a violation of the functional activity of the kidneys, then it is also possible the development of thirst, a decrease in reflexes and pressure. Also, prolonged use of calcium and magnesium preparations can lead to stool disorders - constipation or diarrhea. If during the use of the pills the above symptoms appear, it is necessary to take drugs that relieve these symptoms, and it is not necessary to cancel Gastal.

Use in children and during pregnancy

Children's age and the period of pregnancy require some caution in the use of drugs, including Gastal, so we will consider the features of its use in more detail.

During pregnancy - can I take it?

The answer to this question is unequivocal - yes, pregnant women can take Gastal tablets. However, women should treat the use of the drug responsibly, using it only if indicated.
Pregnant women often experience heartburn or a feeling of heaviness in the stomach, which is caused by various foods or other factors. In such cases, to eliminate these painful and unpleasant symptoms, Gastal tablets can be used without fear. But the use of the drug should be episodic. That is, when there is heartburn or discomfort in the stomach, you need to take one tablet. In the absence of unpleasant symptoms, you should not drink the medicine. Thus, there is no need to take Gastal after each meal.
If a pregnant woman has exacerbated the symptoms of gastritis, stomach and duodenal ulcers or duodenitis, then you can resort to the use of Gastal to eliminate them. In this case, the tablets are taken in the usual adult dosage, but the maximum duration of the course of treatment is 3-5 days. A woman needs to drink one tablet an hour after each meal, for 3 to 5 days. A maximum of eight tablets can be taken per day.

Gastal to children - rules for taking the drug

Tablets are strictly prohibited for children under 6 years of age. In the period from 6 to 12 years, the child should receive Gastal in a children's dosage. Adolescents over 12 years of age take the drug in the usual adult dosage if they have a normal body weight (more than 50 kg). If the child’s weight is low (less than 50 kg), then he should be given Gastal in a children's dose and reduce the duration of treatment.
Since the tablet needs to be absorbed, it is better for the child to give a drug with a cherry taste that will be pleasant to him and will not cause a desire to spit out the pill. Adults should explain to the child that the tablet should be completely resorbed, such as Chupa-Chups, and in no case should be swallowed or chewed.
Children 6 to 12 years old take the drug in 0.5 - 1 tablets an hour after each meal. Gastal is drunk about 4-6 times a day. The exact amount is determined by the frequency of meals. The maximum allowable daily amount of Gastal for children 6 to 12 years old is 5 tablets.
The duration of continuous use of tablets should not exceed two weeks. Usually, the course of Gastal's application is limited to the interval necessary for the full normalization of well-being and the elimination of symptoms of increased acidity of the stomach. That is, as soon as the person’s condition has normalized and the symptoms have disappeared, it is necessary to stop taking it.

From heartburn - how to drink?

With heartburn, it is recommended to take one or two tablets, depending on the severity of the pathological symptom. Gastal is taken at the onset of a symptom and one hour after each meal. The tablet is absorbed under the tongue or behind the cheek. Do not chew or swallow it whole. The maximum allowable number of Gastal tablets that can be taken within 24 hours is 8 pieces.
If Gastal is taken to eliminate heartburn that accompanies erosion, gastritis or peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, it is necessary to drink the drug in a continuous course lasting 7-14 days. In this case, one tablet should be taken one hour after each meal.
If heartburn is caused by functional causes (smoking, drinking alcohol, overeating, eating junk food, etc.), then Gastal should be taken sporadically, only if a painful and unpleasant symptom appears. In this case, with the appearance of heartburn, you need to take one tablet, and wait for the onset of effect for a maximum of 5 minutes. After eliminating the symptom, one should not take the drug for prophylaxis after each meal.

Contraindications

- in chronic renal failure;
- with Alzheimer's disease;
- with hypophosphatemia;
- children under 6 years old;
- with increased sensitivity to one of the components of the drug.
With caution, you can use the drug for children under the age of 12 years; the drug during pregnancy and breastfeeding can be taken, but only under the supervision of a doctor.
The negative effects of taking the drug during pregnancy have not been investigated.

Drug interaction

You can not take the drug sooner or later, as 1-2 hours after the use of other drugs.
The drug enhances the effect of nalidixic acid and levodopa, reduces the absorption of tetracycline antibiotics, ofloxacin and ciproflocacin, salicylates, naproxen, isoniazid, iron preparations, glycosides, indomethacin, phenytoin, aminazine, beta-adrenergic blockers, vitamin A, nephrolunisin, diflinulin barbiturates.
With the simultaneous administration of funds with M-anticholinergics, its effect is enhanced and continues.

Side effects

In rare cases, Gastal leads to the development of side effects from the digestive tract, such as:
    nausea;
    vomiting
    constipation or diarrhea;
    change in taste.
In isolated cases, the development of an allergic reaction as a side effect is possible.

Reviews

Approximately 80% of reviews of Gastal are positive. People like the high speed of its action and the long-lasting effect. Also, many consider Gastal an ideal remedy if heartburn is relatively rare. In addition, almost all people note the pleasant taste of the tablets and the lack of the need to drink the drug. This means that the pill can be resolved to eliminate heartburn, being anywhere.
Negative reviews of Gastal are associated with a lack of effect. In this case, people usually write that the tablets do not help them, and consider this to be evidence of the poor quality of the drug. There is a part of negative reviews due to a gradual decrease in effect with prolonged use of the drug. However, in neither case the tablets are bad or ineffective, just each person is individual. All medicines must be selected individually, taking into account the characteristics of the body.

Terms of sell

You don't need a prescription to buy Gastal.