Smecta

A07B C02

 (Beaufour-Ipsen International, France). Envelopes with 3,76 g powder for drinkable suspension.

Composition: Dioctaedric Smectita (duble natural aluminium and magnezium sillicate) 3 g, Monohydrated Glucose 0,749 g, Natrium saccharine 0,007 g and Vanillin 0,004 g (total 3,76 g).

Pharmacological properties: Smecta has high plastic viscozity and remarkable adsorbent properties due to its dyscoido-crystalline stucture. It forms polyvalent bonds with glycoproteins of protecting gel of intestinal mucous which it protects from hydrogen ions, hydrochloric acid, and biliary acids salts action, microorganisms and their toxins and other irritants. In therapeutic doses it doesn’t modify intestinal motility.

Prescribed for: Symptomatic treatment of aches provoked by oesophagus, stomach, duoden diseases and intestinal colics, acute and chronic diarrhea, especially with children.

Contraindications: intestinal occlusion, hyper sensibility to the components of the drug.

Dosing: Adults - 3 envelopes per day (in acute diarrhea the dose may be doubled at the beginning of the treatment).  The powder is diluted in ½ glass of water. In medicamentous enemas - 1-3 envelopes in 50-100 ml of water 1-3 enemas per day.  Children less than 1year - 1 envelope per day diluted in a feeding bottle with 50 ml water and is distributed during the day. It may be mixed with other liquid food too (broth, juice atc.), 1-2  years - 1-2 envelopes per day, over 2 years - 2-3 envelopes per day. The drug is administrated after meals if oesophagitis and before meals in other cases.

Overdosage: Overdosage cases haven’t been reported.

Side effects: Some cases of worsening constipation have been related. If diminishing the dose the treatment can be continued.

Drug interactions: due to the adsorbant properties Smecta can retain other substances’ absorbtion. In this case the medicines will be administrated some time before or after Smecta.

Cautions: take into consideration adsorbant properties of the drug.