Is it possible to take Smecta during pregnancy?

Author of the article: Tironova Inna Igorevna

Gastroenterologist, therapist

15 years of experience

Professional skills: Colon hydrotherapy, treatment of gastrointestinal diseases

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If a pregnant woman experiences an intestinal disorder, she may be confused: what medication should she take to stop the diarrhea and not harm the baby? Smecta during pregnancy will help not only eliminate diarrhea, but also get rid of heartburn and relieve symptoms of toxicosis. This enterosorbent is safe for both the expectant mother and the fetus.

"Smecta" during pregnancy: indications

“Smecta” helps get rid of diarrhea, heartburn, abdominal pain, nausea and other unpleasant symptoms associated with the digestive system. "Smecta" is a natural preparation based on silicon dioxide. The main property of this substance is to absorb toxins and neutralize their spread, while silicon dioxide does not break down into toxic substances, but is removed from the body along with the toxins. “Smecta” is well tolerated and does not cause side effects, so there are no special contraindications for taking the medicine during pregnancy.

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How to remove gases from the intestines - tips for treatment and prevention

The drug has a neutral taste and is commercially available in powder form in jars and bags of 3 grams. active substance. To take the sorbent, you need to dilute the required amount of powder in water and take the suspension orally. Thanks to the liquid that comes with silicon, toxins and pathogenic bacteria are absorbed by the substance, and as the contents of the intestines increase, the desire to stool arises.

Smecta can be taken during pregnancy

The drug has an enveloping, absorbent, laxative effect, so the drug is indicated primarily to eliminate the symptoms of intoxication. During pregnancy, the sorbent is prescribed:

• to eliminate symptoms of heartburn;
• to normalize digestion;
• to eliminate nausea and vomiting during toxicosis;
• for the treatment of diarrhea;
• to eliminate food allergens;
• to remove pathogenic bacteria;
• to eliminate flatulence.

“Smecta” helps get rid of heartburn by reducing the acidity of the stomach, and thereby protects the walls of the mucous membrane from the effects of an acidic environment.

The medicine can be taken at any time in the absence of contraindications, even without a doctor’s testimony.

Composition of the drug and mechanism of action

The active component is natural clay, dioctahedral smectite, which is mined on the shores of the Mediterranean. Additional Ingredients

• sodium saccharinate;
• cellulose monohydrate;
• vanilla or orange flavoring.

It is supplied to pharmacies in the form of packaged white, gray or yellow powder. 1 package contains 10 or 30 pieces.

Used orally. Penetrating into the gastrointestinal tract, it absorbs toxic compounds and pathogenic microorganisms, which can significantly improve the condition. Does not disrupt intestinal microflora. Smecta is not absorbed by the bloodstream and is not distributed to other organs. It is excreted unchanged in the feces.

The pores of the natural material are quite large, so the absorbent qualities are higher than those of the common Activated Carbon.

There are several main areas that are characteristic of Smecta therapy:

1. Forms a protective shell that soothes the inflamed mucous membrane and prevents its further irritation.
2. Neutralizes the harmful effects of gastric juice with a high concentration of hydrochloric acid.
3. Binds and removes toxins, waste products of pathogens, pathogenic bacteria, viruses, fungi from the body.

Smecta is allowed to be used by pregnant women. But therapy must be carried out under medical supervision.

How to take Smecta during pregnancy?

The medicine must be taken in the form of a suspension. To prepare it, you need to dilute the contents of 1 sachet with 100 ml. warm water and mix well. It is better to take the medicine after meals, 2 hours after eating. For heartburn, you need to take the drug once a day, 2 hours before meals. To treat intoxication or toxicosis, you need to drink 1 glass 3-4 times a day for a week. If you have diarrhea, you need to drink 1 sachet of the drug; if that doesn’t help, take another 1 sachet after an hour.

Smecta should be taken 3-4 times a day

Mode of application

Pregnant women should take it strictly following the instructions for preparing the suspension and not exceeding the dosage:

1. First knead the bag, breaking up any lumps.
2. Pour the powder into warm boiled water, 100 ml, and stir thoroughly. You should get a homogeneous consistency.
3. It is necessary that the woman immediately drinks Smecta. It is prohibited to store the dissolved sorbent.

Therapy is possible in several courses with breaks of 1–1.5 weeks.

Is it possible to take Smecta in the early stages of pregnancy?

Taking the drug is allowed in the early stages. In the first trimester, Smecta is allowed, but it is prescribed only in case of intestinal infection or rotavirus infections that cause diarrhea. The drug perfectly eliminates toxins, so its use is indicated for diarrhea. Diarrhea dehydrates the body, so the sorbent binds all toxic substances and removes them without harming the baby’s health. Taking the medicine in the early stages is allowed even without a doctor’s testimony, in case of heartburn or vomiting.

Read

Advantages and disadvantages of Polysorb and Enterosgel

Analogs

Enough safe medications with antidiarrheal properties are available for pregnant women. For digestive disorders, the doctor prescribes the following sorbents:

• Enterosgel . Effectively eliminates intoxication due to intestinal infections, poisoning, and overeating. It is taken in courses, the duration of therapy is from 1 week to 1 month.
• Polysorb . Prescribed by a doctor for heartburn, diarrhea, early and late toxicosis. Contraindicated for ulcerative colitis and exacerbation of gastric ulcers.
• Polyphepan . One of the most convenient adsorbents to use, helping to eliminate intoxication caused by eating poor quality food, dysbacteriosis, and viral hepatitis.
• Activated carbon . Like other drugs belonging to the group of adsorbents, Activated carbon effectively removes toxins from the intestines. The drug has virtually no contraindications. Can be used for a long time.
• Sorbex . The drug is activated carbon in powder, poured into capsules, which is also often prescribed for food ailments accompanied by nausea and diarrhea.

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To select sorbents that can replace Smecta, it is better to contact a gastroenterologist. A pregnant woman should also consult a gynecologist before using any medicine.

"Smecta" for diarrhea in pregnant women

“Smecta” helps eliminate diarrhea, which is very important during pregnancy, because excessive dehydration can cause serious problems. You can take the medicine for all types of diarrhea in pregnant women. Pregnant women can take Smecta for worms, food poisoning and intestinal disorders. Diarrhea should be treated in pregnant women with courses. In the early stages, treatment should last 2-3 days, and you need to take the medicine 2 times a day. For acute and chronic diarrhea, the course should be 5-7 days. In this case, you need to take the medicine 2-3 times a day. If taking the drug does not help eliminate diarrhea, you should consult a specialist.

Smecta has no side effects

Restrictions on the use of the drug

The drug, despite its safety, is not allowed for everyone. The instructions inform you about this. The main caution is the taboo on taking medication for intestinal obstruction (partial and complete), the cause of which is impaired peristalsis and mechanical obstacles in the form of tumors, hernias, gallstones. The instructions prohibit the use of an antidiarrheal agent in case of fructose intolerance, impaired glucose absorption, or enzyme deficiency. If you violate these prohibitions, you can cause constipation.

Patients prone to allergies should be careful when using the medicine. Since the components of smecta are flavorings, negative reactions of the body may worsen. If a woman has already had cases of such exacerbations, then it is better to look for an alternative antidiarrheal agent, for example, Polysorb.

The suspension should be used with caution by those who suffer from chronic constipation. For such patients, it should be taken in combination with rehydration (replenishing fluid balance). It is forbidden to be treated with expired medication.

"Smecta" for heartburn in pregnant women

Heartburn occurs quite often in pregnant women due to hormonal disorders that are caused by the production of testosterone. As a rule, heartburn appears in the second trimester, when the fetus is large enough and the uterus puts pressure on the esophagus, preventing the valve from protecting the esophagus from acid. But in fact, the occurrence of heartburn in women occurs individually, and it can appear both in the early stages and during late pregnancy. If a woman suffers from heartburn, then she should drink Smecta half an hour after eating. It is better to avoid spicy and fried foods, which increase acidity. “Smecta” is safe, so you can drink it for heartburn throughout pregnancy.

Contraindications and side effects

Women with the following pathologies should not drink Smecta during pregnancy:

• Intestinal obstruction.
• Chronic constipation.
• Individual intolerance to sorbent components.

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Diabetes mellitus is a relative contraindication due to the dextrose contained in the adsorbent.

When studying the instructions for use, you should take into account the side effects of the adsorbent. The main side effect that can be expected from Smecta is constipation. And in pregnant women, the passage of feces through the intestines is already difficult due to decreased motility and significant compression of the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, it is necessary to drink the adsorbent with caution; if a woman has previously suffered from constipation, another detoxifying agent should be selected to treat diarrhea.

Terms, conditions of sale and storage

The storage conditions are as follows:

• keep away from children;
• optimal storage temperature – no more than +30°C;
• total shelf life is 3 years.

The drug belongs to the over-the-counter category.

How does the suspension work?

The medicinal effect of the drug is due to the action of the main component - smectite.

Pharmacological properties of Smecta:

1. Adsorption of toxins, pathogenic flora, and their breakdown products. As well as neutralization of bile salts, hydrochloric acid, allergens, excess gases and other elements that disrupt the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
2. Normalization of the mucous barrier of the digestive tract, thickening its layer, increasing the viscosity of the secretion, its cytoprotective qualities. As a result, the intestinal lining is less susceptible to the irritating and inflammatory effects of pathogenic elements.
3. Regulation of water-salt balance. Reduces the removal of water and mineral salts from the body, which prevents dehydration.

Attention! After administration, the therapeutic effect quickly develops. Heartburn, nausea go away, vomiting, intestinal spasms and frequency of bowel movements are reduced.

However, for a stable treatment result, a course of treatment of several days is usually required. Use in the indicated doses does not affect the motility of the intestinal tract. The constituent component does not stain feces and is radiolucent.

Characteristics of the drug

Smecta is an antidiarrheal drug that has an adsorbing effect. The medicine promotes the production of gastric mucus, which prevents the interaction of the gastric mucosa with hydrochloric acid. The product is completely of natural origin, is not absorbed, is excreted from the body in its original form, and does not stain the stool.

The active substance - diosmectite - is a compound of magnesium silicate with aluminum. Auxiliary ingredients: glucose monohydrate, sodium saccharin, vanilla or orange flavorings.

The medical product is produced in small sachets, with a total composition of 10 or 30 pieces per package. The cost of a small package barely exceeds 100 rubles, and a large one - 300. The drug is a fine whitish-gray powder with a sweetish taste. Features of Smecta's action:

• neutralization, restoration of the functioning of the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract;
• preventing the action of pathogenic factors on the mucous membrane;
• adsorption of toxic substances (while beneficial compounds and salts remain intact).

special instructions

When undergoing treatment, pay attention to several points:

1. Smecta helps strengthen stool. Components of the drug may cause constipation. Be sure to take into account the individual characteristics of the body. Patients prone to constipation should take the drug with extreme caution.
2. The dosage for the treatment of pregnant women depends on the condition of the body. When prescribing the drug, the severity of dehydration of the body is taken into account.
3. The drug should not be taken simultaneously with other medications. Smecta molecules are capable of binding the active ingredients of other drugs. This reduces the effectiveness of treatment. Smecta should be taken no earlier than 2 hours after taking the drug prescribed by the doctor.
4. Smecta does not have a negative effect on the condition of a pregnant woman. The patient will not have to adjust the dose of the drug.
5. The drug does not affect psychomotor functions. The person does not lose the ability to drive vehicles.
6. Smecta can be purchased at any pharmacy without a prescription.

Operating principle

The action of the drug is aimed at binding and removing harmful substances from the stomach and intestines. Thus, the positive effect is in several directions.

Action of the medicine Smecta:

• restoration of the balance of nutrients;
• calming the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines;
• neutralization and removal of toxins;
• removal of pathogenic microorganisms.

Advantages

An important advantage of the drug is its safety during pregnancy. The substance in the composition does not enter the general bloodstream, but acts locally in the gastrointestinal tract. The drug has no effect on the developing fetus.

It is worth noting the rapid action of the medicine. An improvement in the condition is observed within a few minutes after administration.

In addition to removing toxins, Smecta copes with bacteria, gases, toxins, and various microorganisms. The drug helps with a number of diseases and symptoms, including poisoning, intestinal infections, diarrhea, flatulence, and dysbiosis.

Overdose

Excessive use of the medicine may result in stool retention and (in rare cases) a bezoar.

The latter is a foreign body in the stomach, formed in the form of a calculus of varying consistency. In this case, there is a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen, pain, and vomiting.

By trimester

Although the medicine is considered safe, Smecta is used during pregnancy only after indications have been identified.

1st trimester

At an early stage, it is prescribed in case of heartburn, diarrhea, poisoning, toxicosis. At this time, hormonal changes become acute, which leads to characteristic symptoms. Since the drug does not affect the formation and development of the fetus, it is often recommended for therapy.

2nd trimester

All of the above problems are often characteristic of mid-pregnancy. Smecta also allows you to normalize a woman’s condition, if it is not a contraindicated drug.

3rd trimester

In the later stages, malaise also develops due to hormonal imbalance or compression of organs. In these cases, the sorbent eliminates the clinical picture. But self-prescription is unacceptable, as the risk of constipation increases.