The causes of vomiting are most often the entry into the gastrointestinal tract of pathogens of intestinal infections, food poisoning, intoxication with chemicals, alcohol or drugs. With this reaction, the body tries to get rid of toxins. To quickly improve a person’s condition in case of poisoning, it is necessary to take special medications - enterosorbents. They neutralize poisons that enter the gastrointestinal tract and promote their rapid elimination. Such drugs include Smecta. It is prescribed for diarrhea, flatulence, heartburn, to eliminate discomfort and pain in the abdominal area. Smecta is also used for vomiting. The drug is a natural sorbent that is successfully used to treat adults and young children.
Effect of the drug on vomiting and nausea
The drug belongs to the pharmacological group of sorbents. The active ingredient is smectite. Once in the body, it gently envelops the mucous membrane. A protective film forms in the digestive system. It does not allow toxic substances and harmful bacteria to be absorbed into the soft walls.
At the same time, Smecta does not penetrate blood vessels and is absolutely safe.
Smecta for nausea is an effective method of eliminating symptoms. Vomiting during infection is often accompanied by diarrhea. The drug affects only the stomach and intestines, which allows you to cope with all the consequences of the disease. The medicine reduces the sign of poisoning, and this helps eliminate vomiting.
Advantages
The main advantages of smecta over other adsorbent medications are:
- No negative consequences from taking the drug , with the exception of allergic manifestations that occur with hypersensitivity to the ingredients.
- The substance can be used by people of all ages, including young children and elderly patients.
- No negative impact on the intestinal system.
- Excellent adsorption properties of the substance.
- The medicine can be used during pregnancy and lactation.
The powder is able to envelop the digestive system, which ensures rapid restoration of the mucous membranes.
In addition, smecta and alcohol are compatible : the product reduces the rate of dissolution of alcohol components in internal organs.
Instructions for use
The medication is used for any disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. The advantage is that Smecta is prescribed for nausea at any age. Reception is allowed for pregnant women, during lactation and newborns.
This is explained by the fact that Smecta has natural ingredients and does not affect the intestinal microflora. This is especially important in infants. For the first time in their life, the formation of the flora takes place.
There are no problems with dosage, since the medication is packaged in portioned sachets. The first effect of application is observed for the first couple of hours. The course of treatment depends on the severity of vomiting and the general condition of the person. Treatment with Smecta lasts from 3 to 7 days. Further use of the drug is prescribed by the attending physician. It is not advisable to forcefully give the suspension to a child.
Method of taking Smecta for children
Most often, vomiting in a child occurs due to an intestinal infection. In infants, nausea largely occurs during teething. During this period, the baby puts all possible objects in his mouth, so he may feel nauseous.
The gag reflex is a symptom that is provoked by various factors. This is overeating, food intoxication, and increases in the functioning of the central nervous system. Vomiting may occur due to obstruction of the intestinal tract, the individual reaction of the body to any medication.
The dosage depends on the age of the patient; up to a year, one sachet of medicine per day is enough. A child from 12 months to 2 years needs 1 or 2 sachets per day. After two years, Smecta is taken for vomiting 2-3 sachets per day, but after three days the dose must be gradually reduced.
The medication is taken until the symptoms that disrupt digestion completely disappear.
Children are given Smecta to drink in a diluted form, for example, mixed with tea or infant formula. The baby must be fed before taking the medicine. But it is contraindicated to give it to newborns who are regurgitating. This mild disorder is normal in babies and does not require medical intervention.
Help with withdrawal symptoms in alcoholics
Withdrawal syndrome develops against the background of chronic alcoholism. It is advisable to carry out treatment in a hospital setting. It includes intravenous drip administration of saline solutions, vitamins, and prokinetics. To improve the mental state, sedatives and antipsychotics are used. Smecta is prescribed to reduce the amount of toxins in the intestines, 2 sachets 3 times a day.
How to use Smecta for adults
Children over two years of age and adults are prescribed a dosage of 3 sachets per day. In case of acute gastrointestinal poisoning, which is accompanied by diarrhea, the amount of the drug is doubled. And in one day you are allowed to take 6 packets of the product.
If, after taking Smecta, vomiting occurs and the drug taken comes out along with the masses, then you need to drink the medicine again. Due to an attack of vomiting, the substance does not enter the digestive tract, which means that there will be no result from its use.
In case of severe intoxication of the body, gastric lavage is performed before using the medicine. This will increase the effectiveness of the medication on the body.
The powder must be diluted in 50 ml of water and taken when vomiting before meals. The permissible time interval between taking Smecta and other drugs is about 1-2 hours. The dosage must be monitored.
When there is no diarrhea or there is constipation, the amount of medication used is reduced. In addition, with nausea and vomiting, it is necessary to maintain a water-salt balance. Because with these symptoms, dehydration begins in the body.
If fluid loss is high, medications that have rehydration properties can be given.
Rules for the treatment of digestive disorders
For quality treatment of digestive disorders, it is necessary to identify the exact root cause causing the disorder. Smecta helps cope with the following symptoms:
- diarrhea of various origins;
- vomiting and diarrhea;
- bloating;
- food intoxication;
- allergic reactions that manifest themselves in the form of stool disorders;
- heartburn;
- abdominal pain.
Before starting to take diosmectite, it is recommended to consult a doctor and study the instructions for use. The powder is packaged in portions in sachets. The maximum daily dose for an adult for acute health problems is up to 6 packets per day.
After a single dose of the medicine, the patient usually feels relief within 30-40 minutes. How long to take the drug: the duration of the course of therapy is no more than 1 week. If during this time Smecta does not help, it is necessary to reconsider the treatment regimen.
Smecta for nausea can be used in patients with attacks of vomiting without additional severe disorders in the form of blood discharge, a sharp increase in body temperature, or dehydration. The described symptoms are an indication for emergency medical care and refusal of self-medication.
Diosmectite has a number of benefits that help cope with the symptoms of food poisoning:
- selective sorption effect;
- smooth surface of absorbent particles that do not injure the intestinal mucosa;
- enveloping effect;
- high tolerance.
The drug can be given to young children and nursing mothers. The medicine helps to cope not only with nausea and vomiting, but also with diarrhea, flatulence, and heartburn.
If vomiting is caused by food poisoning before taking Smecta, you must follow the recommendations:
If the patient has an inflamed mucous membrane of the esophagus, Smecta is taken after meals, in all other cases - before meals. Any medications should be taken no earlier than a few hours after using diosmectite.
At the first signs of nausea, use 3 packets every few hours. If the patient begins to vomit immediately after using the medication, the dose is repeated. People with acute conditions are recommended to take 6 sachets per day. The contents of the package are diluted in water and drunk immediately, without waiting for sediment to form. The average daily dose for adults is 9 grams of medication. If the use of diosmectin is not enough, it is necessary to select other medications for symptomatic therapy.
In case of food poisoning and indomitable repeated vomiting, it is recommended to use other groups of medications. Smecta absorbs and removes toxic elements, but does not prevent dehydration of the body, so additional dehydration therapy is mandatory.
The maximum daily dose for adults is 18 grams of diosmectin per day. Patients with intolerance or allergy to the components of white clay are recommended to reduce the dose or select another replacement product.
Smecta is an over-the-counter drug, but it should not be used for self-medication. It is necessary to objectively assess the clinical picture, monitor the patient’s well-being and promptly seek professional medical help.
Smecta during pregnancy
Women during pregnancy are significantly susceptible to various problems with the intestinal tract. The size of the fetus gradually increases, which leads to displacement of the internal organs. Often, in the process of bearing a baby, chronic diseases worsen.
In the first trimester, most pregnant women experience toxicosis; this is due to the restructuring of the body and its preparation for the future birth process. The instructions for use do not say that the drug helps with this problem. However, after taking it, most women note that their overall health improves.
The method of taking the drug does not differ from the adult dosage. The powder is diluted in clean water to form a suspension. Smecta is drunk between meals, but in case of esophagitis it is taken after meals. To avoid complications, pregnant women should consult their gynecologist.
Composition and effect of the drug
Smecta in appearance resembles a white powder that has a grayish tint. The composition is dominated by an active substance called diosmectite. Dioctahedral smectite is a natural element produced from shell rock.
However, not every type of it contains an active substance; shell rock, which lives in the Mediterranean Sea, is required for production. In the production of medicines, various types of flavorings and sweeteners are used to enhance the taste.
According to the instructions, the medication acts selectively for various disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.
Binds and removes only harmful toxic substances from the body. Enveloping the walls of the digestion, it prevents poison from entering the blood. Antiemetic effect Smecta can help eliminate symptoms and reduce the impact of the transemesis on the mucous membrane.
The drug is prescribed not only for vomiting bile, but also for other digestive problems, for example, diarrhea, heartburn, allergies, food intoxication, pain in the abdomen, and flatulence.
The drug is also prescribed to relieve hangover syndrome. This is possible due to the active substance that creates the film. It prevents alcohol breakdown products from penetrating into the blood. For this reason, Smecta is recommended for severe alcohol poisoning.
Also, the medication package can be consumed before drinking alcoholic beverages. It will slow down the effect of alcohol on the body, since the rate of its absorption into the circulatory system will significantly decrease.
Review
Alexey, 39 years old: Harsh circumstances happened in my life, because of which I began to regularly drink high-strength alcoholic drinks. He constantly went on long binges. The body has suffered greatly in terms of health. I couldn't remember the last time I didn't have a headache. I felt sick. It was very bad. At one point of the hangover syndrome I had to call an ambulance. The doctor, having provided first aid, advised taking Smecta before drinking. This greatly alleviated my condition the next day. Now I try to regularly follow the doctor’s advice. But I try not to drink.
Analog drugs
In pharmacology, there are drugs that have a similar effect. An analogue of Smecta is Neosmectin, used for vomiting. It contains the active substance smectite. Diosmectite is also considered a similar sorbent. They are available in powder form and are taken in the same way as Smecta.
In the absence of Neosmectin, it is possible to use activated carbon, but the effect on the body is much harsher.
Analogs include drugs in tablet form:
- Lactofiltrum;
- Lactofiltrum-eco;
- Polyphepan;
- Filtrum-sti;
- Entegin.
In powder form, the following medications have a similar effect:
- Lingosorob;
- Enterodesis;
- Enterumin;
- Polyfan;
- Microcel;
- Polyphepan.
It is also possible to use Enterosgel for vomiting and nausea. It is available in the form of a gel for preparing a suspension.
Contraindications and side effects
Smecta is a natural compound, so there are no special contraindications for its use. However, people with poor intestinal tract or prostate problems should not take the medication.
It is also not prescribed for allergies to fructose, diabetes, or when the quality of absorption of nutrients into the walls of the organ is poor.
There are practically no side effects. Taking the drug may cause constipation, but this problem is solvable. To do this, it is enough to reduce the dosage taken. It is also recommended to take prebiotics and probiotics to restore and normalize the microflora of the digestive tract.
