Situations often arise when the acidity of gastrointestinal juice sharply increases in the gastrointestinal tract. Hydrochloric acid is released excessively over a long period of time, which leads to the appearance of characteristic symptoms: heaviness in the stomach, discomfort in the digestive tract, and a painful burning sensation called “heartburn”.
If such symptoms recur quite often, you need to contact a gastroenterologist for consultation and examination. The most common causes of increased acidity and accompanying symptoms are poor quality food, frequent stress, side effects after taking medications, and bad habits. A drug from the antacid group, Maalox, which exhibits its medicinal effect after a few minutes, will help to temporarily alleviate the condition. What are the indications for taking the drug?
What does Maalox cure?
Most often, the drug is prescribed for chronic or acute gastritis. Other common indications include:
- ulcer;
- hernia;
- acute pain (most often appears after drinking coffee or alcohol in large quantities, as well as if you indulge in fast food too often);
- inflammation of the gastric mucosa;
- feeling of heaviness in the stomach.
The drug is also effective for bloating, sour belching, and dyspepsia.
What do Maalox tablets help with?
Maalox will help with heartburn
This medicine is effective in the following cases:
- Exacerbation of stomach and duodenal ulcers.
- Hiatal hernia.
- In this way, dyspeptic disorders can be treated (examples include heartburn, epigastric discomfort or pain, or sour belching). They can be a consequence of the use of certain types of medications, or the result of poor diet or excessive alcohol consumption.
- Reflux esophagitis is observed (we are talking about food entering the esophagus from the stomach).
It is important to emphasize that Maalox can be used not only for treatment, it will also be effective as a prophylactic against the occurrence of such diseases.
How to take Maalox mini
The medication in any form is intended for oral administration. It should be taken at least an hour after meals. If sharp, unbearable pain occurs, the medicine can be taken immediately.
Before taking the suspension in the bottle, you need to shake it well. If we are talking about a suspension in a bag, then before opening, you need to knead the contents well. Does not need to be dissolved in water.
Teenagers from 15 years of age and adults can use 1 tbsp. l. suspension three times a day. It is permissible to take no more than 90 ml per day. Depending on the problem, the dose may vary.
If you take the drug in tablet form, then a single dose should not exceed two tablets. You should drink no more than 4 times a day. They are dissolved or chewed; there is no need to drink water.
During prolonged use of the medicine, you need to monitor your well-being. If after 10 days of the treatment course there is no noticeable improvement or the condition has become even worse, then you should seek the help of a specialist.
Cost and analogues
Analogs of Maalox include: Almagel, Gastal, Rennie, Ramni and Adzhiflux.
If you want to use one of the listed medications, you should consult your doctor, since each of them has its own characteristics, strengths and weaknesses.
Here are the prices for this medicine:
- 1 sachet of suspension will cost 23 rubles;
- a pack of tablets, 20 pieces, without sugar, costs 200 rubles;
- a package of six sachets of blackcurrant-flavored suspension costs 135 rubles.
Contraindications
The medicine Maalox has a number of contraindications that you should familiarize yourself with before taking it:
- personal intolerance to the constituent substances of the drug;
- reduced phosphate levels;
- renal failure and other kidney problems (in certain cases the drug can be taken, but with great caution and under the supervision of a specialist);
- Alzheimer's disease;
- fructose intolerance;
- prolonged constipation;
- severe exhaustion.
Elderly people should take it with caution. This category of people requires an individual treatment regimen developed by a doctor.
Overdose and side effects
During the entire study of the pharmacokinetics of Maalox, no data on its overdose were identified. Side effects if the dosage is violated may include nausea and vomiting, alternating constipation and diarrhea, and a change in the taste of familiar foods. With prolonged use of high doses of the drug, calcium metabolism disorders (osteoporosis, hypocalcemia) may develop.
Maalox should not be taken simultaneously with neuroleptics, tetracycline antibiotics, acetylsalicylic acid, levothyroxine, penicillamine, iron salts, glucocorticosteroids, H-2 histamine receptor blockers due to their incomplete absorption. If necessary, you need to maintain a time interval of at least 2 hours between taking Maalox and the above medications.
Antacid Maalox is an effective remedy for reducing the concentration of hydrochloric acid. With optimal dosage, this drug can quickly relieve pain and protect the stomach and intestines.
Adverse reactions
If the patient self-medicates and exceeds the permissible doses, then there is a high probability that unwanted reactions will occur. But even if you adhere to the treatment regimen, such negative reactions may also occur. These include:
- nausea, vomiting;
- constipation;
- low blood pressure;
- excessive presence of calcium or magnesium in the blood or urine.
In extremely rare cases, an allergic reaction, swelling, and anaphylactic shock may occur.
Interactions of the drug Maalox
Antacids interact with certain medications that are taken orally. Combinations that require special precautions when used. There is a decrease in gastrointestinal absorption of drugs that are used simultaneously. A break of at least 2 hours is required between taking antacids and other drugs. If possible, the time interval should be more than 2 hours between taking Maalox and other drugs: H2 histamine receptor blockers, anti-tuberculosis drugs: ethambutol, isoniazid (for oral use), atenolol , metoprolol, propanolol, chloroquine, cyclines, diflunisal, digoxin, diphosphonates, fexofenadine, iron preparations (salts), fluoroquinolones, sodium fluoride, glucocorticoids (described for prednisolone and dexamethasone), indomethacin, kayexalate, ketoconazole, lansoprazole, lincosamines, antipsychotic phenothiazine new series , penicillamine, phosphorus preparations (supplements), thyroxine. Combinations to consider. Renal excretion of salicylates increases due to alkalinization of urine in the case of combination with salicylates.
Is it possible to take Maalox during pregnancy?
There is no data regarding the possibility of using Maalox by pregnant women, since relevant clinical studies have not been conducted. Despite the fact that the drug does not have a negative effect on the woman’s body, as well as the developing fetus, it is best to refrain from taking the medication during pregnancy, as well as during breastfeeding. Some experts assure that the drug is still approved for use during lactation, since it is absorbed in minimal quantities.
Only a doctor can determine the possibility of taking a medicine if the expected benefit exceeds the threat.
Pharmacological properties of the drug Maalox
A well-balanced combination of magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide provides pronounced acid-neutralizing ability and a protective effect. in vitro studies using the Vatier method: total acid neutralizing capacity (titration at pH 1): 440 mmol H+ ions. The drug is not radiopaque. Used as an antacid and adsorbent. The drug is not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and does not enter the systemic circulation.
Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics
Pharmacodynamics
An antacid that neutralizes unbound hydrochloric acid in the stomach does not provoke its secondary hypersecretion. Due to a decrease in the acidity of gastric juice, when using the drug Maalox, the peptic activity of the secreted gastric juice decreases. It has adsorbing and enveloping properties that weaken the effect of damaging agents on the mucous membranes of the stomach and esophagus.
Pharmacokinetics
The active substances of the drug are considered local antacids, which are almost not absorbed when taken orally in the doses below and do not have general effects.
Compound
One chewable Maalox tablet contains 400 mg of aluminum hydroxide and 400 mg of magnesium hydroxide . Additional substances: sorbitol , starch with sucrose, magnesium stearate, mannitol, sodium saccharinate, mint flavor, sucrose.
1 sachet of suspension (15 ml) of Maalox contains 525 mg of aluminum hydroxide and 600 mg of magnesium hydroxide . Additional substances: citric acid monohydrate, hydrochloric acid, mannitol, peppermint oil, propyl parahydroxybenzoate, methyl parahydroxybenzoate, hydrogen peroxide, sorbitol, sodium saccharinate, water.
A 250 ml suspension of the drug Maalox (bottle) contains 3.5 grams of aluminum hydroxide and 4 grams of magnesium hydroxide . Additional substances: citric acid monohydrate, hydrochloric acid, mannitol, peppermint oil, propyl parahydroxybenzoate, methyl parahydroxybenzoate, hydrogen peroxide, sorbitol, sodium saccharinate, water.
Indications for use of Maalox
What are Maalox tablets and suspension for?
- exacerbation of peptic ulcer ;
- acute and chronic gastroduodenitis in the acute phase with normal or enhanced secretory function;
- diaphragmatic hernia , reflux esophagitis ;
- dyspeptic symptoms, including with excessive intake of coffee, nicotine, ethanol, medications, errors in diet (for suspension);
- pain or discomfort in the upper third of the abdomen, including with excessive intake of coffee, nicotine, ethanol, medications, errors in diet (for suspension).
Maalox price, where to buy
The price of Maalox in tablets No. 20 in Russia is about 250 rubles. The price of Maalox suspension 250 ml in bottles is approximately 350 rubles.
In Ukraine, the average cost of tablets in the specified release form is about 130 hryvnia, and the gel suspension is approximately the same price.
- Online pharmacies in RussiaRussia
- Online pharmacies in UkraineUkraine
- Online pharmacies in KazakhstanKazakhstan
ZdravCity
- Maalox Susp.
250ml Sanofi S.p.A 457 RUR order - Maalox chewable tablets. 20 pcs. Sanofi S.p.A.
RUB 321 order
- Maalox sachet oral suspension 15ml 30pcsPharmatis for Laboratoire Theraplix
870 rub. order
- Maalox Susp. for oral administration (sachet) 15ml No. 6PHARMATIS FR
RUB 296 order
Pharmacy Dialogue
- Maalox for heartburn and stomach pain suspension packages 15ml No. 6Pharmatis
RUB 310 order
- Maalox antacid for heartburn and stomach pain, sugar-free tablets No. 20Sanofi-Aventis
300 rub. order
- Maalox sachet No. 1Aventis/Pharmatis
33 rub. order
- Maalox for heartburn and stomach pain suspension 250mlSanofi-Aventis
RUR 379 order
- Maalox antacid for heartburn and stomach pain, sugar-free tablets No. 10Sanofi SpA
RUB 165 order
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Pharmacy24
- Maalox 15 ml No. 30 suspension Pharmatis, France
301 UAH. order - Maalox No. 40 tablets Sanofi-Aventis S.p.A.,Italy/Sanofi S.P.A.Italy
117 UAH. order
- Maalox mini 4.3 ml No. 20 lemon suspension Sanofi-Aventis S.p.A.,Italy/Sanofi S.P.A.Italy
155 UAH order
- Maalox 250 ml suspension E. Nattermann & Sayi GmbH, Germany
129 UAH order
PaniPharmacy
- Maalox liquid Maalox suspension. package 15ml No. 30 France, Pharmatis
318 UAH. order
- Maalox mini liquid Maalox mini suspension. d/peror. approx 25mEq/4.3ml pack No. 20 Germany, Nattermann
162 UAH order
- Maalox liquid Maalox suspension. 250ml Germany, Nattermann
131 UAH order
- Maalox tablets Maalox tablets No. 40 France, Aventis Pharma Specialite
138 UAH order
- Maalox tablets Maalox tablets. chewing No. 20 Italy, Sanofi
78 UAH order
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special instructions
If, during drug therapy, symptoms from the digestive system do not stop within 10 days, then it is necessary to clarify the diagnosis and change the treatment regimen.
The drug is sold without a prescription, but before taking it during pregnancy , lactation , as well as in adolescents and patients with renal failure, it is recommended to consult with your doctor.
Aluminum hydroxide with a low phosphate content in food can lead to phosphorus deficiency in the body.
