Intestinal dysfunction in children in the first year of life is a fairly common occurrence. Both loose stools, delayed stools, or complete absence are possible. Constipation in infants is characterized by a complete absence of bowel movements for several days1.
Constipation in an infant is usually not an independent disease2. This condition can have a wide variety of causes, but they are always associated with the individual characteristics of the still immature intestine and/or with unsuitable nutrition for the child3.
Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics
Pharmacodynamics
The mechanism of action of simethicone is based on reducing the surface tension of gas bubbles formed in the intestines, which leads to their rupture. Simethicone acts on the surface of gas bubbles without affecting the mucous membrane and is not absorbed, therefore it is harmless to the child’s body. The released gas is removed from the intestines naturally, while digestion is normalized and nutrients are better absorbed.
The drug does not affect gastric secretion. There is no habituation to it. In terms of pharmacological treatment, colic is considered one of the most effective carminatives. Prescribed during the onset of pain (pain disappears within 10 minutes) or for the purpose of prevention with each feeding.
Pharmacokinetics
After oral administration, it is not absorbed from the intestine and is excreted unchanged.
When should you not use the drug?
Espumisan will not bring relief if problems with bowel movements are caused by a more serious illness, such as:
- food poisoning;
- pancreatitis;
- adhesions in the intestines;
- intestinal obstruction;
- gastrointestinal oncology;
- congenital pathologies;
- weakening of the intestinal muscles;
- polyps, cysts, etc.
In some cases, on the contrary, Espumisan causes constipation, especially when it comes to newborns. An allergic reaction may also occur in the form of a rash, itching and redness of the skin.
This drug will not restore stool, if constipation lasted more than 4-5 days and the process of intoxication began. Constipation, accompanied by fever, nausea, severe hiccups (in babies), vomiting and discoloration of the skin, should be treated under the supervision of a doctor.
Dietary errors, infections, or antibiotic treatment can turn going to the toilet into agony, and constipation drops can help in this situation.
The effect of such drugs differs depending on the components they contain, and their correct choice becomes the key to effective and quick elimination of digestive problems in general.
Instructions for use of Espumisan Baby drops
Children's Espumisan is a drug in drops in bottles with a dropper, with which you can accurately dose the drops by holding the bottle vertically with the pipette down. Remember that the bottle is shaken before use.
Instructions for Espumisan for newborns
How many drops to give to a newborn? Give 5-10 drops during each feeding or after, but no more than 5 times a day.
How to take Espumisan for newborns? The drug is given from a spoon; if that doesn’t work, you can add it to a bottle of water or formula. To avoid negative consequences, you cannot prescribe the drug to your child on your own, but only on the recommendation of a pediatrician. It can exclude a pathology such as intestinal obstruction, in which the drug is contraindicated. This medicine is effective for increased gas formation that occurs during the period of adaptation of the digestive system, which is still imperfect in infants. Since not enough enzymes are produced, gas formation is inevitable.
Instructions for use for older children: the drug is given to children from 1 to 6 years old, 10 drops up to 5 times a day, over 6 years old - 20 drops up to 5 times. If you do not find Espumisan Baby in the pharmacy, you can use Espumisan 40 or Espumisan L, however, the dose will be higher, since these drugs contain 8 mg and 40 mg of simethicone in 1 ml, respectively, and not 100 mg. Newborns and children up to one year old are given 1 measuring spoon (or 25 drops) during each feeding, children from 6 years old 2 measuring spoons (or 50 drops) up to 5 times a day. Any drug can be taken long-term.
Groups of laxatives
All laxatives, including drops, are divided into four groups:
- prebiotics;
- oil;
- irritating (stimulating);
- slowing down the absorption of fluid inside the intestine.
Each type of laxative is designed to combat a specific cause of constipation. Thus, in case of dysbiosis, it is recommended to use prebiotics, and stimulants of intestinal receptors in this situation can aggravate the problem or cause a number of new disorders.
Analogs
Level 4 ATC code matches:
Disflatil
Mint tablets
Kuplaton
Espumisan
Espumisan L
Espumisan 40
Bobotik
Dill water
Pepsan-R
Sub Simplex
Infacol
Plantex
Bebinos
Dicetel
Meteospasmil
Romazulan
Analogue for children:
- Bobotik
- Sub Simplex
- Baby Calm
- Happy Baby
- Plantex
Bobotik is approved for children from 28 days of age, contains raspberry flavor and citric acid, and does not contain milk sugar.
Simplex suspension is used from birth. The suspension is not viscous, separates and requires careful shaking. Should be used with caution in children prone to allergic reactions. Espumisan for children is also used from birth, but the emulsion is more viscous in consistency compared to the suspension.
Which is better: Plantex or Espumisan for newborns?
These are drugs with different active ingredients. Plantex are granules for making tea, containing fennel fruit extract. It has a carminative effect (prevents the formation of gases), improves digestion, eliminates spasms. It can be given to newborns from 2 weeks of age as a drink. Diluted tea does not change its properties during the day. The drug contains lactose, so tea should not be given to children with lactase deficiency. Pediatricians note that children are often allergic to the drug. Parents also report this in their reviews.
What is better than Espumisan for children? First of all, it is physiologically inert, not absorbed, and does not contain lactose. It can be used for a long time without fear of addiction and the appearance of any side effects.
Peristalsis-stimulating drops
Laxative drugs with a stimulating effect include drops with herbal and synthetic components Iberogast, Guttalax, Ogarkov drops, Slabilen and Fennel. in addition to a pronounced laxative effect, they have a carminative, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effect. Their use is indicated for a variety of gastrointestinal diseases, as well as for constipation caused by dietary errors. It is recommended to take such drops once or in a course, depending on what problems the patient is experiencing.
Reviews
Infantile colic begins to bother the child at 2–3 weeks of life and continues until 3–6 months. To eliminate them, there is children's Espumisan. Questions often arise: can it be given to a newborn and how to give it to an infant? Let's look at these questions. A child under 28 days of age is considered a newborn. Espumisan L and Espumisan 40 are approved for use in children from birth. They do not contain lactose. For ease of dosing, they have a measuring spoon or pipette. These drugs can be given to a newborn without fear, and the dosage is the same as for infants (from 1 month to a year). For newborns and infants, the drug is prescribed 1 scoop or 25 drops. Give directly from a spoon, mixed with a small amount of milk, added to milk mixture or water.
How often can Espumisan be given to newborns? The drug is given after each feeding. How many times can you give to an infant? In the same way - after each feeding, up to 5 times a day. This drug intake is preventive. Can only be given during colic. Some pediatricians believe that these drugs are best given during colic, and not for the purpose of preventing it. It has been reliably proven that this drug does not cause side effects and long-term use is possible without harm.
Reviews about Espumisan for newborns are varied. There are reviews that parents tried all the drugs, and only Espumisan helped. Some people are helped by this drug, others by Plantex, and some by dill water, massage, a warm heating pad on the tummy and removal of gases using a gas tube. Sometimes children refuse to drink Espumisan (they spit out the medicine), but Baby Calm and Sub Simplex are taken with pleasure. You need to choose the drug that brings relief to your child. You can try everything together. For example, any drug based on simethicone and Baby Calm.
Consult your pediatrician about taking Bifidumbacterin . In addition, a nursing woman needs to exclude from her diet foods that cause gas (kvass, legumes, cabbage in any form, apples, grapes, sweets, baked goods) and take a decoction of chamomile with dill and fennel seeds.
Drops for constipation with prebiotics
To help with constipation caused by the death of beneficial microflora and a general malfunction of the intestines, prebiotics are called upon - drops for constipation, the price of which is slightly higher than other laxatives. They contain bacteria of lacto and/or bifido subgroups, as well as antimicrobial components, acids of organic and inorganic origin and vitamins.
Biovestin, Normoflorin and Hilak Forte are drops containing bifidobacteria. They are approved for use even by small children and expectant mothers. Acting in the colon, prebiotics help restore normal intestinal activity. It is necessary to take such drugs for a long time so that the microflora has time to fully recover.
Price, where to buy
The price of children's Espumisan is about 600 rubles for 50 ml drops.
- Online pharmacies in RussiaRussia
ZdravCity
- Espumisan Baby drops for internal use.
approx. 100mg/ml vial. 50ml Berlin-Chemie AG RUB 697 order - Espumisan Baby drops for internal use. approx. 100mg/ml 30mlBerlin-Chemie AG
RUR 508 order
Drops of osmotic action
Preparations that slow down absorption consist mainly of plant components (agar-agar, flax seed), as well as various salts. Such drugs are known in medicine as the fastest-acting. Stool appears within a couple of hours after taking them. Because of this, they are not recommended for use in relieving constipation in children under 4 years of age, but are ideal for adult patients who require an emergency bowel movement.
Independent choice of laxatives is fraught with complications. Before using any of the remedies mentioned above, it is important for the patient to seek the opinion of the attending physician. This especially applies to cases of constipation in young children.
