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Smecta for diarrhea: does it help, how to plant and take

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 10.08.2022
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Previously, with diarrhea, people first took several tablets of activated charcoal, drank infusion of chamomile or St. John's wort. Now in pharmacies there is a huge selection of different drugs that help to prevent diarrhea quickly, but act safely. Smecta with diarrhea refers to such safe remedies - it is allowed to take it practically at any age, because the composition of the drug is maximally natural.

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Indications of the smectas with diarrhea

Children Smektu can be offered from any age:

  • with acute or prolonged diarrhea, if the cause is allergies, taking certain medications, eating disorders, eating poor-quality food;
  • with diarrhea, which developed against the background of infectious diseases (only in conjunction with other complex medicines);
  • to eliminate increased gassing in the intestine, heartburn caused by functional disorders of the digestive organs.

Smecta in vomiting and diarrhea can be used only when there is a chance that the drug will have time to act, but will not leave the body with vomit. Sometimes medical experts recommend that you rinse your stomach beforehand, clearing it of toxic substances that cause nausea, and only then take the drug.

Smecta at temperature and diarrhea allows you to quickly remove toxins from the body, normalize the stool, improve metabolic processes. Together with other drugs aimed at eliminating the cause of the appearance of temperature and diarrhea, the medicine will help to accelerate recovery.

Smecta with strong diarrhea also demonstrates the therapeutic effect: the intestinal microflora is normalized, the stool is fixed, nausea and unpleasant sensations in the abdominal region pass. With severe diarrhea, it is important not to overdo it: an adult patient is allowed to take no more than six Smekty sachets a day.

Smecta with diarrhea with blood will help stop diarrhea. However, in the future, the patient must necessarily consult a doctor to determine the cause of bleeding. If this is not done, then the patient is seriously threatened with health.

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Release form

Smecta is a powder mass from which an oral suspension with different flavors is prepared - you can choose the taste of vanilla or orange.

The powdered mass is packaged in sachets, each containing three grams of the active component of dioctahedral smectite.

The powdery mass is light with a slight grayish or yellowish tint and a barely perceptible nonspecific or vanilla flavor.

A cardboard package can hold ten or thirty moisture-proof bags. Instructions for use Smekty for diarrhea is attached.

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Pharmacodynamics

Smecta is a combined silicate with magnesium and aluminum. The agent has a stereometric structure and increased elastic viscosity, which causes its enveloping effect on the mucous tissues of the gastrointestinal tract.

Smecta with diarrhea comes into contact with glycoproteins of mucous tissues and provides increased mucous protection from irritants. The drug strengthens the barrier property of tissues and creates an additional protective layer.

It is absolutely transparent for diagnostic rays, does not cause a change in the color of feces.

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Pharmacokinetics

Structural features of the drug do not allow the drug to be absorbed and metabolized in the body.

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Dosing and administration

With a strong diarrhea, Smecta is used as follows:

  • in childhood from 1 to 12 months. - two packages a day for three days, then one package once a day;
  • in childhood, starting from 1 year - four packages a day for three days, then two packages a day;
  • for adults - about three packages a day, depending on the doctor's appointment. Ultimately, you can take six packets per day (for adults).

With a mild diarrhea take:

  • children - one package per day;
  • adults - 2-3 packages per day.

How to prepare Smecta for diarrhea?

The powdery mass from the bag is mixed with water. Children need only 50 ml of water, and adults - 100 ml. The medicine is prepared immediately before the reception. For children, mixing is allowed not only with water, but also with baby food, compote, porridge.

If Smektu is taken for the treatment of esophagitis, then the reception is performed after eating. Smecta in diarrhea is used between meals.

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How often to drink Smecta?

Adults take one packet every 4 hours.

Application in adults

Adults should be careful when taking Smecta, if they usually have a tendency to persistent chronic constipation.

Do not forget about the need to introduce a sufficient amount of fluid in the body. The exact volume of fluid is determined by the doctor, since it depends on the severity of diarrhea, the age of the patient, the characteristics and cause of diarrhea.

  • The average daily volume of liquid for rehydration is about 2 liters.
  • Food ration during the drug should be reviewed. Preference should be given to low-fat boiled meat, dishes from rice cereals. Temporarily excluded are raw vegetable products, fatty foods, spices, smoked products, semi-finished products, carbonated drinks.

trusted-source[20], [21]

Use in children and newborns

Smecta can be used as an adsorbent in children of any age, starting from 1 month.

When used in children, special attention should be given to the introduction of a sufficient volume of fluid in the children's body to avoid dehydration.

Enema with Smecta

This is a relatively unusual treatment option, you can call it an alternative method. As a rule, it is used at home, if the child has diarrhea and vomiting. Experts recommend preparing an enema with 1 liter of boiled water at room temperature and one package of Smecta. The enema is put once a day. Simultaneously, during the day the child should drink plenty of fluids, and also give Smecta inside, according to the instructions.

Before starting such treatment it is recommended to consult a doctor.

Smekt is not offered newborn children: the drug is allowed to be used only after the baby turns 1 month old.

Use of the smectas with diarrhea during pregnancy

Smecta in diarrhea is considered absolutely safe, because it does not enter the systemic bloodstream and does not accumulate in the body, leaving it unchanged. Given this, it is allowed for use during pregnancy, but only at doses recommended for adult use by patients. Exceed the proposed dosage should not be allowed.

Contraindications

Do not apply if the patient has a tendency to allergy to diosmectite, or to other auxiliary ingredients of the drug. Another contraindication to admission is considered to be intestinal obstruction, of any etiology.

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Side effects of the smectas with diarrhea

Side effects when taking the drug conditionally divided into frequently occurring and rare.

  • Frequent side effects are: constipation, difficulties with defecation, which usually occur after a decrease in the frequency of taking Smecta.
  • Among the rare side effects occur bloating, vomiting.

Single cases of allergies during the use of the medication manifested itself by such symptoms as skin rash, itching, swelling.

Diarrhea after Smekty happens rarely and is probably one of the variants of the hypersensitivity of the organism to the action of the medication. If this happens, then it is recommended to stop treatment with the drug and consult a doctor.

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Overdose

The use of Smecta above the recommended amount can lead to the development of constipation or the formation of bezoar stone in the stomach.

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Interactions with other drugs

Smecta has an adsorbing effect that can affect the absorption and efficacy of any other oral medication. Therefore, do not use the medication and any other drugs for oral administration.

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Storage conditions

Such a medication as Smecta is not exacting to storage conditions. Place for medicines should be inaccessible to children.

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Shelf life

The drug is stored up to three years. The diluted suspension should be taken immediately.

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Analogues: names

The active ingredient of Smecta is diosmectite. This substance is a part of other drugs with a similar mechanism of action:

  • powder Benta (production - Ukraine);
  • powder Diosorb (produced in the UK and India);
  • powder Neosmectin (manufactured in Russia);
  • powder Smectite (produced in Ukraine).

There are also a number of other drugs with other active ingredients, but with a similar effect:

  • Atoxyl;
  • Maxisorb;
  • Silix;
  • Polysorb;
  • Activated carbon;
  • white coal;
  • Polyphepan;
  • Sorbentogel;
  • Enterosgel;
  • Sorbentomax;
  • Ultrasorb.

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Enterosgel 

What is better to choose with diarrhea - Smektu or Enterosgel? In fact, the difference is not fundamental. Both drugs have almost the same effect, adsorbing toxic substances and removing them from the body. Therefore, their effectiveness is equivalent.

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Polysorb 

Both Smecta and Polysorb are sorption products, which are used in the form of a freshly prepared suspension. They have a similar effect, but they have unequal contraindications. If you need to stop diarrhea in a child under 1 year old, or a pregnant woman, it is best to choose Smecta. In other cases, there is no fundamental difference.

Activated carbon

Activated carbon and Smecta have a similar mechanism of action. However, Smect is more convenient to use, so it is better to choose this drug if it is a question of treating children or elderly people. In order to achieve the effect of taking activated charcoal, it must be taken in large amounts - 20-30 g per reception (dose for an adult). Therefore, Smektu is more comfortable - one standard package is enough for reception.

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Phosphalugel 

Smecta and Fosfalugel are different drugs. So, Smecta is an enterosorbent, and Phosphalugel is not only a sorbent, but also an acid neutralizer, and an astringent preparation. Therefore, Smecta can be taken not only with diarrhea, digestive disorders. But the indications for taking Fosfalugel are more extensive: gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, gastritis, diaphragmatic hernia, diarrhea, functional disorders, heartburn, "sour" burp, swelling, etc.

What preparation to choose - it is necessary to be guided by indications.

Lineks

Lineks on pharmacological action has nothing to do with Smektoy. Smecta is a sorption preparation for binding and elimination of toxic substances. Linex is a drug with the content of microorganisms that help normalize the intestinal flora and restore the balance of intestinal microbes. The use of Linex is appropriate for rotavirus infection, after antibiotic therapy.

With digestive disorders, diarrhea, poisoning, it makes sense to first treat the Smecta drug, and then restore the intestine with Linex. Smecta with diarrhea always acts effectively and safely, with a minimal chance of developing side-effects.

Attention!

To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Smecta for diarrhea: does it help, how to plant and take" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.

Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.

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