Cheap analog "Gastal": description, composition, instruction manual, reviews

Heartburn - an extremely uncomfortable burning sensation in the esophagus, accompanied by belching and nausea - is a fairly common phenomenon in our time. This is not surprising, given the increased pace of modern life, the abundance of harmful substances and allergens in food, constant stress. Those who suffer from heartburn from time to time, without even going into details about the causes of this pathology, know that to get rid of it, and, importantly, to get rid quickly - it is possible with the help of antacid medications. "Gastal", instruction, application, analogues of which will be considered in the article - only one of the representatives of this vast group of drugs, moreover, quite popular.

What is antacids used for?

Before understanding the merits and demerits of this drug and, perhaps, looking for a cheaper analogue of "Gastal", one must present the characteristics of antacids in general: the principle of their action, due to the chemical composition, possible complications from their administration and other nuances.

Antacid preparations are widely used to treat acid-dependent diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, caused by the aggressive action of gastric juice in relation to the mucosa of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum. Such diseases include gastroesophageal reflux disease, in which there is a constant casting of acidic stomach contents into the esophagus, dyspeptic disorders, gastritis, stomach and duodenal ulcer, pancreatitis.

Heartburn can be and is not connected with any concrete diseases and to appear only from time to time after the use of any product or a medicine, smoking - and in such cases antacid preparations will come to the rescue.

Neutralizing surpluses of hydrochloric acid in gastric juice due to a simple chemical reaction, antacids, including "Gastal" (analogs are cheaper to have a similar effect), significantly improve the health of patients, eliminating heartburn, stomach pain, nausea. In addition, modern means of this group work as adsorbents, have an enveloping effect, increase the protective properties of the mucous membrane of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract. Analog "Gastal" cheap may not have these advantages, working only to quickly neutralize the excessively acidic environment in the stomach.

The history of the use of antacid agents

With heartburn - the main symptom of acid-dependent diseases - people have struggled since ancient times, using for this powder from corals, belladonna extract, sodium bicarbonate or, more simply, baking soda. I must say that the preparations, not only neutralizing the already produced hydrochloric acid, but also lowering its secretion, was developed a lot. At first they were cholinolytic agents, then blockers of histamine H2-receptors, and, finally, the most modern development - proton pump inhibitors. However, these drugs do not act immediately, have contraindications, and, moreover, are more expensive than the same "Gastal". Any cheaper analogue of "Gastal" has a fairly fast effect - this is the main advantage for consumers of antacids, so it is unlikely that we will soon expect that these drugs will leave the domestic pharmaceutical market.

Active substances in antacid preparations and their classification

In antacid pharmacological agents, compounds of sodium, magnesium, aluminum, calcium, silicon and bismuth act as active substances. Attempts to classify this group of drugs have occurred repeatedly. Perhaps the most logical is the division of all antacid agents into soluble, and therefore absorbed into the blood, and insoluble - not having systemic effects on the body preparations.

Means of the first group include soda, burnt magnesia, magnesium and calcium carbonates, as well as popular drugs "Tams" and "Rennie." The effect of taking such drugs is very fast, but it does not last long, besides there are side effects: belching, bloating (due to the resulting carbon dioxide produced by the chemical reaction), pressure increase (due to influence on the water-salt balance of the organism), and The so-called "acid ricochet". This term means increasing the production of acid after the end of the antacid. As a result, heartburn returns quickly and with renewed vigor.

Nonabsorbable antacids, among which is "Gastal" (analogues cheaper may belong to both the first and the second group), are devoid of the above flaws. As a rule, these are combined agents, which contain various compounds of magnesium and aluminum, as well as additional components that have spasmolytic, laxative and carminative actions.

"Gastal": composition and form of release

This antacid agent as active substances contains two components: aluminum hydroxide-magnesium carbonate in the form of a dried gel (450 mg in one tablet), and magnesium hydroxide (300 mg). The use of magnesium and aluminum compounds in a duet is justified: the first component has a soft laxative effect, neutralizing the fixing action of the second. As a result, pronounced influence on the motor-evacuation function of the intestine "Gastal" does not.

As auxiliary components in this preparation are used sorbitol, mannitol, lactose, starch, talc and others.

It is produced "Gastal" in the form of tablets for resorption of a cylindrical shape, with a risk. Swallowing whole these tablets can not, and it's difficult - they are large enough. It is not worth them and gnawing: the best effect of the drug is achieved through a gradual resorption. Thus, the convenience of the tablets is combined with the effectiveness of the suspension.

This remedy is available in three types: tasteless pills with mint flavor, cherry, and mint. In cardboard packs packed 2, 4, 5, 8 or 10 blister foil with 6 tablets of the drug in each.

The action of "Gastal" on the body

"Gastal" very effectively neutralizes the excess acidity in the stomach and, at the same time, does not lead to a further increase in the secretion of hydrochloric acid. The effect of this drug begins immediately after its administration, which is confirmed by positive responses, and lasts about two hours. During this time, the normal acidity level is maintained.

In addition to its effectiveness for its intended purpose, Gastal has protective properties in relation to the gastric membrane, increasing the production of mucus, suppressing the effect of aggressive factors, enhancing the regeneration of its damaged areas.

If the patient has no renal dysfunction, then Gastal does not have a systemic effect, and the spent active components of the drug are completely removed as insoluble salts in a natural way.

Doses of the drug. Contraindications

It is recommended to take no more than 8 tablets "Gastal" per day, 1-2 tablets at a time, an hour after meals and at bedtime. It is possible and preventive use of the drug episodically - if you have to eat something that is certainly harmful, for example.

The recommendations on the multiplicity and dose of administration outlined above refer to patients older than 12 years. For children 6-12 years of age and patients with low (below 50 kg) weight, the dose is halved.

Do not use this medication for more than 2 weeks. It is known that prolonged use of magnesium and aluminum preparations can lead to the elution from calcium bones and destruction of bone tissue, stool disorders, kidney damage. Among the contraindications to the use of Gastal is the individual intolerance of any of its components, impaired renal function, Alzheimer's disease. Any cheaper analog of "Gastal" has practically the same list of contraindications.

During pregnancy and feeding, the drug should be used with caution, although it is known that it does not enter the systemic circulation and does not excrete breast milk.

Interaction with other drugs

"Gastal" significantly affects the absorption of many drugs. Among them are tetracyclines, iron preparations, barbiturates, fat-soluble vitamins and many other medicines. Therefore, do not take "Gastal" at the same time with other medicines: you should divide their reception for at least an hour. In general, this applies to all antacid agents, and not just their representative such as Gastal: analogues and substitutes for the drug should not be taken together with any medicines. This is fraught with unpleasant consequences.

Analogues of "Gastal"

There are no drugs absolutely identical to "Gastal" in composition. But there are analogues, the action of which on the body is expressed in a similar way. In this case, the active substances in them are contained by others. Among the most common antacid drugs, among which you can find a cheap analog of Gastal, you can mention Almagel, Gaviscon, Maalox, Rennie, and Fosfalugel.

The cost of these drugs depends on the form of release and the manufacturer. Preparations issued in Western Europe ("Gaviscon", "Maalox", "Fosfalugel") are not cheap. The analogues of Gastal from Bulgaria, Poland, Croatia, Yugoslavia and India are more accessible to the consumer. We are talking about such antacids, as Almagel, Alumag, Ajfluks, and Relzer.

There is an opinion that the analog of "Gastal" is cheap - it's "Renny". Indeed, the price of the last drug in pharmacies, as a rule, is somewhat lower. But do not forget that "Rennie" refers to the group of absorbed antacids, its effect is short-term, and it can cause side effects in the form of an "acid ricochet", and therefore apply it better sporadically.

Russian antacids

Among antacid agents, no matter how large their list is, it is difficult to find a Russian analog of "Gastal" - cheap and effective. There is a synonym for "Rennie" of domestic production - the drug "Inalan", containing exactly the same active components: calcium and magnesium carbonates .

In Russia, combined antacid preparations are also manufactured: "Vikair" and similar in composition and mechanism of exposure "Vikalin", produced by several pharmaceutical companies. The last two drugs are interesting in that they contain not only reducing the acidity and protecting the mucous membrane of the stomach connections of magnesium, sodium and bismuth, but also plant components: the rhizomes of the aura and the bark of the buckthorn, which have spasmolytic and laxative effects. We can assume that "Vikair" is an analog of "Gastal" cheap - the price for it, like for "Vikalin", is only 25-30 rubles for 10 tablets, while "Gastal" costs about 150 rubles for 12 tablets.