Maalox children

With heartburn, belching, abdominal pain and other discomfort symptoms caused by too high acidity of gastric juice, antacid agents are prescribed. These include and drug called Maalox. Is it possible to give this medicine to children and in what dosage is it allowed in childhood?

Maalox is represented by two dosage forms:

• Suspension. It is produced in glass bottles, inside of which there is 250 ml of a viscous, homogeneous opaque substance of white-yellow or white color. In addition, the suspension is produced in 15 ml portion sachets, of which there are 30 pieces in one box.

• Chewable tablets. Such Maalox is produced in two versions - without sugar (these tablets are in demand with diabetes or a strict diet) and with sugar. These tablets are round and engraved. Drug without sugar differs yellowish or white color with a slight marbling, as well as lemon smell. Sugar pills are white and smell like mint. One box contains 10, 20 or 40 tablets.

Both types of medication include two active ingredients:

• Algeldrat. This compound is hydrated aluminum oxide and is contained in a single chewable tablet at a dose of 400 mg, and in 15 ml of the suspension in the amount of 525 mg.
• Magnesium hydroxide. This ingredient is presented in each tablet dosage of 400 mg, and from 15 ml of the suspension, the patient receives it in a dose of 600 mg.

Additionally, the suspension contains citric acid, mannitol, peppermint oil, sorbitol and other ingredients. Auxiliaries of tablets are mannitol, sucrose, peppermint flavoring, sodium saccharinate and other substances.

Separately, we note the drug Maalox Mini. It is presented in portion packets of 4.3 ml of suspension, which contains 460 mg of aluminum hydroxide and 400 mg of magnesium hydroxide. One box contains from 6 to 40 bags. The taste of the drug is lemon or blackcurrant.

Maalox is a group of antacid agents and has an enveloping as well as absorbent effect. Its use reduces the acidity of gastric juice and prevents the gastric mucosa from adverse effects of hydrochloric acid.

Maalox is prescribed for various diseases of the digestive tract, which manifest discomfort in the abdomen, belching sour, heartburn, stomach pain and other symptoms. Medication is in demand:

• With exacerbation of peptic ulcer.
• With acute gastroduodenitis.
• With the exacerbation of the chronic form of gastritis or gastroduodenitis.
• With reflux esophagitis.
• With hernia of the diaphragm (esophageal opening).

The instructions for both the suspension and tablets Maalox, and the drug Maalox Mini noted that such drugs are contraindicated in children under 15 years of age. This is due to insufficient clinical research on the effects of such agents on the children's body. In practice, doctors often discharge it to children, calling it relatively safe.

The drug does not apply:

• In severe renal failure.
• With intolerance to any of its components.
• If you have problems with the absorption of fructose, sucrose or galactose.

In some patients, Maalox causes constipation, but sometimes provokes a liquefaction of the stool. In addition, the drug can cause urticaria, pruritus and other manifestations of allergies.

Before use, the bottle of suspension should be shaken, and the bag should be stretched with your fingers. Sachet content is taken undiluted, and the bottle is dispensed with a spoon (one tablespoon contains 15 ml of syrup).

Most often, the medicine is recommended to be taken after a meal, about an hour later. If a patient has reflux esophagitis, the suspension is given earlier (30 minutes after eating), and in case of peptic ulcer it should be drunk half an hour before meals.

Tableted Maalox should be chewed or rassasyvat after one to two hours after a meal, as well as at night. The drug is prescribed to children older than 15 years, 1-2 tablets per reception. Usually it is prescribed three times, but sometimes the doctor may recommend taking 4-6 times a day. The duration of treatment for chronic pathologies is up to 2-3 months.

Excess dosage leads to diarrhea, abdominal pain or vomiting. For treatment, it is recommended to give more fluid, so that magnesium and aluminum quickly leave the patient's body.

All types of Maalox, including portioned sachets, are sold without a prescription. The average price of a bottle of suspension is 320-350 rubles, and the packaging of 20 chewable tablets is approximately 220-240 rubles.

Store the drug at home is advised at room temperature in a place hidden from small children. The shelf life of tablets with sugar is 5 years, and other forms of the drug - 3 years.

In most cases, the use of Maalox in children respond positively. Moms confirm that this drug quickly helps with heartburn and other unpleasant sensations that occur during gastritis and other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Side effects during treatment with the suspension are extremely rare.

Other antacid medicines may serve as a replacement for Maalox:

• Almagel. Such a suspension preparation contains the same active ingredients as Maalox, but in lower dosages. It is used in the treatment of children over 10 years.
• Gaviscon. In such a medicine, sodium alginate is added to the combination of calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate. The drug is produced in the form of chewable tablets (appointed from 12 years) and suspensions (can be given to children over 6 years old).
• Gastratsid. The composition of such chewable tablets is identical to that of Maalox. The instruction to this medication recommends it from 10 years of age.
• Rennie. These chewable tablets based on calcium and magnesium carbonates are used in children over 12 years old.
• Antareyt. The action of such chewable tablets is provided by a galdrath, supplemented with simethicone. The drug is shown from the age of 12.

About what heartburn is and how to deal with it, see the next video.