Gasec – indications, dosage, contraindications, side effects of the drug for gastro-esophageal reflux

Gasec is a preparation used to treat the symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (e.g. heartburn, regurgitation). The active substance of the preparation is omeprazole, which is sensitive to the action of acid in gastric juice, therefore it is used orally. After oral administration, the drug is absorbed quickly from the small intestine. The preparation is in the form of capsules and is dispensed without a prescription.

Gasec (Mepha)

ACTION

Proton pump inhibitor

Gasec – indications and dosage

Gasec are capsules designed to treat the symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease:

1. heartburn
2. regurgitation.

Dosage

Gasec is provided as capsules to be taken by mouth and should be swallowed whole. Patients who have difficulty swallowing can take the contents of the capsule immediately after mixing it with water or a slightly acidic drink, without prior chewing or crushing. If, after 2 weeks of treatment, the symptoms do not improve or they return, further tests should be performed. People with liver failure should consider taking lower doses of the drug.

1. Adults. 10-20 mg once a day for 1 weeks

Gasec and contraindications

Contraindications to taking Gasec are:

1. hypersensitivity to any component of the preparation,
2. pregnancy,
3. the period of breastfeeding,
4. when used in parallel with atazanavir.

Gasec – warnings

1. Treatment with Gasec may alleviate and mask the symptoms of the cancer, which may delay the start of treatment. Therefore, before use, it is necessary to exclude neoplastic disease as the cause of such symptoms as: weight loss, frequent vomiting, difficulty swallowing, vomiting with blood, tarry stools
2. People over 45 who regularly take indigestion and heartburn medication should inform their doctor.
3. People with hereditary fructose intolerance disorders, glucose-galactose malabsorption or sucrase-isomaltase insufficiency should not take this medicine because it contains sucrose.
4. Gasec must not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women as there is no information on its safety.
5. Users of Gasec should exercise caution while driving. The preparation may cause side effects in the form of dizziness and headaches as well as visual acuity disturbances, which may impair driving ability.

Gasec with other medications

1. Gasec may reduce the absorption of ketoconazole, itraconazole and other drugs.
2. Omeprazole contained in the preparation prolongs the elimination time of diazepam and other drugs metabolised with the participation of cytochrome P450 2C19.
3. Concomitant use with clarithromycin increases plasma levels of phenytoin and warfarin, therefore it is recommended to monitor their concentration or reduce the dose.

Gasec – side effects

While taking Gasec, you may experience:

1. headache, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, vomiting, flatulence, paraesthesia, somnolence, balance disorder, rash, itching, urticaria, increased liver enzymes, malaise,
2. the following may occur: aggression, depression, hallucinations, gastrointestinal yeast infection, dry mouth, erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Lyell’s syndrome, hair loss, joint and muscle pain, hepatitis with or without jaundice, liver failure, encephalopathy (in patients with severe hepatic insufficiency), gynaecomastia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, agranulocytosis, impotence, interstitial nephritis, peripheral edema, blurred vision, taste disturbances, decreased sodium concentration in the blood (hyponatraemia), hypersensitivity reactions: angioedema, bronchospasm, anaphylactic shock .