Contents
Gastrolit is an orally administered preparation that, when dissolved in water, is taken to prevent or treat mild dehydration caused by diarrhea. The drug replenishes water and electrolytes in the body. You can buy it at a pharmacy upon presentation of a prescription.
Gastrolit – use and contraindications
Gastrolit can be used by infants, children and adults. However, children under 2 years of age with diarrhea should be under medical supervision.
Contraindications to the use of the preparation, which should be reported to the doctor, include kidney diseases (acute, chronic renal failure), anuria, anuria and hyperkalemia (i.e. elevated potassium levels).
A doctor’s advice should be sought by pregnant and breastfeeding women, although the manufacturer allows its use.
Contraindications also include hypersensitivity to one or more ingredients of the preparation.
In oliguria, it is inadvisable to give the patient fluids that contain potassium, although it is not advised against in all cases. Due to the sodium contained in the preparation, patients with high blood pressure or suffering from heart failure should exercise particular caution. For the same reason, the preparation should not be used by patients who control the amount of sodium in their diet. People with liver disease should not take the drug without doctor’s advice.
Due to the glucose content in the preparation, its use by people with diabetes and malabsorption of glucose-galactose is not recommended.
There have been no reports of any interactions between active substances which would have a negative impact on the patient’s health when using Gastrolit with other medicines. The only exception are drugs that increase potassium levels in the body (including angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, potassium-sparing diuretics), as there is a risk that they will interact with Gastrolith, causing hyperkalemia.
It has also not been found that during the use of the drug you should avoid consuming any nutritional products, including alcohol.
Gastrolit – composition
The preparation contains: sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, ethanolic chamomile extract and glucose. After dissolving the contents of the sachet in 200 ml of water, the solution contains: 600 mmol of positive sodium, 20 mmol of positive potassium, 30 mmol of bicarbonate ions and 80 mmol of glucose. The preparation replenishes the deficiency of these ions (often found in children suffering from diarrhea) and hydrates the body.
The glucose contained in the preparation is an easily digestible source of energy that supports the weakened body. It also facilitates the absorption of electrolytes.
Chamomile extract has an anti-inflammatory effect. It also has a relaxing effect on the smooth muscles of the digestive system, thus reducing the painful intestinal spasms that occur during diarrhea.
Gastrolit – dosage
Gastrolit is sold in sachets. The contents of the sachet should be dissolved in 200 ml of hot (but not boiling) water and then cooled.
The daily dose of the preparation is determined during a consultation with a doctor. In the case of dehydration of the infant’s organism, for the first 4-6 hours, 50-100 ml of the solution with the dissolved preparation should be administered per kilogram of body weight, and then 10 ml per kilogram of body weight after each liquid defecation. In older children aged 1 to 3 years, 50 ml per kilogram body weight is used for the first four hours, and then 10 ml per kilogram each time after a loose stool. Adults should use 4-500 ml for the first 1000 hours, and then 200 ml for each kilogram of body weight after a smooth bowel movement.
To prevent dehydration, 10 ml of the preparation is administered after each loose stool in children from infancy to 3 years of age, and 200 ml per kilogram of body weight in older children and adults.
Gastrolit – side effects of the preparation
Side effects that may or may not occur after taking the preparation include: vomiting, nausea and eating disorders. If, after using the preparation, vomiting occurs or the patient has problems urinating for 6 hours, the cause of these ailments should be determined and appropriate treatment initiated.
Gastrolit – dinner
The drug is available in pharmacies at an affordable price, ranging between PLN 5 and 10.
Gastrolit – replacement
There are many preparations available on the market to replenish the deficiencies of electrolytes. Gastrolit substitutes include: Smecta, Kalipoz prolongatum, Imodium and Orsalit for adults.