The best pills for poisoning for adults

Poisoning is a large group of pathological conditions, the key factor in the development of which is the effect of toxins on the body. It can be a variety of substances – from industrial to household. The most common types of poisoning are considered food poisoning – this is the use of poor-quality food contaminated with pathogenic microbes or their toxins. Usually this condition is not severe, disappears within a couple of days, as the body gets rid of toxic substances. But there may be more serious cases that require hospitalization and active treatment.

In most food poisoning cases, food is contaminated with pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella or E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, or a virus such as norovirus. Symptoms of food poisoning appear within 1 to 2 days after eating contaminated food, although they can start anytime from hours to weeks later.

In most cases, all symptoms disappear after a few days and the person makes a full recovery. Diet and plenty of fluids are often enough to treat these conditions. If the symptoms of poisoning are severe or persistent, or the person is more vulnerable to a serious infection (for example, because they are elderly or the patient has certain illnesses), further treatment may be needed. In this case, tests on stool samples may be done to find out what is causing the symptoms, and antibiotics may be given if the results indicate it is a bacterial infection.

Medications to stop nausea with vomiting (antiemetics) may also be given if the condition is at risk of dehydration and complications. In some cases, hospitalization for several days may be required so that the person’s condition can be monitored by doctors and injected directly into a vein (intravenously). For most poisonings, it is necessary to take oral solutions for rehydration (combat dehydration), the use of enzyme preparations and sorbents, and drugs to restore microflora. The best pills for poisoning for adults can only be selected by doctors, although there are a number of drugs that can be used at home.

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We have selected a number of drugs that are most often recommended for food poisoning in adults and can be used at home, under the supervision of a doctor. In case of complications, deterioration of the condition during treatment, it is imperative to call a doctor at home.

1. Activated carbon

This medicine is sold in tablets that have a specific black color. It can be purchased at any pharmacy without a prescription, it belongs to the group of sorbent substances that do not have selectivity (selectivity). The drug is based on activated charcoal, which absorbs toxins, metabolic products, fragments of bacteria or viruses from the intestinal lumen.

The drug is used:

• with any type of poisoning;
• with toxic infections (eating poor-quality food);
• with acute intestinal infections of microbial and viral nature;
• with any type of diarrhea.

Although the drug is well tolerated and widely used, it also has a number of contraindications. This is intolerance to the components, ulcers in the digestive tract, bleeding, as the color of the drug can mask them. Also, charcoal should not be given at the same time as oral antidotes, as it will also bind drug components. The drug can give side effects in the form of constipation if high doses are taken.

2. Mezim forte

The medicine is in the form of coated tablets. They can be bought without a prescription, the main active ingredient is pancreatic enzymes, which help in facilitating digestion, which is disturbed by poisoning and food poisoning with diarrhea. Usually taken as part of complex treatment against the background of diet correction as the condition improves.

Shown:

• to facilitate the digestion of food;
• splitting proteins and fats, while following a diet after poisoning;
• elimination of nausea, bloating, flatulence due to nutritional errors.

The drug has a number of contraindications, in particular, they include the period of acute pancreatitis or exacerbation of chronic pathology. It is usually well tolerated, side effects may include allergies, constipation, and bloating.

3. Cerukal

The medicine is released in the form of tablets or solutions for intramuscular or intravenous administration. This is an antiemetic, which at the same time normalizes intestinal motility, which makes it possible to eliminate painful nausea and vomiting during food poisoning due to the main active ingredient, metoclopramide.

Main indications for admission:

• acute gastritis;
• gastroesophageal reflux with vomiting;
• pylorospasms;
• indigestion with nausea and frequent bouts of vomiting.

The medicine has a number of contraindications that you need to remember – these are problems with the liver and kidneys, neurological disorders, bleeding from the digestive tract, intestinal obstruction, glaucoma, age up to 2 years.

4. Nifuroxazid

The medicine is available in the form of capsules and individual sachets with powder for oral administration. Sold without a medical prescription, refers to antimicrobial drugs, with the active ingredient – nifuroxazide, a synthetic antibacterial agent. It has a bactericidal effect, practically without affecting the own intestinal microflora.

Indications for admission:

• various types of diarrhea;
• food poisoning caused by bacteria;
• diarrhea in various types of digestive disorders.

The drug has practically no contraindications, except for early childhood (up to 2 months). The drug is not absorbed into the blood, it works at the level of the intestine.

5. No-shpа

It is sold in the form of tablets of a typical appearance and bright yellow color and “forte” form, it is dispensed from pharmacies without a prescription. The main active ingredient is the antispasmodic component – drotaverine.

Relaxes smooth muscles in the digestive tube, eliminating spasms in case of poisoning and reducing pain.

Shown at:

• gastritis of unspecified nature;
• pain that occurs with digestive disorders;
• spasms of smooth muscle fibers;
• intestinal colic.

Despite its safety and effectiveness, the drug has a number of contraindications for taking – allergy to components, liver failure with kidneys, heart damage, hypotension, age up to 6 years, lactation period, deficiency of galactose and lactose, pregnancy. Side effects include palpitations, decreased blood pressure, and headache.

How to choose poisoning pills for adults

If the poisoning is severe or lasts more than a day, without weakening, you need to see a doctor. A specialist can determine the causes of food poisoning, pick up pills for poisoning in adults. In case of severe symptoms, drugs of the following groups are used:

• antibiotics and intestinal antiseptics, if the microbial nature of the infection is proven;
• drugs in order to absorb toxins (activated carbon, Enterosgel, white coal, Smecta);
• means for the normalization of intestinal motility (prokinetics) and antiemetics;
• solutions for oral rehydration (mixtures based on salts and glucose);
• probiotics and prebiotic preparations, synbiotics;
• additional drugs to eliminate symptoms (antipyretic, antidiarrheal).

Any drugs and their combinations should be selected only by a doctor, excluding surgical diseases, dangerous conditions and complications.

Types of infection

Food contamination is usually caused by bacteria, but sometimes it can also be caused by viruses or parasites. Some of the main options.

Campylobacter. In our country, campylobacter bacteria are the most common cause of food poisoning. The bacteria are commonly found in raw or undercooked meats (especially poultry), unpasteurized milk, and unpurified water. The incubation period (the time between eating contaminated food and the onset of symptoms) of Campylobacter food poisoning is usually two to five days. Symptoms usually last less than a week.

Salmonella. Salmonella bacteria are often found in raw or undercooked meats, raw eggs, milk, and other dairy products. The incubation period is usually 12 to 72 hours. Symptoms usually last four to seven days.

Listeriosis. Listeria bacteria can be found in a range of chilled, “ready-to-eat” foods, including pre-packaged sandwiches, cooked cuts and patés, and soft cheeses (such as brie or camembert). All of these foods must be eaten prior to their use date. This is especially important for pregnant women because listeria infection (known as listeriosis) during pregnancy can cause complications during pregnancy and childbirth, and can also lead to miscarriage. The incubation period can vary greatly, from a few days to a few weeks. Symptoms usually resolve within three days.

Escherichia coli (escherichiosis). Escherichia coli, often referred to as E. coli, are bacteria found in the digestive system of many animals, including humans. Most strains are harmless, but some can cause serious illness. Most cases of escherichoiasis occur after eating undercooked beef (especially ground beef, hamburgers, and meatballs) or drinking unpasteurized milk. The incubation period for E. coli food poisoning is usually one to eight days. Symptoms usually last for several days or weeks.

Shigellez. Shigella bacteria can spoil any food that has been washed in contaminated water. Symptoms usually develop within seven days of eating the contaminated food and last up to a week.

An infection caused by Shigella bacteria is known as bacillary dysentery or shigellosis.

Viruses. The virus that most often causes diarrhea and vomiting is norovirus. It is easily spread from person to person through contaminated food or water. Raw shellfish, especially oysters, can also be a source of infection. The incubation period is usually 24 to 48 hours, and symptoms usually resolve within a couple of days.

Parasites. Food poisoning caused by parasites is rare. Parasitic infections that can be spread in contaminated food include:

• giardiasis, an infection caused by a parasite called Giardia intestinalis
• cryptosporidiosis, an infection caused by a parasite called Cryptosporidium;
• Ameobiasis is a type of dysentery caused by a single-celled parasite (ameoba) called Entamoeba histolytica.

Symptoms of food poisoning caused by the parasite usually develop within 10 days of eating contaminated food, although it can sometimes take several weeks before you feel sick. If the poisoning is not treated, the symptoms can last for a long time – sometimes several weeks or even several months.

Popular questions and answers

We asked questions about the causes of poisoning, possible treatment options and elimination of consequences. gastroenterologist, therapist Vera Samsonova