Smecta for children: instructions for use

Smecta is one of the most popular sorbents. It is appreciated for its natural origin and additional protective effect on the digestive tract. Such a drug is prescribed to adults for pain and various dyspeptic symptoms, but diarrhea is the most common reason for taking Smecta. Is such a remedy used in the treatment of children, in what dosages is it allowed in childhood? How to properly dilute the drug and can such a medication harm little patients?

Release form

The drug is produced in France in two easy-to-use forms:

Powder. It has a gray-white or gray-yellow color, and also has a mild vanilla smell. This powder in an amount of 3.76 grams is placed in laminated paper sachets. After mixing with water, it forms a cloudy gray-yellow or gray-white suspension. Depending on the taste of the finished medicine, such a Smecta is orange or vanilla. The most popular packaging for this medication is boxes of 10 sachets. Also, larger packages are produced, in which 30 Smecta sachets are placed.

Suspension... It is packed in portioned bags weighing just over 10 grams each. Such a medicine is a homogeneous thick paste-like substance of white-yellow or grayish color with a caramel aroma. One box of this type of Smecta includes 12 sachets.

Composition

The main component of both forms of the drug is called dioctahedral smectite. One packet of powder or suspension contains it in a dose of 3 grams. When making a powder, dextrose monohydrate and vanilla and orange flavors (in an orange medicine) or vanillin (in a vanilla-flavored preparation) are added to smectite. The sweetness of the Smecta powder form is also due to the sweetener - sodium saccharinate.

Additional components of the finished suspension are ascorbic and citric acid, potassium sorbate, purified water and xanthan gum. The sweet taste of this variant of Smekta is provided by sucralose, and the pleasant smell and taste is provided by the aroma of caramel and cocoa.

Operating principle

The main ingredient of Smecta is aluminosilicate in structure. It is of natural origin and has an antidiarrheal effect due to the following effects:

selective sorption action associated with the special structure of smectite (discoid-crystalline);
adsorption of viruses and pathogenic bacteria that reside in the intestinal lumen;
binding of toxic substances in the eaten food and their excretion with feces;
enveloping the walls of the intestine due to its strong fluidity;
the formation of bonds with mucus in the digestive tract (smectite combines with glycoproteins);
stimulation of mucus production;
stabilization of the barrier function of the gastrointestinal mucous membranes;
increasing the protective properties of mucus, due to which it prevents the harmful action of microbes, hydrochloric acid, toxins and other substances on the cells of the digestive tract.

When used in therapeutic dosages, the drug does not affect intestinal motility in any way., that is, the drug does not inhibit peristalsis. Smectite also does not change the color of feces and is not detected during X-ray examination of the intestine. In addition, aluminum from smectite is unable to be absorbed into the intestinal wall even in the presence of colitis or other gastrointestinal lesions. The drug taken orally is not adsorbed, but leaves the digestive tract unchanged.

Indications

The most common indication for the use of Smecta is diarrhea, which are caused by:

violation of the diet, for example, overeating;
eating spoiled food;
food allergy;
rotavirus;
harmful bacteria or their toxins;
the use of unusual dishes;
taking medications, such as antibiotics;
nervous tension and experiences.

In addition, Smecta is also prescribed for other uncomfortable symptoms:

heartburn;
discomfort in the abdomen;
bloating;
vomiting;
painful sensations caused by esophagitis, gastritis and other inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
intestinal colic.

At what age are children prescribed?

As the annotation to Smekta notes, this remedy is safe for patients of any age and can be safely used from birth. Doctors prescribe such a medication for newborns, children 3-6 years old, and schoolchildren or adult patients.

However, for the smallest, its use is allowed only after a doctor's prescription.

Contraindications

Despite the rather extensive list of indications, there are situations when Smecta is not applied. The medicine is not given:

patients with intestinal obstruction;
babies with hypersensitivity to any component of the drug;
children with fructose intolerance or other hereditary disorders of carbohydrate absorption.

In addition, Smecta is not recommended for the treatment of children who suffer from chronic constipation. If the drug is prescribed to such patients, then only under medical supervision.

Side effects

In some children, even if the dosages recommended by the doctor and the frequency of taking Smecta are observed, constipation appears. In such a situation, the dose of the medication is reduced, and the problem in most cases is immediately eliminated. Sometimes, after taking the suspension, flatulence or an attack of vomiting occurs, which requires its cancellation.

Very rarely, the drug provokes an allergic reaction in the form of hives, itching or other unpleasant symptom. In this case, further use of the drug and its analogues with the same active compound must also be abandoned.

Instructions for use

For most patients, Smecta is recommended to be taken about 1-2 hours before meals, but if the child is diagnosed with esophagitis, the medication must be drunk after eating.

For babies, the drug is advised to be given between feedings, but if this is not possible, then we can take it with food.

Method for preparing a suspension from powder

Dissolve one sachet dry medicine in clean water. If the medication is being prepared for a child, it is enough to take only 50 ml of liquid. In addition, the powder can be added to any semi-liquid products, for example, milk mixture, compote, liquid porridge, milk or fruit puree.

First, water or other liquid is poured into the container, and then the powder is slowly poured and the suspension is actively stirred so that no lumps or inclusions remain in it. You can also use a mixer or blender to prepare the solution. After mixing the powder with water, it should be set aside for a while so that the suspension is infused.

Dosage in childhood

First year baby life Smecta is prescribed 1 sachet per day - both in powder form and ready-to-use medicine.
One year old child the medication is also often prescribed one sachet per day, but if necessary, the dosage can be increased to 2 sachets.
If the patient already 2 years old, then he can be given 2-3 sachets of medicine per day.
Teenagers the medication is prescribed in an adult dosage, that is, 3 sachets per day.

If the diarrhea is acute, then in the first three days it is possible to use a double dose, for example, a 6-month-old baby can be given a suspension of two sachets per day, a 1.5-year-old child - a medicine of 4 sachets, and a teenager 12-13 years old or older can be taken for day 6 sachets of Smecta. Next, they switch to the standard dosages indicated above.

How to take the suspension?

The daily dosage of the medicine prescribed by the doctor is divided into at least 2-3 doses. For children over two years old, the suspension is prepared right before taking it, since such patients need 1 sachet of powder at a time.

For children under 2 years old, the medication in powder should be diluted with water or other liquid at once in a full dose. For example, if the doctor said to give two sachets a day, then they are immediately combined with water or liquid food, and then divided into several equal portions so that the baby takes all the medicine in a day. The prepared suspension is not left the next day.

Before giving the medicine to a child, it must be mixed (especially if the medicine was diluted some time ago). It is convenient for the smallest patients to give Smecta from a bottle. Older children are usually offered medicine from a spoon.

Children of school age can drink the powder diluted right before taking it from a glass or mug.

As for portioned sachets with a ready-made suspension, then before taking the package, knead the package with your fingers, then tear off the corner and squeeze the paste into a spoon. This Smecta can not be diluted, taking directly from a spoon. If it is not possible to give the medicine to the child in this form, the suspension can be squeezed out into food (mashed potatoes, porridge) or a glass with a small volume of water, and then given as a suspension prepared from a powder form.

Duration of treatment

Most often, the medicine is prescribed in a short course lasting from 3 to 7 days. How long to take the drug is determined by the rate of improvement in the patient's condition. If Smecta was prescribed for acute diarrhea, you need to drink the suspension for at least three days, even if the painful symptom disappeared earlier. With a tendency to constipation, they try to make the medication as short as possible. For example, if the condition has improved on the second day, the medication is canceled.

Smecta is usually not accepted for more than seven days. If the child has drunk the adsorbent for a week, but loose stools, pain, flatulence or other symptoms still remain, a doctor's examination is required.

The doctor should also show the little patient when a fever or abdominal pain appears while taking Smecta.

Tips

Although Smecta is considered a drug safe for children, which allows it to be given even to babies up to a year, but before using the medicine, the child should be shown to the pediatrician. The reasons for loose stools are different, some of them will not be affected by the sorbent intake, and time will be lost, which poses a danger to the health of the toddler (this is especially dangerous for babies).

If a child has been diagnosed with poisoning, then before using Smecta it is recommended to flush the sick stomach. This will free the child's body from toxic substances and increase the effectiveness of smectite.

If a child has diarrhea or vomiting, it is important to additionally prescribe special agents that will become a source of water with minerals lost with loose stools and vomit. They are called rehydration drugs.

It is these medicines that are considered by pediatricians to be the basis of treatment if a child has diarrhea or vomiting, and Smecta acts only as an addition to them. These drugs include Regidron, Hydrovit, Gastrolit or Humana Electrolyte. In addition to them, the child can be given compote, fruit drink, mineral water, tea or any other liquid.

If a small patient refuses to drink Smecta, one should not force him or infuse a suspension by force. Try to persuade the little one and give the drug in small portions, disguising it in your favorite food.

Smecta for newborns

As already noted, according to the instructions for use, the medication is allowed to be used even in the smallest children who have just been born. Such babies are prescribed Smecta not only for problems with the digestive tract, but also for postpartum jaundice.

If there is an excess of bilirubin in the blood of crumbs for 2-3 days of life due to the active disintegration of embryonic hemoglobin and immaturity of the liver, and the skin turns yellow, to accelerate the elimination of such a substance from the body of the newborn, the doctor may prescribe one packet of Smecta per day. In such a situation, the drug is usually taken for 3-5 days.

Overdose

Since taking an excessive amount of smectite can affect intestinal peristalsis, due to an excess of the dose of the medication, most patients develop constipation. Even a very large amount of the drug does not provoke other negative symptoms.

Drug interactions

Smecta should not be taken simultaneously with any other medications, since due to the adsorbing properties of such a drug, the degree and rate of absorption of other medications will decrease.

If the child is prescribed any other means, then there should be an interval of 1-2 hours between taking them and using Smekta.

Terms of sale

Both forms of Smekta are over-the-counter medicines, so they are freely purchased at the pharmacy without having to take a prescription from a doctor. The average price of 10 portioned sachets of powder is 140-150 rubles. You need to pay about 300-350 rubles for packing bags with caramel suspension.

Storage features

Sachets with powder or suspension should be kept at home in a place inaccessible to babies at a temperature not exceeding 25 degrees Celsius. The shelf life of Smecta powder is 3 years and is marked on each sachet of the drug. It must be checked before giving the suspension to the child.

The finished suspension in portioned bags can be stored for up to 2 years from the date of manufacture.

Reviews

Almost all reviews on the treatment of children with Smecta for poisoning, intestinal infection or other digestive problems are positive. In them, the main advantages of the drug are called:

comfortable shape;
safety for babies;
fast healing action;
natural base;
the possibility of use in infants;
lack of damaging effect on the digestive tract (this makes Smecta preferable to activated carbon, which scratches the mucous membrane);
pleasant taste;
ease of use;
the ability to purchase only one or several servings;
lack of addiction;
complete elimination of the drug with feces;
the rarity of side effects.

Due to these features, Smecta is often included in the home medicine cabinet as an effective remedy for diarrhea, bloating, abdominal pain, vomiting and other uncomfortable symptoms.

Among the disadvantages of the drug, mothers mention the frequent appearance of constipation after taking it, and some children find the taste of Smecta not very pleasant and refuse the medication. Most parents consider the cost of the medicine in powder to be affordable, and although the ready-made suspension is called expensive, it is considered more convenient to use.

Analogs

Instead of Smecta, drugs can be used that also contain dioctahedral smectite.

Neosmectin... This medication of domestic production, like Smecta, is represented by portioned sachets of powder, from which raspberry, orange or vanilla solutions are prepared. The medicine is sold in packages from 1 to 30 packages, contains 3 grams of smectite in each serving and is prescribed for intestinal infection, poisoning and other problems for which Smecta is recommended. The drug is allowed at any age, its shelf life is 4 years, and the average price for 10 sachets is 130 rubles.

Diosmectite. Such a Russian-made medicine is also very similar to Smecta, because it is produced in the form of a powder, placed in sachets of 3 grams. It can also be used for diarrhea of various origins in a child of any age, but Diosmectite is cheaper than analogues - for 10 packages of this drug you need to pay about 100 rubles.

Smecta can also be replaced by medicines with a different composition and mechanism of action, used for green stools, food toxicoinfections, a negative reaction of the gastrointestinal tract to drugs and in other cases.

These drugs include the following.

Enterol. The action of this medication is associated with the saccharomycetes present in its composition. They note antibacterial activity, therefore Enterol is used both for the treatment of diarrhea and for prophylactic purposes. The drug is presented as a powder (a suspension is made from it) and capsules. In childhood, he is discharged from 1 year.

Enterosgel. This popular adsorbent contains polymethylsiloxane polyhydrate and has a gel-like porous structure capable of binding toxic compounds, but not injuring the gastrointestinal mucosa. This medicine is prescribed not only for salmonellosis, dysbiosis, dysentery and other causes of diarrhea, but also for hepatitis, purulent infections, acetone, various poisonings and intoxications. Like Smect, it is allowed to give it even to infants.

Polysorb MP... This powder is a sorbent based on colloidal silicon dioxide. A suspension is prepared from it, which is used for food poisoning, jaundice, functional diarrhea, allergies, renal failure and other diseases. The medication can be used at any age.

Enterofuril... This medication is an antibiotic that contains nifuroxazide. The reason to prescribe this remedy is only diarrhea caused by harmful bacteria, therefore such a drug is not used without a doctor's prescription. The medication is available in suspension (it can be given to babies over 1 month old) and capsules (they are prescribed from 3 years old).

Imodium. This medicine helps with diarrhea due to the presence of loperamide, a substance that can inhibit the evacuation function of the intestine. The drug is available in tablets that must be sucked in the mouth. They can be given to children from the age of 6. Analogs of Imodium with the same active ingredient are Diara, Lopedium, Loperamide-Acri and other products.

Bifiform. This product, which contains bifidobacteria, is presented in powder, solution, chewable tablets and other forms. It is used to treat rotavirus infection, dysbiosis and other gastrointestinal diseases. For infants, use a solution, children over 1 year old are given Bifiform in powder. Capsules are used in children 2 years of age and older, and the tablet form is prescribed from 3 years of age.