Almax: Contraindications, Side Effects, Benefits, Etc.

Who in his life has not experienced at some point that terrible sensation of heartburn? No one is exempt from suffering from heartburn.

Inadequate food intake either by excess or by deficit can lead to the appearance of stomach problems, a diet that is poor in nutrients and high in fat and salt produce failures in the functioning of the digestive system in general, leading as the first indication of a major problem, heartburn.

The acid produced in the stomach, responsible for activating the digestive process when receiving food, is highly irritating to the epithelial mucosa that covers the esophagus, so an excessive production of acid by the stomach leads to it rising up the esophagus amounts of acid that cause that terrible heartburn sensation.

In turn, an excessive production of hydrochloric acid can lead to major problems such as gastric and esophageal ulcerations and even perforations that can endanger the life of the person.

One way to avoid or prevent this condition is by eating a balanced diet to ensure good digestion and therefore a good use of nutrients.

The stomach is affected not only by the consumption of the foods that we choose in our daily diet, but also by external factors, mental conditions of care, diseases already implanted in the body, medications for continuous use, especially those belonging to the NSAID group , antibiotics, chemotherapies, among many more.

It should be noted therefore that the stomach is a noble organ that even an annoying noise can affect it during the ingestion and digestion of food, therefore it is recommended to consume the main meals in quiet environments away from loud noises, television or conditions that generate stress. or anxiety, to ensure an adequate use of food and an optimal functioning of the digestive tract in general.

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What is Almax?

Almax is a medicine from the group of antacids , since in its composition it contains almagate, a substance that is responsible for maintaining stable hydrochloric acid levels, producing a notable improvement in patients with gastroesophageal reflux. Contains a pleasant anise-like flavor.

Chemical composition of Almax

The chemical composition of Almax contains almagate , saccharin, microcrystalline cellulose, sorbitol, carboxymethylcellulose, simethicone emulsion, chlorhexidine diacetate, peppermint oil and water.

All of these components work together to produce its antacid effect in the stomach, helping to neutralize acids.

Its outstanding feature is the fact that it is insoluble so it maintains its effect giving good results in more serious cases such as gastritis and a number of conditions that can lead to an increase in hydrochloric acid in the stomach.

Recommended dose of Almax

The recommended dose of Alma will depend on the severity of the patient , a response dose is recommended without exceeding 8 grams per day.

Its use is not recommended in children under 12 years of age and the dosage will be the same as that used for adults from that age.

It is recommended to take this medicine half an hour after the main meals, having the advantage that if you feel heartburn reappear between doses, you can re-ingest the medicine, which comes in sachets to dilute and tablets, both 500 mg.

Among the presentations of this medicine is Almax Forte which is even more powerful than Amax alone. Following the same administration schedule or only when heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux is present.

Treatments with this drug should not exceed more than 14 days , so if symptoms do not improve it is advisable to go to a specialist in search of other options.

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The tablets are chewable or can be dissolved in the mouth, or dissolved in a quarter of a glass of water for administration.

In case of choosing the suspension presentation, it is recommended to use the meter that contains the box since it is easier to administer.

Active ingredients of Almax

The active ingredient in Almax is almagate, it is a substance whose function is to eliminate the symptoms of heartburn, neutralizing hydrochloric acid, inhibiting pepsin, and helps the absorption and neutralization of bile acids.

The function of hydrochloric acid in our body is to break down food by activating digestion with enzymes that are released for this purpose that are then eliminated from the body along with the waste resulting from digestion.

Hydrochloric acid, despite being very corrosive, protects the stomach and our body in general from pathogens that enter our body with food, as well as pepsin helps the breakdown of vitamins from the food consumed.

Bile acids help in conjunction with other enzymes to absorb fats as well as fat-soluble vitamins.

Hydrochloric acids, bile acids and enzymes that act in the process of digestion are essential for our body, so they must be kept in a constant balance.

Once the production of hydrochloric acid has increased, its pH decreases, which leads to a marked acidity capable of causing damage to the epithelium or cell lining of the stomach, as well as the esophagus.

Therefore, there are drugs such as Almax capable of reversing these effects and balancing or bringing hydrochloric acid to present high pH values ​​seeking neutrality to prevent it from continuing to produce the sensation of acidity, reflux, or poor digestion.

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How to take Almax?

The form of administration of Almax varies according to its presentation , you can opt for the sachets that are diluted in water, the syrup that brings a meter for its correct dosage, chewable tablets. In general, all these presentations are 500 mg.

You can find 1 gr or 1.5 gr syrup, as is the case with Almax Forte.

According to its presentation and milligrams, its dosage will be evaluated individually since it is a drug that can be administered several times a day according to the patient’s need.

Benefits and properties of Almax

Used against gastritis and gastroenteritis

Type B gastritis should be treated with clarithromycin, amoxicillin, and tetracycline, due to resistance to metronidazole.

Treatment must be accompanied by antacids, among which is Almax, ranitidine, or drugs that decrease gastric secretion of hydrochloric acid such as Omeprazole, in conjunction with an adequate and individualized diet, where substances that increase secretion of acids in the stomach such as soda. In general, in severe cases where the stomach is very compromised, a strictly soft diet is recommended.

Alma during pregnancy and its effects

Gastric problems such as heartburn is one of the symptoms that usually accompanies pregnancy, and this is due to the excessive production by the woman’s body of female hormones such as estrogens and progesterone, whose effect is to relax the muscle including the muscle cells of the stomach , so digestion becomes slow which generates an excess in the production of hydrochloric acid which induces acidity.

As the uterus grows and gains space in the abdomen, it compresses the organs that are in that area, such as the stomach, generating the incomplete closure of the esophageal sphincter so that the contents of the stomach can rise to the esophagus and produce that so unpleasant heartburn feeling.

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Almax does not have any contraindication during pregnancy , so it reduces the immediate improvement of this condition, reducing its administration time and dose, which is what should be taken care of.

During pregnancy it is recommended that any medication or substance that is ingested should be indicated by a specialist doctor for this purpose, it should not be self-medicated.

Almax during breastfeeding

Although it is a drug that can be found with its consumption in breast milk, the amount is minimal, as long as it does not exceed the recommended doses.

So it can be used calmly during breastfeeding , if you have any heartburn upset.

Is Almax good for children?

In general, medications used to control stomach acids should not be administered to children under 12 years of age , this because they can mask very important symptoms such as appendicitis, and be life-threatening. In child patients with kidney disease, it is totally contraindicated because it produces aluminum intoxication or hypermagnesemia.

Almax and diabetes

Almax is safe in patients with diabetes mellitus I and II ; so there are no contraindications that warrant care regarding blood glucose levels.

Almax and Alzheimer’s

The risk that people may suffer with the administration of drugs that contain aluminum and Alzheimer’s in their composition is still being studied, so it cannot be specified that Almax leads to this disease , or that this disease is the consequence of the excessive use of Almax or any derivative.

The use of this medicine should not be feared for fear of this disease, since real studies have not yet given any results, so you should not speculate and try to have your own criteria until there are proven results of the studies carried out.

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Almax and hiatal hernia

Almax is an amalgate, which is composed of a salt such as aluminum and magnesium . Aluminum salt has effects on the digestive system causing constipation and magnesium is the opposite, it has laxative effects at the intestinal level, so special care must be taken with each of the symptoms that occur with the administration of this medicine. .

The aluminum salt in the stomach increases the pH, which causes it to become more alkaline and prevents acidity. However, it can be mentioned that it will not eliminate gastroesophageal reflux or cure hernias, it only improves heartburn symptoms and prevents damage to the gastric mucosa and esophagus due to exposure to hydrochloric acid.

Dialysis and Almax

Almax could be said to be an ally for patients who must undergo dialysis , since they have blood clotting problems and the action of dialysis, where the concentrations of calcium and magnesium must be kept in an acceptable state since they are essential for the coagulation cascade to occur.

Because Almax contains a trimagnesic salt, it helps and accelerates the coagulation process at the puncture site for dialysis and helps the affected area to heal properly.

Almax and alcohol

The consumption of alcohol causes a loss of the effect of the medicine and produces stomach irritation, so they should not be combined if you want to have an antacid effect on the digestive tract.

Almax vs omeprazole

In general, antacids neutralize stomach acids, their greatest effect is when it is administered after meals, because once the acid production is released after the ingestion of food to perform digestion, that is when it can occur discomfort and it is precisely where the antacid acts neutralizing everything and improving said condition.

For more information on this topic, we invite you to read  Omeprazole: Contraindications, side effects, benefits, etc.

Its effect arises because an antacid is considered a base in relation to pH , an alkaline substance, which represents the opposite of what happens in the stomach, therefore a neutralizing effect arises.

Among the oldest antacids are bicarbonate, magnesium salts, calcium salts, and aluminum salts, from which Almax was derived.

Antacids have in common the symptoms to be treated, but they are not used in the same way , such is the case of Almax, which must be administered when the gastric juice has already been released by the presence of food in the stomach.

They have the advantage that their effect is immediate, but something that does not favor it is the amount of interactions it has with other medications, so it is necessary to know in depth the joint treatments that will be done with the antacid and to have good advice doctor, to avoid any complications.

For each pathology or stomach condition there is a recommended presentation of antacids, so if the damage to the epithelial mucosa of the stomach and esophagus is already compromised due to damage or ulceration, the use of stronger medications, such as omeprazole and its derivatives.

Antacids were previously used for any degree of acidity and abdominal pain, but because improvements have emerged in the development of lower-potential drugs, their use can be classified.

Antacids such as Almax and Omeprazole are compatible, so both can be used together in the treatment of heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux, because the mechanism by which they act is different and they do not compete.

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Omeprazole works by inhibiting the proton pump and to carry out this action it passes into the blood to reach the cell membranes and be able to enter the gastric epithelium and carry out its action.

On the other hand, Almax is insoluble, it is not absorbed, it forms a local protective layer, which is used to reduce the annoying symptoms of heartburn quickly, almost instantly. So, when used together omeprazole and Alma can be the perfect allies to improve stomach function and avoid heartburn.

Omeprazole should be administered daily, in severe cases it can be used every 12 hours if necessary, but Almax is on demand, it is used whenever discomfort or heartburn is felt.

Contraceptives and Almax

Oral contraceptives do not have any contraindications with Almax , since none interfere with its actions.

It should only be foreseen that they are not administered together, if you choose to take the contraceptive pill in the morning or at night, ensure that the antacid is ingested during the day, with that alone it is enough for both to fulfill their action without any inconvenience.

Almax interactions

Almagate alkalizes urine , interacts with urine acidifiers (ascorbic acid, ammonium chloride, sodium or potassium phosphate). Process by which the excretion of some drugs such as quinidine and amphetamines can be reduced, producing an increase in their toxicity.

Likewise, the alkalization of the urine can increase the elimination of salicylates, which is why a readjustment of the doses is necessary. This titration process should be given priority in patients treated with large doses of salicylates.

Almagate significantly reduces the absorption of tetracyclines and quinolones, reducing antibiotic efficacy. This process occurs as it can form chelates with tetracyclines and quinolones. It is recommended that the administration should wait one hour after the antibiotic has been administered.

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Antacids administered at high doses can interfere with the absorption of H2 antagonists, so they must be administered separately, at least half an hour to an hour between one administration and another, so that they do not interfere with their action.

The aluminum content of antacids reduces the absorption of isoniazid, so it is advisable to use another antacid that does not contain aluminum in its composition.

The alkalinization that occurs with the administration of antacids affects the absorption of ketoconazole. It is not recommended to use almagate, at least three days after the administration of ketoconazole, likewise they reduce the bioavailability of mycophenolate acetyl by 20%.

Almagate interferes with the effect of penicillamine, paracetamol, captopril, phenothiazines, penicillamine, chlorpromazine, among others.

Vitamins that contain iron among their components should not be administered together with antacids since good absorption does not occur.

Sucralfate is also compromised absorption in the presence of antacids, as well as vitamin D or its analogues, since it would increase serum magnesium concentrations, especially in patients with renal failure.

Side effects of Almax

Almax, as well as producing beneficial effects for health and preventive at the same time, also causes adverse effects to its use , so it is advisable to know its effects on the body to be able to differentiate when it is acting properly fulfilling its antacid action or when it doesn’t work the same way.

Almax is an antacid that acts by neutralizing the stomach pH, ​​so the following contraindications must be taken into account , let’s see:

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  • l almagato can cause allergies in some people , so if any use should be avoided
  • Avoid use in patients suffering from Alzheimer’s.
  • Special care must be taken in pathologies such as: bleeding in the digestive system, fluid retention or diarrhea, hemorrhoids.
  • Avoid its administration in patients with severe renal failure or any disease that affects the kidney, it is advisable to consult a specialist doctor before taking Almax, because it may not filter on dialysis, accumulate in the body and cause damage.
  • In cases of diets low in phosphorus or in patients with diarrheal pathologies, Almax should not be administered, its components and especially aluminum salts influence the absorption of phosphorus, which can trigger a series of symptoms among which is a mineral deficiency in the bones.
  • The elderly or elderly must take special care in the administration of medications and Almax does not escape this. Despite not being contraindicated, its continuous or prolonged use is not recommended as it could affect the bones and cause diseases such as osteoporosis.
  • This drug can be administered during pregnancy, but always under strict medical supervision, it happens the same during lactation.
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Kathie Sand always saw the world of beauty as the terrain on which to build her professional career, a goal that was clear to her when she was only 15 years old. Her great concern to expand knowledge led her to settle in Paris where she studied hand in hand with the best beauty professionals and with the most advanced techniques for skin care.

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