Gastromed

Overdose

In a clinical trial on healthy men of overdose with sucralfate, most cases remained asymptomatic, but symptoms of abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting were reported in a few cases. Acute oral toxicity studies in animals, using doses up to 12 g/kg body weight, could not find a lethal dose. Risks associated with overdose, should, therefore, be minimal.

Gastromed price

We have no data on the cost of the drug.
However, we will provide data for each active ingredient

Contraindications

Incompatibilities

Not applicable

Undesirable effects

Tabulated list of adverse reactions

Immune system disorders

Not known (cannot be estimated from the available data)

Anaphylactic reaction including pruritus, urticaria, oedema, dyspnoea

Nervous system disorders

Not known (cannot be estimated from the available data)

Dizziness, headache, drowsiness

Ear and labyrinth disorders

Not known (cannot be estimated from the available data)

Vertigo

Gastrointestinal disorders

Common (> 1% and < 10%);

Constipation

Uncommon (> 0.1% and <1%)

Dry mouth, nausea,

Rare (> 0.01% and <0.1%)

Bezoar formation1

Not known (cannot be estimated from the available data)

Diarrhoea, vomiting, gastric discomfort, indigestion, flatulence

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Rare (> 0.01% and <0.1%)

Rash

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders

Not known (cannot be estimated from the available data)

Back pain

Injury, poisoning and procedural complications

Not known (cannot be estimated from the available data)

Osteodystrophy², osteomalacia², encephalopathy², anaemia²

¹Reported in patients with impaired gastric emptying, patients with enteral tube feeding or low birth weight infants

²Reported in patients with chronic renal impairment

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

Preclinical safety data

There was no evidence of carcinogenesis in mice and rats receiving oral sucralfate in dosages of up to 1 g/kg daily (12 times the usual human dosage) for 2 years. In animal studies there was no effect evidence of impaired fertility. The effect of sucralfate on human fertility is not known.

Therapeutic indications

Gastromed is indicated in adults and adolescents over 14 years old for treatment of duodenal ulcer, gastric ulcer, chronic gastritis, and the prophylaxis of gastrointestinal haemorrhage from stress ulceration in seriously ill patients.

Pharmacotherapeutic group

Alimentary tract and metabolism, ATC code: A02B X02

Pharmacodynamic properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Alimentary tract and metabolism, ATC code: A02B X02

Mechanism of action

The action of Gastromed is non-systemic as the drug is only minimally absorbed from the gastro-intestinal tract. The small amounts that are absorbed are excreted primarily in the urine. Gastromed exerts a generalised cytoprotective effect by preventing gastro-intestinal mucosal injury.

Studies in humans and animal models show that Gastromed forms an ulcer adherent complex with the proteinaceous exudate of the ulcer site. This property enables Gastromed to form a protective barrier over the ulcer lesion giving sustained protection against the penetration and action of gastric acid, pepsin and bile.

Studies both in humans and animals demonstrate that Gastromed protects the gastric mucosa against various irritants such as alcohol, acetylsalicyclic acid and sodium taurocholate.

Gastromed also directly inhibits pepsin activity and absorbs bile salts. It has only weak antacid activity. It does not alter gastric emptying time, nor normal digestive function. Gastromed has no demonstrated pharmacological effect on the cardiovascular or central nervous systems.

Paediatric population

In the literature, there are limited clinical data on the use of sucralfate in children, mainly for stress ulcer prophylaxis, reflux oesophagitis, and mucositis. The dose used in these studies was 0.5 - 1 g four times a day, depending on the children's age and the severity of the underlying disease, and was applied without major safety concerns. In view of the limited data, use of sucralfate in children under 14 years of age is currently not recommended.

Pharmacokinetic properties

Absorption

Sucralfate is only minimally absorbed from the gastro-intestinal tract. The small amounts that are absorbed are excreted primarily in the urine. Absorption of aluminium from sucralfate may be increased in patients on dialysis or with renal dysfunction (see also “other special warnings and precautions”).

Qualitative and quantitative composition

Sucralfate

Special warnings and precautions for use

Gastromed must not be administered intravenously. Inadvertent intravenous administration of insoluble sucralfate and its insoluble excipients may induce fatal complications, including pulmonary and cerebral emboli. Other severe complications including aluminium intoxication are reported after intravenous administration.

The product should only be used with caution in patients with renal dysfunction, due to the possibility of increased aluminium absorption.

Sucralfate is not recommended for use in individuals on dialysis.

In patients with severe or chronic renal impairment, Gastromed should be used with extreme caution and only for short-term treatment. Small amounts of aluminium are absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract and aluminium may accumulate. Aluminium osteodystrophy, osteomalacia, encephalopathy, and anaemia have been reported in patients with chronic renal impairment. For patients with impairment of renal function, laboratory testing such as aluminium, phosphate, calcium, and alkaline phosphatase is recommended to be periodically performed due to excretion impairment.

The concomitant use of other aluminium containing medications is not recommended in view of the enhanced potential for aluminium absorption and toxicity.

Contains sodium methyl parahydroxybenzoate (E219) and sodium propyl parahydroxybenzoate (E217) which may cause allergic reactions (possibly delayed).

Bezoars have been reported after administration of sucralfate mainly to severely ill patients in intensive care units. The majority of these patients (including neonates in whom sucralfate is not recommended) had underlying medical conditions that may predispose to bezoar formation (such as delayed gastric emptying due to surgery, drug therapy or diseases that reduce motility), or were receiving concomitant enteral tube feeding.

Paediatric Population

Gastromed is not recommended for use in children under 14 years of age due to insufficient data on safety and efficacy.

Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Do not drive if you feel dizzy or drowsy.

Dosage (Posology) and method of administration

For oral administration.

Gastromed must not be administered intravenously.

Duodenal ulcer, gastric ulcer, chronic gastritis:

Adults: The usual dose is 2 grams twice daily to be taken on rising and at bedtime, or 1 gram 4 times a day to be taken 1 hour before meals and at bedtime. Maximum daily dose: 8 grams.

Four to six weeks' treatment is usually needed for ulcer healing, but up to twelve weeks may be necessary in resistant cases.

Antacids may be used as required for relief of pain, but should not be taken half an hour before or after Gastromed.

Paediatric population: The safety and efficacy of Gastromed in children under 14 years of age has not been established.

Elderly: see below

Prophylaxis of gastrointestinal haemorrhage from stress ulceration:

Adults: The usual dose is 1 gram six times a day.

Special precautions for disposal and other handling

No special requirements.