Diosmectite
Diosmectite (brand names Smecta, Smecdral) is a natural silicate of aluminium and magnesium used as an intestinal adsorbent in the treatment of several gastrointestinal diseases, including infectious and non-infectious acute and chronic diarrhoea, including irritable bowel syndrome diarrhea subtype. Other uses include: chronic diarrhea caused by radiation-induced, chemotherapy-induced, and acquired immune deficiency syndrome-associated chronic diarrhea.[1] It is insoluble in water.
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Formula | (Na-Ca)0.33-(Al-Mg)2-Si4-O10-(O-H)2·(H2O)2 |
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Efficacy
The use of diosmectite as an adjuvant to rehydration therapy for acute infectious diarrhoea in children may reduce the duration of diarrhoea by a day; may increase cure rate by day 3; and may reduce stool output, but has no effect on hospitalization rates or need for intravenous therapy.[2]
Mechanism of action
Its effectiveness in improving stool consistency is the result of its ability to absorb bacteria, viruses and toxins as well as strengthening the intestinal mucus barrier to reduce luminal antigens passing through the mucus barrier which in turn helps to reduce inflammation.[1]
External links
- Santantonio M, Colella M, Fiorica F, et al. (2000). "Diosmectite (DIOSMECTAL) in preventive anti-diarrheic therapy in patients subjected to pelvic radiation". Minerva Gastroenterol Dietol. 46 (4): 225–30. PMID 16501441.
References
- Lee KJ (October 2015). "Pharmacologic Agents for Chronic Diarrhea". Intest Res. 13 (4): 306–12. doi:10.5217/ir.2015.13.4.306. PMC 4641856. PMID 26576135.
- Giordano Pérez‐Gaxiola, Carlos A Cuello‐García, Ivan D Florez, Víctor M Pérez‐Pico (2018). "Smectite for acute infectious diarrhoea in children". Cochrane Systematic Review. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD011526.pub2. PMC 6494641.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)