In diseases of the stomach, accompanied by an increase in the secretion of hydrochloric acid, it is necessary to choose an effective medicine that could eliminate the symptoms in a short time. One of the most popular drugs of this action is Nolpaza. It should be understood in what cases Nolpaza tablets are effective and why this remedy is prescribed.
Material Content:
The composition of the antiulcer drug
The medicine is available in tablets and is a powerful proton pump inhibitor - an anti-ulcer agent that reduces the secretion of hydrochloric acid. The main active ingredient is pantoprazole, in an amount of 20 or 40 mg, depending on the dosage. The tablets are small in size, oval in shape and yellowish in color, are available in packs of 14, 28 or 56 pieces.
The composition additionally contains a number of auxiliary substances, including: calcium stearate, sodium carbonate, propylene glycol, titanium and iron dioxide, a number of dyes and components that form a thin film shell.
Pharmacological properties and pharmacokinetics
The active substance is converted to the active form only in an acidic environment, so the tablets begin to act directly when they enter the stomach. The drug blocks the final phase of the production of hydrochloric acid and increases gastrin secretion in proportion to the decrease in gastric acidity.
The drug is fast acting.After taking the first therapeutic dose, the maximum concentration of the active substance in the blood plasma is achieved in an average of 2-2.5 hours. With regular use, an equilibrium concentration of the active substance is characteristic.
The half-life takes about 60 minutes, the drug is metabolized in the liver, the drug is excreted in the urine (more than 80% of the metabolites) and feces.
The drug is highly bioavailable, food intake does not significantly affect the activity of the active substance.
What is Nolpaza prescribed for?
Nolpaz tablets are an antiulcer drug that is prescribed to patients for the treatment of various conditions accompanied by increased production of hydrochloric acid.
The drug is widely used in therapy:
- erosive and ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract associated with the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- lesions of the lower esophagus due to reflux of the contents of the stomach (gastroesophageal reflux GERD);
- peptic ulcer disease;
- inhibiting the activity of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori.
In the latter case, the drug is used in conjunction with antibacterial drugs. Nolpaz tablets are also prescribed for gastritis against the background of increased secretion of hydrochloric acid and other pathologies accompanied by this phenomenon, for example, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
The drug quickly eliminates the symptoms of gastritis, ulcers and GERD - pain, heartburn, spasm and sour taste. The drug is recommended to protect the gastric mucosa, if necessary, prolonged use of NSAIDs in patients with chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer. Nolpase is also prescribed to prevent complications of gastric ulcer.
Instructions for use and course of treatment
The dosage is selected individually and depends on the severity of the symptoms. So, with a mild form of erosive-ulcerative reflux esophagitis, the drug is taken in a minimum dose 1 time per day, preferably in the morning. With severe violations, it is recommended to increase the dosage of the widow and take Nolpaza 40 mg 1 or 2 times a day.
For the prevention of diseases of the digestive system against the background of prolonged use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Nolpaza 20 mg is prescribed 1-2 times a day.
Patients with peptic ulcer are prescribed one tablet of the drug in a larger dosage twice a day.
The maximum daily dosage is 160 mg of the drug. In case of impaired liver function, you can not take more than 40 mg of the drug per day. The same restriction applies to persons over 65 years of age.
The duration of treatment depends on the individual reaction to the drug and on average takes from 2 to 4 weeks. Acute symptoms in most patients are already on the second day of taking the drug. In some cases, long-term maintenance therapy is prescribed - 20 mg of the drug per day. And also allowed periodic intake in the minimum dosage to stop exacerbation of gastritis.
During pregnancy and lactation
Studies of the effect of the drug on the body have not revealed reproductive toxicity and negative effects on fetal development, however, pregnant women should not take the drug. The only exceptions are those cases when you can not do without drug therapy, but only a doctor should prescribe the drug.
The active substance passes into breast milk, while the exact mechanism of the effect of the drug on the baby’s body is unknown. In this regard, the reception during lactation is not recommended.
Drug interaction
The official instructions for use warns: Nolpase changes the acidity of the stomach, which can negatively affect the bioavailability of drugs, the effect of which depends on pH.It is necessary to notify the doctor if the patient takes antimycotics ketoconazole, itraconazole and other drugs with a similar mechanism of action.
An antiulcer drug significantly reduces the bioavailability of HIV protease inhibitors, so co-administration is not recommended.
Do not take Nolpase and methotrexate at the same time due to an increase in the activity of the proton pump inhibitor. St. John's wort and rifampicin preparations worsen the bioavailability of the drug to reduce the acidity of the stomach, so dosage adjustment may be required.
The drug can be used simultaneously with antacids. Studies of drug interactions did not reveal a significant effect on the activity of antibacterial drugs.
Alcohol compatibility
Clinical studies did not reveal a negative interaction of the antiulcer drug with alcohol. Despite this, during treatment, you should refuse to drink alcohol, since ethanol disrupts the secretion of hydrochloric acid and increases the load on the liver. In addition, in conditions for the treatment of which Nolpaz tablets are prescribed, a strict diet is shown, including a ban on alcohol.
Contraindications and side effects
There are few absolute contraindications - this is intolerance to the components of the composition and children's age. The drug is intended for adults, is not used in pediatric practice. And also Nolpaz tablets are not used for dyspeptic disorders of a neurotic nature due to the ineffectiveness of the antiulcer agent in this pathology.
A medicine to reduce stomach acidity does not often cause side effects - in about 5% of cases.
The most common violations include:
- allergic reactions;
- sleep disorders
- depressive symptoms;
- confusion of consciousness;
- depersonalization and derealization syndrome;
- headache;
- fainting;
- disturbances in the perception of tastes;
- benign tumors in the stomach (polyps);
- constipation and bloating;
- a change in the concentration of liver enzymes;
- muscle spasms;
- change in bone density;
- gynecomastia in men;
- peripheral edema;
- asthenia, drowsiness.
If any alarming symptoms occur, consult your doctor. Quite often, reducing the dosage can quickly eliminate side effects.
No drug overdose has been reported, therefore, symptoms are unknown. However, it should be remembered that in sensitive people, while taking Nolpaz tablets, an acute allergic reaction may occur, accompanied by laryngeal edema.
Doctors recommend that you carefully monitor any changes in health and, if dangerous symptoms appear, immediately contact a medical institution.
Due to the large number of side effects, the drug should not be taken without prescription.
Analogs
If the drug Nolpaza was not in the pharmacy, it will not be difficult to select analogues. Medicines with the same composition and dosage are Kontrolok, Pantoprazole, Krosatsid and Panum. The cost of these funds is approximately the same, so they can be considered an equivalent replacement.
With intolerance to the active substance, you can pay attention to drugs with omeprazole in the composition (Omez). These drugs belong to the same pharmacological group as Nolpaza tablets and have the same mechanism of action.
Often patients ask the question, which is better - Nolpaza or Omez. Despite the same indications for the appointment, Nolpaza is still preferable, since it acts softer. In addition, in most cases, this drug is taken only one tablet per day, while the lower bioavailability of Omez makes it necessary to take the drug twice. The decisive factor in choosing an antiulcer drug for many is cost. Omez is about 30% cheaper than Nolpaz tablets, but more often causes side effects.
In general, it is impossible to say exactly which drug is better, because everything is individual and depends on how the body of a particular person reacts to the active substance. It is recommended to consult a doctor, but you should not change the drug yourself solely in order to save money, because this can be fraught with dangerous health consequences.
