Like every year, the journal Prescrire has published its list of drugs to avoid because they are considered more dangerous than useful. In this new edition, medicinal clays used in various intestinal disorders including diarrhea, heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux, such as Smecta or Gastropax should be avoided because they contain lead.
“Lead has neurological, haematological, renal and cardiovascular toxic effects, and reprotoxic effects, most of which increase with the exposure dose. In diarrhoea, clays modify the appearance of stools without acting on fluid losses and the risk of dehydration”, notes Prescrire. Before completing: “In the event of uncomplicated gastro-oesophageal reflux, when the use of a drug seems useful, other drugs have a favorable benefit-risk balance, such as a clay-free antacid in short-term treatment and at moderate dose, for example the combination of sodium bicarbonate with sodium alginate (Gaviscon or other)”.
The importance of diet
The High Authority of Health recalls that the use of these drugs must respond to specific situations. In addition, domperidone (Motilium), metoclopramide (Primpéran) and metopimazine (Vogalene) are not recommended for people over 65 years old. These different substances might interact with other medications taken daily, such as those for kidney problems.
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