Written by Nguyen Huy Khiem Pharmacist - Clinical Pharmacist, Department of Pharmacy - Vinmec Times City International General Hospital
Phosphalugel® is an antacid drug commonly used to improve and alleviate symptoms including pain, burning caused by acid in peptic ulcer or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The drug can be used without a doctor's prescription and is easy to purchase at pharmacies, however, to achieve the optimal and safest treatment, patients should be aware of some of the following information when using Phosphalugel®.
1. Why does the drug work on patients with peptic ulcer disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease?
Peptic ulcer disease occurs when there is an imbalance between mucosal protective factors (lack of mucus layer, erosion) and aggressive factors (increased gastric acid secretion, HP bacteria,...) causing damage to the mucosa and underlying layers of the stomach and intestines.
Excess gastric acid also causes frequent reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus, gradually causing damage to the mucosa of the above organs, leading to symptoms of heartburn or burning in the chest of patients.
The active ingredient of Phosphalugel® is colloidal aluminum phosphate. After ingestion, aluminum phosphate (alkaline) will react to neutralize gastric acid, helping the gastric juice to have a more neutral pH, thereby soothing the pain and discomfort at the damaged mucosal sites in the gastrointestinal tract.
2. Dosage and Timing for use
Dosage: Take 1-2 sachets per dose; the maximum dose is no more than 6 sachets per day.
Timing:
+ You should take the medicine as soon as you experience symptoms of stomach pain or discomfort. + Phosphalugel® may affect the absorption of other medications that the patient is using; because Phosphalugel® changes the pH of gastric juice, or may form insoluble complexes with other concomitant medications. Therefore, the time of using other drugs should be at least 2 hours away from the time of using Phosphalugel®.
3. Which patients should be careful when using Phosphalugel® ?
• Patients with severe kidney impairment: increased risk of aluminum overload in the body due to reduced ability to excrete the absorbed drug.
• Pregnant women, breastfeeding women: the risks of using this drug in this population are not sufficiently confirmed.
• This drug can lead to constipation. Overdose can even cause bowel obstruction.
Customers can directly visit the Vinmec Healthcare system nationwide for consultation or contact the hotline here for support.
