Like every year, the magazine Prescrire has published the 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 diarrhoea, heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux, such as Smecta or Gastropax should be avoided as they contain lead.
“Lead has toxic neurological, haematological, renal and cardiovascular effects, and reprotoxic effects, most of which increase with the dose of exposure. In diarrhoea, clays modify the appearance of the stools without affecting fluid losses and risk dehydration,” notes Prescrire. Before completing: “In uncomplicated gastroesophageal reflux, when the use of one drug seems helpful, other drugs have a favorable benefit-risk ratio, such as a clay-free antacid in short-term, moderate-dose treatment, for example the combination of sodium bicarbonate with sodium alginate (Gaviscon or other).”
The importance of food
The High Health Authority recalls that the use of these drugs must respond to specific situations. Also, domperidone (Motilium), metoclopramide (Primpéran), and metopimazine (Vogalene) are not recommended for people over the age of 65. These different substances could interact with other medications you take every day, such as those for kidney problems.
How else to treat? For nausea, ginger poses no risk and may provide some benefits. When questioned by La Dépêche Séverine Carré-Pétraud, doctor of pharmacy and editorial director of Prescrire, recalls the importance of a quality diet: “The most important thing is to stay well hydrated and then adapt your diet. As part of a mild infection, such as gastroenteritis, diarrhea is not serious. It evolves naturally in a favorable way. It is a matter of a few days”. It is best to encourage rehydration solutions in young children. For adults it is recommended to consume starchy foods and well-cooked cereals. On the other hand, limit your cheese intake.
