Iberogast in the treatment of diarrhea and other digestive disorders: a detailed description of the action of the drug

Release form and composition of the drug

Iberogast is available in the form of drops for oral use. In appearance it is a brown liquid. The drug is available in pharmacies without a prescription.

The plant in the composition from which its name comes

The active ingredients are alcoholic extracts of plants:

• chamomile flowers;
• Iberian (whole plant);
• roots of angelica officinalis and licorice;
• fruits of common thyme and milk thistle;
• lemon and peppermint leaves;
• aerial part of May celandine.

Ethanol is used as an excipient (volume fraction 31%).

Negative feedback from moms and dads about the product

Unfortunately, Iberogast drops (reviews from fathers and mothers do not recommend using the drug for newborns) receive not only positive, but also negative feedback. The disadvantage of this product, according to some parents, is that it contains alcohol. And this, according to moms and dads, is unacceptable, especially when it comes to babies. The adult population also notes: the instructions for the drug even indicate that due to insufficient clinical data, Iberogast should not be prescribed to persons under 18 years of age. But why then do many pediatricians and pediatric gastroenterologists still prescribe this medication? You will find the answer to this question below.

Indications

Drops are used in medicine for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders of various etiologies, including IBS, manifested as:

• cramps in the stomach or intestines;
• heaviness and discomfort in the epigastrium;
• belching;
• heartburn;
• flatulence;
• disturbances of peristalsis;
• constipation;
• diarrhea.

Iberogast can also be used for colitis, gastritis, gastroduodenitis, and stomach ulcers.

Important: Self-medication with Iberogast is unacceptable. If any abnormalities in the gastrointestinal tract are detected, it is better to immediately contact a gastroenterologist and undergo an examination.

Herbal preparation Iberogast for the treatment of stomach problems

Almost half of the adult population of our country and all of Europe suffer from gastritis.
After such a diagnosis is made, treatment is carried out in a complex, based on the individual characteristics of the body. The herbal remedy Iberogast occupies a leading position in the effective treatment of gastritis. The right combination and ratio of plants in this remedy helps to have a comprehensive effect on the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, which helps cure gastritis. Iberogast has been successfully used by gastroenterologists in Europe for half a century. During this time, this drug was able to establish itself as one of the most effective.

Gastritis is not only the result of poor diet and stress. This is the result of H. pylori infection penetrating the stomach walls.

The plant complex has an antimicrobial effect on the stomach, which is susceptible to attack by this infection.

Its power to suppress the growth of gastritis pathogens is very helpful when it is not possible to use conventional measures to combat an infection of this kind. For example, when it is necessary to treat gastritis in pregnant women.

The tone of the lower esophageal sphinker increases. Normalizing gastrointestinal motility eliminates the reflux of intestinal contents into the stomach, which actually provokes the occurrence of gastritis. With gastritis, not only the stomach suffers, but also all components of the digestive system.

However, the effect of Iberogast eliminates all gastrointestinal problems associated with gastritis.

Iberogast for gastritis is used by those who prefer to be treated with herbal medicines (herbal medicines).

This drug relieves inflammation and cramps in the stomach, and has a tonic effect on the entire gastrointestinal tract. The pharmacology of this medicine is due to the fact that this drug consists of a symbiosis of medicinal plants that normalize the smooth muscles of the digestive organs in such conditions that there is no particular effect on intestinal motility.

The effect of Iberogast on all gastrointestinal diseases:

• Prokinetic;
• Antispasmodic;
• Antioxidant;
• Carminative;
• Tonic;
• Anti-inflammatory.

Under the influence of this drug, the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach decreases and the concentration of biologically active substances, which include mucin and prostaglandin, increases.

Therefore, patients are effectively treated with Iberogast for stomach ulcers; the drug protects the gastric mucosa from the destructive effects of excessive amounts of hydrochloric acid produced. The described remedy minimizes intestinal sensitivity and enhances its peristalsis.

Using Iberogast for diarrhea, you can quickly and effectively get rid of this disease.

The release form of Iberogast is a clear or dark brown liquid in a glass container.

Composition of Iberogast based on 100 ml of alcohol solution:

• Bitter Iberis – 15 ml;
• Angelica root – 10 ml;
• Chamomile – 20 ml;
• Cumin - 10 ml;
• Milk thistle - 10 ml;
• Melissa – 10 ml;
• Peppermint – 5 ml;
• Celandine – 10 ml;
• Licorice root – 10 ml.

Ethanol alcohol is used as the basis for all this.

Indications for the use of Iberogast are the following painful conditions of the patient:

• Gastritis;
• Irritable bowel syndrome;
• Stomach cramps of various origins;
• Violation of peristalsis;
• Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract;
• Heartburn;
• Iberogast is actively used for pancreatitis;
• Bloating;
• Belching;
• Flatulence;
• Iberogast is used for colitis;
• Functional dyspepsia;
• Stomach ulcer;
• Duodenal ulcer;
• Iberogast is used for duodenitis.

It is necessary to take into account the fact that symbiosis with drugs that are metabolized using CYP450, which includes: chamomile, milk thistle, licorice root) have an inhibitory effect on isoenzymes.

Use this drug with caution in the following conditions:

• Liver diseases;
• Traumatic brain injuries;
• Alcoholism;
• Diseases affecting the brain.

You can drink alcohol and be treated with Iberogast at the same time if your health and stomach condition still allows you to drink alcohol.

According to the instructions for use, Iberogast is drunk twenty drops three times a day, with a small amount of water. Before or during meals. Before dropping the required amount of medicine, the solution should be shaken. It should be taken for a month, after which the need to stop taking it, repeat the course or increase the dosage is determined by the attending physician.

If the symptoms of gastritis and other diseases do not disappear or become stronger after two weeks of taking Iberogast, you must stop taking this medicine and contact your doctor to change the drug.

This is less than a glass of apple juice or half a glass of kefir. During storage of Iberogast drops, slight turbidity of the solution or a small amount of sediment may occur. This does not affect the effectiveness of the product.

Since the drops we describe are based on alcohol, you should be careful when performing potentially dangerous types of work after taking them. Especially those that require high concentration and speed of psychomotor reactions. Such activities include driving vehicles, work related to moving mechanisms, and the work of an operator and dispatcher.

Side effects

In general, this drug is well tolerated; only allergies, shortness of breath, vomiting, and diarrhea may occur, but rarely.

If adults and adolescents can take this remedy 20 drops 3 times a day, then for children of different ages there is a special dosage:

• Infant age – 3 months – 6 drops;
• 3 months-3 years – 8 drops;
• 3-6 years – 10 drops;
• 6-12 years – 15 drops.

Shake the solution before use.

The price of Iberogast ranges from 560 to 800 rubles, depending on the volume of the bottle (50 and 100 ml, respectively). Country of origin: Germany. There are cheaper analogues of Iberogast of domestic and foreign production:

• Bebinos (Germany) – from 62 rubles;
• Bobotik (Poland) – from 41 rubles;
• Kolofort (Russia) – from 62 rubles;
• Dicetel (Germany) – from 94 rubles;
• Meteospasmil (France) – from 162 rubles.

Analogs

• Trimedat;
• Dialipon;
• Altan;
• Gastritol;
• Demidovsky elixir;
• Cernilton;
• Graminex;
• Linkas;
• Travisil;
• Cyston.

Patient reviews

Kristina, 29 years old, Voronezh “After I was diagnosed with gastritis, I tried a lot of medications for this disease. But only Iberogast really relieved the symptoms and pain. Now I always carry it in my purse to stop inflammation at the first sign of an attack.”

Nadezhda, 65 years old, Stavropol “Iberogast helped me a lot in solving a problem such as constipation. The herbal complex has a very good effect on intestinal motility, I am very pleased that the doctor advised me to take this particular drug.”

Maria L, 39 years old, Sevastopol “My gastritis began rapidly, with pain, heartburn, and bloating. What they offered at the pharmacy was expensive and ineffective. I had to go to a gastroenterologist. He prescribed Iberogast, which helped literally from the first spoon. Yes, the drug is imported, German, expensive and difficult to find in real pharmacies, but it is effective, and this is very important.”

pharmachologic effect

Iberogast is a combination herbal preparation used in gastroenterology. Each of the plants included in the composition is useful for gastrointestinal diseases. When used together, they enhance and complement each other’s action, which makes the product highly effective and can be used for a wide range of problems.

Therapeutic effect on the gastrointestinal tract

The therapeutic effect of the drug on the human digestive tract is that it:

• accelerates the movement of food through the gastrointestinal tract;
• normalizes muscle tone;
• reduces stomach acidity;
• relieves inflammation;
• exhibits antioxidant properties;
• eliminates flatulence and bloating, since it reduces the formation of gases in the intestines and facilitates their elimination;
• eliminates spasms without disrupting normal peristalsis;
• has an antibacterial effect against Helicobacter pylori;
• reduces the intensity of ulceration.

Read about the causes of heaviness in the stomach and flatulence here.

Praise from patients

The drug "Iberogast" has mostly positive reviews from men and women who have been treated with it. Here are the advantages patients see in this medication:

— Natural composition. Many patients note that this product does not contain any chemical components. The drug "Iberogast" consists exclusively of herbs, and this, according to men and women, is a huge plus.

— Wide range of applications. The medication really helps to cope with various problems of the gastrointestinal tract: cramps, heartburn, bloating, colic, gastritis, gastric ulcers, etc.

— Speed ​​of impact. Iberogast drops receive positive reviews not only because of their excellent composition, but also, of course, for their effectiveness. Within a few minutes after taking the drug, the patient’s condition improves significantly. And this is confirmed by numerous responses from people on various forums.

- The product tastes good. Patients note that they take the drug without disgust. The drops are actually easy to drink.

Effect on gastrointestinal motility

The peculiarity of Iberogast is that it has different effects on the state of smooth muscles in different parts of the gastrointestinal tract: it can both increase muscle tone and exhibit antispasmodic properties.

Iberogast acts as a stimulant on atonic areas - it increases the tone of smooth muscles, which is due to the presence of Iberian bitter extract. During spasms, it normalizes the condition of the muscle wall. This regulation of motility allows the drug to be used for constipation, diarrhea, and for the treatment of a number of pathologies accompanied by impaired peristalsis.

We recommend that you read: Allochol for gastrointestinal diseases.

Children

The plant components of Iberogast are absolutely harmless for children of any age. The drug quickly and gently eliminates any digestive problems in children from the neonatal period. Directions for use and dosage:

• babies up to 3 months - 6 drops;
• up to 3 years - 8 each;
• up to 6 years - 10.

In children, drops are eliminated:

• colic;
• indigestion;
• heartburn, belching;
• diarrhea and constipation;
• other manifestations of gastrointestinal disorders.

Use for irritable bowel syndrome

Iberogast is effective for IBS, the pathogenetic mechanisms of which are considered to be impaired intestinal motility and visceral hypersensitivity. In this case, the leading role in the appearance of unpleasant symptoms is given to the nervous system.

Action of medicinal plants

The medicine normalizes motor skills and reduces the sensitivity of nerve endings located in the submucosal layer to excessive overstretching. This contributes to the disappearance of visceral hypersensitivity. Considering that stress and nervous system disorders are considered a common cause of IBS, the sedative properties of mint, chamomile and lemon balm have a positive effect on its course.

Negative feedback from patients

Unfortunately, the product “Iberogast” receives not only laudatory, but also negative reviews. True, their number is insignificant compared to the positive responses. People who did not like this drug, here is how they argue their point of view:

1. The product provokes allergies. In some patients, after using these drops, red spots appear on the body and a cough begins. It turns out that Iberogast can cause an allergic reaction. But in principle, any medication can lead to various side effects. Therefore, people who are prone to allergic reactions should be aware that this medicine should be taken with caution or replaced with another medicine.

2. Expensive. The price of the drug Iberogast was not suitable for some patients. The cost of this product is really high, but, as everyone knows, you can pay for the effect. Moreover, the price of the issue is human health.

Use for inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract

Iberogast drops help with inflammation of the stomach and intestines because they:

• reduce the secretion of hydrochloric acid;
• protect the mucous membrane;
• prevent the formation of defects on the membrane while taking NSAIDs;
• have antibacterial properties
• accelerate cell regeneration processes.

The use of the drug, due to the presence in its composition of plants that have an antibacterial effect (chamomile, mint, cumin), helps to suppress the vital activity of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori - the causative agent of diseases such as gastritis, stomach and duodenal ulcers.

Medicinal plants in Iberogast

Due to its pronounced anti-inflammatory effect, the medication is effective for atrophic gastritis. This disease is dangerous due to irreversible changes in the gastric mucosa, a decrease in its protective properties, and a decrease in the number of glands.

The drug has a comprehensive effect on the causes, mechanisms of development and symptoms of these diseases. It prevents the reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus, and prevents damage to the lower parts of the esophagus by hydrochloric acid and gastric enzymes, which is characteristic of reflux esophagitis.

Gastroesophageal disease (GERD) refers to diseases that can lead to the formation of pathological malignant formations on the walls of the esophagus. The use of Iberogast prevents the development of changes in the mucosa that occur with esophageal cancer.

Read about the peculiarities of GERD in children in this article.

In complex therapy, the drug is used for colitis. Reducing the tone of the intestinal walls, its antimicrobial and carminative effects ease the course of the disease, eliminate discomfort and pain.

Iberogast or Escape?

Medicines cannot be compared based on their composition or pharmacological action, but both drugs are used in the treatment of gastroenterological pathologies. Escape, an analogue of De-Nol, consists of bismuth and is considered an effective anti-ulcer agent. It envelops the inner lining of the stomach and destroys H. pylori.

Information about drug treatments for diarrhea can be found here.

Iberogast, unlike Escape, is a herbal and more multi-directional drug. It affects many parts of the pathogenesis of chronic gastritis and functional gastrointestinal disorders: normalizes motility, relieves constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, restores intestinal microflora, and has an anti-inflammatory effect.

Iberogast cannot be replaced by Escape, just like vice versa.

Drug analogues

Such a complex and effective composition of medicinal extracts is unique. No drug can “boast” the same herbal content. However, other medications can provide the same effect on the body as the original remedy.

Thus, the following medications are analogues of the drug:

• Antiflat Lannacher;
• "Gascon Drop";
• "Bebinos";
• "Bobotik";
• "Gastrocap";
• "Disflatil";
• "Espumizan";
• "Plantex";
• "Kolofort";
• "Sub Simplex".

Mode of application

Iberogast is recommended for adults to take 20 drops three times a day. Shake the bottle of medicine before use.

Iberogast stomach drops are diluted with water before use.

The course of treatment is 4 weeks, but on the recommendation of a doctor it can be extended. If after 14 days the patient does not experience a noticeable improvement in his condition, he should inform the doctor.

Please note: the drug is not recommended for children under 18 years of age due to the lack of sufficient clinical data on its safety for this category of patients, although in some countries it is also used in pediatric practice.

Contraindications for use

The instructions recommend that patients who have pathologies or conditions avoid using the drug Iberogast:

• calculous cholecystitis;
• intolerance to components;
• pregnancy, lactation period.

The medicine contains ethanol. Therefore, the drug is prescribed with great caution to people suffering from:

• alcoholism;
• brain diseases;
• liver pathologies;
• traumatic brain injuries.

Will Smecta help with heartburn?

Even such a seemingly insignificant pathology as heartburn should be treated under the supervision of a specialist. Each case of heartburn is individual and the dosage of the drug is selected only by a doctor. In addition, treating heartburn with Smecta may not be enough. This drug does not have a therapeutic effect against heartburn.

The action of the drug is aimed at restoring the mucous membrane after the aggressive effects of hydrochloric acid.

However, the action of Smecta can alleviate the condition of a pregnant patient. For example, after heartburn occurs once, this drug will eliminate the consequences and slightly smooth out the burning sensation. It is important to understand that the causes of heartburn in the early stages are different from the causes in the third trimester.

To eliminate discomfort in the esophagus and stomach, you must carefully study the instructions:

1. Dissolve according to the instructions and drink three sachets per day for adults, but after the same amount of time.
2. From 1 to 2 years, one sachet dissolves, but the essence of administration is the same as for adults.
3. For children over 2 years old, two sachets are taken.

It is important to monitor your condition; if no improvement occurs, it is recommended to stop taking it and see a doctor.