What is riopan?
Riopan is an antacid, its action is based on covering the mucous membranes surrounding the abdominal wall to protect them from gastric acids.
The effect of riopanhelps control heartburn caused by gastric juices altered bypoor diet, symptoms of other pathologies or gastritis.
To highlight: In turn, this medicine prevents gastrointestinal ulcers from forming and if they already exist, the composition of riopan is also effective in accelerating healing.
What is riopan for?
Riopan is used toattack gastrointestinal diseases such as heartburn, reflux and burning in the walls of the stomach, in addition, the symptoms derived either by the intake of citrus and dairy foods or by consequences of a disease at the stomach level.
According to studies conducted by German scientists specializing in hepato-gastroenterology, the chemical components of riopan neutralize acids and stimulate the body’s cytoprotective responses. (1)
Therefore, this product protects the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract when there is an imbalance in stomach acids or the walls of the stomach are damaged.
Composition of the riopan
Riopan is composed of magaldrate and dimethicone, the first of these is used as an antacid since it neutralizes the symptoms caused by excess gastric acid, it also deflates the gastric mucosa altered by ailments such as gastritis.
For its part, dimethicone is considered an antifoam medication, that is, its action reduces gas bubbles produced by acidity, thus avoiding gas formation and abdominal distension.
Unlike other medicines , riopan does not contain sugar or sodium, so the combination of these compounds makes riopan an excellent ally for people who also suffer from heart problems or diabetes .
Important: It is important to note that the molecules of magaldrate and dimethicone contained in this medication are not absorbed by the body.
This is due to the fact that the amount of magnesium and aluminum that magaldrate releases is low, so it reduces the percentage of suffering from systemic effects due to the ingestion of riopan.
Presentations and dosage of riopan
This medicine can be purchased in three presentations that are ingested orally and have a pleasant taste.
The first of them in practical gel sachets, is also found in a gel bottle and chewable tablets.
- Envelopes: Its content is in the form of a gel, each 10 ml sachet contains 80 mg of magaldrate and 10 mg of dimethicone per 1 mL, you can ingest 1 or 2 sachets 3 or 4 times a day, preferably after eating.
- Bottle: This presentation contains 8 g of magaldrate and 1 g of dimethiconeper 100 mL. Each bottle contains 250 mL, you can take 1 tablespoon 1 hour after eating and before bed.
- Chewable tablets: The box contains 24 chewable tablets,each containing 800 mg magaldrate and 100 mg dimethicone. Consume this tablet 1 hour after eating, you should chew the tablet, not swallow it whole.
Important: It is recommended not to exceed the daily dose of 6400 mg of magaldrate, in addition, the doses vary according to the pathology that the patient presents, therefore, it is important that you consult your doctor for more information if the ailments persist.
Therapeutic uses of riopan
Riopan is used to treat various gastrointestinal disorders caused by heartburn, which is why the main applications of this medicine are in the following pathologies:
Peptic ulcer
Ulcers are epithelial lesions with loss of substances, they appear as a consequence of continuous heartburn which, as it continues, deteriorates the lining of the digestive tract.
To highlight: Peptic ulcers are wounds that usually appear in the lining of the esophagus, in the stomach known as gastric ulcers and in the small intestine or duodenal ulcers.
Riopan is used to treat ulcers because its antacid effect protects the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract from gastric juices, in addition, it helps to heal the erosions caused by ulcers.
Gastric ulcer
The gastric ulcer is located in the stomach and is a type of peptic ulcer that develops when gastric acids break down the lining of said organ.
It can be considered as a consequence of gastritis, however, its development is closely linked to the deterioration of the stomach walls due to an uncontrolled level of gastric juices.
Note: The presence of the Helicobacter Pylori bacterium in the gastrointestinal system is one of the most common causes of peptic ulcers, however this occurs when the bacterium resides in the stomach for a long time.
Duodenal ulcer
This type of ulcer develops in the duodenum, that is, the first part of the small intestine, as a result of the high production of stomach acids that cause perforations in that part of the gastric system.
To highlight: According to a clinical trial carried out by Brazilian specialists, the components of riopan, compared to other drugs, are more effective in accelerating the healing of duodenal ulcers. (two)
In this sense, riopan-based treatment helps improve the sequelae of ulcers, preventing them from spreading throughout the digestive tract and causing other complications.
stress ulcer
According to a research article published in the journal of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States, neuroscientists determined that constant stress can cause ulcers at the gastrointestinal level. (3)
The study reveals that the connection between the brain and the stomach can be affected by stress, thus causing the digestive process to be affected to the point of generating peptic ulcers.
In addition, the scientists detailed that the central nervous system is also a fundamental part of the brain-gut relationship.
This is because the gastrointestinal system sends signals to the brain and it returns a response, but if the person is constantly depressed or stressed, the correct reception of these signals may be affected.
Hiatal hernia
Hiatal hernia occurs when a part of the stomach bulges into the chest, that is, the upper part of the stomach bulges out and pushes up through the hiatus, which is an opening in the diaphragm muscle.
In this sense, this condition is caused by pregnancy and obesity, while its consequences are usually related to acute acid reflux, which is why riopan is used as a medicine to improve the gastrointestinal condition.
Gastroesophageal reflux
This condition occurs when stomach bile returns from the stomach to the esophagus causing irritation in the gastric mucosa, this generates a burning sensation in the digestive tract, especially after eating.
The person is considered to have gastroesophageal reflux when the episodes recur more than twice a week.
Note: The symptoms also generate acid regurgitation, chest pain, nausea and vomiting, alkaline gastritis, thus affecting the gastric pH and its normal function.
Chronic acute gastritis
The State Center for Epidemiological Surveillance and Disease Control of Mexico , made an edition of its CEVECE Vision triptychs dedicated to acute-chronic gastritis, where riopan is used within the treatment to control acidity. (4)
Gastritis occurs when the gastric mucosa becomes inflamed, therefore it cannot perform its function, which is based on protecting the stomach walls from the acids emanated by gastric juices.
In this sense, the riopan acts as a protective layer of the stomach mucous membranes that are deteriorated, providing relief by isolating it from the acids that cause pain in the stomach.
Peptic acid disease
This disease occurs when the body produces gastric acids and pepsin in excess, it should be noted that pepsin is the enzyme responsible for hydrolyzing proteins in the stomach.
As a consequence, the gastric mucosa is inflamed, producing severe pain and burning in the stomach.
In this sense, treatment based on riopan is important for the relief and cure of peptic acid disease, since this medicine helps to reduce the symptoms of this condition providing relief to the patient.
Riopan contraindications
People who should avoid the consumption of riopan are those who suffer from allergies or adverse reactions to the components of the medication,Be it magaldrate and dimethicone.
In addition , the consumption of riopan in children under 12 years of age should be under medical supervision, in turn, people who suffer from kidney failure, appendicitis or who have a colostomy should also avoid it.
Important: There is not enough research to authorize the intake of riopan in pregnant or lactating women.
side effects of riopan
Like any medicine, riopan also has side effects that are triggered if it is not consumed correctly or the recommended dose is exceeded.
In addition, it may happen that the person is sensitive to any of its components, thus causing the following side effects:
Diarrhea
High doses of riopan can cause loose stools and in some cases liquid evacuations, however this occurs when the medication is not ingested correctly or there is a reaction due to the consumption of riopan along with other drugs.
Gastrointestinal disorders
In rare cases, riopan can cause side effects related to other gastrointestinal disorders, however, as mentioned above, this is usually due to excessive use of this medication without any medical supervision.
Key takeaways
- Riopan is a gastrointestinal medicine, used to control symptoms caused by gastric ulcers, hernias in the stomach and gastroesophageal reflux. Its components help protect the walls of the stomach and relieve these conditions.
- Riopan is used to treat various gastrointestinal disorders caused by heartburn, such as ulcers, hiatal hernia, gastroesophageal reflux, acute gastritis, and acid peptic disease.
- Riopan is a medicine that can be purchased in three presentations which are ingested orally, they are: sachet, bottle and chewable tablets.
- It is important to remember that the consumption of the dose of this medicine should not be exceeded since it can cause adverse effects. We also recommend using the drug under medical supervision.
University Professional in the area of Human Resources, Postgraduate in Occupational Health and Hygiene of the Work Environment, 14 years of experience in the area of health. Interested in topics of Psychology, Occupational Health, and General Medicine.