When our eating habits are not designed on the basis of a healthy diet , many organs are affected, especially the stomach, bringing with it some diseases.
In view of this and to improve the quality of life of these people, pharmaceutical companies have developed drugs to counteract the annoying symptoms of these pathologies, and one of them is Unival® .
In the following article, we give you all the information you need to know about this medication, its most important characteristics and for what situations your doctor can recommend it.
What is universal?
Unival® is a synthetic medicine made by “Laboratorios SENOSIAIN SA” (1) , indicated for the treatment of some gastric disorders, specifically in the stomach. Its active substance is sucralfate , a chemical compound that belongs to the class of protective drugs.
The commercial presentation of this medicine is in 1 g tablets and a 230 mL bottle with suspension (each 5 ml of the suspension contains 1 g of sucralfate).
The route of administration is oral and the recommended dose for adults is one 1 g tablet with water or 5 ml of the suspension, four times a day. You can also dose 2 g (10 ml) twice a day on an empty stomach (1 hour before each meal and at bedtime).
In cases of duodenal ulcer, the recommended dose is one tablet of 1 g or 5 ml of the suspension, twice a day or two tablets of 1 g (10 ml), at night and may be accompanied by antacids to relieve pain, but a lapse of 30 minutes should be allowed before or after taking sucralfate.
Note: Although this medication has been proven to be safe, a prescription is recommended for administration and dosing.
What is the unival used for?
As previously described, Unival® works as a protector of the local gastric mucosa in the following conditions:
1. Duodenal and gastric ulcer
Duodenal and gastric ulcers are circular or oval sores that appear where the gastric or duodenal mucosa has been eroded by the action of stomach acid. (two)
You should know: A scientific article concludes that the healing of ulcers with sucralfate (a component of Unival®) involves cytoprotective mechanisms that cannot be ignored in the planning of any anti-ulcer treatment. (3)
2. Gastritis and gastropathy
Gastritis comprises a set of disorders, characterized by inflammation of the stomach lining due to the consumption of medications, infections or excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages. For its part, gastropathy caused by NSAIDs also presents damage to the stomach mucosa. (4)
Important: Scientific studies verified the effectiveness of sucralfate (a component of Unival®) in different presentations for the treatment of gastritis. (5)
3. Gastroesophageal reflux
Gastroesophageal reflux is a chronic disease, which occurs when stomach acid or bile rises up the esophagus, irritating the lining. If this condition happens more than twice in a one-week period, it may be indicative of the onset of gastroesophageal reflux. (6)
To highlight: Clinical studies conclude that Unival® ( sucralfate) is effective in the treatment of reflux esophagitis . (7)
Unival Side Effects
Treatment with Unival® may cause some of the following adverse effects in certain patients:
- Allergic reactions to contact with any of the components of Unival®.
- Possible constipation (constipation).
- Gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhoea, nausea, epigastric discomfort, dyspepsia, dry mouth, rash, pruritus and dizziness may occur very rarely.
You should know: If you notice the appearance of any of these symptoms or another not included in the list, see your doctor.
Unival contraindications
The use of Unival® is contraindicated in the following cases:
- Hypersensitivity to any of the components of Unival®.
- It is not recommended in patients with impaired renal functions.
- Avoid use in children under 14 years of age.
- Preferably avoid its use in pregnant women, since the exact risk is unknown.
Important: It is advisable to review your medical history with your doctor before starting Unival® therapy.
Key Findings
- Unival® is a medicine with protective properties of the gastric mucosa.
- Its active principle is sucralfate, a chemical compound that is used in the prevention of duodenal ulcer, gastric ulcer, gastritis, gastropathy.
- This medicine has no relevant contraindications for its consumption.
- Despite the safety of this medication, it is recommended that its administration and dosage be performed by a physician.
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.