1. WHAT IS SMECTA 3 g, powder for oral suspension in sachet AND WHAT IS IT USED FOR?
Pharmacotherapeutic class
This medicine contains an active substance, diosmectite, which acts to protect the digestive tract.
Therapeutic indications
This medicine is used to treat short-term diarrhoea (acute diarrhoea) in adults and children over the age of 15.
This treatment is a complement to dietary measures.
2. WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE TAKING SMECTALIA 3 g, powder for drinkable suspension in sachet?
List of information needed before taking the medicine
If your doctor has informed you of an intolerance to certain sugars, contact him/her before taking this medicine.
Contraindications
Never take SMECTA:
If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to diosmectite or any of the other components contained in SMECTALIA. For a list of ingredients, see section 6.
Precautions for use; special warnings
Be careful with SMECTA:
Do not try to manage the symptoms yourself and consult your doctor promptly, if:
- - Diarrhoea is accompanied by high fever, chills or repeated vomiting;
- - Your stools contain mucus and/or blood;
- - Your diarrhea is accompanied by sudden weight loss (more than 2kg);
- - The diarrhea occurs during or after an antibiotic treatment;
- - You present a vulnerable ground: known disease of the heart valves, treatment which decreases the immune defences of your body (immunosuppressive treatment or chemotherapy in progress).
- - You have recently travelled to a tropical country.
Do not continue the treatment against diarrhoea on your own and consult your doctor if:
- - Your symptoms do not improve or get worse after two days of treatment.
- - You feel very thirsty, tired or have a dry tongue (a sign of dehydration). It is imperative that you SEEK MEDICAL CARE QUICKLY.
- - Diarrhea recurs frequently or you have alternating episodes of diarrhea and constipation.
Take special precautions with SMECTA:
- - This medicine contains 2 sugars (glucose and sucrose). Its use is not recommended in patients with fructose intolerance, glucose-galactose malabsorption syndrome or sucrase/isomaltase deficiency (rare hereditary diseases).
- - SMECTA should be used with caution in patients with a history of severe constipation.
This treatment is a complement to the following hygienic and dietary rules:
- - Rehydrate yourself with abundant drinks, salted or sweetened, in order to compensate for the loss of liquid due to diarrhoea (the average daily water intake of an adult is 2 litres),
- - Feed yourself during the diarrhoea:
o by excluding certain foods and especially raw vegetables, fruits, green vegetables, spicy dishes, as well as iced foods or drinks,
o give preference to grilled meats and rice.
Interactions with other medications
Taking other medications
You should space out SMECTA from another medicine to avoid decreasing the effectiveness of the other treatment.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.
Interactions with food and drink
Not applicable.
Interactions with herbal products or alternative therapies
Not applicable.
Use during pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy and lactation
This medicine should only be used during pregnancy on the advice of your doctor.
If you discover that you are pregnant during treatment, consult your doctor, as only he/she can decide whether it is necessary to continue treatment.
Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medication.
Sportsmen
Not applicable.
Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Not applicable.
List of excipients with a known effect
Important information about some ingredients of SMECTA:
This medicinal product contains glucose and sucrose (see also 'Be careful with SMECTA)
3. HOW TO TAKE SMECTA 3 g, powder for oral suspension in sachet
Instructions for proper use
Not applicable.
Posology, Method and/or route(s) of administration, Frequency of administration and Duration of treatment
For adults and children over 15 years of age.
The management of diarrhoea in the elderly requires special attention. Indeed, diarrhoea can lead to significant water loss (dehydration) which can have serious consequences in the elderly.
Posology
Start by taking 1 sachet (3 g) and then take 1 additional sachet after each new unformed stool, without exceeding 6 sachets per day.
Maximum dosage: 6 sachets per day. Do not exceed 3 days of treatment without medical advice. |
Method of administration
- - This medicine is used orally.
- - Prepare the mixture just before use. Pour the contents of the sachet into half a glass of water and mix.
- - Take this medicine preferably at a distance from meals.
Duration of treatment
The maximum duration of treatment is 3 days, in the absence of medical advice.
If symptoms do not improve or worsen after 2 days or if signs of severity (blood, dehydration, ...) appear, consult your doctor.
Symptoms and instructions in case of overdose
If you have taken more SMECTA than you should have:
Consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Instructions in case of missed doses
If you forget to take SMECTA:
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you forgot to take.
Risk of withdrawal syndrome
Not applicable.
4. WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS?
Description of side effects
Like all medicines, SMECTA may have side effects, although not everyone is susceptible.
The following effects may occur:
- - constipation, which usually disappears once doses are decreased. In rare cases, this effect may lead to discontinuation of treatment.
- - gas
- - vomiting
- - worsening of constipation.
In very rare cases, an allergy may occur. Allergy may be manifested by the following signs:
- - hives (a sensation similar to a nettle sting)
- - Pimples
- - Itching
- - swelling of the face and throat (angioedema).
If you experience any of these signs, you should seek medical attention immediately.
If you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, or if any side effects become serious, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
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