Nausea and vomiting accompany many pathological conditions of the gastrointestinal tract and beyond. Annoying symptoms sometimes overtake a person at the most crucial moments. The Israeli-made medication Cerucal and its analogues in composition and mechanism of action can effectively eliminate the feeling of nausea and vomiting, returning a person to the usual rhythm of life. An abundance of release forms and different price categories allow you to choose a medicine for an adult, a child, and one that is affordable.
Characteristics of the drug Cerucal
The main active ingredient is metoclopramide. It blocks dopamine and serotonin receptors in the gastrointestinal tract, thanks to which the digestive organs send signals to the brain. And it has the same blocking effect on chemoreceptors located in the medulla oblongata. Has the following indications for use:
- increased muscle tone of the gastrointestinal tract, lower esophageal sphincter;
- increased intestinal perilstatics;
- acceleration of food movement;
- stimulation of bile flow;
- reduction of biliary dyskinesia;
- elimination of hiccups and heartburn.
Copes perfectly with “irritable bowel” and functional pyloric stenosis. Effective for gastric paresis resulting from diabetes mellitus.
The medication is prescribed during various research diagnostic procedures, for example, duodenal intubation.
INDICATIONS for use of Cerucal
Most often, Cerucal is prescribed to eliminate attacks of vomiting, improve bile secretion, and relieve signs of cholestatic jaundice.
If vomiting is of vestibular origin or caused by psychogenic factors, the use of the drug is not advisable.
The medicine is also prescribed for the following conditions:
- with regular attacks of nausea in diabetes mellitus;
- increased flatulence;
- with hypotension caused by dysfunction of the digestive organs;
- with reflux disease;
- with biliary dyskinesia;
- with stenosis of the pylorus of the stomach;
- against the background of intestinal atony;
- before the gastroscopy procedure.
Contraindications:
- Intestinal obstruction
- internal bleeding - both ulcerative and intestinal;
- epilepsy or a tendency to seizures for other reasons,
- pheochromocytoma
- prolactin-dependent tumors,
- individual intolerance to the main or auxiliary components in the composition,
- 1st trimester of pregnancy.
Cerucal can be prescribed during pregnancy to eliminate nausea caused by toxicosis or late gestosis, but this is done only in exceptional cases. The drug can have a negative effect on the formation of the fetus, and - in addition - it increases the tone of smooth muscles, that is, the tone of the uterus, which can lead to termination of pregnancy.
Prescribed with caution for bronchial asthma, in the 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy, for hypersensitivity to procaine, liver dysfunction, as well as for children under 3 years of age.
Popular analogues of Cerucal
Many generics have been created from different pharmaceutical companies. And it is quite difficult for an uninformed person to make a choice. The most popular:
- Motilak;
- Ganaton;
- Motilium.
Read: Means for normalizing intestinal function: what to do when intestinal function is disturbed
It is difficult to say exactly which analogue is better. Everyone has their own differences. It is worth taking into account the individual characteristics of the body. For some, the body responds better to one drug, while for others it responds better to another. Here you need to try it after consulting a doctor. However, there are still some general statistics.
In what cases is it necessary to replace Cerucal with something?
Currently, Cerucal is one of the best drugs due to its speed of action and minimal side effects. Sometimes you have to resort to analogues due to the presence of contraindications to its use:
- pregnancy and lactation;
- epilepsy;
- individual intolerance;
- increased sensitivity to the composition of the drug;
- intestinal obstruction due to mechanical blockages;
- bleeding in the stomach.
In these cases, it is worth looking for a replacement.
Which is better - Cerucal or Motilium
Cerucal is good for vomiting and nausea not associated with brain damage, for example, meningitis, etc. Motilium copes better with bloating in the gastrointestinal tract and has a stimulating effect on its functioning, facilitating the passage of gases.
But for vomiting it is less effective. Cerucal is preferable for children due to fewer side effects.
Which is better - Cerucal or Domperidone
Domperidone blocks the urge to vomit and enhances contraction of the intestinal muscles. Unlike Cerucal, it does not penetrate the brain, and therefore there are noticeably fewer side effects when taking it.
For example, there is no lethargy, drowsiness, fatigue, decreased performance, etc. It has fewer contraindications: intolerance to components, intestinal perforation, bleeding, obstruction, up to 5 years, excessive production of prolactin.
Read: Grandaxin, features of the drug use
Side effects of Cerucal
From the central nervous system:
- drowsiness,
- noise in ears,
- headaches and dizziness,
- an inexplicable feeling of panic,
- development of depression,
- neuralgia,
- spasm of the facial muscles;
- Elderly patients may develop parkinsonism and impaired speech skills;
- neuroleptic syndrome.
From the cardiovascular system:
- hypertension,
- tachycardia,
- heart rhythm disturbance;
- bleeding disorders and agranulocytosis.
From the gastrointestinal tract:
- dry mouth,
- constipation,
- diarrhea.
Allergic manifestations - skin rash.
Very rarely, disorders of the endocrine system occur - menstrual irregularities, engorgement of the mammary glands in women and men.
If the recommended doses of Cerucal are exceeded, movement disorders, bradycardia, convulsions, disturbances of consciousness, and disruption of the cardiovascular system are possible.
All disorders are temporary and disappear after discontinuation of the drug. Even after a significant overdose, no death was recorded.
Which is better - Cerucal or Itomed
Itopride is the main active ingredient in Itomed. Its pharmacological agents that stimulate the gastrointestinal tract. Blocks dopamine receptors and has a pronounced antiemetic effect. Indications: bloating, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, gastralgia.
The composition contains oligosaccharides as additional substances, so it should not be taken by those who have lactose deficiency or impaired absorption of monosaccharides in the gastrointestinal tract (glucose-galactose malabsorption). In this case, Cerucal is better suited. Not recommended for children under 16 years of age, pregnant and lactating women.
Cerucal
The drug cerucal (INN - metoclopramide) belongs to antiemetic drugs of central (although there is also a peripheral component in its arsenal) action, “switching off” dopamine receptors, which in turn are important links in the process of potentiating the gag reflex. The drug blocks dopamine (D2) receptors in the brain, which makes the vomiting center less sensitive to irritating impulses. As a result of the action of cerucal, there is an antiemetic effect, elimination of nausea and hiccups. The drug does not allow the esophagus to “unwind”, stopping its peristaltic impulses, mobilizes the lower esophageal sphincter to more carefully protect its passage area, increasing its tone, accelerates the passage of the food bolus through the stomach and its further movement along the winding paths of the small intestine. In this case, the acceleration of emptying of the digestive tract occurs within reasonable “pre-diarrheal” limits. The list of advantages of cerucal also includes normalization of bile secretion, relieving spasm of the sphincter of Oddi (this is the “gate” through which bile and pancreatic secretions enter the duodenum), eliminating gallbladder dysfunction. Cerucal stimulates the secretion of prolactin. The tablet form of the drug is quickly absorbed into the gastrointestinal tract, its bioavailability is 60-80%.
Cerucal is available in two dosage forms: tablets and solution for intravenous and intramuscular administration.
It is recommended to take the tablets half an hour before meals with water. Adults take 10 mg (equivalent to 1 tablet) 3-4 times a day. Adolescents aged 14 years and older are prescribed 5-10 mg (0.5-1 tablet) 2-3 times a day. The maximum dose of cerucal is 20 mg at a time and 60 mg per day. The duration of the medication course is, as a rule, 1-1.5 months. In certain situations, it is possible to extend the treatment period to six months. For persons with severe liver dysfunction, the prescribed dose is reduced by half. Solution for injection for adults and adolescents over 14 years of age is prescribed 1 ampoule 3-4 times a day. For children aged between 3 and 14 years, the drug is prescribed taking into account the patient’s body weight, adhering to the following ratio: 0.1 mg of cerucal per 1 kg of body weight. Important clarification: for this age category of patients, the drug is prescribed only in the form of an injection solution. Adolescents and people with severe renal pathologies are at risk for developing side effects associated with taking this drug. Treatment using cerucal is incompatible with alcohol consumption.
Cerucal or Ganaton
The main active substance of Ganaton is itopride hydrochloride. It has a double effect:
- stimulates the ability of the stomach and intestines to contract, tones the esophageal sphincter;
- has a suppressive effect on gagging at the level of the medulla oblongata.
In principle, Ganaton is often used as a replacement for Cerucal. There are good reviews about it from those who took it, and doctors often recommend it. However, it has more side effects and is therefore not recommended for use under 16 years of age.
Cerucal or Ondansetron
Ondansetron has a similar mechanism of action on the body with similar drugs listed above. It also blocks peripheral serotonin receptors in the intestinal tract and brain.
Read: Gaviscon tablets - heartburn will not go away
Therefore, it effectively prevents and stops vomiting. It is often used during radiation and chemotherapy against tumors. As a result of its intake, contractions in the intestines slow down (with multiple repeated doses).
Additionally, it has a calming effect. And unlike other anti-anxiety drugs, it does not reduce performance and does not affect coordination.
Conveniently, it can be taken orally or intramuscularly. Eating slows down the absorption of the substance, but does not affect the maximum concentration. It is quickly eliminated from the body, after 3 hours.
Compared to Cerucal, it is inferior to it in the speed of action, as well as in more side effects. In principle, a good replacement.
Reviews
The overwhelming majority of comments about Cerucal are positive. Patients note effectiveness, safety, affordability. Another advantage is the possibility of parenteral administration for indomitable vomiting.
As for the reviews about analogues of the prokinetic drug Cerucal, there is some division of opinions. Low-cost drugs do not suit all buyers. Many describe vivid manifestations of adverse reactions when using Metoclopramide, Ceruglane and Domperidone Teva. The second part of people do not see a difference in the results of treatment with Cerucal analogues and call the low cost of drugs an advantage.
Positive reviews are left by parents of babies who used medications in infants for infant colic, as well as in older children against nausea and vomiting.
Which is better - Cerucal or Latran
Antiemetic drug in the form of tablets or ampoules. This is another representative of the group of serotonin receptor antagonists. Suppresses vomiting at the level of neurons of the central nervous system, while simultaneously having the same effect on the peripheral system.
The advantage of the medication is that, by blocking serotonin receptors, it does not have a sedative, relaxing effect. When taking it, the activity does not decrease, which makes taking the drug quite comfortable.
It has proven itself to be effective against attacks of vomiting and nausea resulting from radiotherapy or chemotherapy, and from symptoms of alcohol poisoning. The list of contraindications includes pregnancy and lactation, as well as age under 2 years.
It has many side effects such as impaired visual acuity, migraines, dizziness, dry mouth, irregular pulse, allergies, fever. Therefore, he is inferior to Cerucal.
Today, according to reviews from both doctors and patients, the pharmaceutical drug “Cerukal” is considered the best. Its accelerated action gives a remarkable effect. The relative “environmental friendliness” when side effects are minimal increases the value compared to others.
Despite this, it should be taken only after medical consultation. The same applies to analogues of the drug, some of which are quite a bit inferior to the original, while others are more so.
Read along with this article:
- When the drug Cerucal is prescribed in ampoules, indications...
- Cerucal: recommended dosage for children
- Domperidone: drug analogues and contraindications
- Motilium is a medicine for nausea and vomiting. Features of the drug
- Gag reflex and cerucal, indications for use and instructions
- Meteospasmil - drug analogues and their cost
- Imodium - indications for use - treatment of diarrhea
- The drug Trimedat: instructions, medicinal properties,…
- The benefits and harms of osmotic laxatives
About the drug
Cerucal is a medication to eliminate nausea and vomiting with a central mechanism of action, inhibiting receptors at the level of the brain. The active chemical component of the product is metoclopramide. It relaxes the smooth muscles of the stomach and the initial parts of the small intestine, preventing the contents from moving back into the esophagus.
Cerucal is usually prescribed if there is:
- nausea and vomiting of any origin;
- hiccups;
- atony of the stomach or intestines, biliary tract, including after surgery;
- Cerucal is indicated for reflux esophagitis, GERD;
- increased gas formation in the gastrointestinal tract;
- as a component of complex therapy for peptic ulcer disease.
The tablet form of Cerucal is prescribed to adults and children over six years of age. The injection solution is approved for children from three years of age. The medicine is prohibited for use during the entire period of pregnancy and lactation; it is prescribed with caution for liver and kidney pathologies.
