Diosmectite
 Diosmectite powder | |
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| Formula | (Na-Ca)0.33-(Al-Mg)2-Si4-O10-(O-H)2·(H2O)2 |
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Diosmectite (brand names Smecta, Smecdral) is a natural silicate of aluminium and magnesium used as an intestinal adsorbent in the treatment of several gastrointestinal diseases, including infectious and non-infectious acute and chronic diarrhoea, including irritable bowel syndrome diarrhea subtype. Other uses include: chronic diarrhea caused by radiation-induced, chemotherapy-induced, and HIV/AIDS-associated chronic diarrhea.[1]
It is insoluble in water. It is usually taken orally as a suspension in warm water. In the field of geology, it is more commonly known as montmorillonite. Diosmectite is a contraction of "dioctahedral smectite".
Mechanism of action
Its effectiveness in improving stool consistency is the result of its ability to absorb bacteria, viruses and toxins as well as strengthening the intestinal mucus barrier to reduce luminal antigens passing through the mucus barrier which in turn helps to reduce inflammation.[1]
See also
- Geophagy
- Medicinal clay
References
- 1 2 Lee KJ (October 2015). "Pharmacologic Agents for Chronic Diarrhea". Intest Res. 13 (4): 306–12. doi:10.5217/ir.2015.13.4.306. PMC 4641856. PMID 26576135.
External links
- Santantonio M, Colella M, Fiorica F, et al. (2000). "Diosmectite (DIOSMECTAL) in preventive anti-diarrheic therapy in patients subjected to pelvic radiation". Minerva Gastroenterol Dietol. 46 (4): 225–30. PMID 16501441.