This information is not country-specific. Please refer to the Hong Kong prescribing information.
Generic Medicine Info
Indications and Dosage
Oral
Chronic diarrhoea
Adult: 9 g daily for 7 days.
Child: 2 years 3-6 g daily; >2 years 6-9 g daily. Treatment duration: Up to 7 days.
Reconstitution
Powder for oral susp: Stir thoroughly in half glass of water. For children, add 50 mL of water and stir thoroughly in the feeding bottle, or mix with a semi-liquid food (e.g. broth, stewed fruit, mashed vegetables, baby food).
Special Precautions
Intestinal occlusion. Children. Pregnancy and lactation.
Adverse Reactions
Gastrointestinal disorders: Rarely, aggravation of constipation.
Drug Interactions
May interfere with the absorption of other substances when administered simultaneously.
Action
Description: Dioctahedral smectite has a powerful coating Dioctahedral smectite property on the gastrointestinal mucosa. It protects the gastrointestinal mucosa by interacting with glycoprotein of mucus thus increasing the resistance of the mucosal gel as a response to aggressive agents.
Synonym: diosmectite.
Pharmacokinetics:
Absorption: Not absorbed.
Metabolism: Not metabolised.
Excretion: Via faeces.
Storage
Store below 25°C.
MIMS Class
Antidiarrheals
ATC Classification
A07BC05 – diosmectite ; Belongs to the class of other intestinal adsorbents.
References
Buckingham R (ed). Smectites. Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference [online]. London. Pharmaceutical Press. https://www.medicinescomplete.com. Accessed 03/04/2020.
Dehecta (Daewoong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd). MIMS Philippines. http://www.mims.com/philippines. Accessed 03/04/2020.
Dehecta (Daewoong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd). MIMS Thailand. http://www.mims.com/thailand. Accessed 07/04/2020.
Smecta (Beaufour Ipsen Industrie). MIMS Singapore. http://www.mims.com/singapore. Accessed 03/04/2020.
Smecta Orange-Vanilla (Beaufour Ipsen Industrie). MIMS Thailand. http://www.mims.com/thailand. Accessed 03/04/2020.
Smecta® (Dioctahedral Smectite): Not Recommended for Use in Children Aged Below 2 Years and Pregnant or Breastfeeding Women. National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency – Ministry of Health Malaysia. https://www.npra.gov.my/. Accessed 07/04/2020.
Dioctahedral smectite (DS) a natural adsorbent clay capable of adsorbing viruses, bacteria, and other intestinal irritants in vitro, is claimed to possess beneficial “antidiarrheal” properties. This study tested the effect of DS on the duration of diarrhea and the frequency and amount of liquid stools. Ninety well-nourished boys, aged 3–24 months, with acute watery diarrhea and mild, moderate, or severe dehydration were included in a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. After initial rehydration, they received DS or placebo (1.5 g freshly dissolved in 50 ml of water, four times daily for 3 days) along with oral rehydration solution (ORS) and adequate feeding. The clinical characteristics of both groups were comparable on admission.
Patients in the smectite group had a significantly shorter duration of diarrhea (mean ± SD, 54 ± 16 vs. 73 ± 13 h) and significantly fewer stools (2.6 ± 0.8 vs. 3 ± 0.7 on second day; 1.9 ± 0.7 vs. 2.4 ± 0.7 on third day; and 11.3 ± 3.2 vs. 13.8 ± 3 overall). The amount of liquid stools was not significantly reduced. Weight gain at 24, 48, and 72 h and on recovery was significantly higher in the smectite group despite the comparable fluid and food intake in both groups. These results suggest a beneficial effect of DS in shortening the duration of diarrhea and reducing the frequency of liquid stools in children rehydrated with ORS.