Montmorillonite powder sold out overnight? Experts: Don't use it indiscriminately, it may cause constipation

Recently, a screenshot with the content "XBB1.5 strain topped the list in the United States. This strain mainly attacks the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems and the stomach. It is recommended to prepare montmorillonite powder" quickly circulated on the Internet. Subsequently, "montmorillonite powder" and several related topics became hot searches on Weibo, attracting widespread attention and causing many people to blindly stockpile medicines.

Network screenshots

So, what is the XBB.1.5 strain? How is it different from the Omicron variant currently prevalent in China? What is the relationship between montmorillonite powder and XBB? Is it necessary to stock up on medicine? Are there any side effects of taking montmorillonite powder? This article comprehensively sorts out these hot issues.

01. What is the XBB.1.5 strain? How is the XBB strain different from the Omicron variant currently prevalent in China?

Li Dongzeng, chief physician of the Department of Respiratory and Infectious Diseases at Beijing You'an Hospital, said in an interview with the media, "XBB still belongs to the sub-branch of Omicron, and is a recombinant variant of the variant below BA.2. Its immune escape ability has been enhanced. It has become prevalent in some foreign regions, leading to an increase in the number of infections. However, foreign data show that its pathogenicity is no different from previous strains. "

In addition, as early as December 20, 2022, at a press conference held by the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council, Xu Wenbo, director of the Institute of Viral Diseases of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, also introduced that BQ.1 and XBB strains are new variants of Omicron. Their main manifestations are increased transmission and immune escape capabilities, and their pathogenicity is not significantly different from other series of variants of Omicron. The severity and mortality rates have not increased significantly in countries where BQ.1 and XBB strains are prevalent.

02. Will infection with the new coronavirus cause diarrhea?

Liao Shanying, deputy chief physician of the Department of Gastroenterology at Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, said in an interview with the media that the symptoms of COVID-19 infection are mainly respiratory symptoms, and some patients also have digestive symptoms, but the incidence rates reported in different clinical observations vary. About 10% of patients may have digestive symptoms. For example, poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal distension, abdominal pain, etc. Patients may have one or more digestive symptoms, among which diarrhea is more common. Generally speaking, children may be more prone to digestive symptoms than adults.

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Liao Shanying said that there are many reasons for diarrhea caused by COVID-19 infection. The COVID-19 virus itself can infect the gastrointestinal mucosa, leading to viral enteritis and diarrhea. In addition, intestinal flora imbalance or other underlying diseases in some patients may cause or aggravate diarrhea. However, patients do not need to be too anxious, as many viruses can cause diarrhea. The autumn diarrhea we are familiar with is rotavirus infection.

03. What is montmorillonite powder? Does it have any side effects?

Zhu Haiqiao, who is certified as the chief pediatrician of Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital on Weibo, mentioned in his personal Weibo: "Montmorillonite powder is a commonly used auxiliary medicine for the treatment of diarrhea. Many people mistakenly understand it as an antidiarrheal drug. In fact, it does not have an antidiarrheal effect, but it has the effect of adhering to viruses. If you are infected with XBB and have related gastroenteritis symptoms, you can use this montmorillonite powder, but when you have diarrhea, it is more important to prevent dehydration and maintain water and electrolyte imbalance. "

Li Zhiling, deputy director of the Department of Pharmacy at Shanghai Children's Hospital, believes that montmorillonite powder is not strictly an antidiarrheal drug, but an "adsorbent". In an interview with the media, she introduced that the raw material of montmorillonite powder is montmorillonite, a natural clay mineral. The special "sandwich" octahedral structure of montmorillonite makes it have strong adsorption, including the ability to adsorb heavy metals, bacteria and viruses. Therefore, its oral preparation is considered to be used to treat acute and chronic diarrhea, and has a certain fixation and inhibition effect on viruses, bacteria and toxins produced in the digestive tract, making them lose their pathogenic effects.

Li Zhiling said that although some studies have shown that montmorillonite powder can inhibit acute diarrhea and shorten the course of diarrhea, the level of research evidence is not high and further clinical efficacy tests are needed. The domestic and foreign guidelines do not recommend montmorillonite powder for the treatment of diarrhea, and it also has side effects . "For example, this clay mineral contains lead, and it is not recommended for children under two years old, as there is a possibility of lead poisoning." Li Zhiling pointed out that it is also easy to cause constipation after taking it, which makes it difficult to detoxify.

Li Zhiling suggested that after diarrhea occurs, it is recommended to prioritize fluid replacement to prevent dehydration. Oral rehydration salt powder (III) can be used to replenish the electrolytes needed by the body and the lost water, maintain the balance between sodium, water and other electrolytes, and restore the electrolytes and circulatory capacity required by the human body, thereby reducing the metabolic effects caused by dehydration and restoring physical strength. This medicine is safer.

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04. Is it necessary to stock up on montmorillonite powder?

"This medicine really doesn't taste good. Montmorillonite powder has a bad taste. I really don't recommend stockpiling medicine, but it's normal for families to want to prepare one or two boxes." Huang Guoxin, deputy director of the Department of Pharmacy at Tongji University Affiliated Oriental Hospital, said in an interview with the media. He said that montmorillonite powder is a Western medicine and is often used in combination with microecological preparations in clinical practice. You can take montmorillonite powder first to absorb bacteria and viruses, and then take microecological preparations at least 2 hours later to restore normal intestinal flora.

Huang Guoxin reminded that for more severe diarrhea, dehydration should be corrected in time, electrolytes should be supplemented, and medical treatment should be sought in time if necessary . If it is bacterial diarrhea, antibiotics should also be added. If combined, antibacterial drugs should be taken first, then montmorillonite powder, and finally microecological preparations.

Source | CCTV News Client, CCTV.com, Beijing News, The Paper, Dr. Zhu Haiqiao’s Weibo

Review | Zhang Yu, researcher at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention

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