How to take montmorillonite powder correctly for summer diarrhea

In the hot summer, intestinal pathogens multiply rapidly, the number of people dining out increases, and the chances of eating raw, cold, and iced food increase. The production process is very easy to cause contamination, which increases the chances of infection after eating. In addition, flies and cockroaches breed in the summer, carrying pathogens and spreading diseases. Therefore, summer is often a high incidence period of diarrhea. Montmorillonite powder is a commonly used clinical drug for acute diarrhea in children and adults, and it is also a standing drug in most families, but are you really using montmorillonite powder correctly?

First, let's take a look at how montmorillonite powder works to stop diarrhea. Montmorillonite powder has a layered structure and non-uniform charge distribution. It has a strong fixation and inhibition effect on viruses, bacteria, and the toxins and gases they produce in the digestive tract, making them lose their pathogenic effects. In addition, it has a strong covering and protective ability for the digestive tract mucosa, which can repair and improve the defense function of the mucosal barrier against attacking factors, and has the effect of balancing normal flora and local analgesia. Montmorillonite powder does not enter the blood circulation system, and is excreted from the body along with the fixed attacking factors with the peristalsis of the digestive tract itself [1]. It can be used clinically as an adjuvant treatment for acute and chronic diarrhea and related pain symptoms caused by esophageal, gastric, and duodenal diseases.

So, what is the dosage of montmorillonite powder that needs to be taken each time? According to the instructions for use of montmorillonite powder, adults should take 3g of montmorillonite powder orally at a time, 3 times a day. For acute diarrhea, the first dose should be doubled. Children under 1 year old, 3g a day; children 1-2 years old, 3-6g a day; children over 2 years old, 6-9g a day, all divided into 3 doses. For acute diarrhea, the first dose should be doubled. People with a history of severe constipation should use it with caution. Studies have shown that large doses (6g/time) of montmorillonite powder can significantly shorten the course of the disease, but the dose should be reduced and use should be stopped in time to avoid constipation [2].

What should you pay attention to when taking montmorillonite powder? First, pay attention to the amount of water used. Pour 3g of montmorillonite powder into half a cup of warm water (about 50ml) and mix well and drink it quickly. Insufficient water may cause constipation. In addition, the time of taking the medicine is also important. Montmorillonite powder will adhere to food, resulting in reduced efficacy, so it should be taken before meals.

Sometimes doctors prescribe probiotic preparations in addition to montmorillonite powder. This is because montmorillonite powder can absorb a variety of pathogens and enhance the barrier function of the intestinal mucosa. Probiotic preparations (such as bifidobacterium triple live bacteria preparations, etc.) can form an intestinal mucosal microbial barrier and competitively inhibit the invasion and colonization of pathogenic bacteria. Many studies [3, 4] have confirmed that the combination of the two can play a synergistic role, regulate the ecological balance of intestinal flora, inhibit the invasion and colonization of pathogenic bacteria, and increase the intestinal mucosal barrier, thereby improving symptoms. If the patient is diagnosed with infectious diarrhea, the doctor may also give antibacterial drugs [5, 6]. The order of taking the three drugs is very important: first take antibacterial drugs to kill intestinal pathogens, then take montmorillonite powder 1 hour later to absorb pathogens and their harmful toxins, and then take probiotic preparations 1 hour later to regulate intestinal flora and inhibit intestinal pathogens [6].

References [1] Chen Yi, Wang Pei, Wu Honghai, et al. Experimental study on the antidiarrheal effect of montmorillonite [J]. Chinese Journal of New Drugs and Clinical Practice, 1999, 18(4): 230-232.

[2] Huang Jiaqing, Wang Ying. Observation on the efficacy of different doses of montmorillonite powder on severe acute enteritis in adults[J]. Trauma and Critical Care Medicine, 2014, 2(5): 316-317.

[3] Zhuang Songxin. Clinical efficacy of Bifidobacterium-Lactobacillus triple live bacteria tablets combined with montmorillonite powder in the treatment of pediatric diarrhea[J]. Chinese Journal of Modern Drug Application, 2020, 14(21): 175-177.

[4] Zheng Jicai, Wu Xuyao. Observation on the effect of Bifidobacterium triple live bacteria capsule combined with montmorillonite powder in the treatment of acute infectious diarrhea in adults[J]. Chinese Rural Medicine, 2017, 24(12): 3-4.

[5] Miao Xiaohui, Ran Lu, Zhang Wenhong, et al. Expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of acute infectious diarrhea in adults[J]. Chinese Journal of Digestion, 2013, 33(12):793-802.

[6] Chen Jie, Wan Chaomin, Sun Mei, et al. Clinical practice guidelines for acute infectious diarrhea in children in China[J]. Chinese Journal of Pediatrics, 2016, 54(07): 483-488.

[7] Chang Yiyong. The considerations for taking Smecta[J]. Public Health, 2014(3):47.