Astrogerd 40 Tablet

Astrogerd 40 Tablet belongs to the class of drugs known as Proton pump inhibitor which reduces the amount of acid your stomach makes. It treats gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), stomach ulcers and Zollinger Ellison syndrome (overproduction of acid due to pancreatic tumour).

Astrogerd 40 Tablet helps in reducing the stomach acid by blocking the actions of an enzyme (H+/K+ ATPase or gastric proton pump). This proton pump lies in the cells of the stomach wall responsible for the release of gastric acid secretion damaging tissues in the food pipe, stomach, and duodenum. Astrogerd 40 Tablet prevents the release of stomach acid and relieves symptoms of food pipe lining inflammation (esophagitis), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or heartburn.

Take Astrogerd 40 Tablet 1-2hours prior food. You are advised to take Astrogerd 40 Tablet for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you depending on your medical condition. An adult taking Astrogerd 40 Tablet might have common side effects like headache, diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, flatulence, dizziness, and arthralgia (joint pain). In the case of children taking Astrogerd 40 Tablet might report upper respiratory tract infections (URI), headache, fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, rash, and abdominal pain.  These side effects are temporary and may get resolve after some time however if this side persists contact the doctor.

Astrogerd 40 Tablet is safe for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers but should be taken only after consulting a doctor. Tell your doctor if you have stomach or intestinal cancer, liver problem, allergic to Astrogerd 40 Tablet, or will have an endoscopy in the future. Prolonged intake of Astrogerd 40 Tablet may cause deficiency of Vitamin B12 and low level of calcium, magnesium, and Vitamin D leading to osteoporosis.

Astrogerd 40 Tablet is effective at healing erosive esophagitis (inflammation of food pipe), relieving symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (heartburn), and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Astrogerd 40 Tablet works by irreversibly blocking the proton pump gate (which secretes stomach acid). It can be prescribed to all age groups including special populations like the elderly, pregnant, lactating mothers, kidney, and liver disease patients. Usually, no dosage adjustment is required for these groups.

You should avoid taking Astrogerd 40 Tablet if you are allergic to Astrogerd 40 Tablet or proton pump inhibitors, have gastric cancer, liver disease, low magnesium level (osteoporosis), low vitamin B12, pregnant or planning for pregnancy, and breastfeeding mothers. Astrogerd 40 Tablet may interact with a blood thinner (warfarin), antifungal (ketoconazole), anti-HIV drug (atazanavir, nelfinavir), iron supplements, ampicillin antibiotic, anti-cancer drug (methotrexate). Let your doctor know if you are taking these medicines. Prolonged intake of Astrogerd 40 Tablet may cause lupus erythematosus (an inflammatory condition in which the immune system attacks its own tissues), Vitamin B12, and magnesium deficiency. Intake of Astrogerd 40 Tablet may mask the symptom of gastric cancer, so if you have any severe stomach pain or gastric bleeding (blood in mucous or stool) immediately consult the doctor. 

Prolonged intake of Astrogerd 40 Tablet may be associated with increased risk of Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea, magnesium and Vitamin B-12 deficiency (increased risk of bone fracture), atrophic gastritis (inflammed lining of stomach), and acute interstitial nephritis (inflammed cells of kidney).