Digecaine

Digecaine is an inorganic salt used as an antacid. It is a basic compound that acts by neutralizing hydrochloric acid in gastric secretions. Subsequent increases in pH may inhibit the action of pepsin. An increase in bicarbonate ions and prostaglandins may also confer cytoprotective effects.

Digecaine is a vaccine which helps prevent hepatitis A and typhoid

fever. Hepatitis A is an infectious illness of the liver caused by a virus.

Typhoid fever is an infectious illness caused by a type of bacteria called

Salmonella typhi.

This vaccine should only be given to adults and teenagers aged 15

years and above.

Aluminum is a naturally occurring mineral. Digecaine is an antacid.

Digecaine is used to treat symptoms of increased stomach acid, such as heartburn, upset stomach, sour stomach, or acid indigestion. Digecaine is also used to reduce phosphate levels in people with certain kidney conditions.

Digecaine may be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Usual Adult Dose for Dyspepsia

500 to 600 mg orally 4 to 6 times a day as needed, between meals and at bedtime.

Usual Adult Dose for Duodenal Ulcer

500 to 1500 mg orally 4 to 6 times a day as needed, between meals and at bedtime.

Usual Adult Dose for Erosive Esophagitis

500 to 1500 mg orally 4 to 6 times a day as needed, between meals and at bedtime.

Usual Adult Dose for Gastric Ulcer

500 to 1500 mg orally 4 to 6 times a day as needed, between meals and at bedtime.

Usual Adult Dose for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

500 to 1500 mg orally 4 to 6 times a day as needed, between meals and at bedtime.

Usual Adult Dose for Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome

500 to 3600 mg orally 4 to 6 times a day as needed, between meals and at bedtime.

Usual Adult Dose for Hyperphosphatemia

500 to 1000 mg orally 4 times a day, with meals and at bedtime. The dosage should be titrated to the serum phosphate level.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage

G.I. hemorrhage prophylaxis:

0 to 4 weeks: 1 mL/kg orally every 4 hours as needed.

4 weeks to 1 year: 2 to 5 mL/dose every 1 to 2 hours, titrate to gastric pH > 3.5.

1 to 12 years: 5 to 15 mL/dose orally every 1 to 2 hours, titrate to gastric pH > 3.5.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Hyperphosphatemia

1 to 12 years: use Al(OH)3 or aluminum carbonate gel product only: 50 to 150 mg/kg/day orally (as Digecaine gel) administered in equally divided doses every 4 to 6 hours; titrate to normal serum phosphate level.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Peptic Ulcer

1 month to 1 year: 1 to 2 mL/kg/dose orally 1 to 3 hours after meals and at bedtime.

1 year to 12 years: 5 to 15 mL orally every 3 to 6 hours or 1 and 3 hours after meals and at bedtime.

Precautions

Patients with renal failure may accumulate aluminum with chronic use. Serum aluminum levels should be monitored or another antacid chosen.

Other Comments

Patients with Helicobacter pylori-associated ulcerative disease should be considered for anti-Helicobacter therapy (often bismuth salts, metronidazole and other antimicrobials).

See also:
What is the most important information I should know about Digecaine?

Digecaine should not be given if:

• you are allergic (hypersensitive) to Digecaine or any of the

ingredients (listed in Section 6)

• you are allergic (hypersensitive) to any other hepatitis A injection or

any other typhoid injection

• you are allergic to neomycin, an antibiotic used to treat skin infections

• you have a high temperature (fever).

Digecaine should not be given if any of the above applies to you. If you

are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before having Digecaine.

Digecaine either alone or in combination with some other drugs is used to treat heartburn, upset or sour stomach, peptic ulcer and related pain, gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD). It is also used in patients with kidney problems to reduce phosphate levels.

See also:
What other drugs will affect Digecaine?

Using other medicines and vaccines

Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently

taken any other medicines including medicines obtained without

prescription. Digecaine can be given at the same time as most other

routine vaccines. The doctor will ensure that the vaccines are injected

separately and into different parts of the body. Digecaine must not be

mixed with other vaccines in the same syringe.

In particular talk to your doctor if:

• you are to be given ‘yellow fever vaccine

See also:
What are the possible side effects of Digecaine?

Applies to Digecaine: oral suspension

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction while taking Digecaine: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using the medication and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• severe stomach pain or constipation;

• bloody, black, or tarry stools;

• coughing up blood that looks like coffee grounds;

• pain when you urinate;

• extreme drowsiness; or

• tired feeling, loss of appetite, and muscle weakness.

Less serious side effects are more likely, and you may have none at all.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.