GASTRON Syrup and Tablets for Diarrhoea

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Let’s be honest — diarrhoea is awful. One moment you’re fine, and the next you’re rushing to the toilet every few minutes. It’s uncomfortable, draining, and all you really want is for it to stop as soon as possible. Whether it’s you or your child dealing with it, relief is the only thing on your mind.

That’s where GASTRON Syrup and GASTRON Tablets can help. These medicines are specially made to ease diarrhoea and help your body recover safely. In this guide, I’ll explain in plain language what these medicines are, how they work, the right way to use them, and the important things you should keep in mind. Think of it as if we were having a chat over a cup of tea — no medical jargon, just straightforward advice.

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What is it?

GASTRON is basically a diarrhoea-stopper. It contains an ingredient called loperamide hydrochloride, which slows down your gut so it doesn’t push everything through so fast. That gives your intestines time to soak up more water, which helps firm up your stools. In simple terms: it helps stop the flood and bring back some normalcy.

You can get GASTRON in two forms:

• Syrup (for little ones): 1 mg of loperamide in every 5 ml
• Tablets (for adults and older kids): 2 mg of loperamide per tablet

The syrup doesn’t have sugar in it (great for kids or anyone watching sugar), and the tablets contain mannitol, which is a sugar substitute.

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When should you use GASTRON?

This medicine is mainly for short-term diarrhoea—like the kind you get from food poisoning, stress, or just something that didn’t agree with your stomach. You can also use it for chronic diarrhoea, but only if a doctor tells you it’s okay.

Here’s when GASTRON comes in handy:

• You’ve got a sudden bout of diarrhoea and need quick relief.
• Your child (who’s old enough—more on that soon) has diarrhoea and can’t stay hydrated.
• You’ve got diarrhoea from something non-infectious and need to manage it, especially when you’re on the go.

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When NOT to use it (super important)

Okay, this is where you’ve really got to pay attention. GASTRON isn’t for everyone or every situation. Here are some clear NO-GO cases:

• Babies under 2 years old: Don’t even think about giving them GASTRON Syrup.
• Kids under 5: Tablets are not for them.
• If you or your kid has blood in the stool or a fever with diarrhoea (might be dysentery)—skip GASTRON and see a doctor.
• You’ve got ulcerative colitis, infectious diarrhoea, or diarrhoea caused by antibiotics.
• There’s abdominal swelling, or you haven’t passed gas or stool in a while.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding? Not the best choice unless your doctor gives the go-ahead.
• You have liver problems—loperamide can build up in your system and cause issues.

If any of these sound like your situation, stop here and call a doctor. GASTRON won’t help—and could make things worse.

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Things to know before using it

Even if GASTRON seems like a quick fix, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• It won’t replace fluids, so you still need to drink plenty of water or even better—use oral rehydration salts (ORS).
• If the diarrhoea doesn’t settle down in 48 hours, stop using GASTRON and get checked.
• If you have AIDS and feel bloated while taking this, stop it immediately.
• Don’t take more than recommended—it can mess with your heart rhythm.
• Always check with your doctor if you’re taking other medications—some of them can interact with GASTRON in a not-so-good way.

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Can kids take GASTRON?

Yes—but it depends on their age and weight. The syrup is for children over 2 years, and the tablets are only for kids older than 5.

If your child is younger than that, don’t take the risk. Diarrhoea in little ones can turn dangerous really fast, and you’re better off seeing a healthcare professional.

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What about other meds?

If you’re already taking other medicine, especially for:

• HIV (ritonavir)
• Fungal infections (itraconazole, ketoconazole)
• High cholesterol (gemfibrozil)
• Malaria (quinidine)
• Bedwetting or frequent urination (desmopressin)

…then you must tell your doctor or pharmacist. These meds can increase how much loperamide is in your system, which can lead to overdose-type symptoms.

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Pregnant or breastfeeding? Be cautious.

Look, no one wants to deal with diarrhoea while pregnant—but GASTRON is not usually recommended unless your doctor is 100% okay with it. Same goes for breastfeeding. Better safe than sorry.

Can I drive after taking it?

Some people feel a bit dizzy, tired, or even faint after taking GASTRON, especially if they’re already feeling weak from the diarrhoea. So, don’t drive or do anything that needs full attention until you know how it affects you.

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Ingredients—what’s inside?

Here’s the breakdown:

GASTRON SYRUP:

• Loperamide hydrochloride (1 mg/5 ml)
• Sugar-free
• Sweetened with saccharin sodium
• Contains parabens, which might cause allergic reactions in some people

GASTRON TABLETS:

• Loperamide hydrochloride (2 mg)
• Contains mannitol (a sugar substitute)

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How to use GASTRON (doses made simple)

Let’s break this down by form and age.

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For Adults and Kids Over 5 (GASTRON TABLETS)

Acute diarrhoea:

• Start with 2 tablets (4 mg).
• After that, take 1 tablet after each loose stool.
• Max: 8 tablets in 24 hours.

But don’t just go by age—weight matters too:

Weight (kg)	Max Tablets/Day
14 kg	2 tablets (4 mg)
20 kg	3 tablets (6 mg)
27 kg	4 tablets (8 mg)
34 kg	5 tablets (10 mg)
40 kg	6 tablets (12 mg)
47 kg	7 tablets (14 mg)
54 kg+	8 tablets (16 mg)

Chronic diarrhoea:

Start with 2–4 tablets a day. Adjust as needed, but don’t overdo it. If things start getting too firm, ease up on the dose.

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For Children Over 2 Years (GASTRON SYRUP)

Acute diarrhoea:

Age	Dose (1st day)	After each loose stool
2–5 years	5 ml three times daily	5 ml per 10 kg body weight
5–8 years	5 ml four times daily	Same as above
8–12 years	10 ml three to four times	Same as above

Max syrup per day:

• 2–5 yrs: 15 ml
• 5–8 yrs: 20 ml
• 8–12 yrs: 40 ml

Chronic diarrhoea:

Start with 5 ml per 12.5 kg body weight per day, then adjust based on how the child is responding.

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What if you take too much?

Be careful—overdose can cause:

• Trouble pooping
• Tummy swelling
• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Vomiting
• Difficulty urinating
• Breathing problems

If you think you’ve taken too much—or your child has—go to the nearest hospital or poison centre immediately.

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Forgot a dose?

No big deal. Just take the next dose after the next loose stool. Don’t double up—this isn’t one of those meds you take regularly, just when needed.

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Side effects—GASTRON

Most people do just fine, but some do experience side effects. Here’s what to expect:

Call for help if you get:

• Swelling of the face, lips, or throat
• Trouble breathing
• Skin peeling or rashes
• Confusion or fainting
• Severe tummy pain or fever
• Can’t pee or feel bloated

These can be signs of something serious.

Common ones:

• Constipation
• Nausea or vomiting
• Headaches
• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth

Not-so-common ones:

• Heartburn
• Mouth discomfort
• Blurry vision
• Trouble with coordination

Always tell your doctor if something feels off, even if it seems minor.

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Storing GASTRON the right way

• Keep it out of reach of little hands.
• Store it at room temperature (below 25°C).
• Don’t use it after the expiry date.
• Keep it sealed tightly when not in use.

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Final thoughts

GASTRON is a super useful medicine to have on hand for those annoying bouts of diarrhoea, especially if you or your child gets hit suddenly. But like any medicine, you have to use it right. Don’t ignore the warnings, don’t use it in babies or when diarrhoea is caused by infection, and always stay hydrated.

If you use GASTRON the way it’s meant to be used, it can get you back on your feet fast.

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Manufacturer

GASTRON Syrup and Tablets are approved by Aspen Pharmacare, one of the leading pharmaceutical companies in South Africa. They’re known for producing safe, reliable meds that many families trust.

Holder Of Certificate

PHARMACARE LIMITED
Healthcare Park
Woodlands Drive
Woodmead 2191
Hotline: 0800 122 912/+27 (0)11 239-6200

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