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Smecta would present a health risk because of its lead content.

Smecta would present a health risk because of its lead content.

Do you use clay-based medications, like Smecta?

It is true that it is very practical to treat acute diarrhea, intestinal or digestive disorders.

Not only do doctors prescribe them regularly, but they are also often used in self-medication.

But you may change your habits to heal yourself after reading this.

Indeed, Smecta, like other clay-based medicines, would present a health risk.

The reason:the small amounts of lead they contain, according to the medical journal Prescrire. Explanations:

Smecta would present a health risk because of its lead content.

Lead in clay

Indeed, the clays used to prepare these medicines simply come from the ground.

They may therefore have been contaminated by impurities present in the soil, including heavy metals such as lead...

And the risk is that by taking these drugs, traces of lead are then found in the body.

Not really what you expect when taking a drug!

It is for this reason that the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) issued an initial alert last February.

She recommended in particular to no longer use these drugs in children under 2 years.

A risk for children under 2

This recommendation followed the new international recommendations on acceptable thresholds of heavy metals in drugs.

The ANSM then asked the laboratories concerned to carry out the necessary examinations to assess the risk of contamination of patients by lead.

The laboratories then produced a clinical study which established a zero risk in adults treated with Smecta for 5 weeks.

On the other hand, the same cannot be said for children under 2 years old who take Smecta.

According to the review Prescrire, "this lead contamination would expose children under 2 years of age treated for 7 days with diosmectite to blood lead levels reaching more than 50 micrograms per litre. Such blood lead levels are known to lead to neurobehavioral disorders".

Similarly, pregnant or breastfeeding women should also avoid taking it. However, the ANSM specifies that this is a precaution.

Natural remedies for diarrhea

There are also many home remedies that can cure diarrhea without medication.

They are natural and effective. And they also have the advantage of being economical. Here are the 3 we have selected for you:

- Grandma's Recipe to STOP Diarrhea WITHOUT Medication.

- 2 Grandma's Remedies That STOP Diarrhea Fast.

- 4 Grandmother's Tips to Take Care of your Gastro in 1 Day.