Alkopex
Alkopex Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Food Interaction and all others data.
Magnesium citrate is a low volume and osmotic cathartic agent. The cathartic action works primarily through the high osmolarity of the solution which draws large amounts of fluid into space where is used. Magnesium citrate is considered by the FDA as an approved inactive ingredient for approved drug products under the specifications of oral administration of a maximum concentration of 237 mg. It is also considered as an active ingredient in over-the-counter products.
The onset of action can be as early as 30 minutes after administration with a mean onset time of approximately 2 hours and a maximum action of 4 hours. The effect of magnesium citrate is highly dependent on the individual's hydration status.
Potassium nitrate is an inorganic salt with a chemical formula of KNO3. It is a natural source of nitrate and has been used as a constituent for several different purposes, including food preservatives, fertilizers, tree stump removal, rocket propellants, and fireworks. Potassium nitrate is a common active ingredient in toothpaste, exerting an anti-sensitivity action. It provides increasing protection against painful sensitivity of the teeth to cold, heat, acids, sweets or contact .
In addition, potassium nitrate is used as a diuretic in pigs, cattle, and horses. It is administered orally doses up to 30 g per animal per day .
The potassium cation is an essential electrolyte that is important for the maintenance of intracellular osmotic pressure and for the maintenance of cell membrane potential, in particular, the potential of electrically excitable tissues . It is a regular component of the diet and is particularly abundant in fruit and vegetables. The recommended daily intake varies from 350-1275 mg in children to 1875 and 5625 mg in adults. In the United Kingdom, the recommended intake is 3.5 g/day for healthy adults . Potassium ions are believed to disturb the synapse between nerve cells, thus decreasing nerve excitation and the associated pain .
| Trade Name | Alkopex |
| Generic | Magnesium Citrate + Potassium Nitrate |
| Weight | 375mg |
| Type | Solution |
| Therapeutic Class | |
| Manufacturer | |
| Available Country | India |
| Last Updated: | September 19, 2023 at 7:00 am |
Uses
Magnesium citrate is a laxative used in bowel preparation for colonoscopy or as a magnesium supplement.
Magnesium citrate has been used in bowel preparations prior to a colonoscopy as a cathartic agent.
It is also used in over-the-counter products to relieve occasional constipation.
Magnesium citrate can be one of the forms used for the administration of dietary supplements.
Potassium nitrate is a medication used to cauterize small wounds, remove granulation tissue, warts, and verrucae, and treat tooth sensitivity.
For the relief of tooth sensitivity, and is also used as a pesticide, insecticide, as a food additive, and a rodenticide .
Alkopex is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: MigraineTooth Sensitivity
How Alkopex works
It mainly works through its property of high osmolality which will draw large amounts of fluid into the colonic lumen. There is also a possible stimulation of fluid excretion by cholecystokinin release and activation of muscle peristalsis.
Potassium (K+) is the principal cation modulating the osmotic balance of the body fluids. In animals, the maintenance of normal cell volume and pressure is dependent on Na+ and K+ pumping . Potassium transport through the hydrophobic interior of a cell membrane may be facilitated by several naturally occurring compounds that form lipid-soluble alkali metal cation complexes. Potassium has the critical role of a calcium counter-ion for numerous carboxylates, phosphates, and sulfates, and also acts to stabilize macromolecular structures .
Potassium is the primary agent for common, over the counter de-sensitizing toothpaste that prevents the transmission of nerve endings to the teeth. Potassium salts, including potassium nitrate, potassium chloride or potassium citrate work by diffusion across the dentinal tubules, causing depolarization of the nerve cells. In turn, these cells become unresponsive to excitatory stimuli. The effect of the potassium nitrate accumulates over time, and it may take several weeks for patients to notice improvement of pain symptoms .
Potassium nitrates control pests using a unique mechanism of action. Rather than directly poisoning rodents, nitrates support the combustion of charcoal in gas cartridges, promoting the production of toxic gases, which, are lethal to the target pest. The environmental protection agency in the USA (EPA) is only minimally concerned about the risk of direct human exposure to sodium or potassium nitrates, rather than pesticide accidents--typically involving skin burns or inhalation of toxic gases .
Toxicity
The occurrence of overdose with magnesium citrate is very unlikely but some of the signs of the presence of overdose are diarrhea or severe stomach pain.
Acute oral toxicity (LD50): 1901 mg/kg in rabbits and 3750 mg/kg in rats .
The primary acute toxic effect of nitrates is the development of methemoglobinemia, a condition in which greater than 10% of the hemoglobin in the body is transformed into methemoglobin. When this conversion exceeds 70% the condition may result in death .
The potassium ion by itself possesses very little toxicity; the toxicity of the salts is associated with the anion. Potassium nitrate is rapidly absorbed from the upper gastrointestinal tract and is excreted mostly as the unchanged drug . This excludes a small percentage of the ingested dose that is reduced by the microbial action of the gut to nitrite. Nitrites convert the hemoglobin in red blood cells into methemoglobin . In male rats given potassium nitrate, intestinal absorption was affected .
Adverse increased potassium intake included changes in blood lipids, triglyceride, decreased high-density lipoprotein [HDL] cholesterol), changes in renal function, and increases in catecholamine levels. The decrease in blood volume caused by increased potassium activates the sympathetic nervous system, resulting in the release of adrenaline and noradrenaline. Decreases in blood volume may also contribute to the observed changes in blood lipid concentrations .
Death and severe effects of nitrate ingestion are generally associated with doses of the drugs above 10g NO3-. Doses ranging from 2-9 g NO3- have been reported to cause methemoglobinemia. These values correspond to 33 - 150 mg NO3-/kg Potassium nitrate was shown to cause low to moderate acute toxicity. Repeated dose toxicity was investigated in rats given oral doses in the range 10-100 mg/kg per day for 4 months; bronchopneumonia, local hemorrhages, and other circulatory disorders were observed in treated animals. Cattle were given oral doses of 345-450 mg/kg daily (expressed as nitrate) for several months; blood phosphate and magnesium were decreased and blood calcium, urinary magnesium, urea and milk urea were increased .
Volume of Distribution
Nitrates are absorbed into the general blood circulation and are transported across the body. Radioactive tracer experiments have demonstrated that nitrates are distributed evenly among body organs, and their rate of distribution depends on blood flow .
Elimination Route
Mean plasma concentration of magnesium after administration of oral doses of magnesium citrate are reported to be of around 0.7 mmol/L and the concentration in saliva rested in 0.28 mmol/L. In reports, it has also been proven that the absorption and bioavailability of magnesium are greater when administered in the form of magnesium citrate when compared with other forms such as magnesium ocude.
It is established that nitrate is quickly and almost entirely absorbed from the proximal and small intestine subsequent to ingestion in most animals, with little if any absorption from the stomach and lower intestine .
The vast majority of intestinal K+ absorption occurs in the small intestine; the contribution of the normal colon to net K+ absorption and secretion is trivial .
Half Life
The study of the half-life of magnesium citrate is very difficult due to the half-life of the available isotopes for magnesium.
Elimination Route
After oral administration of magnesium citrate, there is a 40% increase in urine excretion of magnesium. Magnesium citrate is also widely eliminated via the feces because, when present in the bowel, it relaxes the bowel and pulls water into the intestine which increases bowel movement and a significant portion of this agent gets excreted by this via.
Nitrates are excreted in the urine primarily as inorganic nitrates .
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