Equal: function, dosage, side effects, how to use it

Use

What is Equal (Aspartame) used for?

Equal is a brand of artificial sweeteners containing aspartame. These artificial sweeteners are available in various forms, ranging from tablets, sticks, to powders that are sold freely, in stores and in pharmacies.

As one of the six artificial sweeteners that have been approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in America, aspartame is usually used as an artificial sweetener to replace sugar in food. Aspartame contains no calories and does not contain any nutrients.

Foods and drinks that usually contain aspartame include:

• diet soda or low sugar soda
• chewing gum
• sugar free candy
• ice cream without sugar
• low calorie yogurt
• low calorie fruit juice

Aspartame is generally used by people who are trying to lose weight, because as an artificial sweetener, aspartame provides a sweet taste to food and drinks without increasing the number of calories in the body.

In addition, aspartame can also be used by diabetes patients to control blood sugar in their bodies. Using aspartame as a sugar substitute can also help prevent tooth decay that often occurs when you consume too much sugar.

How do you use Equal (Aspartame)?

You can use equal as an artificial sweetener for the following conditions:

• Equal (aspartame) can be used in home cooking as a substitute for sugar, especially in foods consumed for the diet.
• Equal can also be used in drinks to add sweetness without using real sugar.
• A food or beverage product company can also use equal as an artificial sweetener to replace sugar.
• Equal can be used as an artificial sweetener in cooking for diabetes patients.
• If you use this artificial sweetener in sachets or powder form, you can add the powder to cooking, ready-made food or drinks to add flavor.

If you do not understand or are unsure about using this one artificial sweetener in the right way, consult a health professional for more information.

How to store Equal (Aspartame)?

Equals should be kept at room temperature. Keep equal away from direct light exposure and damp places. Do not store these artificial sweeteners in the bathroom or store and freeze them in the freezer. If you store this artificial sweetener in the right way, this product can last up to 3 years of use.

Other brands of this artificial sweetener may have different storage rules. Pay attention to the storage instructions on the product package or ask the pharmacist at the pharmacy where you purchased the equal. Keep all artificial sweetener products out of reach of children and pets so that they are not abused.

Do not flush Equal (Aspartame) down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed on the packaging or by the pharmacist. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal agency about how to safely dispose of your product.

Dose

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the Equal (Aspartame) dosage for adults?

Before using this artificial sweetener, make sure that you know the correct amount of use for this artificial sweetener. Consult a medical professional for information on Equal dosage (aspartame).

Recommended dosages in some cases are listed below:

• According to the FDA: 50 milligrams per kilogram of body weight;
• According to the EFSA: 40 milligrams per kilogram of body weight;

Or you can use an equal dosage according to the dosage, as follows:

• Dosage using tablet form: 1 tablet is equal to 1 teaspoon of sugar
• Dosage using sachet preparation: 1 sachet equals 2 teaspoons of sugar
• Dosage using powder formulation: 1 tablespoon of artificial sweetener equals 1 teaspoon of sugar
• Dosage using stick preparation: 1 stick equals 2 teaspoons of sugar

What is the Equal (Aspartame) dosage for children?

There are no clear provisions regarding how much serving of Equal is safe for children. This is because these artificial sweeteners may not be good if consumed by children.

Before giving it to children, you should first consult a doctor.

In what dosage is Equal (Aspartame) available?

• 85 milligram (mg) tablets;
• Powder Sachets: 90 milligrams (mg);
• Powder in a bottle: 80 grams, one spoon is 0.5 grams
• Sticks: 36 milligrams (mg)

Side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to Equal (Aspartame)?

Similar to using other artificial sweetener products, using Equal can also cause some side effects. Most of the following side effects are rare and do not require additional treatment.

However, it is important that you consult your doctor if you have any problems after taking this medicine. There are no clear studies or sources regarding the effect of aspartame on the body, but there are several things that are thought to occur due to the use of this artificial sweetener, including:

• cancer
• seizures
• headache
• depression
• dizzy
• weight gain
• birth defects
• lupus
• Alzheimer's disease
• ADHD
• increased appetite
• multiple sclerosis

There are also several health conditions that may occur due to the side effects of using aspartame, such as:

• Phenylketonuria, which is a condition in which a person has too much phenylalanine in the body. Phenylalanine is an amino acid which is also one of the ingredients of aspartame.

Not everyone experiences the side effects mentioned above. There may be some side effects that are not mentioned but you feel. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Use aspartame according to your needs and conditions.

Keep in mind that aspartame is sold freely so that it can be used according to your needs and conditions. If you are not sure about your health condition, first ask your doctor whether using aspartame is safe and in accordance with the needs of your condition.

Warnings and Precautions

What should be known before using Equal (Aspartame)?

Equal (aspartame) should not be used in people with Phenylketonuria syndrome.

Before using aspartame, there are several things you should do, such as:

• Tell your doctor if you have an allergic reaction to Equal (aspartame) or excipients to dosage forms containing Equal (aspartame).
• Tell your doctor if you have an allergic reaction to other medicines, foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals.
• If you are pregnant, ask a health professional if it is safe to use this artificial sweetener while pregnant and breastfeeding.
• Before using it in children, make sure that you have consulted a medical professional first and have received approval for the use of equalization in children.
• Aspartame should only be used according to your conditions and needs and avoid overuse as it can cause an overdose or increase the risk of side effects.

Is Equal (Aspartame) safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There is no adequate research on the risks of using Equal (Aspartame) in pregnant women. However, the use of this artificial sweetener has been accepted by the FDA. Make sure that you always consult your doctor first to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using these artificial sweeteners.

Meanwhile, a breastfeeding mother needs good nutrition for the baby she feeds, while the main content of equal, namely aspartame, does not contain any nutrients at all. So, it is advisable to be careful about the use of aspartame in mothers and their babies. Instead, ask your doctor first about the use of equal in breastfeeding mothers.

Interaction

What other medicines may interact with Equal (Aspartam)?

Although certain drugs should not be taken at the same time, in some cases, two different drugs can be used together even if the interaction is possible. If this happens, your doctor may change the dose, or take other precautions if necessary.

When you take this artificial sweetener, you should keep a list of all the medicines you use (including prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and tell your doctor and pharmacist. For your safety, do not start, stop using, or change the dosage of any of the medicines listed below without your doctor's approval.

• Medicines for schizophrenics
• Nitisinone

Can food or alcohol interact with Equal (Aspartame)?

These artificial sweeteners can interact with food or alcohol, which can change how these artificial sweeteners work or increase the risk of serious side effects. Please discuss with your doctor or pharmacist any potential food or alcohol interactions before using this medication.

What health conditions can interact with Equal (Aspartame)?

Any other health conditions you have could affect the use of this drug. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

1. Phenylketonuria

Phenylketonuria is a genetic condition in which the body cannot break down the amino acid phenylalanine, so the body has too much phenylalanine content. Phenylalanine is a type of amino acid found in aspartame. Therefore, if you have been born with phenylketonuria, then taking aspartame will only worsen your health condition.

2. Tardive dyskinesia

Tardive dyskinesia is a disease related to nerves, in which patients with this disease will experience sudden spasms of the tongue, lips, and face. This disease can interact with aspartame because the phenylalanine content in aspartame can trigger abnormal muscle movements on the tongue, lips and face. Therefore, patients with this disease are strongly discouraged from taking aspartame.

Overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

As mentioned above, this artificial sweetener is used in a normal diet for people with diabetes or for those of you who want to control your weight. No serious problem occurs if you skip its use. However, still pay attention to how to use and other usage rules listed on the packaging to avoid the possibility of overdose or the risk of excessive side effects.

If you are not sure, ask your doctor or medical professional about the use of this artificial sweetener.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.