Antibiotics are substances of biological or semi-synthetic origin. They are used in medical practice to combat pathogenic microbes and viruses. Before the advent of these medications, typhoid fever, dysentery, pneumonia, and tuberculosis had the status of incurable diseases. Today, treatment of infectious diseases is possible with the use of 1-6 generations of antibiotics.
At this moment, the pharmacological industry produces more than 2000 varieties of drugs of this type. Doctors have described the effects of about 600 positions, and about 120-160 drugs are used in medical practice.
Important! For any disease, it is recommended to take antibiotics after consulting a doctor. Otherwise, antibiotic resistance may develop (decreased sensitivity of pathogenic microorganisms to antibacterial agents).
Indications
Suprax is intended for the treatment of infectious and inflammatory processes caused by bacteria that are sensitive to cefixime. Therefore, before starting treatment, it is necessary to undergo tests to determine the causative agent of the infection. Thus, Suprax is used for the following diseases:
- infections of the nasopharynx and upper respiratory tract (sinusitis, acute pharyngitis, agranulocytic tonsillitis, chronic pharyngitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis);
- infections of the lower respiratory tract (acute and chronic bronchitis of bacterial origin, pneumonia);
- otitis media;
- uncomplicated urinary tract infections (cystitis, urethritis, pyelonephritis);
- uncomplicated gonorrhea (cervical, urethral);
- shigellosis.
By composition
Antibacterial drugs are divided into 6 groups:
- Penicillins are the first antimicrobial drugs, obtained back in 1928 from a biological substance (Penicillium fungi). For a long time they remained the most popular medicine for the treatment of infectious diseases.
- Cephalosporins belong to the group of the most powerful antimicrobial agents with a wide range of applications. They completely destroy pathogenic flora and are well tolerated by humans.
- Macrolides are the name of a group of narrow-range antimicrobial agents. They do not destroy the diseased cell, but only stop its growth. This category includes the following drugs: erythromycin, spiramycin, azithromycin.
- Tetracyclines are good drugs for the treatment of infectious diseases of the respiratory and urinary tract.
- Fluoroquinolones are antimicrobial agents with a wide range of effects. Completely destroy pathogenic microorganisms. You can find 1st-2nd generation medications on sale. Doctors usually prescribe them to combat Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
- Aminoglycosides are antimicrobial drugs with a wide range of applications. Popular drugs in this group - streptomycin (therapy of tuberculosis, plague) and gentamicin - are used as ointments, eye drops, and injections for ophthalmic infections.
Generations of drugs. Advanced antimicrobial drugs already have six generations. For example, penicillin was the first drug of natural origin, while the third or sixth generation is an already improved version, which includes the strongest inhibitors. The relationship is direct: the newer the generation, the more effective the effect of drugs on pathogenic microflora.
By method of administration. Oral – taken by mouth. These are various syrups, tablets, soluble capsules, suspensions. Parenteral - administered intravenously or intramuscularly. They work faster than oral medications. Rectal medications are injected into the rectum.
Important! Taking antibiotics is allowed only after consulting a doctor, otherwise antibiotic resistance will develop.
Contraindications
The antibiotic has a number of contraindications, including:
- individual intolerance or hypersensitivity to the components of the drug;
- chronic renal failure;
- a history of severe allergic reactions to drugs from the group of cephalosporins and penicillins;
- lactation period;
- pseudomembranous colitis;
- children under 12 years of age (for capsules);
- children up to 6 months (for suspension);
- with caution: old age.
Summary
We reviewed Russian and imported broad-spectrum antibiotics and briefly described the classification of drugs. Let's answer the question: which antibacterial agents to choose?
It is important to understand that antimicrobial drugs for extensive use are toxic and therefore negatively affect the microflora. In addition, bacteria mutate, which means the drugs lose their effectiveness. Therefore, antibacterial agents with the latest structure will be a priority over their earlier counterparts.
Self-medication with antibiotics is dangerous to health. In case of an infectious disease, the first step is to consult a doctor. The specialist will determine the cause of the disease and prescribe effective antibacterial agents. Self-medication “at random” leads to the development of antibiotic resistance.
Side effects
During therapeutic treatment, Suprax may cause the following side effects:
- Allergic reactions: skin itching, skin flushing, eosinophilia, fever, urticaria, erythema multiforme, anaphylactic shock, toxic epidermal necrolysis, reactions resembling serum sickness.
- From the digestive system: dry mouth, anorexia, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, flatulence, transient increase in the activity of liver transaminases and alkaline phosphatase, hyperbilirubinemia, jaundice, gastrointestinal candidiasis, dysbacteriosis; rarely – stomatitis, glossitis, pseudomembranous enterocolitis.
One of the side effects of the drug is abdominal pain.
- From the hematopoietic system: agranulocytosis, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, pancytopenia, bleeding, hemolytic and aplastic anemia.
- From the reproductive system: genital itching, vaginitis.
- From the urinary system: interstitial nephritis.
- From the nervous system: tinnitus, headache, dizziness, convulsions.
- Other: shortness of breath, candidomycosis;
Typically, these adverse reactions do not appear clearly enough and are mild. Therefore, in most cases, treatment cessation is not required.
How to take Suprax
According to the instructions for use, Suprax is taken orally once a day, regardless of food intake.
How to drink Suprax correctly
Capsules for oral administration
- children from 6 months to 12 years: 8 mg/kg body weight 1 time/day. or 4 mg/kg every 12 hours;
- children over 12 years of age weighing more than 50 kg and adults: 400 mg 1 time / day.
Oral suspension
- children from 6 months to 1 year: 2.5-4 ml/day;
- children 2-4 years old: 5 ml/day;
- children 5-11 years old: 6-10 ml/day.
To properly prepare the suspension, shake the granules in the bottle, gradually pour 40 ml of cool water into it, shaking thoroughly each time until a homogeneous suspension is formed. If cooking in a bottle is not possible, then you should use glass or enamel containers. To completely dissolve the granules, you should let the resulting solution stand for about five minutes. Suprax suspension does not need to be stored in the refrigerator.
The duration of the course of therapy depends on the diagnosis, the severity of the disease, the presence of complications and the characteristics of the patient’s body. It is determined by the attending physician. On average, treatment lasts 7-10 days.
- for gonorrhea – 1 day;
- for mild forms of genitourinary infection – from 3 to 7 days;
- for angina, Suprax is prescribed in a course of 7-14 days (for angina in children, the daily dose is reduced).
It is worth noting that with prolonged use of Suprax, the patient may experience chronic diarrhea and the subsequent development of severe colitis.
Also, while taking the drug, dizziness or attacks of severe headache may occur. It is better to refrain from driving a car or using complex equipment that requires immediate response or concentration.
Suprax during pregnancy and breastfeeding
Taking Suprax during pregnancy is prescribed only if there is a threat to the life of the mother. Moreover, this is possible only in the second and third trimesters. In the first trimester, taking Suprax can cause abnormalities or congenital deformities in the fetus.
Suprax during pregnancy
Suprax is contraindicated during lactation. If the drug is still prescribed, it is necessary to transfer the child to artificial feeding.
Suprax's analogs
Do you know why Suprax is better than its analogues? It is used to treat aggressive pathogens, and is quite effective. And all this is outpatient! The drug can also be used gradually, that is, the doctor has the opportunity to prescribe step-by-step therapy. This is necessary in fairly serious cases. Treatment begins with parenteral forms of 3rd generation cephalosporins, and after 2-3 days, when the patient’s condition has improved, they switch to oral administration of Suprax.
Suprax's analogs
The following drugs have a similar therapeutic effect with Suprax capsules:
- Amoxicillin;
- Amoxiclav;
- Flemoxin;
- Cefatoxime;
- Ceftriaxone;
- Sumamed;
Synonyms (drugs containing the same active substance) are:
- Ixim lupine;
- Pantsef;
Remember that only the attending physician can replace one drug with another, who takes into account not only the severity of the patient’s condition, the nature of the disease, but also contraindications and possible side effects.
Suprax/Pancef
These antibiotics are based on the same active substance. If you rely on patient reviews, then when taking Pancef, the body is less likely to show negative reactions in the form of side effects.
Suprax/Sumamed
Sumamed basically contains azithromycin, which has a broader antimicrobial effect. Sumamed is prescribed to children; it causes fewer side effects and the course duration is shorter.
Suprax/Amoxiclav
Unlike Amoxiclav, Suprax is better tolerated and less likely to cause dysbiosis and other gastrointestinal disorders.
Classification of antibiotics
All antibacterial agents can be divided into 5 categories according to their characteristics and range of application. Let's take a closer look at this classification:
Mechanism of action:
- Bactericidal - the active substances of the drugs completely destroy bacteria and viruses. After taking such strong drugs, all pathogenic microflora in the human body dies.
- Bacteriostatic – inhibits the growth or spread of viruses. Thus, the cells remain “alive” without forming pathogenic flora.
Additional information about the drug
So, cephalosporins are antibiotics that are characterized by a wide spectrum of action; they are highly bactericidal and immune to beta-lactamases (bacterial enzymes that destroy the antibiotic, causing its action to become ineffective). In general, in some ways, cephalosporins are more effective than penicillins. And Suprax is based on third generation cephalosporins. And this is the first such antibiotic that can be taken orally. Suprax is based on cefixime. Cefixime affects the cell wall of the pathogen, inhibiting its formation.
Suprax inhibits the vital activity of streptococci, Haemophilus influenzae, Escherichia coli, Proteus, Salmonella, Citrobacter and gonococci. However, Suprax is powerless against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, most staphylococci, enterobacters and listeria. As for taking the drug, food does not affect its bioavailability in any way. Yes, it prolongs the period of reaching the maximum content in the blood and that’s all. Another good thing about Suprax is that you need to take it once a day. This is due to the half-life of the drug from the body. It takes a long time to come out. About 50% of the drug is excreted in the urine. And this is great because it is effective in treating urinary tract infections. However, it is better not to take it with diuretics, as the withdrawal of the drug is slowed down. In general, Suprax penetrates well to the site of infection. The main foci of infection with which Suprax interacts are the middle ear cavity, paranasal sinuses, tonsils, lungs, and bile ducts. If we rely on patient reviews about taking Suprax, they note a slight suppression of intestinal microflora. You can find Suprax in two dosage forms that are aimed at different age groups: 400 mg capsules for adult patients and granules for the preparation of a strawberry-flavored suspension 100 mg / 5 ml - 60 ml for children.
Spectrum of action
There are antibacterial agents:
