"Furamag" in urology is one of the most popular uroantiseptics used in the treatment of infectious diseases of the genitourinary system. The synthetic drug has an antibacterial effect, which suggests its toxicity. But despite the low toxicometric indicator during the treatment period, some patients are faced with the question of how compatible Furamag and alcohol are. Like the medicinal component, ethyl alcohol is also quite toxic, so it’s worth taking a closer look at the question: is it safe to combine them together?
The drug "Furamag"
Components of Furamag and their compatibility with alcohol
The main active component of the drug is potassium furazidin. Pharmacological sources contain information that this substance is not able to dissolve in ethyl alcohol. This fact suggests that alcohol suppresses the therapeutic effect of the drug.
But not only for this reason, it is not recommended to combine uroantiseptic with alcohol. Alcoholic drinks increase the toxicity of furazidine and can provoke side effects that the medicine can cause.
Note!
Description of the drug Furamag caps. 50mg No. 30 on this page is a simplified author’s version of the apteka911 website, created on the basis of the instructions for use.
Before purchasing or using the drug, you should consult your doctor and read the manufacturer's original instructions (attached to each package of the drug). Information about the drug is provided for informational purposes only and should not be used as a guide to self-medication. Only a doctor can decide to prescribe the drug, as well as determine the dose and methods of its use.
How does the medicine work?
The drug is highly resistant to stomach acid, so it quickly passes the stomach, entering the small intestine, where it is absorbed into the blood and evenly distributed in the tissues. A couple of hours after taking the medication, it reaches a high concentration in urine without changing its pH. Excretion from the body occurs primarily through the kidneys.
Most often, treatment ends with victory over the disease long before this process begins.
After entering the bladder or kidneys, the drug begins to have a destructive effect on the membrane of pathogenic microbes, without affecting the beneficial microflora. As a result of this activity, bacteria are destroyed and subsequently excreted in the urine during migration.
Pharmacological properties
Pharmacodynamics.
Furamag is a complex compound of soluble furagin and magnesium hydroxycarbonate in a 1:1 ratio, which has fundamentally different pharmacological properties than simple furagin (after taking the drug in the acidic environment of the stomach, the conversion of soluble furagin into slightly soluble furagin does not occur, therefore the bioavailability of furamag is 3 times higher than that of a regular furagin). The drug has a wide antibacterial spectrum of action against gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms. Furamag is effective against gram-positive cocci (strepto- and staphylococci), gram-negative bacilli (escherichia colli, salmonella, shigella, protea, klebsiella, enterobacteria), protozoa (giardia). Furamag, compared to other nitrofurans, exhibits higher activity against staphylococci, Escherichia coli, Aerobacter aerogenes, Bact. Citrovorum, Proteus mirabilis, Proteus morganii. Furamag is also more effective against Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus spp. compared with other groups of antimicrobial drugs.
Resistance of microorganisms to soluble furagin develops slowly and does not reach clinically significant levels.
Furamag does not change the pH of urine and circulates in high concentrations in the kidneys.
In relation to most microorganisms, the bacteriostatic concentration of furagin ranges from 1:100,000 to 1:200,000. As a result of the action of nitrofurans, microorganisms secrete fewer toxins, and therefore an improvement in the general condition of the patient is possible even before pronounced suppression of microflora growth. The bactericidal concentration is approximately 2 times higher. Under the influence of nitrofurans in microorganisms, cellular respiration and the Krebs cycle are suppressed, as well as other biochemical processes of microorganisms are inhibited, which leads to the destruction of their membrane or cytoplasmic membrane. Nitrofurans, unlike many other antimicrobial agents, not only do not suppress the body’s immune system, but, on the contrary, activate it (increase the complement titer and the ability of leukocytes to phagocytose microorganisms). Nitrofurans in therapeutic doses stimulate leukopoiesis.
Pharmacokinetics. After taking Furamag capsules in the acidic environment of the stomach, the conversion of soluble furagin into furagin does not occur, due to which the bacteriostatic and bactericidal effect is significantly increased. After absorption into the gastrointestinal tract (mainly from the small intestine by passive diffusion) into the liver portal vein system, a bacteriostatic concentration of the drug is formed.
Absorption of nitrofurans in the distal segment of the small intestine exceeds absorption from the proximal and middle segments by 2 and 4 times, respectively. Nitrofurans are poorly absorbed in the colon.
The high content of the active substance in the lymph is clinically important (it delays the spread of infection along the lymphatic tract). In bile its concentration is several times higher than in blood plasma, and in cerebrospinal fluid it is several times lower than in plasma. In saliva, the content of soluble furagin is 30% of its concentration in blood plasma. The concentration of soluble furagin in the blood and tissues is relatively small, which is associated with its rapid excretion, while the concentration in urine is much higher than in the blood. Cmax in the blood remains from 3 to 8 hours, in the urine it is detected 3-4 hours after taking the drug. Furagin, soluble in the kidneys, is excreted by glomerular filtration and tubular secretion (85%), partially undergoes reverse reabsorption in the tubules, and to a lesser extent biotransformation occurs (less than 10%), which occurs in the liver and kidneys. As the excretory function of the kidneys decreases, the metabolic rate increases. At low concentrations of furagin, soluble in urine, the process of filtration and secretion predominates; at high concentrations, secretion decreases and reabsorption increases.
4 hours after taking the drug, the concentration in the urine is significantly higher than after taking the same dose of furagin. The absorption of Furamag will noticeably improve if taken after meals.
Permissible doses according to age
Adult patients take 1-2 capsules. To increase the bioavailability and effectiveness of furazidin, take it with plenty of water after meals. The medication is taken three times a day.
Children can take uroantiseptic from the age of three at a dosage of 5 mg per kilogram of body weight.
Treatment with the drug is carried out for seven to ten days. After a two-week interval, therapy is repeated as necessary.
For recurrent infections, the medication is taken for up to six months at a dosage reduced by three times.
For prophylactic purposes, the medicine is used once at a dose of 25-50 mg before surgery or examination of the urinary organs.
special instructions
The drug is used with caution in the following cases:
- impaired renal function (use contraindicated in severe renal failure);
- anemia;
- deficiency of B vitamins and folic acid;
- lung diseases;
The use of Furamag is not recommended for urosepsis and infection of the kidney parenchyma.
With long-term use of Furamag, peripheral neuropathy (pain, loss of sensitivity in the area of the corresponding nerve) may develop.
In the course of experimental studies and clinical observations of patients, it was revealed that nitrofurans have an adverse effect on testicular function, manifested by a decrease in the amount of sperm and ejaculate, a decrease in sperm motility and pathological changes in their morphology.
In diabetes mellitus, the drug can cause polyneuropathy.
If symptoms of neuropathy develop, use of the drug should be discontinued.
During long-term use of Furamag in prophylactic doses, clinically significant resistance of microorganisms does not develop.
There are no reports of pseudomembranous colitis during treatment with Furamag, although such data are available for almost all antibacterial agents, including nitrofuran derivatives. The possibility of these side effects should be taken into account in patients with diarrhea during treatment with antibacterial agents as a result of inhibition of the natural microflora of the rectum. Unlike antibiotics, Furamag practically does not change the intestinal microflora. For mild cases of pseudomembranous colitis, it is sufficient to stop taking the antibacterial agent.
A laboratory study of patients treated with Furamag showed that the drug can give a false-positive reaction for the presence of glucose in the urine if the copper reduction method is used for determination. Furamag does not affect the results of determination of glucose in urine performed by the enzymatic method.
With long-term use of the drug, monitoring of kidney and liver function indicators, as well as monitoring of pulmonary function, is necessary, especially in patients over the age of 65 years.
To prevent neuritis, it is advisable to simultaneously take antihistamines and B vitamins (nicotinamide, thiamine).
Use during pregnancy and lactation. Do not use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Children. Capsules of 25 mg are used in children over the age of 3 years, capsules of 50 mg can be used in children weighing more than 30 kg.
The ability to influence reaction speed when driving vehicles or working with other mechanisms. Usually the drug does not affect the ability to drive vehicles or operate other mechanisms, but the possibility of dizziness, drowsiness or other adverse reactions from the central nervous system should be taken into account.
Contraindications to the use of "Furamag"
Uroantiseptic is not prescribed for chronic pathologies of the liver and kidneys. In such diseases, the medicine exhibits a high toxicometric value.
The medicine is contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity to furazidone. At the first signs of intolerance, it is immediately canceled.
Pregnant and lactating women should not use medicinal synthetics, since the active ingredient can negatively affect the development of the fetus and cause allergies and dyspeptic syndrome in infants.
Those suffering from a deficiency of an enzyme such as glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase can use the drug only under medical supervision.
Interaction with other drugs
List of drugs with which Furamag cannot be used when taken orally:
- sulfonamides;
- antacids;
- "Ristomycin";
- calcium chloride preparations;
- medicines of a number of quinolones;
- "Levomecithin" and chloramphenicol-based medications;
- ascorbic acid and preparations high in vitamin C.
The right combination of drugs is important
Sulfonamides and drugs based on the antibacterial component chloramphenicol contribute to the inhibition of hematopoiesis. In combination with Furamag, this effect is enhanced, so it is not recommended to use them together.
Calcium chloride and vitamin C have the ability to acidify urine, which is unacceptable in case of inflammatory processes in the urogenital organs.
Antacids reduce the effectiveness of the uroantiseptic because they reduce its absorption.
The drug is well compatible with antibiotics of a number of tetracyclines, penicillins and cephalosporins. It enhances their effect, therefore, when simultaneously treating drugs in this category, dose adjustment is necessary, which is recommended to be reduced.
Side effects when taking alcohol and Furamag at the same time
If you follow the instructions for use, the medicine only rarely causes adverse reactions.
When combining a uroantiseptic with alcohol, the risk of complications increases several times.
The simultaneous use of incompatible chemical compounds leads to symptoms such as headaches, weakness, and low blood pressure.
After drinking alcohol and furazidine, nausea, vomiting, and pain in the stomach and abdomen often occur. The digestive organs may also react with diarrhea.
In some cases, jaundice, hepatitis or liver failure occur.
"Furamag" can cause shortness of breath, cough and provoke asthma attacks in asthmatics. Alcohol may increase these adverse reactions.
Often, while taking this medicine and alcohol, allergies occur in the form of skin rashes and itching.
Side effects
From the blood and lymphatic system: impaired hematopoiesis (agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, aplastic anemia).
From the immune system: hypersensitivity reactions, including itching, rash, urticaria, angioedema.
From the nervous system: headache, dizziness, drowsiness, peripheral neuropathy, neuritis, polyneuritis.
From the organ of vision: visual impairment.
From the organ of hearing and labyrinth: tinnitus.
From the respiratory system, chest and mediastinum: acute and chronic reactions of increased sensitivity of the lungs. Skin rash, pruritus, urticaria, angioedema and myalgia have been reported concurrently with the acute pulmonary reaction. Acute pulmonary reaction is a hypersensitivity reaction that can develop within a few hours, rarely minutes, and is characterized by fever, eosinophilia, cough (with or without sputum), chest pain, severe shortness of breath. The acute pulmonary reaction usually disappears when the drug is stopped.
Chronic pulmonary reactions may occur over a long period after cessation of nitrofuran therapy and are characterized by dyspnea that gradually worsens, tachypnea, fever, eosinophilia, progressive cough, interstitial pneumonia and/or pulmonary fibrosis.
Nasal disturbances, hoarseness.
From the digestive tract: nausea, flatulence, vomiting, lack of appetite, diarrhea, dyspepsia, constipation, abdominal pain, pancreatitis. The incidence of side effects decreases when taking the drug with food.
From the skin and subcutaneous tissues: papular rashes, itching, angioedema, urticaria, exfoliative dermatitis, erythema multiforme, alopecia.
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders: arthralgia, rib pain, cramps.
Vascular disorders: mild intracranial hypertension.
From the liver and biliary tract: cholestatic jaundice, hepatitis, pain in the right hypochondrium, impaired liver function.
General disorders and disorders at the injection site: increased body temperature, weakness, sensation of a foreign body in the throat.
Investigations: albuminuria, erythrocyturia.
To reduce the severity of side effects, it is recommended to take B vitamins (in case of polyneuropathy), antihistamines (in case of allergic reactions) and drink plenty of fluids.
If side effects are very severe, reduce the dose or stop taking the drug.
Furamag turns urine dark yellow or brown.
If during treatment with Furamag adverse reactions occur that are not listed in the instructions, you should inform your doctor about this.
Uroantiseptic substitutes
The most widely known analogues of Furamag are Furadonin, Furazidin and Furagin. They all contain furazidin, but include different auxiliary components. Despite the same active main substance, Furamag analogues are considered more toxic, therefore it is strictly not recommended to combine them with alcohol.
It is strictly not recommended to combine these drugs with alcohol.
During treatment with any of the above medications, it is recommended to completely abstain from drinking alcohol, as this can lead to serious adverse health consequences.
