Antibiotic drugs are fairly popular drugs that are designed to combat microorganisms sensitive to them. As a rule, such medicines have a wide spectrum of action. They treat infectious diseases of the respiratory, genitourinary, digestive and other systems. To enhance the therapeutic effect, many experts recommend using them in combination with other drugs.
General information
The main and well-known drawback of such drugs is the presence of a large number of side effects. After all, it is no secret to anyone that antibiotics adversely affect the intestinal microflora. Therefore, after a course of therapy, doctors are always advised to take a course of probiotics.
The most popular antibiotic today is Erythromycin. Reviews, the use and purpose of this medication, as well as its form and composition, we will present below.
Composition, form, packaging and description
For ease of use, the medication in question is released in several forms:
- Oral agent "Erythromycin" (tablets). Reviews about this form are most common. According to the instructions, this medication is covered with an enteric film coating, has a white color, biconvex and round shape. The active substance of this medication is erythromycin. In addition to it, the composition of the tablets includes auxiliary ingredients in the form of povidone, calcium stearate, crospovidone, talc and potato starch. As for the shell, it consists of cellacephate, titanium dioxide and castor oil. The medicine is sold in contour cells placed in cardboard packaging.
- Ointment "Erythromycin" for acne. Reviews report that this drug is very effective for acne and other skin rashes. Erythromycin acts as its active ingredient, and auxiliary substances are lanolin, white paraffin and sodium metabisulfite. This product is available in laminate or aluminum tubes.
- Eye ointment "Erythromycin". Reviews of experts indicate that this remedy well treats infectious diseases of the visual organs. A homogeneous ointment may have a light yellow or brown-yellow hue. It is sold in tubes of 10 g each. The active component of this medicine is erythromycin, and the additional ones are methyl parahydroxybenzoate, sodium disulfite, petrolatum, anhydrous lanolin and propyl parahydroxybenzoate.
- Lyophilisate "Erythromycin". Reviews report that this form of the drug is intended for intravenous infusion. The active substance of this solution is erythromycin phosphate.
Operating principle
How does the medication we are considering work? What do the instructions and reviews say about this? "Erythromycin" is a bacteriostatic antibiotic that has an antibacterial effect.
The mechanism of action of this agent is based on its ability to bind to the ribosomal subunit. Such an effect leads to the destruction of peptide bonds that are between amino acid molecules. Also, after taking the medication, the process of protein synthesis in microorganisms is blocked.
What bacteria is affected by this medication? What do the medical reviews say about this? Erythromycin adversely affects gram-negative flora and gram-positive cocci.
According to the instructions, the agent in question is a motilin receptor agonist. It increases the rate of evacuation in the digestive system. This happens due to the effect on the amplitude of the reduction of the gatekeeper.
Also, the medication has a positive effect on antrum-duodenal coordination.
The purpose of the drug
For what purpose is the erythromycin medication prescribed (tablets)? Reviews say that absolutely all forms of the mentioned drug are used to treat infectious diseases of bacterial etiology.
Thus, the following pathological conditions are indications for the use of this agent:
- trachoma, brucellosis, whooping cough;
- listeriosis, scarlet fever, erythrasma;
- gonorrhea, amoebic dysentery, diphtheria;
- pneumonia in children, legionnaires disease, primary syphilis;
- sinusitis, uncomplicated chlamydia, tonsillitis;
- tracheitis, cholecystitis, youthful acne;
- otitis media, bronchitis.
It should be noted that the drug in question is used to prevent streptococcal infection in people with rheumatism. In the presence of an allergic reaction to penicillin, this drug is an antibiotic reserve.
Drug bans
Are there any contraindications for the erythromycin medication? The instruction (consumer reviews about this medicine is presented at the end of the article) reports that such an antibiotic is not used for intolerance to its components, a significant decrease in hearing, pregnancy, and the use of Terdenacin and Astemizole.
It should also be noted that with breastfeeding, arrhythmias, kidney pathology and jaundice, this drug is prescribed with extreme caution.
Mode of application
The antibiotic in the form of tablets is taken 60 minutes before the meal, washed down with plain water.
The average dosage of this drug for adults is 200-400 mg. The drug is taken every 6 hours. If necessary, the daily dose is increased to 4 g.
As for children, tablets are prescribed at the rate of 40 mg per kg of body weight per day. The indicated amount of the drug is taken 4 times a day.
The duration of antibiotic treatment is 7-10 days.
For skin diseases, including in the presence of acne or acne, the external preparation is applied to the affected area 2 or 3 times daily. During the treatment of burns, the medication is used 3 times a week.
The ointment must be applied in a thin layer. Therapy with this remedy can last 4-14 days.
As for the drug for the treatment of eye diseases, it is laid for the upper or lower eyelid three times a day. The amount of medication is 0.2-0.3 g.
In the presence of trachoma, eye ointment is used 4-5 times a day.
The duration of treatment with such a tool depends on its effectiveness and the severity of the disease. In most cases, therapy lasts for 1.5-2 months. With trachoma, treatment is continued for 4 months.
The dosage of the erythromycin lyophilisate should be determined only by the doctor, depending on the indications and condition of the patient.
Side effects
Does the drug in question cause side effects? What do consumer reviews say about this? Erythromycin in the form of an ointment can contribute to the appearance of:
- allergic reactions;
- irritation, causing redness and itching;
- candidiasis;
- decrease in hearing and tinnitus.
As for the solution and tablets, they can cause disturbances in the digestive tract (vomiting, dysbiosis, nausea and others) and tachycardia.
With prolonged use of the medication, a secondary infection may develop, which was caused by microorganisms resistant to erythromycin.
Reviews
"Erythromycin" is a very popular antibiotic designed to fight pustular formations. According to consumers, this product has a good anti-acne and antibacterial effect. But along with this, it often provokes the appearance of a large number of side effects. Some patients claim that the harm from this medicine is much more than good.
It should be noted that the erythromycin ointment quite effectively eliminates acne on the face and skin. For a better therapeutic result, doctors recommend combining an external agent with tablets.