The older generation is well aware of the effect of a French-made antibacterial drug produced in large quantities on the pharmaceutical market of our country. We are talking about Bioparox, an antibiotic in the form of a spray that doctors prescribed for more than forty years with bacterial infections of the respiratory tract and inflammation of the sinuses. The medicine also helped with acute inflammation, and with a chronically neglected case, and relieved the symptoms of a day in three. However, since the spring of last (2016), the drug disappeared from pharmacies, it was no longer prescribed. And the representatives of the French pharmaceutical company Laboratory Servier made an official statement on the removal of aerosol from production.
This article will examine why Bioparox was banned in Russia.
What is this drug?
This drug had an inhibitory effect on bacteria and fungi of various kinds. At one time, it was a very popular medication with a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect, dispensed in pharmacies without a prescription. This medicine was prescribed for diseases of the upper respiratory tract with infections, for example:
- inflammatory lesions of the mucous membranes of the sinuses of the nose;
- inflammatory reactions of the larynx;
- inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose and larynx - with rhinitis and pharyngitis;
- acute inflammation in the bronchi and trachea;
- with the development of complications after tonsillectomy, as a prophylaxis or drug therapy.
But why was Bioparox banned in Russia? Let's get it right.
The main active substance
The main active ingredient of this drug is the polypeptide antibiotic fusafungin, which has a good anti-inflammatory and bacteriostatic effect. This substance has been isolated from a mold that infects cereals. At one time in the 60s of the last century, the discovery of fusafungin was considered almost a revolution in medicine. The basis of the mechanism of action of this drug is the suspension of the activity of microorganisms sensitive to it. It is not yet clear why Bioparox was banned in Russia. We understand further.
Drug activity
The drug is active against most types of microorganisms that cause diseases of the upper respiratory tract: staphylococcus, streptococcus, anaerobic bacteria (which do not need air for life support), mycoplasmas, and Candida yeast-like fungi. An important advantage of the drug was that it was not addictive in the microorganisms causing the infection, and it could be used for the next respiratory illness. The microflora that caused the infection did not develop resistance to this substance. Fusafungin had a depressing effect on the synthesis of elements that cause the inflammatory process, thereby preventing the development of acute areas of inflammation. Many people wonder why Bioparox was banned in Russia. Analogs should be no less effective.
Result
Accordingly, with a decrease in the level of inflammation, swelling of the mucous membranes of the respiratory organs subsided. In general, the effect of this drug significantly reduced the frequency of prescribing antibiotics. Even with complicated angina, the duration of medication was reduced, and recovery came faster. The active substance of Bioparox did not penetrate the blood, but concentrated mainly on the mucosa. Three hours after the procedure, the substance was removed from the respiratory tract. The medicine was well tolerated by most patients, with rare exceptions. In addition, such a fine dispersion can not give any modern medicine. So why was Bioparox banned in Russia?
Reason for the ban
Like any drug, this spray had a number of limitations in use and its own nuances, sometimes its reception was complicated by side effects. It could be:
- asthmatic symptoms;
- cough and bronchospastic syndrome;
- laryngeal cramps;
- burning and dryness of the mucous membranes of the respiratory organs;
- signs of intoxication;
- tearing and redness of the eyes;
- bad taste and taste change;
- allergic manifestations in the form of a rash;
- anaphylactic shock, sometimes fatal.
This will be the answer to the question of why Bioparox was banned in Russia. How to replace it, we will tell below.
Various sources stipulated two versions of the removal of the Bioparox from production. According to the first, the drug was banned precisely because of complications and deaths. The facts of death entailed mass checks in all states where this drug was sold. It should be noted that complications can arise from any drug if the patient neglects the recommendations and warnings of the manufacturer. The second version says that the pharmaceutical company Tantum Verde initiated an additional study of this medication for the fact that the main active substance is dangerous for patients. The result of the research was the conclusion of experts, which spoke about the danger of fusafungin, which was the source of all side effects, up to deaths.
That is why Bioparox was banned in Russia. Reviews confirm this.
The medicine was thoroughly tested, and the commission came to some disappointing conclusions.
Reduced therapeutic effect
Over time, the therapeutic effect of this drug is significantly reduced, since the use of fusafungin makes pathogenic bacteria not only mutate, but also acquire resistance to other antibacterial agents.
During laboratory tests, two groups were formed, in one of them Bioparox was appointed, in the second a dummy was used. According to the results of the studies, it turned out that patients from both groups recovered almost equally, recovery was somewhat delayed in the placebo group. As a result of these studies, Bioparox was banned in Russia. There were a lot of reviews about this.
The danger of bronchospasm
Complications such as bronchospasm can be fatal.
The risk of spasms was described in the instructions, but not everyone knew that the allergic reaction in this case is life-threatening, and sometimes it can simply lead to death. Doctors in Russia were also aware of this danger, therefore, when prescribing the drug, they were always interested in the presence of allergic reactions in the patient. But in this case, scientists have found that a spasm can occur in a patient who is not allergic, just the effect of fusafungin.
Less good than harm
The benefits of using this medication are incommensurably less than the possible complications (cramps, anaphylactic shock). That is, the existing risk of death from the use of Bioparox in this case is not justified by the relative ease of the course of diseases of the upper respiratory tract. Now Bioparox is banned in Russia. The reasons for this are very serious.
The spray, like all drugs based on fusafungin, was discontinued. Moreover, the remaining consignments of medicines were seized from pharmacy chains and warned doctors and patients that it poses a danger to life. Although, according to many patients taking this drug, it had an excellent therapeutic effect and in some cases there is simply nothing to replace it, since there are no analogues. Nevertheless, Bioparox was banned in Russia.
How to replace?
As we have already said, Bioparox has no one hundred percent exact analogs, but recently the pharmaceutical industry has launched the production of even more effective antibacterial drugs that do not cause respiratory cramps. The list of drugs that can replace the above indicated spray is quite large, you can choose according to your wishes. First of all, this is a group of drugs of the Tantum Verde brand - antiseptic agents of various kinds (Miramistin, Hexoral, Octenisept).
It can be medications in the form of aerosols or eucalyptus-menthol tablets, as well as iodine-based drugs - all these drugs have exactly the same effect with angina as Bioparox.
In addition, the doctor may prescribe the intake of antibacterial drugs inside.
As you can see, there are more than enough analogues, and many of them are much more effective and even surpass the drug with fusafungin due to the complex composition and combined effect on all the symptoms of the disease. In addition to adult patients, this medication was prescribed for children over 12 years old.
And many parents, disregarding the instructions, used the medicine for children at a younger age, which, naturally, created a danger of complications. Therefore, the ban on the production of this spray from the point of view of the safety of our children is a completely adequate decision of medical specialists. They should not be neglected. It is better to purchase an effective analogue in a pharmacy and use it without fear of serious complications. Now you know the answer to the question of why Bioparox was banned in Russia.