The drug “5-NOC” - a drug with an antimicrobial effect, is a representative of the group of oxyquinolines. Due to the wide spectrum of action and high efficiency, the medicine is prescribed for the treatment of many diseases. For what purposes is this medicine used and how to use it correctly? All these features should be studied using the instructions for use of the "5-NOC" and consultation with a doctor.
Release form
“5-NOC” is made in the form of tablets having an orange color and a biconvex shape. Each tablet is coated with a shiny smooth coating. This membrane dissolves in the gastrointestinal tract, therefore, during administration, it should not be damaged.
Container - a plastic bottle containing 50 tablets and packaged in a cardboard box.
Structure
One tablet of the drug includes the main active ingredient and additional ingredients.
The main element is nitroxoline in an amount of 50 mg.
Additional ingredients include calcium hydrogen phosphate, lactose monohydrate, corn starch, magnesium stearate, talc, colloidal silicon dioxide, K25 povidone and crospovidone.
The composition of the drug coating is always indicated as a separate item.
Pharmacodynamics
The drug “5-NOC” according to indications has an antibacterial property, actively affects infectious agents. It operates in the following areas:
- DNA inhibition occurs in the pathogen cell using the active element;
- complexes with enzymes of microbial cells containing metal elements are created.
Its activity extends to several types of pathogens. Among them:
- Gram-positive microorganisms (streptococci and staphylococci);
- Gram-negative microorganisms (these are neiseria, salmonella);
- some other types of microorganisms (among them are called ureaplasmas, mycoplasmas and trichomonads);
- some representatives of the mushroom group (dermatophytes, molds, as well as candida).
Pharmacokinetics
After taking the pill, the maximum plasma concentration of the active substance is reached after 2 hours. Active absorption occurs in the intestine. In the liver there is a transformation of the active substance.
Withdrawal of the drug from the body mainly occurs with urine and only in a small amount with bile.
When are 5-NOC tablets prescribed?
Doctors prescribe this drug for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes in various diseases and conditions.
Urinary tract infections of acute, chronic and recurrent nature. They can be caused by any pathological microorganism that is sensitive to this active substance. Among the most common diagnoses of this type are urethritis, cystitis, pyelonephritis, infected carcinoma or prostate adenoma, epididymitis.
Prevention of the development of infectious diseases during the recovery period after surgical operations on the organs of the urinary system.
“5-NOC” is prescribed to patients who require diagnostic procedures, such as cytoscopy or catheterization.
As a prevention of relapse of inflammatory diseases of the urinary system.
According to the instructions for use, "5-NOC" can not be used without a doctor’s prescription, a thorough diagnosis is carried out first.
Differences from Antibiotics
Many patients whom the doctor prescribes this medicine ask themselves: “Is the 5-NOC medicine an antibiotic, and if not, what are their differences?”
Based on the pharmacological actions considered, we can conclude: with its functions, the drug is similar to antibiotics. It negatively affects many pathogens that are sensitive to antibiotics. Meanwhile, “5-NOC” is able to eliminate some types of fungi, which antibiotics are not capable of. However, this medicine is characterized by numerous contraindications that are not characteristic of antibiotics.
Contraindications
The drug has a number of contraindications, which are indicated in the instructions for use of "5-NOC". They can occur separately from each other or in combination. Among them:
- hypersensitivity of the patient to the active substance or auxiliary elements of the composition;
- hypersensitivity to drugs belonging to the choline group;
- severe renal failure (creatinine clearance is below 20 ml / min);
- cataract;
- children under 3 years old;
- liver pathology (including liver failure);
- during lactation and pregnancy, “5-NOC” is prohibited.
In the presence of at least one of the items “5-NOC” is not recommended. In these cases, you should choose a drug with fewer contraindications, but with an identical effect.
special instructions
Before taking, you should familiarize yourself with some of the features of the action of the drug, which the manufacturers indicate.
- Sharing with alcohol is strictly prohibited. This can cause side effects. And even the manifestations will be more pronounced and persistent than in other cases.
- The maximum duration of therapy using “5-NOC” is 4 weeks. If longer treatment is required, an intermediate diagnosis is required to identify the condition of the kidneys and liver. For this reason, special care in the appointment should be observed for people with pathologies of the liver and kidneys.
- With prolonged use, addiction does not occur.
Application
Tablets "5-NOC" according to indications do not chew, but swallow and drink plenty of fluids. Take the medicine should be with meals or 10-15 minutes after eating.
The dosage of “5-NOC” and the duration of use are prescribed by the doctor, as this completely depends on the particular diagnosis and severity of the disease.
On average, adult patients are prescribed 100-200 mg of the drug 4 times a day. The duration of the course with continuous use should not exceed 4 weeks. In this case, a fractional course of therapy is often prescribed. In this case, “5-NOC” is used for weeks, followed by a 2-week break. With this scheme, treatment can last several months.
Children under 14 years of age take the medicine in a reduced dose - 50-100 mg 4 times a day. As in the treatment of adults, a continuous or fractional course of therapy can be used.
As a preventative measure, the drug is prescribed as follows. A daily dose of 100 mg is recommended per day. Duration - 2-3 weeks. This technique takes place in the case of medical manipulations and surgical operations.
Side effects
Most patients tolerate medication well, and side effects occur infrequently. However, the manufacturer indicates the following types of side effects from “5-NOC”:
- The digestive system can respond to the intake of the drug by nausea, vomiting and discomfort in the stomach. To eliminate these manifestations, doctors often advise taking the medicine before meals. In many cases, this becomes an effective solution to the problem.
- The cardiovascular system. Perhaps the development of tachycardia.
- Side effects from the peripheral and central nervous system in some cases include headaches, ataxia, polyneuropathy, and paresthesia.
- With intolerance to the components, a skin rash, redness, and itching often occur.
If one of the above symptoms appears, stop taking the medication and visit a doctor as soon as possible.
Data on an overdose of this drug from doctors have been reported.
During pregnancy and lactation
Doctors have not studied the effects of active ingredients on the health of the fetus and infants. However, in order to avoid pathologies and complications during pregnancy and lactation, the drug should be discarded.
When driving a car or other machinery
The medicine “5-NOC” does not cause drowsiness or decreased concentration. For this reason, the drug does not affect the management of complex mechanisms and the car.
special instructions
Before taking a medicine, several important aspects should be kept in mind.
- Some patients may stain urine in yellow and orange. Such manifestations do not indicate impaired renal function.
- If compatibility of “5-NOC” with antibacterial agents is necessary, it is better to avoid quinolones and oxyquinolines.
- The appointment of the drug is possible only after laboratory tests. During the diagnosis, pathogens must be identified - they are sensitive to the active substance of the drug. Otherwise, the therapeutic effect will not be achieved.
Analogs
The active substance of this medicine is nitroxoline, therefore, all those drugs that contain this substance will be analogues of “5-NOC”. Among them:
These medicines are similar in their functions, contraindications and side effects, however, the dosage may be different. For this reason, the prescribed drug should not be changed on its own. First you need to visit a doctor.
There are a number of indirect analogues. These are medicines that have a different composition, but similar in some properties and functions. This can be found in the official instructions for use. The list of such drugs is:
- “Furazolidone” - is often prescribed for urogenital trichomoniasis;
- “Macmirror” and “Nifuratel”;
- “Trimethoprim”, “Bactrim” or “Co-Trimoxazole”.
Each of these analogues has special characteristics, scope and contraindications. Taking them without the advice of a doctor is not recommended.
Reviews
Reviews on the use of 5-NOC tablets are very controversial.
The advantage of using it is that this medicine has been used in medical practice for many years and has established itself as an effective treatment for many diseases. Another advantage is the relatively low price. For many patients, this characteristic is among the main ones.
At the moment, pharmaceuticals are able to offer more advanced 5-NOC analogue drugs. A large number of contraindications and side effects led to the fact that the drug is considered a medicine of the old generation.
As for the reviews of doctors, according to the instructions for use of “5-NOC”, they consider it an effective and affordable drug. This is explained by the following features:
- the intensity of the infectious process is reduced after 1-2 doses of the drug;
- in the treatment of chronic diseases, therapy with this medication helps to achieve longer periods of remission.
Should I use this tool - in each case should be decided individually. An experienced doctor carefully prescribes the patient’s tests and his condition before prescribing a course, and only after that makes a decision on the feasibility of using the tablets.