Probably every person faces infectious diseases in his life. And, as you know, with bacterial ailments, antibiotics are indicated. The choice of antibacterial agents in the modern market is simply huge, their list also includes Levomycetin Actitab. The instructions for use are simple, and the prices for this medicine are pleasantly low. That is why doctors often recommend the drug to patients.
Before using drugs, you should familiarize yourself with information about their composition and properties. So what is “Levomycetin Actitab”? Is there any significant difference from Levomycetin? Are there any contraindications? What is the likelihood of developing complications during treatment? These questions are asked by many patients.
Information on the form of release and composition of the drug
This preparation is available in the form of blue rectangular tablets with a fracture line in the middle. Inside there is another layer of white, sometimes with a slight yellowish tinge. The tablets are packaged in blisters and are sold in packs of 10 each.
The main substance of the drug is a broad-spectrum synthetic antibiotic called chloramphenicol. The tablet contains 250 or 500 mg of this component. Other substances are present in the composition, including microcrystalline cellulose, calcium stearate, colloidal silicon dioxide, macrogol, talc, titanium dioxide and dyes. This is the composition of the tablets "Levomycetin Actitab." There is a difference from “Levomycetin”, although a slight one. Firstly, the composition of the auxiliary components is different, and Actitab has more pronounced antibacterial properties. Secondly, it is available exclusively in the form of tablets, while the classic “Levomycetin” can be found in the form of solutions, and even in the form of eye drops.
How does the drug work?
As already mentioned, this is a drug from the group of synthetic antibiotics. It is active against many pathogenic bacterial organisms, including pneumococci, staphylococci, streptococci, enterococci, spirochetes, salmonella, shigella. The medicine is also effective in combating some viral infections. It is active against some acid-resistant bacteria, including clotridium and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The resistance of microorganisms to this type of antibiotic develops very slowly.
The active component has bacteriostatic properties. In high concentrations, the drug has a bactericidal effect and provides an anti-inflammatory effect.
After administration, the active component is rapidly adsorbed by the tissues of the digestive tract and penetrates the bloodstream. The maximum concentration in the blood is observed 1-3 hours after administration. The metabolites of the drug are excreted from the body by the kidneys (partially and through the intestines).
The drug "Levomycetin Actitab": indications for use
This drug has persistent bacteriostatic properties. In what cases is it advisable to prescribe Levomycetin Actitab? What helps the tablet? These questions are asked by many patients.
The antibiotic helps against intestinal infections, in particular dysentery, typhoid fever, salmonellosis. It is prescribed for bacterial diseases of the urinary tract, as well as skin lesions, including boils, trophic ulcers, bedsores. The medicine is effective for purulent infections, including peritonitis and brain abscess.
Antibiotic Levomycetin Actitab: instructions for use
Do not take the drug without permission. After diagnosis, only a specialist can determine the correct dosage and regimen for taking Levomycetin Actitab tablets. Instructions for use contain only average recommendations.
The drug should be taken orally with water. It is recommended to drink tablets 30 minutes before a meal, but if the patient has severe nausea and vomiting, it is better to take the drug an hour after eating. A single dose for adult patients is 0.25-0.5 g (the tablet can be divided into two halves). The maximum dose is 2 g per day (you need to take tablets 2-4 times a day). In the presence of especially serious diseases, the daily dose can be increased to 3-4 g, but the patient should be in a hospital under the supervision of a doctor. The course of therapy in most cases lasts from 8 to 12 days.
Contraindications and limitations to therapy
Unfortunately, far from every case, the use of the drug “Levomycetin Actitab” is possible. The instruction for use states that the drug has a number of contraindications, a list of which is worth reading:
- The drug should not be taken by patients with hypersensitivity to the constituent components of the drug (a description of the composition should definitely be read before starting treatment).
- Since the drug affects the hematopoiesis, any violations in this area are contraindications.
- An antibiotic should not be taken with eczema, psoriasis and some other dermatological diseases.
- Contraindications include chronic and acute diseases of the liver and kidneys, as well as cardiovascular failure.
- Since the drug has antibacterial and mild antiviral properties, its use in fungal diseases is impractical.
- The drug should not be used during pregnancy. If therapy is necessary during lactation, breastfeeding should be interrupted.
- Contraindications include acute porphyria, deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.
- Medicines are not taken by children under three years of age, as well as patients whose weight is less than 20 kg.
Are side effects possible?
According to surveys and reviews, the drug is well tolerated by patients. Nevertheless, there are some adverse reactions that may occur while taking Levomycetin Actitab (tablets). The instruction describes the most common complications:
- Malfunctions of the digestive tract are sometimes observed, which is accompanied by dysbiosis, dyspepsia, diarrhea, nausea, and irritation of the mucous membrane.
- Disorders in the functioning of the nervous system are extremely rare - psychomotor disorders, neuritis, confusion, the appearance of visual and auditory hallucinations, headaches and dizziness, and depressive states.
- Occasionally, a secondary fungal infection develops while taking the drug.
- Allergic patients sometimes experience skin reactions, including a rash, skin redness, and swelling.
Additional drug information
For many people, the cost of the drug is an important factor. How much will the drug Levomycetin Actitab cost? The price, of course, can vary depending on many factors. A package of 10 tablets costs about 100 rubles, which is not so much in comparison with the prices of other antibacterial agents.
Quite often, tablets are used in combination therapy with other drugs. It is worth knowing that the simultaneous use with lincomycin, erythromycin, clindamycin can lead to a weakening effect of these drugs. With simultaneous administration with drugs that inhibit hematopoiesis, the risk of developing adverse reactions is increased.
Reviews of specialists and patients
What do people say about Levomycetin Actitab tablets? Reviews are positive. Doctors say that the drug copes with various infectious diseases, especially when it comes to damage to the digestive system. The list of contraindications is small, and adverse reactions are recorded very rarely.
Patients also have good opinions about the pills. In their reviews, they say that the symptoms begin to disappear after the first dose of the drug, and after 1-2 days the well-being improves significantly. The price is also pleasing, especially when compared with the cost of other antibiotics. Perhaps the only drawback is a bitter unpleasant aftertaste - it is better to drink a tablet with plenty of liquid.