The drug "Furadonin" is a derivative of nitrofuran. It is not included in the classification of antibiotics, and due to its active substance it has a bacteriostatic and bactericidal effect in various infections of the urinary canal.
In addition, this pharmaceutical product destroys the membranes of bacteria, inhibits the production of proteins, destroys Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, enterobacteria, Proteus, staphylococci and other pathogenic microbes.
Is Furadonin an antibiotic or not?
The tool is a synthetic antimicrobial medication with a wide range of effects, which belongs to the group of nitrofurans. This medicine is effective against the following types of bacteria:
- staphylococci;
- enterococci;
- E. coli;
- Proteus;
- Klebsiella;
- enterobacteria.
In addition, this drug has a pronounced bacteriostatic effect, that is, it is not capable of killing pathological microorganisms, but can only stop their reproduction and growth.
So, is Furadonin an antibiotic or not? Based on the foregoing, it is safe to say that no.
Pharmacological properties
The medication is well absorbed by the digestive organs, its bioavailability is enhanced with food intake.
According to the data contained in the instructions for this medicinal product, its absorption rate directly depends on the size of the crystals. The powder dissolves faster, and therefore concentrates very quickly in urine.
The active substance of the drug binds to plasma proteins by 70%, undergoes metabolic processes in the liver and muscle tissues. Its half-life is approximately 20-30 minutes. Nitrofurantoin is able to penetrate the body's natural barriers (placental and blood-brain) and is excreted through the kidneys.
The release forms of Furadonin are described in detail in the instructions.
The composition of the medication and the form of release
The medication is made in the form of tablets for oral administration, which are yellow or orange in color, have a flat cylindrical shape, and are packaged in packs of 10 pieces, as well as in cardboard boxes of 1 or 3 cells with the instructions for proper use attached to them.
Each Furadonin tablet contains the main active element - nitrofurantoin. Depending on the volume in which this substance is contained in the medication, they have the following dosages: 0.1 g, 0.03 g and 0.05 g.
Potato starch, colloidal silicon dioxide (aerosil), stearic acid and polysorbate are used as additional components in the Furadonin composition.
Indications for appointment
The drug is prescribed to patients for oral administration (inside) as a therapeutic drug (possibly as part of a complex treatment) of some infectious and inflammatory pathologies of the urinary system, which include:
- cystitis;
- pyelonephritis;
- urethritis;
- symptoms of painful urination caused by stones or sand in the bladder cavity;
- in the prevention and treatment of inflammatory diseases of the urinary organs after diagnostic procedures or surgical procedures.
Contraindications "Furadonin" should be strictly observed. Under what conditions is the use of this drug contraindicated? This is worth telling in more detail.
Contraindications
Before starting a therapeutic course with this medication, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the annotation for use. Furadonin tablets are prohibited for patients with one or more pathological or natural conditions:
- individual intolerance or high susceptibility to the medication or its specific components;
- pregnancy in the first trimester;
- period of breastfeeding;
- pathology of the liver and kidneys;
- acute liver failure;
- severe heart failure;
- cirrhosis of the liver;
- anuria or oliguria;
- porphyria.
Also, it is not allowed to take this drug by children under the age of 1 year.
Dosages of "Furadonin" and method of application
The medication is intended for oral administration as an independent bacteriostatic drug. It can also be used as part of complex treatment in combination with other agents for the treatment of diseases of the urinary organs and canals. But only if they are caused by pathological microorganisms sensitive to nitrofuran.
The dosage of this medication and the duration of therapeutic measures is determined by a specialist purely individually for a particular patient. Reviews about "Furadonin" are abundant.
The following dosages of the medication are indicated in the instructions for use: patients in adulthood, as well as children after 12 years of age, are prescribed 50 or 100 mg of the medication 4 times a day.
For children who have not yet reached 12, a single dosage of the dose of the drug is calculated in accordance with weight indicators - 5 mg per kilogram of body weight.
The duration of a therapeutic course with this medicine is, as a rule, from three to five days. But, if necessary, such treatment can be extended up to two weeks under the supervision of a specialist. If during this period the patient does not experience improvement or some deterioration occurs, the tablets should be stopped and consult a doctor.
The use of the drug by women in position
Is Furadonin allowed during pregnancy? In the first trimester of bearing a child, taking this medication is strictly contraindicated for women, since there is no clinical experience with this medication yet, and the safety of nitrofuran for the unborn child has not been proven.
“Furadonin” during pregnancy in subsequent periods can be used only in cases where the benefit for the woman from the treatment will be higher than the potential adverse reactions from the fetus. Therapy is carried out in minimum effective dosages, under the supervision of a specialist, but not longer than three days.
The use of the drug in the lactation period is also contraindicated, since the active active element of this drug can be excreted in breast milk and into the baby's body. If necessary, treatment of the nursing mother should temporarily stop the lactation process.
Adverse reactions
According to reviews of Furadonin, during treatment, people with hypersensitivity to nitrofuran may experience some side effects. Namely:
- From the digestive system - bitterness and dry mouth, excessive thirst, nausea, pain in the stomach, sometimes cholestatic jaundice, impaired appetite, anorexia, vomiting, impaired liver function, stool disorders (diarrhea).
- From the side in the respiratory organs - chest pain, cough, shortness of breath, the formation of infiltrates in the tissues of the lungs, respiratory failure, exacerbation of bronchial asthma and the onset of asthma attacks, bronchospasm.
- From the side of the central nervous system - nystagmus, headache, dizziness, lethargy, drowsiness, polyneuropathy, tremor of the extremities.
- On the part of hematopoiesis - a decrease in blood levels of leukocytes, agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, hemolytic or megaloblastic anemia.
- Allergic manifestations - Quincke's edema, rash of the type of urticaria, pruritus, exfoliative dermatitis, erythema.
A complete list of side effects of Furadonin can be found by reading the instructions.
In addition, in patients taking tablets of this drug, flu-like symptoms may occur - fever, muscle pain, soreness in the joints.
Overdose symptoms
With the oral administration of this medication in high dosages in patients, an overdose may develop, which is clinically manifested in an increase in the above-described adverse reactions, impaired functioning of the kidneys or liver, and liver failure.
Therapy of these phenomena consists in washing the stomach, taking enterosorbents, and also in carrying out symptomatic treatment.
Drug Interactions
"Furadonin" is not recommended for use with simultaneous therapy with antacids, as well as medicines containing magnesium, aluminum and iron.
Such a drug interaction can lead to a decrease in the absorption of the main active element (uroseptic) and to a significant decrease in its therapeutic effectiveness.
The drug "Furadonin" is not pharmaceutically compatible with fluoroquinolones, which must be taken into account with concomitant therapy and avoid such drug interactions.
Special recommendations
Since the drug "Furadonin" often causes the development of disorders of the central nervous system and polyneuropathy, its simultaneous use with these medicines is recommended for patients to take vitamins from group B.
Nitrofurantoin is not prescribed at the same time as drugs that are toxic to the kidney tissue. Such an interaction significantly increases the risk of adverse reactions and provokes acute kidney failure.
For children in the first year of life, this medication is prescribed only after a diagnostic examination and consultation with a pediatrician. The dosage of the medicine is calculated individually, depending on the weight of the child and the characteristics of his body.
Analogues of Furadonin
The price of this medicine is relatively low, and is approximately 170 rubles. It depends on the region and the pharmacy network.
But there are still analogues. They are those drugs that are similar to it in composition and therapeutic properties. These medicines include:
- "Furagin" is an absolute analogue that is used to treat patients suffering from inflammation of certain parts of the urinary system, genital tract. The drug acts on pathological microorganisms, destroying their shells, reducing the amount of toxins produced by them. It is used mainly for inflammation of the kidneys and bladder.
- Furamag is a medicine that is also an absolute analogue of Furadonin. It has an extensive spectrum of pharmacological properties and is prescribed for diseases of the genital and urinary organs. It has similar contraindications and side effects with the drug in question.
- Monural is a medicine that is more modern, unlike Furadonin, and has a different composition. This drug is prescribed for acute forms of genitourinary diseases and is considered very strong. It contains phosphonic acid, which is an antiseptic. The drug is taken, in most cases, once, however, its re-administration can be prescribed. Before use, it is necessary to empty the bladder.
Reviews
There are a lot of reviews about Furadonin, which is due to its long existence in the domestic pharmacological market. This drug is considered quite effective and popular among patients, however, at the moment, Furadonin specialists have been prescribed less frequently than before.
This is due to the fact that more modern and effective pharmaceutical products have appeared that help in case of problems in the urinary tract, but more expensive. This factor suggests that the medication is widely used among patients today. Moreover, both as an independent means of therapy, and with complex treatment.
What other reviews are there about Furadonin?
Patients who used these medications observed a significant improvement in well-being already at the initial stages of therapy. They noted normalization of urination, the disappearance of soreness of this process. In particular with cystitis and urethritis.
Patients characterize this medicine as cheap, but no less effective than its more expensive counterparts.