Small light yellow or white tablets of Levomycetin are found in almost every home medicine cabinet. Based on half a century of experience, they are trying to give them a drink with every intestinal disorder. But is that right? Despite the unique properties of the drug, even superior to many new generation antibiotics, this is not true. The question arises: "The drug" Levomycetin "- from what?" What pathologies should it be taken for?
Drug characteristics
Many people think that they are right in speaking of Levomycetin (which this medicine helps) as a remedy for dysentery. But the drug has a much wider spectrum of action. This remedy is prescribed for pathologies significantly more serious. Doctors prescribe it for meningitis, salmonellosis, infected wounds, typhoid fever. In addition, it is he who treats severe infections of the biliary and urinary tract.
What is the drug "Levomycetin"? What does the remedy really help from? The medicine “Levomycetin”, known under another name - “Chloramphenicol”, is an antibiotic. It is active against most gram-negative and gram-positive microorganisms. It has a detrimental effect on bacterial strains that are resistant to penicillin preparations, sulfonamides, streptomycin.
However, the antibiotic Levomycetin can cause severe adverse reactions. Therefore, today it is used exclusively in special cases. It is prescribed if it is not possible to use safer drugs.
The drug is effective only in the fight against bacterial infections. With colds and flu, this antibiotic is completely useless.
Indications for use
It should be strictly understood that without a doctor’s prescription, it is not recommended to take Levomycetin. What is this remedy prescribed for? The list of pathologies is quite extensive.
Among them:
- infectious and inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
- typhoid fever;
- bacillary dysentery;
- paratyphoid;
- salmonellosis;
- tularemia;
- brucellosis;
- chlamydia
- whooping cough;
- bacterial pneumonia;
- typhus ;
- trachoma;
- meningitis (provoked by Haemophylus influenzae);
- shingles;
- mixed bacterial infections;
- psittacosis;
- gonorrhea.
To date, the drug "Levomethicin" is the only medicine that is effective against such a pathology as typhoid fever.
Release Forms
The drug has been widely used for many pathologies. For ease of use, the antibiotic Levomycetin is available in several dosage forms:
- tablets;
- capsules;
- candles;
- ethanol solution (70%) - is used to treat ear pathologies and pustular skin diseases;
- powder;
- ointment;
- solution (0.25%) - eye drops.
Terms of use
The drug in tablets, capsules or powder is intended for internal use. It is recommended to use it 30 minutes before or with food. Children, in order to mask the bitter taste of this product, you can give it with syrup or jam. If the patient has nausea or vomiting, you can drink the medicine after eating, after an hour.
The drug is prescribed in the following dosages.
- Adults - a one-time rate varies from 0.25 g to 0.75 g. The average dose is 0.5 g. It is recommended to use the medicine 3-4 times a day. If necessary, the maximum single dose may be 1 g. The daily norm is 3 g.
- Children over 8 years old take 0.2-0.3 g of the drug 3-4 times throughout the day.
- Kids 3-8 years old - use 0.15-0.2 g.
- Crumbs up to 3 years - the dose is calculated from the ratio: per 1 kg of the child’s weight for 0.01-0.015 g.
Depending on the pathology, the doctor selects an individual regimen for taking this medication. Given the bacteriostatic nature of the antibiotic exposure, treatment with Levomycetin is recommended to continue for 5-7 days. In case of severe pathologies that can give a relapse, therapy can be delayed for 15-20 days. If necessary, the doctor will prescribe a second course.
This antibiotic is allowed to be combined with heart medications, as well as with Streptomycin, Penicillin, and sulfa drugs.
Side effects
During treatment (especially if the antibiotic is used long enough), unwanted body reactions to this drug may occur. As a rule, the following are among the side effects:
- dyspeptic disorders (diarrhea);
- irritation of the mucous membranes of the pharynx, larynx, mouth; rectum, stomach; urethra, vagina;
- skin rash, itching, burning, dermatitis;
- toxic damage to the hematopoietic system;
- violation of the kidneys, liver;
- auditory, visual hallucinations;
- impaired consciousness;
- visual impairment, hearing loss;
- anaphylactic shock.
A patient in whom these phenomena are observed requires either the complete abolition of this medication, or a break in its intake.
Long-term use of the drug "Levomycetin" can provoke the occurrence of fungal infections of the mucous membrane and skin.
As a rule, to reduce the severity of adverse reactions during treatment, the doctor may prescribe B vitamins, as well as the drug Diphenhydramine.
Contraindications
The antibiotic "Levomycetin" is not prescribed for the following conditions and pathologies:
- hypersensitivity to the drug;
- skin diseases (eczema, psoriasis, fungal infections);
- oppression of blood;
- porphyria;
- pathologies of the blood;
- sore throat;
- diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- impaired functioning of the kidneys, liver;
- acute respiratory pathology;
- tendency to allergic manifestations;
- pregnancy, breastfeeding.
Possible overdose
In this case, unpleasant complications from the hematopoietic system can be observed. The following symptoms can tell about the use of a large dose of the drug:
- fever;
- pale skin integument;
- bleeding;
- sore throat;
- general weakness.
In case of overdose, babies may experience:
- bloating;
- irregular breathing;
- hypothermia;
- gray skin color;
- vomiting
- cardiovascular collapse.
If such symptoms are observed, it is necessary to immediately discontinue the drug and rinse the stomach with sorbents. Symptomatic therapy is required to eliminate unpleasant symptoms.
The drug "Levomycetin-Dia"
This medicine is an excellent bacteriostatic antibiotic. It has a wide range of effects. Levomycetin-Dia eye drops are prescribed for bacterial infections provoked by sensitive microflora:
- keratitis;
- conjunctivitis;
- blepharitis, blepharoconjunctivitis;
- neuroparalytic keratitis (which is accompanied by a bacterial infection);
- keratoconjunctivitis.
The main contraindications include:
- hypersensitivity;
- psoriasis, eczema;
- pathology of blood, liver;
- pregnancy, lactation;
- fungal infection;
- respiratory diseases.
Among the side effects, allergic local reactions can occur.
Effective ointment
For topical use, the antibacterial drug Levomycetin is in great demand. Ointment is recommended for use with the following pathologies:
- purulent, inflammatory processes;
- dermatoses of various nature;
- eczema
- varicose ulcers on the legs;
- panaritiums;
- inflammatory processes in the external auditory canal.
If you are prone to allergic reactions or individual intolerance, it is recommended not to use the drug "Levomycetin".
The ointment is applied to the damaged area with a thin layer. This procedure can be repeated up to three times a day.
Treatment of otitis media
Ear diseases always cause severe discomfort and severe pain. In addition, they are fraught with unpleasant complications. To significantly alleviate the patient’s condition, it is recommended to instill the alcohol solution of Levomycetin in the ears.
However, such a procedure cannot be performed without a doctor's prescription. It should be remembered that the main contraindication to the use of these drops is perforation of the eardrum. But only a specialist doctor can recognize this pathology.
But if the drug "Levomycetin" will be prescribed, you should adhere to the main recommendations.
- The solution must be slightly warmed up before use.
- Before instillation with cotton wool, pus is removed from the ear canal.
- Pull the sink slightly up and back. This will straighten the ear canal as much as possible.
- Bury 3-4 drops in each ear.
- After the procedure, it is recommended to close the passage with a cotton swab. This will create the heat necessary for the treatment.
How to deal with acne?
A favorable result on the skin will have a "talker." It can be made independently. This solution, containing the medicine “Levomycetin” for acne, helps very effectively. Reviews of people who have unsuccessfully struggled with such rashes over the years, indicate that one application is enough to make the beneficial effect noticeable.
For the manufacture of "talkers" you will need:
- salicylic acid - 5 ml;
- boric acid - 50 ml;
- medical alcohol (90%) - 50 ml;
- Levomycetinum preparation - 5 g.
Conclusion
The given remedy is extremely strong. In addition to its beneficial effect, it is capable of exerting a depressing effect on the liver and kidneys. Therefore, it is prescribed only in extreme cases, when other antibiotics are ineffective.
Abroad, you need a prescription from a doctor to purchase the drug "Levomycetin". In our country, this tool is found in any home medicine cabinet. And since most people are sure that the drug cures intestinal disorders and abdominal pain, they use it for any occasion.