Among drugs that fight such a symptom as nausea and vomiting, it is worth noting Latran. The drug instruction contains all the necessary information for patients: how to take the drug and in what cases, whether it is compatible with other medicines and what contraindications the manufacturer claims.
In what cases is Latran prescribed?
Nausea and vomiting as a disruption of the digestive system is one of the most common symptoms. To fight it, it is important first of all to find out what caused its occurrence. Unlike most anti-emetics, Latran can be taken not only orally, but also parenterally due to a tablet or injection form of release.
The specificity of the indications for taking this medication makes you responsibly approach its use. According to the instructions, "Latran" is prescribed for patients undergoing antitumor treatment, which implies the inclusion of chemotherapy, ionizing radiation sessions.
Prescribe a medicine and in case of emergency elimination of withdrawal syndrome, i.e. with the most dangerous alcoholic intoxication of the body. To blunt the gag reflex, a remedy is prescribed after surgery. It is important to consider that the drug is not used for chronic disorders of the digestive system (for example, nausea with gastritis, duodenitis, pancreatitis).
How does the medicine affect the human body?
If you believe the instructions for use, Latrana injections act instantly. The principle of the drug is based on the blocking of the so-called serotonin receptors. If this hormone is produced under the influence of artificially created conditions, for example, during radiation therapy, the body is not always able to independently cope with the task of suppressing it. In addition, this drug, acting gently on digestion, inhibits its processes, slows down peristalsis. A plus in the use of the drug is the lack of influence of its components on the functioning of the nervous system. In this vein, Latran is absolutely safe:
- produces a light sedative effect;
- does not reduce performance;
- in no way interferes with a normal reaction while driving;
- does not provoke drowsiness.
What is part of an antiemetic?
Ondansetron hydrochloride dihydrate is an active substance in the composition of the drug, which helps to achieve anti-withdrawal and antiemetic effects. As already noted, the medicine has two forms of release - tablets and ampoules. The instructions for use of Latran also indicate the capacity of the active component in each unit.
In one tablet, for example, contains 4 mg of ondansetron, in addition to which the composition of the drug includes:
- silicon dioxide;
- magnesium;
- starch;
- Castor oil.
Ampoules of 2 and 4 ml are produced in a package of 5 pieces. The solution of a transparent color consists of the active substance and sodium chloride, water for injection. Self-treatment with Latran is unacceptable. The decision on the dosage, method of administration and duration of the course of antiemetic therapy is made by the doctor.
How to drink pills?
Most often, with mild and moderate severity of withdrawal symptoms, mild nausea after taking chemotherapy drugs, radiation, patients are recommended to take Latran tablets. The instructions for use also noted that the drug can be taken orally to prevent vomiting and nausea after surgery. They drink the medicine before anesthesia. The dosage of tablets is calculated by a specialist, based on the age of the patient:
- Adults are recommended 8 mg of the drug 1 hour before the manipulation (2 tablets).
- Children - no more than 4 mg of the drug (1 tablet).
If nausea occurs after a session of antitumor treatment, the drug is drunk according to a similar pattern - for adults, 8 mg 1 hour before the procedure. If the symptoms persist, after 12 hours after the end of chemotherapy or radiation, they again drink 2 tablets.
At the end of the course of cancer treatment, “Latran” cannot be abruptly canceled, so they continue to drink it for 5-7 days. For adults, the daily norm is 16 mg of ondansetron, for children - 8 mg. During the course of treatment, it is important to provide the patient with a plentiful drink.
Preparation of injection
According to the instructions, Latrana injections are given both intramuscularly and intravenously. Before administration, a solution of the drug is prepared. By the way, during the first days after opening the ampoule, the drug is considered acceptable for use subject to the correct storage conditions (at a temperature of +2 to +7 degrees). The recommended dilution fluid for doctors is:
- saline (sodium chloride);
- ringer's solution;
- potassium chloride 0.3%;
- glucose solution 5%.
How often to chop Latran?
Further, the dosage is determined depending on the degree of nausea after a specific antitumor treatment. The maximum permitted daily dose is 32 mg of the active substance. In the case of relatively low emetogenicity, Latran is injected in an amount of 8 mg before the procedure. With a pronounced emetic reaction to oncotherapy, the drug is injected twice more after manipulation with a two-hour break.
Perhaps the injection of the drug. Both daily and 15-minute infusion (dropper) are allowed with the introduction of 24 mg of the drug, previously diluted. For patients under the age of twelve, Latran is most often administered intravenously at the rate of 0.1 mg per 1 kg of body weight, while a single injection can not be given more than 4 mg.
It is worth noting that with liver damage, the amount of active substance delivered throughout the day should not exceed 8 mg.
Can I combine with other medicines?
As a precaution, it is advisable to study the instructions for Latran tablets before use. Often, doctors forget to warn the patient that the drug is incompatible with other active substances. For example, it is dangerous to drink “Latran” along with antidepressants, papaverine and barbiturates. Such a drug “cocktail” not only reduces the effectiveness of the drug, but is also fraught with serious consequences for the body - it can lead to bronchospasm and pulmonary edema. Also, you can’t drink “Latran” with ketoconazole, omeprazole, cimetidine at the same time - these active substances accelerate the excretion of ondansetron from the body, not allowing it to fully act. When combined with glucocorticosteroids, the therapeutic effectiveness of an antiemetic drug, on the contrary, becomes higher.
Could there be any side effects?
The instructions for Latran also contain information on possible side effects. Despite the effectiveness of providing assistance and overcoming vomiting, the drug often causes short-term discomfort, which manifests itself:
- dizziness and cephalalgia;
- muscle cramps;
- blurred vision;
- intestinal upset, constipation;
- dry mouth or, conversely, increased salivation;
- tachycardia, arrhythmia, pain in the sternum;
- rashes on the body, urticaria;
- a sharp decrease in blood pressure.
In case of an overdose of the drug, it is extremely important to rinse the stomach of the patient and consult a doctor. Overdose can be suspected by pronounced side effects.
The main contraindications to the use of Latran
The manufacturer categorically does not recommend taking the medicine if there is at least one contraindication among those indicated in the instructions. “Latran” is taken with caution in case of a tendency to develop allergic reactions, and in case of individual intolerance to one of the components in the composition of the medicine, it is replaced with a more suitable analogue. In addition, the drug is not prescribed for pregnant and lactating women, since ondansetron has the property of penetrating into breast milk. Latran is contraindicated in early childhood (up to 24 months). Despite the fact that this drug is prescribed to prevent an emetic reaction in the postoperative period, it is extremely rare to prescribe the drug during surgical treatment of abdominal organs.
How long and in what conditions to preserve the medicine?
The precautions and storage of the drug do not differ significantly from those that apply to most other medicines. The instructions for use of Latran indicate a three-year shelf life from the date of manufacture at a temperature of +25 degrees. It is important to take the medicine away from small children, protect from exposure to the sun.
The cost of the drug in comparison with imported analogues is affordable. On average, Latran’s price in Russia does not exceed 350 rubles per package.
Brief description of antiemetic analogues of the drug
Among the alternatives to the drug, it is worth noting no less effective, but more expensive medicines:
- "Domegan" - an antagonist of seratonin receptors, is also available in the form of suppositories, syrup. It is taken in the same way as Latran. Instructions for use of the analogue have no significant differences.
- "Lazaran VM" is a centrally acting drug, it requires caution in the case of renal failure, because of side effects in patients, constipation is more common.
- "Zofran" is a medicine, which is also based on ondansetron. Lozenges and syrup have a pleasant strawberry flavor. Due to the presence of aspartame, Zofran should be used with caution in patients with phenylketonuria. The cost of this drug is almost 5 times the price of Latran.
- "Emetron" - used together with "Dexamethasone" to increase the effectiveness of the active substance. Tablets are not prescribed for patients with lactose intolerance.
What do patients themselves say about this antiemetic?
If we take into account the reviews and instructions for the use of Latran analogues, we can say with confidence that the drugs are largely similar to each other and produce an almost identical therapeutic effect. Despite the fact that feedback on this drug is extremely rare, it is not difficult to draw a conclusion about the effectiveness and appropriateness of its use. Most patients who struggle with oncology can more easily tolerate radiation and chemotherapy sessions.
With nausea and vomiting caused by alcohol withdrawal, Latran helps to improve the general well-being of the addicted. To achieve the necessary therapeutic effect, it must be taken together with an absorbent agent.
In the reviews, patients also indicate that intravenous administration is a priority method of taking Latran. At the same time, the tablet form of the drug is considered more convenient: many keep the medicine on hand in case of repeated attacks of nausea. Symptoms are relieved quickly, and after half an hour the patient already "wakes up" the appetite.
Taking Latran according to the instructions, the patient minimizes the chances of developing side effects. In addition, it will not be possible to purchase a drug in a pharmacy without a prescription. Without a doctor's prescription in hand, you can purchase "Cerucal" or "Metoclopromide" - antiemetic drugs, the principle of which is based on blocking dopamine receptors. Patients in their reviews note that Latran is superior to these drugs due to the onset of a faster therapeutic effect.
Many people take ondansetron in the morning in order to prevent nausea and vomiting, but they forget that according to the instructions, the Latran drug can be used no longer than a week. Often a longer course provokes side effects. In general, patients who underwent anticancer treatment successfully coped with nausea and vomiting thanks to Latran. Negative reviews about the medicine were most often left by those who ignored the rules for its use, self-medicating.