In the article, we consider the instructions for use for children for the drug "Sumamed".
Antibacterial drugs, the main calling of which is to inhibit the vital activity of certain types of harmful viruses, bacteria and infections, are currently the most effective way to treat a number of serious pathologies. In this case, the type of antibiotic is determined by the location of the inflammatory process and the type of its pathogens.
For example, macrolides are prescribed for the treatment of infectious lesions of soft tissues and skin, as well as respiratory infections. In this group, Sumamed suspension is characterized by good therapeutic properties, minimal side effects and ease of use. Instructions for children must be strictly followed.
Description of the drug
The drug is currently often prescribed by pediatricians to treat children, and is also used by adult patients due to its release forms.
The drug "Sumamed" is an antibiotic with a wide spectrum of influence. The active substance is azithromycin, which is part of it, produces a bactericidal effect with a rather high accumulation in the inflammatory focus. The drug is one of the most modern, it has proven its effectiveness and is widely used by patients.
Admission rules for the treatment of children
Based on the fact that the drug “Sumamed” is very strong, it should be prescribed exclusively by a pediatrician, who will determine in detail the dosage, as well as the number and frequency of use.
There are several recommendations that parents should know about when prescribed according to the instructions "Sumamed" for children 100 and 200 mg.
When a baby receives this product over the past six months, its reuse is prohibited. This applies not only to Sumamed, but also to most antibiotics.
A drug is given to a newborn only after its body weight is equal to ten or more kilograms (from six months).
Up to sixteen years of age, do not infuse this drug. Like any other drug, Sumamed can cause allergic reactions in a patient, therefore, the condition of the child should be monitored especially carefully.
If an antibiotic is prescribed by a doctor with the assumed probability of developing a disease (pneumonia, for example), then it is worth talking to him about replacing it with a more gentle drug.
What can be learned from the instructions for use for Sumamed for children?
Indications for appointment
An antibiotic of extensive influence, it is used in diseases that are caused by a number of streptococci of groups G and CF, gram-positive cocci, anaerobic organisms and gram-negative bacteria.
The pathologies for which Sumamed is prescribed are as follows:
- infectious diseases of the ENT organs, lower and upper parts of the respiratory system: pneumonia, bronchitis, tonsillitis, scarlet fever, otitis media, sinusitis, tonsillitis;
- infectious pathologies of the skin: impetigo (skin pustular inflammation due to which purulent crusts appear), erysipelas, epidermal diseases caused by an infectious agent;
- an ulcer of the duodenum and stomach caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori;
- infections of the genital and urinary system - not gonorrheal and gonorrheic urethritis, Lyme disease, inflammation of the uterine neck.
The instruction to "Sumamed" for children confirms this.
Naturally, when prescribing a drug, a child should ideally pass an analysis to check his sensitivity to it, but in most cases this procedure and waiting for an answer requires time that does not work for the patient during the illness. That is why the specialist, having examined, decides whether to prescribe a patient with a drug that has a wide range of effects in each case.
It must also be said that with angina, sowing is required to establish the pathogen, since not all of its pathogens are sensitive to this drug, and then the specialist will be able to correct the treatment course.
According to the instructions, Sumamed is prescribed for children during the treatment of pneumonia, laryngitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis, chronic tonsillitis, purulent tonsillitis and a number of other infectious diseases.
Drug Release Form
The drug is produced in such dosage forms as:
- Film-coated tablets. They are swallowed whole, its shell should not be broken. Available in dosages such as 500 and 125 milligrams.
- Capsules in a gelatin shell and with a dosage of five hundred milligrams.
- In accordance with the instructions for use, Sumamed for children 100 and 200 mg is a powder for the manufacture of a suspension with a banana-cherry smell and a pleasant sweet taste. A syringe dispenser and / or a measuring spoon also go to the bottle. Instructions for children to "Sumamed" 200 and 100 are available in each pack.
- The product is also produced in the form of a lyophilisate for the manufacture of an infusion solution, i.e. droppers.
It is used only by patients over sixteen years of age, in the treatment of severe types of infectious pathologies of the respiratory system (for example, community-acquired pneumonia) and severe inflammatory and infectious diseases of the pelvic organs. Let us consider in more detail the instructions for use for Sumamed for children.
How is the drug given to the child?
For the purpose of ease of use, Sumamed powder is intended for small patients for the manufacture of a suspension, as well as Sumamed-forte, which differs from the usual Sumamed in the concentration of the active component. The suspension itself is made before the first use.
In the bottle where the powder lies, you need to add as much water as indicated in the instructions, since the dosage of the medicine may vary, so a different amount of water will be required for dilution, it is shaken until a homogeneous state is achieved. When the drug is ready, the volume of the resulting suspension will be five milliliters more than what is written in the instructions. The manufacturer provided this in order to compensate for possible losses.
As the instructions indicate, the suspension for children "Sumamed" 200 and 100 mg in finished form can be used no longer than five days, a measuring spoon and / or syringe dispenser should be disassembled and rinsed well after each use.
The suspension is drunk once a day, which is very convenient for the child’s parents, especially when the baby does not like to take drugs.
It is also important to remember that the use of the suspension should be on time one hour before a meal or two hours after.
Dosage can be calculated independently: for one kilogram of a child’s body weight, ten milligrams of suspension.
So it is said in the instructions for use for "Sumamed" for children 200 and 100 mg.
In infectious diseases of the respiratory tract, soft tissues and skin, a suspension is taken for three days once a day. Only with a skin rash (erythema migrans), which is characteristic of Lyme disease, this scheme is corrected: on the first day per kilogram of weight twenty milligrams, and from the second to fifth day - on one kilogram of weight ten milligrams.
Side effects from the use of a drug
Side effects include abdominal pain, diarrhea, flatulence, nausea, vomiting, heart rhythm defects, neurological disorders, increased liver enzyme activity, and skin rashes.
As the instructions to “Sumamed” for children 200 mg and 100 mg indicate, small patients can mainly feel the following side effects: vomiting, skin rashes, nausea, drowsiness. Ideally, the pediatrician should determine whether the baby has allergic reactions, allergies in the family, or taking antibiotics over the past six months before prescribing the drug.
Inhibition of intestinal microflora
Another side effect of taking the suspension, like any antibiotic, is the inhibition of intestinal microflora. Each antibiotic kills microorganisms that are beneficial to the human intestines. Although doctors prescribe Sumamed to small patients, considering its effect on the intestinal microflora to be less aggressive due to the short course and frequency of administration, they often start dysbacteriosis while taking the suspension. That is why, along with the drug, a probiotic is prescribed to maintain the balance of the intestinal flora.
The instruction to "Sumamed" for children is very detailed.
Parents of a sick child should remember that viral pathologies, for example, measles, flu, hepatitis, chicken pox, etc. should be treated with antiviral drugs. Prescribing an antibiotic by a pediatrician for viral pathologies is more likely to be preventive (preventive) in order to avoid complications caused by the virus.
In order to avoid ergotism, the suspension should not be taken simultaneously with ergot alkaloids.
In accordance with the instructions for use with Sumamed for children, the suspension in most cases is well tolerated. However, before taking it, you need to familiarize yourself with the possible side effects that are noted in a clinical study. For example, in treatment, the frequency of patient complaints is as follows:
- diarrhea is very common;
- medium frequency: visual impairment, headache, vomiting, abdominal pain, decreased eosinophils, bicarbonate, lymphocytes, nausea, increased neutrophils, basophils and monocytes;
- infrequently: increased laboratory parameters (urea, bilirubin, bicarbonate, AlAT, creatinine, potassium, AcAT), candidiasis, asthenia, pharyngitis, peripheral edema, rhinitis, fatigue, bacterial and fungal infections, uterine bleeding, pneumonia, chest pain, gastroenteritis , dysuria, eosinophilia, osteoarthritis, leukopenia, myalgia, angioedema, hyperhidrosis, anorexia, dermatitis, insomnia, dysphagia, neutropenia, rash, dizziness, flatulence, dysgeusia, belching, vertigo, gastritis, tinnitus, ringing, tinnitus, constipation, tides.
- rarely: photosensitivity, liver dysfunction, agitation, cholestatic jaundice.
To minimize the development of negative reactions, you must follow the instructions for the suspension "Sumamed" for children.
Drug Interactions with Other Drugs
The drug cannot be combined with Heparin.
With complex treatment, the effect of ergot derivatives, Dihydroergotamine, is enhanced.
The use of tetracycline and chloramphenicol groups increases the effectiveness of azithromycin. On the contrary, the use of lincosamides contributes to its reduction.
The Sumamed suspension stops excretion, increasing the toxicity and concentration of cycloserine, methylprednisolone, felodipine and indirect anticoagulants.
The drug slows the excretion and toxicity of such drugs: hypoglycemic oral, carbamazepine, phenytoin, hexobarbital, xanthine derivatives, ergot derivatives, bromocriptine, valproic acid, disopyramide.
The QT interval can be prolonged against the background of the complex use of Sumamed with digoxin, zidovudine, cetirizine, didanosine and antacids.
Analogues of a drug
The drug was originally produced in Croatia, but in 2007 the license for its release ended. Many companies in different countries produce analogues with the same active component.
Currently, there are the following generics (analogues) of Sumamed: Azicide, Sumamecin, Hemomycin, Sumazid, Sumamox and others.
However, it is worth remembering that analogues can differ from the original drug in the amount of azithromycin, the presence of additional impurities in it, and the time it takes for the drug to dissolve in the body. That is why, before purchasing a medicine for a child in a pharmacy, it is necessary to consult a specialist who will tell you an effective analogue.
Reviews on this drug
"Sumamed" is part of a group of macrolides with a wide spectrum of influence. It is distinguished by the convenience of administration (only once a day), long and quick therapeutic effect. Side effects are minimal.
Its cost is quite high. Parents use Sumamed very often. Older children drink in tablets, younger children in the form of a suspension. Parents really like the fact that the drug is given only once a day for 5-7 days.
It does not affect the child’s stool, it quickly fights with an infectious focus. The very next day after taking the temperature drops. With an intestinal infection or sore throat, it is recommended to take an analysis of the patient's sensitivity to antibiotics.
The drug is often used for obstructive bronchitis, it tastes good, children often drink it themselves, without coercion. The course prescribed by the specialist is enough for the patient to recover completely. Allergic manifestations are rare.
We have described in detail the instructions for use with Sumamed 200 mg for children.