Tuberculosis is a dangerous infectious disease that can affect the internal organs of a person. The main blow includes the lungs, then the kidneys, bladder, bones and so on. In the absence of timely and effective treatment, the disease progresses rapidly, leading to serious consequences and even death. Therefore, it is so important to use reliable drugs that can defeat this ailment.
For example, drugs based on aminosalicylic acid with high anti-tuberculosis activity. This will be discussed below.
Sad statistics
According to some reports, citizens of the Russian Federation are ten times more likely to be infected with tubercle bacillus than residents of European countries. It is worth noting that all sectors of the population are at risk. Therefore, even in wealthy families, there are cases of infection.
Tuberculosis symptoms
The first signs in adults, which can signal the defeat of a person with tubercle bacillus, are:
- prolonged cough, persistent after standard treatment,
- the presence of pus and bloody veins in the sputum,
- unexplained, at first glance, an increase in body temperature to subfebrile values,
- decreased appetite
- weight loss
- fatigue, for no apparent reason.
If one or more of these symptoms is found, the patient should immediately consult a doctor for advice. The specialist in such cases sends a person to an X-ray of the lungs (fluorography). In the event that any focal lesion larger than 1 cm in diameter is detected in the image, the patient may be suspected of having tuberculosis and additional examinations should be performed. In case of a positive result, it is required to immediately begin treatment of the disease.
Often, aminosalicylic acid becomes the drug of choice.
Description of the substance and representatives
The chemical name is 4-amino-2-hydroxybenzoic acid.
The formula is C 7 H 7 NO 3.
The Latin name is aminosalicylic acid.
Externally, the substance is a white powder consisting of small crystals. A yellowish or pinkish tint is acceptable. No special odor is observed.
The main representative of this substance in the pharmaceutical market is a drug containing a salt of aminosalicylic acid - sodium aminosalicylate. Available in the form of tablets for oral administration. Also, the active substance is produced in its pure form as a solution for infusion.
pharmachologic effect
The drug inhibits the synthesis of folic acid in a microbial cell, thereby obstructing its normal functioning. Aminosalicylic acid is especially active in killing proliferating cells. Mycobacteria in the resting stage practically does not act. That is why aminosalicylic acid preparations may not be the only anti-tuberculosis drug. They must be used in combination with other antimycotics.
Interestingly, aminosalicylic acid slows down the development of resistance to other drugs.
Indications for use
Tuberculosis is the only indication for the use of this drug. It is worth saying that in modern medicine, when choosing tuberculosis therapy, it often prefers other, newer and safer drugs.
Contraindications
All preparations containing the active substance “aminosalicylic acid” have a systemic effect on the entire patient’s body, therefore there are a number of conditions in which the use of funds based on it is strictly prohibited. These include:
- Impaired kidney function.
- Liver failure.
- Hepatitis.
- Cirrhosis of the liver.
- Amyloidosis.
- Peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum.
- Myxedema.
- Epilepsy.
- Pregnancy at any time.
- Intolerance to aminosalicylic acid and its salts.
Side effects
The drug is quite toxic, so it can adversely affect the work of many organs and systems of the body, causing a number of undesirable side reactions. Namely:
- The digestive system, as a rule, suffers a lot of things, because it is through the gastrointestinal tract that the drug passes, causing nausea, vomiting, pain in the abdomen, and indigestion in the form of diarrhea.
- The nervous system may be slightly affected. That is why some patients notice increased irritability, the development of psychosis.
- The liver takes a strong blow. Therefore, side effects include jaundice, an increase in liver volume, pain in the right hypochondrium.
- There are changes from the hematopoietic system. For example, the number of leukocytes, platelets and eosinophils is significantly reduced.
- In the case of prolonged use of high doses of the drug, the blow also falls on the thyroid gland. Perhaps the development of goiter, hypothyroidism.
- Rarely, but an allergic reaction in the form of itching and skin rash is possible.
special instructions
For the most effective treatment, you should use preparations of aminosalicylic acid and its salts in combination with other anti-tuberculosis drugs. Otherwise, the treatment will not be so effective.
Dosage and administration
The drug is intended for oral administration. A tablet of the substance should be taken orally with a sufficient amount of clean drinking water. Do not replace it with tea, coffee, alcohol, dairy and other drinks. This may interfere with the absorption of the drug.
According to the information specified in the instructions for the use of aminosalicylic acid, the dosage should be selected individually for each patient and calculated according to the formula 150-300 mg / kg / day. The frequency of admission should be 3-4 times in one day.
For adults, as a rule, the following treatment regimen exists: 3-4 grams 3 times a day after meals.
Pharmacy Vacation Terms
Para-aminosalicylic acid (PASK) is a prescription drug. It is acquired by medical institutions and pharmacy organizations with special rights. To buy this substance, an ordinary person needs a prescription form of a specially established form, which is prescribed by a doctor.
A pharmaceutical worker checks the correctness of the document, the presence in it of all mandatory and additional details. With a satisfied result, the drug is omitted.
Conclusion
If the first signs, symptoms of tuberculosis are found in adults and children, it is urgent to take all measures to identify the pathogen and its destruction.
Aminosalicylate-based drugs over the years have shown themselves to be effective agents. However, it should be remembered that they should be taken only as prescribed by the attending physician and in combination with other anti-tuberculosis substances. In this case, the patient will have every chance of a full recovery.