Pharmacy chains are full of different drugs for oral use. They are in greatest demand. Less commonly, consumers turn to pharmacists for the purchase of injectables: intramuscular, subcutaneous or intravenous. Medicines applied to the skin surface are not used more often. Such drugs are designed to eliminate a bacterial or viral infection, have a healing or regenerative effect. Separately, it can be said about medications applied to eliminate allergies and irritation. This group includes the drug "Advantan" (ointment). Instructions for the use of this tool, its characteristics and features will be presented to you in the article.
Varieties of the drug "Advantan", their composition and price category
Medicines are sold under the trade name Advantan by an Italian pharmaceutical company. There are several types of medication. The main component of all drugs is methylprednisolone. As additional substances that give the drug a certain consistency, various additives act. In the pharmacy, all the funds listed can be purchased without a prescription.
- Cream with a content of 0.1% of the active substance. It costs 650 rubles. for 15 g. The substance has a white tint with yellowish patches.
- The emulsion is a concentration of 0.1%. Available in a 50-gram tube and costs about 1200 rubles. The consistency of the drug is dense, but non-greasy, has a white color.
- Regular ointment is available in the same dosage, but has an opaque shade (yellowish white). The drug costs about 1,500 rubles. for a 50 gram bottle.
- Fatty ointment. It is a yellowish substance of a translucent shade. Sold at 15 grams per pack. It has a cost of about 700 rubles.
Let us consider in more detail what the instructions for use tell about Advantan (ointment). This is attached to each unit of goods.
Brief description of the drug: characteristic
The drug “Advantan” (ointment) calls the instructions for use an effective glucocorticosteroid drug intended for external use. The drug contains the main substance: methylprednisolone. One gram of the drug contains 1 milligram of the main component. As additional substances, the manufacturer uses soft white paraffin, liquid paraffin, beeswax and an emulsifier. What distinguishes an ordinary ointment from oily is that the latter also contains castor oil, and the first contains water. There is also a difference in bubble volume. “Advantan” - an ointment, the price of which is about one and a half thousand rubles - is sold in 50-gram tubes, sealed in a cardboard box. Fatty substance is released in a smaller volume: 15 grams. Both drugs must contain instructions for use. Examine it before using formulations.
Advantan ointment from which helps: indications for use
You should not use this medicine on your own. Many consumers are wondering: "Advantan ointment is hormonal or not?". It can be answered in the affirmative. Indeed, the drug refers to steroid drugs. Therefore, it is not necessary to use it only on the recommendation of a doctor, taking into account all individual characteristics. The doctor may prescribe you a drug for the following diseases:
- neurodermatitis or atopic dermatitis;
- true eczema;
- contact or allergic dermatitis;
- microbial, degenerative eczema;
- dyshidrotic nature of eczema.
If everything is clear with the usual form of the drug, then what does Advantan ointment help? Indications for the drugs are completely consistent. As you could already know, they are distinguished only by their consistency and the presence of one substance in the composition: castor oil or water.
Contraindications indicated in the instructions
Even if the drug “Advantan” - an ointment (you already know the price of a fatty and usual substance) or another form - is prescribed by a doctor, be sure to read the instructions. It often happens that a consumer finds one or more items in the list of contraindications that coincide with his state of health. If this happened with you, then you should refuse to use the medication and choose a substitute.
Do not use an external medicine for intolerance to the main or additional components. Do not forget that oily ointments have more. The use of the drug is contraindicated in case of tuberculosis or syphilis of the skin (at the place of application). It is forbidden to apply for viral diseases of the dermis (for example, such as chicken pox, lichen). If an allergic reaction appeared due to the introduction of the vaccine, then such areas are not treated. It is forbidden to use for perioral dermatitis.
Ointment "Advantan" during pregnancy, lactation and for children: is it acceptable to use
Often, expectant mothers have to deal with various kinds of allergic reactions, including their skin manifestations. This happens due to a decrease in immunity, weakening of the body's resistance. It's no secret that pregnant women like to treat themselves to all sorts of unusual foods, which, in turn, can also come back with an allergic reaction to the skin. Is it acceptable to use the drug "Advantan" (ointment) in such situations?
Instructions for use informs that before using the medication in expectant mothers, it is necessary to carefully weigh the pros and cons. If it is impossible to choose a more gentle treatment, and the result of the therapy promises to do more good than harm, then treatment is acceptable. But at the same time, you need to carefully monitor your well-being. It is not recommended to use the drug for a long time and cover large areas of skin with it. Nursing mothers should avoid getting the substance on the mammary glands. If possible, discontinue lactation during treatment. For children, the drug is prescribed only from four months of age. Previously apply Advantan (ointment) instructions for use does not allow.
Method of using the medication: what the instruction says
How to use Advantan (ointment) correctly and safely? The instruction for children recommends a duration of therapy of no more than 4 consecutive weeks. The medicine is applied to clean skin or hairy surface with a thin layer once a day. For adult patients, the frequency of use is the same. If necessary, the duration of therapy in people after 18 years can be increased to three months (12 weeks).
Patients often ask themselves when they buy Advantan: "Cream or ointment - which is better?" If you understand these drugs carefully, then we can conclude: ointment has a more pronounced therapeutic effect than cream. It can be used for long-term non-healing dermatitis and eczema. If the affected areas become wet or have a secretion, then it is worth choosing the Advantan ointment. Indications for use of oily ointment: very dry, cracking skin, lack of lubrication and purulent secretion.
The therapeutic effect of the drug: how does corticosteroid harm work
As you already know, the medicine “Advantan” (ointment) is prescribed for use as a hormonal steroid drug for the treatment of various allergic skin reactions. After application to the damaged surface, it has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect. Also, the drug relieves itching, irritation, softens the integument. The composition has a glucocorticoid, antiallergic effect. How does the medication work?
Many consumers believe that the drug regulates the adrenal glands and affects the level of their own hormones. But this is a big mistake. Even when treating large areas of the skin, using dressings and applying compresses, the medication is not able to disrupt the functioning of the adrenal glands (including in infants). According to laboratory studies, the level of cortisol remains within normal limits throughout the treatment period. The active substance of the preparation methylprednisolone aceponate is able to bind to glucocorticoid intracellular receptors. The drug affects certain sections of DNA. Due to this, a series of biological interrelated effects is caused. As a result of the work of the drug, the induction of macrocortin synthesis is achieved. This, in turn, prevents the formation of arachidonic acid, which causes inflammation.
Overdose and possible unpleasant consequences of therapy
What happens if I use Advantan (ointment) several times a day? Reviews say that a single increase in the daily portion does not lead to negative reactions. Studies have shown that if you use the medicine for a long time on large areas of the skin, then this can threaten thinning of the dermis, the appearance of striae or damage. Restorative therapy involves the abolition of the drug, the appointment of sorbents and additional regenerating agents for external use.
Medication "Advantan" (the composition of the ointment is already known to you) can also provoke adverse reactions. If you have intolerance to one or more components (pay attention to additional components), then the condition can only worsen. In addition to dermatitis and eczema, additional signs of allergy join: skin pigmentation, rash, itching, burning, and so on. Discontinue the drug and consult your doctor if you have ever encountered one.
Interesting and important information about the drug that consumers should know
- Often consumers are stopped by the purchase of the drug "Advantan" (ointment) price. Analogues in this case, buyers are looking for more affordable. Preference is given to agents based on the same active substance, for example, Komfoderm ointment. Also, Sinaflan is often used as an analogue. It is immediately worth noting that all substitutes for the drug should be chosen together with the doctor, and not independently.
- The medicine goes well with other medicines. But do not apply it on the same area of ​​the skin immediately after the use of antibacterial, antiviral and emollients. For more information on the time period of the use of drugs, consult your doctor.
- Avoid contact with the drug, do not take the ointment inside. If this happens, be sure to use large volumes of water for washing and seek medical help.
- With prolonged treatment, there is a risk of glaucoma. The first symptoms of this condition should alert you and prompt you to see a doctor.
- Studies have shown that the drug does not affect the ability to drive vehicles, does not oblige to abandon hazardous activities that require increased attention.
- It is permissible to combine the medication with alcohol, it does not cause reactions similar to disulfiram.
Reviews about the drug from consumers
On the drug "Advantan", the opinions of patients are different. One he helped to cope with a long-running disease, while others turned out to be powerless. Many users say that the medication does not have a very pleasant smell. But it quickly erodes. You can talk endlessly about the cost of a medicine. There are patients who scolded the drug for its high cost, but after treatment remained grateful to this remedy. In fact, the drug effectively copes with its task. After a short time after application, itching and irritation disappears, discomfort disappears, redness is eliminated. The ointment lays gently and is quickly absorbed. If we are talking about Advantan oily ointment, then it tightly covers the skin, softening them due to the content of camphor oil. The medication restores water-fat metabolism in the tissues of the dermis, improving its structure.
There are consumers who speak out about the drug not in the best tone. They say that the use of the medicine did not bring any positive results. In fact, many patients use the medication on their own. However, they incorrectly determine the disease. People use cream for insect bites. In such situations, he is powerless. Also, improper use (use of too large or small doses) may not bring any results or cause negative reactions. Some new mothers said that they had used the medicine during pregnancy. However, they did not have any negative effects of therapy.
Summarize
From the article you could learn about an effective anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory corticosteroid with the trade name Advantan. Ointment reviews are positive, but there are also negative opinions forming about it. Despite all the good qualities of the drug, you should not purchase it without medical advice. Be sure to consult a doctor to make the correct diagnosis. Some patients are additionally prescribed steroid drugs for internal use. Make sure that the treatment is prescribed correctly. Then the positive effect will not take long. Before using any composition, pay attention to its expiration date. All the best to you, get well soon!