Medicines are used to treat various diseases. And also for their prevention. Medicines are obtained from plant materials, minerals, chemicals, etc. Potions, powders, tablets, capsules are prescribed in a strictly defined dose. This article will focus on antimicrobials.
What are antimicrobials?
The history of antimicrobials begins with the discovery of penicillin. He successfully fights bacteria. On its basis, scientists began to manufacture antimicrobial agents from natural or synthetic compounds. Such drugs are included in the antibiotic group. An antimicrobial agent, unlike others, kills microorganisms faster and more efficiently. They are used against various fungi, staphylococci, etc.
Antimicrobials are the largest group of drugs. Despite the different chemical structure and mechanism of action, they have a number of common specific properties. Destroy "pests" in the cells, and not in the tissues. The activity of antibiotics decreases over time, because addiction begins to form in microbes.
Types of Antimicrobials
Antimicrobial drugs are divided into three groups. The first is natural (herbs, honey, etc.).
The second is semi-synthetic. They are divided into three types:
- Antistaphylococcal penicillins (oxacillins). They have the same antimicrobial spectrum as penicillin, but only with less activity. Used for adults and children.
- Preparations of a wide spectrum of action. These include Ampicillin, which acts on gram-negative bacteria (Salmonella, etc.). In relation to streptococci, he is less active. There is absolutely no effect on some other bacteria (Klebsiella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa , etc.). "Amoxicillin" also refers to a second species. It is the leading oral antibiotic worldwide. Both are listed [the drug can be prescribed to adults and children.
- Anti-Pseudomonas penicillins. They have two subspecies - carboxy and ureidopenicillins.
The third is synthetic antimicrobial agents. This is an extensive group of drugs.
Sulfonamides. Medicines of this group are prescribed if there is intolerance to antibiotics or the microflora does not respond to them. In action, they are more active than sulfanilamide preparations. These include:
- "Streptocide".
- "Norsulfazole".
- "Sulfadimezin."
- Urosulfan.
- Phthalazole.
- Sulfadimethoxin.
- Bactrim.
Quinolone derivatives. Basically, drugs of this group are used for infections of the genitourinary system, enterocolitis, cholecystitis, etc., recently, more and more often, new quinolone derivatives have been used:
- Ciprofloxacin.
- Norfloxacin.
- Pefloxacin.
- Lomefloxacin.
- "Moxifloxacin".
- Ofloxacin.
These are highly active antimicrobials with a wide spectrum of action. They are less active against gram-positive bacteria. An antimicrobial agent is prescribed for infections of the respiratory and urinary tract, gastrointestinal tract.
Derivatives of 8-hydroxyquinoline also belong to the third group. These include a number of compounds that have antifungal, antiparasitic and antibacterial activity (Nitroxoline, Mexform, etc.). Derivatives of Nitrofuran (Furazolidone and Furacilin) and Nitroimidazole (Tinidazole and Metronidazole).
How do antimicrobials work?
Antimicrobial agents have two types (by effect):
- "Tsidny" (bacterium-, fungi-, viri- or protozia-). In this case, the death of the infectious agent occurs.
- "Static" (with the same prefixes). In this case, only the reproduction of the pathogen is suspended or stopped.
In case of impaired immunity, cidate preparations are prescribed. Moreover, antibiotics must be periodically changed or used with other drugs.
Antimicrobials can have a narrow or wide spectrum of action. Most infections are caused by a single pathogen. In this case, the "breadth" of the use of the drug will be not only less effective, but also harmful to the beneficial microflora of the body. Therefore, doctors prescribe antibiotics with a "narrow" spectrum of action.
Antimicrobial agents
Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agents are divided into three groups. The main one is antibiotics. They are divided into 11 main types:
- Beta-lactam. They have three groups: A (penicillins), B (cephalosporins) and C (carbapenems). These are broad-spectrum drugs with a bacteriostatic effect. They block the protein of microbes, weaken their protection.
- Tetracyclines. Bacteriostatic, the main effect is inhibition of protein synthesis of microbes. They can be in the form of tablets, ointments (Oletetrin, tetracycline hydrochloride) or capsules (Doxycycline).
- Macrolides. Violate the integrity of the membrane by binding to fats.
- Aminoglycosides. They have a bactericidal effect in violation of protein synthesis.
- Fluoroquinolones. They have a bactericidal effect, they block bacterial enzymes. Disturb the DNA synthesis of microbes.
- Lincosamides. Bacteriostatics, binding components of the membrane of microbes.
- "Chloramphenicol." Otherwise, Levomycetinum. It has high toxicity to bone marrow and blood. Therefore, it is mainly applied topically (as an ointment).
- "Polymyxin" (M and B). Act selectively, in gram-negative flora.
- Anti-tuberculosis. They are used mainly against mycobacteria, but are effective for a wide range. But these drugs only treat tuberculosis, since they are considered reserve ("Rifampicin", "Isoniazid").
- Sulfonamides. They have many side effects, so today they are practically not used.
- Nitrofurans. Bacteriostats, but at high concentrations - bactericides. They are mainly used for infections: intestinal ("Furazolidone", "Nifuroxazide", "Enterofuril") and urinary tract ("Furamag", "Furadonin").
The second group is bacteriophages. They are prescribed as solutions for local or oral administration (rinse, rinse, lotion). The use of antimicrobial agents of this group are also used in cases of dysbiosis or an allergic reaction to antibiotics.
The third group is antiseptics. They are used for disinfection (treatment of wounds, oral cavity and skin).
The best antimicrobial drug
Sulfamethoxazole is the best antimicrobial agent. It has a wide spectrum of action. Sulfamethoxazole is active against many microorganisms. It blocks the metabolism of bacteria and prevents their reproduction and growth. "Sulfamethoxazole" is a combined antimicrobial drug. It is intended for the treatment of:
- genitourinary infections (cystitis, urethritis, prostatitis, pyelitis, pyelonephritis, gonorrhea and a number of other diseases);
- acute and chronic bronchitis;
- respiratory tract;
- gastrointestinal infections (diarrhea, cholera, paratyphoid, shigellosis, typhoid fever, cholecystitis, gastroenteritis, cholangitis);
- ENT organs;
- pneumonia;
- acne
- funny faces;
- furunculosis;
- wound infections;
- soft tissue abscesses;
- otitis media;
- laryngitis;
- meningitis;
- malaria
- brucellosis;
- sinusitis;
- brain abscesses;
- osteomyelitis;
- septicemia;
- toxoplasmosis;
- South American blastomycosis;
- and a number of other diseases.
The use of sulfamethoxazole is extensive, but a doctor’s consultation is necessary, like all medicines, it has a number of contraindications and side effects. It is necessary to control its concentration in blood plasma.
Antimicrobials for children
An antimicrobial agent for children is selected very carefully, depending on the disease. Not all medications are allowed to treat children.
The antimicrobial group contains two types of drugs:
- Nitrofuran ("Furazolidone", "Furatsilin", "Furadonin"). They well inhibit microbes (streptococci, staphylococci, etc.) and activate immunity. They are used to treat urinary tract and intestinal infections. Good for children with allergic reactions. Ascorbic and other acids are prescribed simultaneously with the drugs.
- Oxyquinolines (Intestopan, Negram, Enteroseptol, Nitroxolin). These drugs destroy microbes, suppressing their vital functions (pathogens of colitis, dysentery, typhoid, etc.). They are used for intestinal diseases. "Nitroxoline" - for urinary tract infections.
A number of other anti-inflammatory drugs are also used. But their choice depends on the illness of the child. The most commonly used penicillin group. For example, with pharyngitis and some other infections that are caused by streptococcus "A", penicillins "G" and "V" are also used.
Natural drugs are prescribed for syphilis, meningococcus, listeriosis, neonatal infection (which caused streptococcus "B"). In any case, treatment is prescribed individually, taking into account the tolerability of the drugs.
Children's anti-inflammatory drugs
In pediatrics, 3 main groups of anti-inflammatory drugs are distinguished:
- Anti-influenza ("Oxolin", "Algirem"). "Remantadine" does not pass the virus into the cells. But one that is already in the body can not be affected. Therefore, the drug must be taken in the first hours of the disease. It is also used to prevent encephalitis (after a tick bite).
- Antiherpetic ("Zovirax", "Acyclovir").
- A wide spectrum of action ("Gamma globulin"). Dibazole stimulates the immune system, but slowly. Therefore, it is mainly used for the prevention of influenza. "Interferon" is an endogenous substance that is produced in the body. It activates an antiviral protein. As a result, the body's resistance to viruses increases. Interferon prevents many infectious diseases and their complications.
Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory natural remedies
Tablets, solutions, powders are not always used immediately. If it is possible to use an antimicrobial agent that nature provides, then sometimes it does not even come to prescribing drugs. Also, many herbs, infusions and decoctions can remove inflammatory processes. Scroll:
- preparations based on calamus, ledum, alder, pine buds;
- water extracts of oak bark;
- infusions of oregano;
- Hypericum perforatum;
- hyssop officinalis;
- drug hemorrhage;
- Highlander Serpentine;
- juniper fruits;
- common thyme;
- garlic;
- sage leaves.
Is it possible to self-medicate using antimicrobials?
Without prescribing a doctor, it is forbidden to use antimicrobials for self-treatment. Wrong drug choices can lead to allergies or an increase in the microbial population that will be insensitive to the drug. Dysbiosis may occur. Surviving microbes can give rise to a chronic infection, and the result of this is the appearance of immune diseases.