Many drugs with the same active substance are produced by different pharmaceutical companies, and foreign companies are often more popular. Consider the instructions for the drug "Ketotifen Sopharma". It has a fairly large number of synonyms and analogues, among which there are Russian ones.
Where is produced
Bulgaria was once one of the countries of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance, which traditionally supplies many goods to the republics of the USSR, including medicines. Today, the products of this European state continue to be in demand and trust. One of the Bulgarian companies traditionally cooperating with our country is Sopharma. The history of this pharmaceutical company is nearly 100 years old. Today, its products are widely known and in demand in many countries around the world.
The promise of the company's work is the philosophy of a humane mission based on high standards of quality, safety and efficacy of medicines. The Sopharma brand has become a symbol of the reliability, quality and effectiveness of medicines for many potential buyers. Ketotifen Sofarma among the medicines of a certain group enjoys well-deserved confidence of patients and doctors.
The active substance of the drug
In some cases, people have to take certain drugs that significantly improve their well-being and help maintain not only health but also life. This medicine is Ketotifen Sopharma. Why do these pills help? They fight allergy symptoms. The active ingredient in this medicine is one substance - ketotifen in the form of hydrofumarate. Thanks to him, the drug belongs to the pharmaceutical group of antihistamines, more precisely, to stabilizers of mast cell membranes.
Release forms, chemical composition
As indicated by the instructions for use with Ketotifen Sofarma, the drug is available in two forms. These are pills and syrup. Both forms of the drug in a single dose contain 1.38 mg of the active ingredient. In addition to ketotifen hydrofumarate, 1 tablet contains microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), calcium hydrogen phosphate anhydrous, wheat starch, magnesium stearate. All these components are formative basis and do not possess medicinal properties.
In syrup, as a taste and aromatic formative base that does not carry therapeutic functionality, the following are used:
- Strawberry flavoring.
- Methyl parahydroxybenzoate.
- Citric acid monohydrate.
- Sodium hydrogen phosphate dodecahydrate.
- Sodium saccharinate.
- Propyl parahydroxybenzoate.
- Ethanol (96%).
The main component of the syrup is water, purified in the amount necessary to obtain a certain concentration.
What works in the medicine
All important information is told about the preparation "Ketotifen Sofarma" by the application instruction. Tablets and syrup work on the same medicinal substance - ketotifen hydrofumarate. It is a derivative of fumaric acid - a biologically significant component for many processes in the human body. The formula of the substance, based on the hydroconnection, most corresponds to the cells of a living organism. Therefore, ketotifen hydrofumarate has a high bioavailability of more than 50% due to the effect of the first round of circulation through the liver.
pharmachologic effect
Many patients are interested in what Ketotifen Sofarma is used for. Ketotifen hydrofumarate refers to the stabilizers of mast cell membranes - white blood cells containing histamine, which triggers immediate allergic reactions. Once in the blood, ketotifen does not allow histamine to be released, that is, it blocks the development of an allergic response to the stimulus. This substance also suppresses the increased sensitivity of blood components such as eosinophils to cytokines, which are responsible for transmitting information from cell to cell. This functionality of the active component of the drug helps to stop the reaction of hyperactivity of the respiratory tract in response to the action of allergens. In addition, ketotifen prevents bronchospasm without bronchodilation. During clinical trials, it was found that this active substance depresses the central nervous system. To obtain a clinically significant effect, ketotifen hydrofumarate must be ingested for 6–8 weeks.
Indications for appointment
"Ketotifen Sofarma" indications for use has the following:
- Atopic asthma (as a means of complex therapy).
- Allergic rhinitis.
- Acute atopic conjunctivitis.
Taking the drug should be recommended by a specialist after examination and an accurate diagnosis.
Contraindications
Inadequate response to certain substances becomes a problem for many people. Antiallergenic drugs can be found in pharmacies in a wide range, but you can not take them without a doctor’s prescription. This limitation applies to the drug "Ketotifen Sopharm." The drug has certain contraindications: hypersensitivity to the individual components that make up the period of pregnancy and lactation, as well as age restrictions. The medication in the form of tablets should not be taken by children under the age of 3 years. For babies from 6 months, doctors, according to indications, prescribe Ketotifen Sofarma syrup. Health restrictions such as liver failure and epilepsy are a limitation to taking the medicine.
Possible adverse effects of therapy
Ketotifen Sofarma (syrup and tablets) may cause unwanted adverse reactions:
- Allergic skin rashes (observed mainly on syrup, since strawberry flavor is present in it).
- Unreasonable anxiety, anxiety.
- Headache.
- Dizziness.
- Slowing down the reaction rate.
- Constipation.
- Inhibition.
- Sleep disturbance.
- Nervousness.
- Feeling tired.
- Vomiting
- Drowsiness.
- Dry mouth.
- Nausea.
- Thrombocytopenia.
- Weight gain.
- Increased appetite.
If such adverse reactions to the drug appear, you should seek the advice of a specialist who will change the dosage or cancel this drug and choose another allergy remedy.
Overdose
Clinical trials and medical supervision of patients taking Ketotifen Sofarma showed that an overdose of the drug can manifest itself as follows:
- Brady or tachycardia.
- Disorientation.
- Nystagmus.
- Dyspnea.
- Increased irritability (most often observed in children).
- Lowering blood pressure.
- Confusion.
- Drowsiness.
- Cramps.
- Cyanosis.
Sometimes an overdose of ketotifen can provoke a coma.
The patient can be helped in case of an overdose of the drug by inducing vomiting, gastric lavage, prescribing activated charcoal and / or saline laxatives. Symptomatic therapy and maintenance of vital functions through special medical measures are also used. When ketotifen poisoning, it should be borne in mind that dialysis in this case is ineffective. If the patient has arousal and convulsions, then he should administer quick-acting barbiturates or benzodiazepines.
How to take
All significant information is told about the preparation "Ketotifen Sofarma" by the application instruction. Tablets for adults and syrup for children are prescribed for use only by the attending physician. He recommends the correct dosage and dosage regimen. The manufacturer indicates the standard treatment regimen for this medicine. In some cases, ketotifen hydrofumarate has a significant sedative effect on humans. If such an undesirable effect is manifested, then in the first days you should take half the dose, that is, 2.5 ml of syrup. Then the dose is gradually increased to 5 ml at a time.
If the drug is used in tablet form, the dosage regimen is the same (morning and evening during a meal). Patients older than 3 years are prescribed 1 tablet for each dose. Children under 3 years of age are usually prescribed syrup, as they still cannot take the pill.
If the patient has a significant sedative effect, you need to start taking 0.5 tablets, gradually moving to the whole.
It is important to note that therapy with this drug takes 2–3 months. Stop taking is required gradually (within 2-4 weeks).
Is treatment possible in combination
When appointing Ketotifen Sofarma to the patient, the doctor should take into account the interaction of ketotifen hydrofumarate and other medicinal substances that the patient is taking. The interaction of drugs can greatly affect the well-being and condition of the human body. It is not recommended to carry out joint therapy with this medicine and sedative, sleeping pills because of the increased effect of the latter. The action of other antihistamines and ethanol on the nervous system is also activated. Ketotifen when taken orally with antidiabetic drugs can cause thrombocytopenia.
Any need for combination therapy should be considered by a specialist.
Analogs
In pharmacies you can find a wide range of drugs that can fight allergies in children and adults. The synonyms of the drug "Ketotifen Sofarma" can be considered drugs in which ketotifen works:
- Ketotifen.
- "Ketotifen Stada."
- "Positan."
Ketotifen fumarate tablets are generic.
You can pick up syrups with the same active substance. It:
Also, a specialist can prescribe analogues:
- Alomid.
- Tiled.
- Intal.
- Rizaben.
Reviews of doctors and patients
The antiallergic drug "Ketotifen Sofarma" reviews of doctors has mainly recommendatory. Experts trust this medicine for the treatment of allergic reactions and their prevention even in infants. Unfortunately, in some cases, the drug has to be replaced with another medicine of the same group due to side effects, most often sedative. If Ketotifen Sofarma is perceived by the patient’s body well, then they are not looking for an alternative. The only nuance noted by all doctors who use this medicine in their practice is that it does not help to stop an acute attack of allergy, since it has the ability to form a therapeutic effect for a long time.
In most cases, patients are also grateful to the Ketotifen Sofarma tablets and syrup. These drugs help to fight allergy symptoms, they are convenient to take only twice a day. Parents note the plus that the manufacturer took care of the children, since the drug is also available in strawberry syrup The only drawback noted by some patients is drowsiness during the course of the drug.