Streptocide is a substance that belongs to antimicrobial agents. It is included in various drugs. Let's see why streptocide is needed, in what dosage forms it is produced and how to use this or that drug correctly.
pharmachologic effect
To begin with, we will understand the pharmacological action. Streptocide (sulfonamide) is an antimicrobial bacteriostatic agent. When exposed to a pathogenic microorganism, the substance contributes to the launch of fatal processes. It inhibits dihydropteroatesynthetase, disrupts the synthesis of dihydrofolic, tetrahydrofolic and nucleic acids.
Streptocide is active against gram-negative and gram-positive cocci, E. coli, cholera vibrio, hemophilic infection, plague bacillus, anthrax, diphtheria, toxoplasmosis, as well as against such genera as shigella, clostridia, chlamydia, actinomycetes.
Powder for external use
Under the name “Streptocid”, powder for external use in packaging of 5 and 2 g is produced. It is effective:
- with purulent wounds;
- the presence of infected burns of the II and I degree;
- other skin purulent-inflammatory processes.
A drug is prescribed as part of complex therapy.
The active component of this drug is able to penetrate the body through the skin, so the medication is not always safe for humans. The Streptocide powder in the instructions for use lists contraindications:
- hypersensitivity to substances belonging to the group of sulfonamides;
- periods in a woman’s life, such as bearing a baby and breastfeeding;
- liver failure;
- renal failure;
- azotemia - an excessively high level of nitrogenous metabolic products in the blood that must be excreted by the kidneys;
- chronic heart failure;
- congenital deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase;
- porphyrin disease - a violation of pigment metabolism caused by heredity;
- thyrotoxicosis - an increase in thyroid function due to an increase in the number of thyroid hormones;
- diseases affecting the hematopoietic system;
- inhibition of bone marrow hematopoiesis;
- anemia - a violation in the human body, in which the concentration of hemoglobin and the number of red blood cells decreases.
The instructions for the use of Streptocid powder say that caution must be exercised when treating children under 3 years of age with this remedy. The drug is needed only if it is really prescribed by a doctor.
Powder Application Features
It is applied to the affected skin. Dressings are performed after one or two days.
Adults for one use of Streptocid powder for wounds and burns can spend a maximum of 5 g, per day - 15 g. For children under 3 years of age, other dosages are set. A single dose for them is 0.1 g, daily - 0.3 g.
Streptocide powder is used for as many days as the doctor prescribes. If there is no improvement, specialist advice is required.
In the process of applying Streptocide powder for wounds, burns, some people find side effects. Those patients who were not aware of their hypersensitivity to sulfonamides experience allergic reactions. These symptoms require discontinuation of the drug. Undesirable effects are also possible, such as:
- dizziness;
- headache;
- nausea;
- vomiting
- a feeling of pain, heaviness in the stomach;
- blue skin;
- a drop in the level of white blood cells in the blood (leukopenia);
- a decrease in the number of granulocytes in the blood (agranulocytosis);
- increased urine content of crystalline salt residues of biologically active acids (crystalluria).
Ointment for external use
Another dosage form containing streptocide is a 10% ointment for external use. The active substance is only one, and this is streptocide. An auxiliary component in the ointment is vaseline.
For Streptocide ointment, the indications for use and contraindications are exactly the same as for the powder. Treatment with this drug is performed taking into account the following recommendations:
- The ointment is intended for the treatment of affected skin areas. Allowed to apply the product on a gauze napkin.
- Ligation is performed after 1-2 days. In total, the duration of treatment is from 10 to 14 days. Each time a sufficient amount of medication is applied.
- If after the period of use of the drug no improvement is observed, it is necessary to inform the attending physician about this.
Topical application of ointment
Local and external use are completely different terms. The latter involves applying the medicine to the skin. Local application - the use of drugs on the mucous membranes. In the line of medicines "Streptocide" there is a special ointment of 10%, which is suitable for both local and external use. It includes sulfonamide and medical petroleum jelly.
“Streptocide” helps with sore throat, this drug treats tonsillitis, tonsillitis. The medicine is also effective for other infectious and inflammatory diseases, pathological processes arising from microorganisms sensitive to sulfonamide (for example, with boils, rosacea, erysipelas). The ointment is simple to use. It is applied to the affected areas with a thin layer.
Liniment
"Streptocide" is still available in the form of liniment for external use. The active substance in the drug is sodium mesulfamide (soluble streptocide). Auxiliary components: purified water, glycerol, emulsifier No. 1 (Lanette® SX, NEOWAX® SX).
Liniment is indicated for use as part of complex treatment in the presence of purulent wounds on the body, infected burns of the II and I degrees and other purulent-inflammatory processes on the skin. A medicine is prescribed, usually from 3 months of age. For children under one year old, the streptocid liniment is allowed to be used for burns and wounds, but very carefully.
The drug is prescribed for 10-14 days. Apply "Streptocide" on an open wound or gauze. Bandaging is done in 1-2 days. When treating the skin, liniment is applied in a thin layer. There is one limitation. With a large area of damage, an adult cannot apply more than 120 g to his body. The following should not be applied to a child’s body:
- more than 60 g of liniment at the age of 5-12 years;
- more than 36 g in 1-5 years;
- more than 12 g to 1 year.
The main side effects that occur from liniment are allergic reactions. With prolonged use of large doses, headaches, nausea, vomiting and other symptoms that are mentioned above begin to torment.
Tablet dosage form
Streptocide tablets are a release form that is now considered obsolete. The drug was prescribed for wound infections, lesions of the skin, ENT organs, respiratory and urinary tract. Experts previously recommended drinking the medicine 0.5 g 5-6 times a day. For children, the instructions for the use of Streptocid tablets for angina and other diseases included the following recommendations: at the age of 6-12 years old - 0.3-0.5 g, at 2-5 years old - 0.2-0.3 g, up to 1 year - 0.05-0.1 g per reception.
Currently, recommendations for the use of tablets are no longer relevant. This dosage form is no longer manufactured. She is excluded from the register of drugs. In Russia, they decided to abandon this medication, because they began to think about why “Streptocid” should be taken in the form of tablets, if during treatment it poses a threat to human health. The drug has a strong negative effect on the kidneys, liver. In adults and children, Streptocide tablets from the throat often caused dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, agranulocytosis, leukopenia, cyanosis, and allergic reactions.
All of the above side effects are also present in powder, ointment, liniment, but with external use only a small part of the active component penetrates inside. Undesirable symptoms are possible, but their likelihood is not too high. But when administered, streptocide is almost completely absorbed into the blood, spreads throughout the body. Accordingly, the influence is significant.
Why "Streptocide" is not prescribed for pregnant and lactating women
Specialists did not conduct studies to find out the effectiveness and safety of the drug for pregnant and lactating mothers. Just in case, doctors do not prescribe any dosage form of Streptocide to women during such periods of life.
Why caution is needed in treating children with Streptocide
Newborn babies are never prescribed drugs containing streptocide. In infants, this active substance displaces bilirubin from its association with plasma proteins. As a result, nuclear jaundice develops because of this.
Older children tolerate the properties of streptocide better, but care should be taken when using it. It is recommended due to the fact that studies have not been conducted in groups of children to prove the safety and effectiveness of the drug.
Symptoms of an overdose and necessary measures
If you use a powder, ointment or liniment in large doses to treat a large affected surface, you may encounter symptoms of an overdose. This condition makes itself felt with headache, nausea, intestinal colic, dizziness, drowsiness, depression, fainting, confused, impaired vision. With prolonged overdose, the following changes in the body are detected in patients:
- thrombocytopenia - a decrease in the number of platelets;
- leukopenia - a decrease in the number of white blood cells;
- megaloblastic anemia - a disease associated with impaired hematopoiesis due to a lack of vitamin B 12 ;
- jaundice - an increase in the blood of bilirubin, causing the skin and mucous membranes to become icteric.
In case of an overdose of streptocide, a person is prescribed treatment in the form of a plentiful drink. If ingested dosage forms intended for external use, gastric lavage is required.
Additional information for patients
In some cases, to achieve the best effect during therapy, doctors prescribe Streptocide + antimicrobials for oral administration to their patients. During the course of treatment, experts additionally recommend heavy alkaline drink.
About the features of drug interactions, you need to consult a doctor. It is known that with the simultaneous use of myelotoxic drugs, the manifestations of hematotoxicity of streptocide are enhanced.
For patients, there is another important indication. In no case can you independently cancel "Streptocide". Why do you need to strictly observe the duration of therapy? Due to premature interruption of the course of treatment, new strains of pathogenic microorganisms with resistance to the effects of sulfonamides may develop.
Studies to study the effect of the drug on the ability to drive a car and various complex mechanisms have not been conducted. However, doctors still advise people to be careful when driving or when performing dangerous duties at work. Experts give this recommendation because the drug can cause dizziness and other side effects.
Reviews about "Streptocide"
About various dosage forms of "Streptocide" people leave mostly positive reviews. The drug is really effective. Thanks to it, the affected skin recovers faster without any complications. About the powder, for example, they say that it is a very convenient dosage form. You just need to cut the corner of the bag of medicine and pour it onto your wound or burn. The powder does not cause discomfort, as it does not pinch.
In positive reviews, many people say that Streptocide is inexpensive. It really is. Approximate prices:
- a bag of powder, 2 g - 35 rubles .;
- ointment for local and external use, 25 g - 87 rubles;
- liniment, 30 g - 100 rubles.
The disadvantages of the drug include the presence of contraindications, the occurrence of side effects.
Analogs
Streptocide has analogues. One of them is Ranaveksim. The release form of this medication is a powder for external use. Ranavexim is completely analogous to Streptocide in powder form. In both of these drugs, the same active substance is streptocide.
Another analogue is Sulfargin. This ointment is 1% for external use. Pharmacotherapeutic group - sulfonamides, antimicrobial agents. The active substance is silver sulfadiazine. This component heals wounds, burns, bedsores, protects against infection, accelerates healing. This analog of Streptocide has the following application:
- after surgical treatment of the wound, removal of necrotic tissue, apply the ointment with a thin layer (approximately 2-4 mm) (can be applied both openly and under a dressing);
- treat the affected area with medicine 1 or 2 times a day;
- single dose should not exceed 300 g;
- the duration of treatment is determined individually, but most often doctors recommend using the drug for up to three weeks.
Contraindications for Sulfargin: period of pregnancy, breastfeeding, children under 1 year of age, hypersensitivity to sulfa drugs, marked lack of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.
Another analogue is Dermazin, a cream for external use. This preparation is based on silver sulfadiazine. "Dermazin" is prescribed for the treatment and prevention of burn infections, infection of wounds, trophic ulcers. Apply the medication in the same way as Sulfargin. Contraindications available to the drug: hypersensitivity to the components of the composition, pregnancy, the period of childbirth, children under 2 months of age, premature newborns.
All dosage forms containing streptocide should be used correctly. What is this reminder for? The fact is that many people self-medicate and make different mistakes. Not only the effectiveness of treatment, but also the condition of the patient, his health depends on the characteristics of the use of drugs with the named component. In order not to harm your body, you need to use medicines with streptocide only when they are prescribed by a doctor, and only with all the recommendations.