One of the most common external antibacterial agents with a wide spectrum of action is streptocide liniment. The drug belongs to the group of sulfonamides and has long been used to treat infected wounds. Streptocide is a time-tested antibiotic. According to patients, it is effective against many microorganisms that cause inflammatory diseases. And for external use, the liniment of streptocide is often used. The instruction recommends its use in any purulent-inflammatory processes on the skin.
What is liniment
The liquid release form of a drug that is used externally is called liniment. This name comes from the Latin word "to spread." Liniment is a thick liquid or a harder gelatinous substance. But the peculiarity of these products is that when they come into contact with the human body, they melt and become liquid. This provides a deeper penetration of the active substance under the skin. Therefore, liniment is considered more effective than ointment or cream.
Such funds can be produced on a different basis: alcohol, oil, fat. For example, streptocide liniment is a suspension of a powder dissolved in fish oil. The basis of this drug also has a therapeutic effect. Excipients of liniment are emulsifiers, stabilizers, added to maintain the homogeneity of the substance.
Streptocide Characterization
This is one of the first broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs. Streptocide is also called sulfanilamide. It has a bacteriostatic effect. A feature of the drug is that it is included in the metabolism of microorganisms and disrupts the synthesis of nucleic acids necessary for their growth. This leads to the death of bacteria.
Soluble streptocide (liniment) is a fast-acting drug, therefore, it effectively cleanses tissues from infection and stimulates healing. This sulfonamide is active against staphylococci, streptococci, gonococci, Escherichia coli, as well as shigella, chlamydia, protea and toxoplasma. Ineffective treatment with this drug in case of infection with enterococci, anaerobic bacteria, fungi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Streptocide liniment
This drug is a thick, oily suspension of white color with a yellowish tinge. It is produced in tubes of 30 grams. The average price in pharmacies in Russia is 80 rubles. The main active ingredient of the drug is soluble streptocide. Liniment contains it 50 mg, that is, in a five percent concentration. The composition also includes auxiliary components:
- refined cod fish oil;
- emulsifier based on cetyl and stearyl alcohol;
- sodium stabilizer carboxymethyl cellulose;
When streptocide is applied to the skin, liniment accelerates wound healing, which is noted by many users. The drug contributes to faster epithelization and a decrease in erosive lesions. Its peculiarity is that the drug is absorbed only through a damaged surface.
Streptocide liniment production
This drug is produced by various pharmaceutical companies. Its composition and color may vary slightly. The preparation contains: soluble streptocide, stabilizer, emulsifier, fish oil and distilled water. Different substances can be used as emulsifiers and stabilizers, which does not affect the effectiveness of the drug. Now the production of liniment streptocide is becoming unprofitable, since its main component is the scarce cod fat. But still, this drug is much cheaper than most antibacterial ointments.
Streptocide in liniment is used in the form of a paste: first it is mixed with fish oil, and then all other substances are added. This makes the manufacturing process of the drug quite complicated.
Another disadvantage of streptocide liniment is that the stabilizers used cannot provide long-term storage of the drug. In addition, at temperatures above 15 degrees, it begins to melt, and an orange film forms on the surface of the product - this is repeatedly indicated by reviews. The same oxide appears when storing liniment for longer than six months in the original packaging.
Do not expose the drug to low temperatures. After freezing, the liniment exfoliates, and its homogeneous structure is then not restored. Such a drug can not be used.
Indications for use of the drug
Streptocide liniment is effective in any purulent-inflammatory skin diseases caused by microorganisms. It is prescribed for:
- infected wounds;
- ulcers and fissures of the skin that do not heal for a long time;
- bedsores, skin grafts;
- burns of the 1st and 2nd degree;
- superficial pyoderma;
- acne, impetigo;
- boils and carbuncles;
- erysipelas.
Previously, the liniment of streptocide was often used against acne on the face, acne and furunculosis. Now it is being replaced with more effective and safer drugs. And some doctors do not recommend applying streptocide to the face because of the possibility of developing allergic reactions.
Contraindications and side effects
Sulfanilamide is a potent chemotherapeutic drug that often causes side effects. For external use, they are not so pronounced, but still not everyone can use soluble streptocide liniment. The instruction does not recommend prescribing the drug when
- pregnancy and lactation;
- under 12 years old;
- renal failure;
- diseases of the hematopoietic system;
- anemia
- bazedovo disease ;
- individual intolerance to sulfa drugs.
The medicine in the form of liniment is rapidly absorbed and therefore acts effectively. But because of this, it can cause allergic reactions. With individual intolerance, a rash, dermatitis or urticaria may occur. About 10% of the active substance penetrates the bloodstream and can cause systemic side effects. In some cases, the patient experiences nausea, headache, and upset stool. With kidney diseases, there may be a violation of their work. Very rarely, changes in blood composition, cyanosis, tachycardia and numbness of the extremities were observed.
Soluble streptocide. Liniment: instructions for use
How many times to apply the drug and how long the treatment will continue, the doctor determines, depending on the severity of the disease and the individual characteristics of the patient. Different uses of streptocide (liniment). The instruction for use recommends applying it to the affected surface with a thin layer. The maximum dose for adult patients is 2 grams. In severe cases, it is possible to use liniment streptocide directly under the gauze bandage. It needs to be changed 1-2 times a day. Do not use liniment streptocide for more than two weeks. But basically this is not required, since relief is observed after 3-4 days, and epithelialization of ulcers begins in a week.
Before the first use of liniment, it is necessary to check the patient's response to the drug. To do this, a small scratch is applied to the forearm, and streptocide is applied to it. If after 15 minutes there are no allergic reactions, the drug can be used.
Liniment or ointment: which is better?
Sulfanilamide is available in various forms. For external use, powder, liniment streptocide, ointment can be used. The instruction recommends trusting the choice of the drug to a specialist. The preparation in the form of liniment has a liquid form, so in some cases it is inconvenient to apply to the skin. And then you can choose streptocid ointment. It was created on the basis of petroleum jelly, but its effectiveness is explained by a higher concentration of sulfonamide.
In addition to streptocid ointment, on the basis of this antibiotic there is the drug "Sunoref". This ointment contains camphor, ephedrine, eucalyptus oil and is used to treat different types of rhinitis.
There are also analogs of liniment with a similar antibacterial effect:
- "Streptonitol" - a drug, which in addition to streptocide includes nitazole.
- "Dermazin" is an effective ointment based on sulfonamide.
- Silvederm - cream, aerosol or ointment containing sulfadiazine.
- Argosulfan is an ointment based on sulfatiazole.
- "Sulfacil sodium" is used to treat eye infections .
special instructions
It is undesirable to use the drug on your own. After all, there are some features that need to be considered when using streptocide soluble (liniment). Instructions for use indicate them:
- treatment should not be interrupted earlier than the period prescribed by the doctor, otherwise microorganisms may develop resistance to the action of sulfonamides;
- when allergic reactions and other side effects occur, the use of the drug should be stopped;
- you can not use liniment streptocide in conjunction with novocaine, since the latter weakens the effect of sulfonamide;
- during treatment, it is undesirable to take "Digitoxin", "Phenobarbital", "Caffeine" and "Adrenaline";
- you need to store the drug in the refrigerator, but you can not freeze it.