For the treatment of pathologies of the organs of vision and the prevention of bacterial infections of the conjunctiva, special medicines are produced in the form of drops for the eyes. One of these drugs was Vitabact. Is it allowed to use it for treating children, in what cases and in what quantity can it be used? This will be discussed in the article. We also consider the instructions for use with Vitabact eye drops, reviews and popular analogues of the drug.
Drug characteristics
What can be said about the drug? Eye drops "Vitabact" are among the antiseptic agents. The drug effectively fights against pathogenic microorganisms that provoke the inflammatory process of the organs of vision of a child or adult, and quite quickly helps get rid of souring, redness and suppuration. It must be said that these eye drops are not included in the group of antibiotics, which means that their effect on the human body, in particular the child, is minimal, especially taking into account the effectiveness and speed of the effect of the drug.
The price of Vitabact eye drops may seem rather high to some people, but its positive effect has been proven more than once. In addition, the medicine also has many other benefits, including:
- he has no contraindications;
- side effects practically do not occur;
- quickly eliminates the source and cause of bacterial infection;
- Suitable for newborns and older patients.
Release form
According to the instructions, Vitabact eye drops are made in dropper bottles made of plastic. A similar bottle contains ten milliliters of a clear liquid, painted in a light yellow color. Sometimes the medicine remains clear. The bottle is in a cardboard box, inside of which there is an instruction for the drug.
Structure
The action of Vitabact eye drops is ensured by the presence of a substance such as picloxidine. Its concentration is 0.05%. This substance in the form of dihydrochloride is in one milliliter of a solution at a dosage of 500 mcg. It is supplemented with anhydrous dextrose, polysorbate 80 and purified water.
Operating principle
Vitabact eye drops are distinguished by antimicrobial and antiseptic effects. The active substance of this drug, which is a group of biguanides, acts on:
- E. coli;
- hay stick;
- Staphylococcus aureus;
- fecal enterococcus;
- Proteus vulgaris;
- Klebsiella pneumonia;
- chlamydia trachomatis;
- Shigella dysentery.
Also, the drug is active against certain types of viruses and fungi. The action of the solution is for the most part local, piccloxidine does not penetrate into the general bloodstream.
Indications
Eye drops "Vitabact" for children can be prescribed in the following cases:
- in the treatment of a bacterial infection that caused the inflammatory process of the anterior ocular region (keratitis, blepharitis and conjunctivitis);
- in the treatment of dacryocystitis, which is often found in infants and newborns;
- to avoid bacterial complications after surgery on the organs of vision;
- to prevent infection from a patient with viral conjunctivitis, if there is close contact with him.
For newborns, Vitabact eye drops are also actively used, since they are completely safe. Parents can safely use drops from the first days of the baby's life.
Contraindications
The use of Vitabact eye drops is impossible only if the patient is intolerant of picloxidine or other solution substances. No other restrictions on the use of this medication were found in the instructions.
Side effects
Very rarely, the drug can cause conjunctival hyperemia, a sensation of a foreign body or burning sensation in the eyes, increased lacrimation. Thus, an allergic reaction to Vitabact is manifested, and therefore, with the discomfort or redness, the further use of the drug is not recommended. In addition, the use of eye drops can reduce the clarity of vision during treatment. How to prevent mistakes in the dosage and use of Vitabact eye drops?
Dosage Features
Thanks to the packaging of eye drops (a bottle of polyethylene with a dropper), there is no need to buy an additional pipette. To open the bottle, tighten its cap until it stops, and then the spike located inside will pierce the dropper.
Before using the product, an adult needs to wash his hands. If there are purulent crusts and secretions on the surface of the conjunctiva or on the eyelashes of the baby, they must first be removed. To do this, take two cotton swabs, then dip them in boiled warm water and wipe each eye of the child separately, moving to the inner corner from the outside.
To instill the drug, it is necessary to carefully tilt the patient’s head back so that his gaze is directed upwards. The solution is introduced into the lower part of the eye, the lower eyelid is carefully pulled down. In order to avoid infection of the drug, it is necessary to avoid the contact of the dropper with the skin and eye of a small patient. In addition, the tip of the bottle should not be touched.
When using a medication in order to get rid of a bacterial infection, it is necessary to use it for at least ten days, instilling from two to six times a day. The pediatrician will determine a more accurate frequency of its use, a single dosage is equal to one drop for each conjunctival sac.
When a child is undergoing surgery on the organs of vision, Vitabact drops are used for prevention. The medicine is administered 3-4 times a day in one drop. The drug is also often used before surgery - 1-2 drops are injected into the conjunctival sac immediately before the procedure.
When prescribing a child several drugs at once in the form of eye drops, you should maintain a break between their use, which lasts at least fifteen minutes.
Shelf life and storage conditions
Drops should be kept in a place hidden from young children, where the temperature will fluctuate from 15 to 25 degrees Celsius.
If the bottle is not opened, it can be stored throughout its expiration date, that is, for two years.
If flakes or impurities appear in the medicine during storage, it must be discarded, even if the shelf life has not yet passed.
After the first use, the medicine can be instilled into the eyes for a month. If more than thirty days have passed since the autopsy, the drug should be discarded.
Analogs of this medicine
If it is not possible to use Vitabact, the pediatrician will replace it with medicines with a similar effect:
- "Sulfacyl sodium." This drug in the form of drops is popular as a preventive and therapeutic agent in the fight against eye infections. It can be used at any age.
- Okomistin. These antiseptic drops contain miramistin and are used in children after three years with bacterial conjunctivitis.
- Drops for eyes "Oftadek". They are based on such an antiseptic as decamethoxin. Allowed at any age.
- Sofradex in drops, including dexamethasone and antibiotics. It is buried both in the eyes and in the ears (if the patient has otitis media). Used after a year.
- Tobrex. This medicine is based on tobramycin, is prescribed for newborns.
Reviews about eye drops "Vitabact"
Parents who use Vitabact for the treatment of children in most cases speak positively of it. Eye drops are praised for their effectiveness, the ability to use for the treatment of infants and the convenience of packaging. Moms say that almost all babies tolerate the drug well, it does not pinch eyes, and babies do not respond to the procedure of instillation by screaming and crying.
The disadvantages of the drops are the limited shelf life after opening and the high price. In addition, there are reviews where it is noted that Vitabact did not help the baby with barley or dacryocystitis, was ineffective.