The pace of modern life, constant stress, food culture, or rather, its absence (snacks on the run and fast food), the influence of various aggressive factors negatively affect the organs and systems of our body. The presence of peptic ulcer has long become familiar and is not surprising, and antiulcer drugs are in every home medicine cabinet. The pharmaceutical industry is actively developing such medicines. One of such drugs used in the treatment of peptic ulcer is “Atzilok”, which successfully copes with the treatment and prevention of peptic ulcer of the gastrointestinal tract. It will be discussed in this article.
What is Atzilok?
According to the instructions for use, “Atzilok” in ampoules is an antiulcer drug of Indian origin, an analogue of “Zoran” and “Histaka”. The active ingredient in it is ranitidine. Unlike other drugs, this medication is available not only in tablet form, but also in the form of an injection solution for intravenous or intramuscular administration, which allows the gastroenterologist to use the possibilities of the drug more widely. Although, of course, tablets are the usual form of drugs that reduce acidity in the stomach. But there are times when it is necessary to administer the drug intravenously. It is for these cases that the described drug is suitable. The difference from tablets is that in one ampoule of the solution contains 50 mg of ranitidine - a single dose for injection. In one tablet, 150 mg of the active substance.
What else does the instructions for use report on “Atzilok” in ampoules? In the ampoule is not a ready-made solution for administration. The product must be diluted with sodium chloride, which can be a nuisance. The drug is a blocker of H2-histamine receptors, which are located in the parietal (parietal) cells of the gastric mucous membranes. The parietal cells are those that are responsible for the production of hydrochloric acid. Ranitidine inhibits the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach and reduces the total volume of gastric juice, shifting its pH to the alkaline range, which automatically suppresses the activity of pepsin, which is one of the digestive enzymes. With a decrease in the amount of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, hepatic enzymes that are associated with cytochrome P 450 are practically not suppressed, the concentration of gastrin in the plasma does not decrease, and the synthesis of mucus is not suppressed. "Atzilok" is used both for treatment and for the prevention of gastric and duodenal ulcers, as well as for some other disorders of the digestive system. The main active component of the drug helps to strengthen the protective mechanisms of the gastric mucosa and potentiates the healing process of injuries caused by hydrochloric acid (including the healing of stress ulcers and prevents gastric bleeding) through the formation of gastric mucus. This is confirmed by the instructions for the use of "Atzilok" in ampoules.
Release form and composition
Available in the form of green tablets and a solution for intramuscular and intravenous injection. The solution is transparent, its color can vary from colorless to pale yellow. In ampoules is 50 mg / 2 ml of solution, in a pack - 5 ampoules.
Indications for use
"Atzilok" is used to treat peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum in the acute phase; for the prevention of peptic ulcer, symptomatic ulcers, erosive and reflux esophagitis, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. In addition, the described drug is used as a preventive measure for "stressful" ulcers of the digestive system, postoperative ulcers, recurrence of bleeding in the upper digestive system, as well as for aspiration of gastric juice during operations performed under anesthesia.
Dosage
According to the instructions for use, “Akilok” in apules during exacerbation of a stomach ulcer and duodenal ulcer is prescribed 50 mg of the solution intravenously or intramuscularly twice a day (morning and evening) or once a day, but in a double dose. In some cases, a double dose is allowed. The duration of treatment is up to two weeks. At the time of remission, to prevent relapse, the medicine is prescribed one ampoule once a day, and patients who smoke should receive a double dose, since nicotine inhibits the effect of ranitidine.
If a person took non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and the ulcer is caused by this, then the dosage according to the instructions for the use of “Atzilok” in ampoules remains the same, and the duration of treatment may increase. The so-called "aspirin ulcers" (peptic ulcer caused by the use of NSAIDs) are treated with a dosage of 50 mg twice a day. The same dosage is used in the treatment of erosive reflux esophagitis (a disease in which the contents of the stomach enter the esophagus, which irritates the mucous membrane and causes inflammation). For prophylactic purposes, to prevent ulcerative bleeding, 50 mg are administered intravenously (preferably slow administration) or intramuscularly every 6-8 hours.
The introduction of the solution continues until the patient can not eat on their own. The instructions for use for people attached to the “Atzilok” in ampoules are detailed and understandable.
In order to prevent Mendelssohn’s syndrome (this is a condition in pneumonia that is caused by throwing gastric juice into the trachea and bronchi), the drug is administered in a dosage of 50 mg intramuscularly or intravenously slowly 45-60 minutes before anesthesia is administered. Injection of this drug is indicated in cases where taking tablets for some reason is not possible. Usually, the drug diluted with sodium chloride is administered slowly intravenously for five minutes. Injection of the drug, if necessary, is repeated every 6-8 hours. Intramuscularly, the solution is administered at 50 mg up to 4 times a day. After intramuscular or intravenous administration of the drug, it is completely absorbed. The maximum concentration of a substance in the body is reached 15 minutes after administration. Approximately 30% of the received amount of the drug is excreted in the urine unchanged. In patients with liver or kidney disease, the rate of elimination of the drug is reduced, which must be taken into account when prescribing. What recommendations does the instructions for use for pregnant women give to the drug “Atzilok” in ampoules?
Contraindications
Pregnancy and breastfeeding are contraindications for the use of this drug. If with natural feeding there is a need to take this drug, then the child must be transferred to artificial nutrition. Clinical studies on the use of this drug in pediatrics have not been conducted, so it is not used in childhood, the medicine can be prescribed from the age of twelve. If individual intolerance to the components of the drug occurs, it is canceled.
Side effects
In rare cases, when administered intravenously, disorders of the cardiovascular system are observed. The digestive system can respond to nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, or constipation. In rare cases, hepatitis may occur. In very rare cases, side effects such as headaches, dizziness, fatigue, blurred vision were recorded. In seriously ill patients, confusion and hallucinations were extremely rare. Long-term use of high doses of the drug can provoke leukopenia and thrombocytopenia. The drug also slightly increases creatinine in the blood at the initial stage of treatment, and also increases the activity of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase.
Side effects
The endocrine system can respond to prolonged use of large doses of this drug with an increased content of prolactin, gynecomastia, amenorrhea, impotence, and a decrease in libido. Allergic reactions occur extremely rarely and are usually expressed in the form of urticaria, pruritus, angioedema, anaphylactic shock, bronchospasm, arterial hypotension. With rapid intravenous administration of the drug, bradycardia may occur, especially in patients with impaired cardiovascular rhythm. In the literature, there have been cases of the development of acute attacks of porphyria after treatment with Atzilok, in connection with this, patients suffering from this disease cannot be prescribed.
As indicated by the instructions for use attached to the “Atzilok” in ampoules, it is also used for animals. About it below.
Application
Before starting treatment, the presence of malignant tumors in the esophagus, stomach or duodenum should be excluded. Long-term treatment of debilitated patients under stressful conditions may be complicated by bacterial lesions of the stomach with a further spread of infection. A sharp interruption in taking ranitidine is fraught with a relapse of peptic ulcer. The effect of the prophylactic use of this medication is much higher if the treatment is carried out by courses in the fall and spring than with constant use.
special instructions
When using "Atzilok" it is not recommended to use food, drinks and other medicines that can irritate the mucous membrane of the stomach. You should also be wary of driving a car and other actions that require increased concentration of attention and active psychomotor reactions. The combined use of this drug with antacids, sucralfates, slowing down the absorption of ranitidine, should suggest a break between taking these drugs for at least two hours.
Analogs
We got acquainted with what the instruction for use writes about “Atzilok” in ampoules. Analogues of the drug have a similar effect on the body. These include Ranitidine, Histak, Duoran, Ranigast, Ulkosan.
Reviews
According to the reviews of patients who received Atzilok injections, it helps a lot in the treatment of peptic ulcer, ulcers heal in a very short time and the disease does not recur. However, some patients noted such a side effect as intense thirst, which lasts all the time while treatment with this drug lasts. But in general, patient reviews and expert opinions on the use of this drug are positive in color.
We examined the instructions for use and patient reviews attached to the drug “Atzilok” in ampoules.
Use in animals
According to the instructions for use, “Atzilok” in ampoules for dogs is often used in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases in animals.
The scheme is as follows:
- In case of an ulcer, the drug is given regardless of feeding. For the treatment of the acute phase - 150 mg 2 times a day. For large breeds - 300 mg twice a day. Therapy is prolonged, up to four weeks.
- With Zolinger-Ellison syndrome - 150 mg three times a day. With reflux esophagitis - 300 mg once a day, Mendelssohn syndrome - 150 mg a day before anesthesia and 150 mg two hours before anesthesia.
As the instructions for use attached to the “Atzilok” ampoules recommend, this medicine is also suitable for cats. Dose - 1-2 mg per 1 kg of animal weight intravenously or intramuscularly, twice a day.