"Suprax" refers to the third generation of cephalosporins, which is now one of the most popular groups of antibiotics due to its wide spectrum of action and high efficiency. This powerful antibiotic can be used to treat both adults and children.
About the drug
This type of antibiotic is mainly used only in a hospital, since the route of administration is most often injected. This is inconvenient for many people. After all, you need to either look for a nurse who will give injections, or learn to do it yourself. Suprax, both children and adults, is free from this drawback because it is taken orally.
Such a drug inhibits the synthesis of peptidoglycan, which is the main structural component of the bacterial cell membrane. Due to this, the bactericidal effect of the drug is created. "Suprax" is effective against a number of bacteria, and therefore finds application in pulmonology, and in pediatrics, and in urology, and in otolaryngology.
The high bioavailability of the drug allows it to easily penetrate the maxillary sinus, the cavity of the middle ear, tonsils and bronchi, so doctors often prescribe Suprax for bronchitis and other respiratory diseases.
The half-life of this drug is longer than that of other cephalosporins, so it is enough to take it only once a day. This is enough to maintain the desired concentration of the substance in the blood, which is very convenient for both adults and children.
Pharmacology
Instructions for use "Supraks" states that this drug is a third-generation semi-synthetic cephalosporin antibiotic with a wide spectrum of action for oral administration. It has a bactericidal effect. This is achieved by inhibiting the synthesis of certain substances in the cell membrane of bacteria.
Suprax is active against gram-positive bacteria: Streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus pneumoniae, as well as gram-negative: Haemophilus influenzae, Proteus mirabilis, Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis, Escherichia coli, Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Some bacteria are resistant to cefexime. These are Pseudomonas spp., Enterococcus (Streptococcus) serogroup D, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus spp. (including methicillin-resistant strains), Enterobacter spp., Bacteroides fragilis, Clostridium spp.
Release form
Suprax in pharmacies can be found in two forms: capsules and granules from which the suspension is prepared. Some believe that there is a third form. However, this is another drug, which is called Suprax. Solutab "- dispersible (soluble) tablets.
Doctors use the suspension mainly in pediatric practice. After all, taking it is easier and more enjoyable, thanks to flavorings. However, this does not mean that it should not be given to adults, but the necessary dosage must be observed. With severe sore throat, taking capsules can cause significant discomfort, so the suspension is an excellent assistant even in the treatment of adults.
Capsules are available in a white case with a purple cap. The manufacturer applies the code H808 with food ink. The capsules contain small granules of pale yellow color and powder. As an excipient, colloidal silicon dioxide in an amount of 4 mg is used, as well as calcium carmellose - 16 mg, magnesium stearate - 2 mg. The capsule shell is made from gelatin, and contains indigo carmine and azotrubin dyes, as well as titanium dioxide (2%) in small quantities.
Pharmacokinetics
Many people have a question, how to use "Supraks" - before or after a meal. The instructions describe in detail the mechanism of absorption and distribution of the drug. The oral bioavailability of the antibiotic reaches 50% and is independent of food intake. However, after eating, the maximum serum cefixime level will be reached 0.8 hours faster. However, it doesn’t really matter if you take the Suprax antibiotic before or after meals. It will be equally effective.
If you take cefixime in capsules, then its maximum blood content will be observed after four hours and will be 3.5 μg / ml, but when you take 200 mg of Cmax suspension, it will also be achieved after 4 hours, but will be 2.8 μg / per ml. If you increase the dose to 400 mg, then Cmax will be equal to 4.4 μg / ml.
Half the dose is excreted unchanged in the urine during the day, and the body will remove 10% of the dose through bile.
Suspension preparation
In the form of a suspension, Suprax is sold in dry form, so some patients have questions about how to properly prepare it. It is necessary to take 40 ml of boiled water at room temperature, divide it into two parts. First you need to fill in the first part of the water, shake the bottle well and add the second part of the liquid. The result is a uniform substance that must be allowed to settle, but be sure to shake again before use.
Unless the doctor has given a different purpose, you should adhere to the recommendations from the instructions for the use of Suprax: infants from 6 months to a year should be given 2.5-4 milliliters of suspension, babies from 2 to 4 years old - 5 ml, and children from 5 to 11 years - 6-10 ml.
For children
Now Suprax is one of the strongest antibiotics that are considered a “reserve”. The doctor will prescribe such a drug only if less powerful drugs do not help. Children's "Supraks" in suspension is often used for inpatient treatment.
It is used for various infections of the respiratory tract, ENT organs, bones, urinary system and others. It helps to cope with inflammatory processes in the tonsils, in other words, with acute tonsillitis (tonsillitis).
"Suprax" with angina is also effective. It will help with sinusitis, otitis media and middle ear inflammation. However, doctors do not recommend immediately starting treatment with this antibiotic, since it belongs to the category of potent ones. If bacteria develop immunity to such "heavy artillery", it will be very, very difficult to cope with the disease, it can become chronic.
Drug dosage
"Suprax" in the pharmacological market is presented in several forms. These are granules, capsules and suspensions. It is suspensions that are best suited for children. After all, a child is much more willing to take liquid medicine than drink a pill. In this form of release, “Suprax” has a pleasant caramel flavor, so the baby will surely like it.
The effectiveness of the antibiotic depends on how clearly the patient follows the admission schedule. The fact is that during treatment it is necessary to constantly maintain the desired concentration of the drug in the blood, otherwise the bacteria can not only not die, but also develop immunity.
Usually, Suprax is taken once or twice a day, and the course can be from seven to ten days. It is impossible to change the dosage of Suprax independently and the duration of the course is by no means. It is necessary to adhere to the doctor's prescription.
For adults and children whose age is more than 12 years, and body weight more than 50 kilograms, the daily dose is 400 mg. The duration of the course is usually from seven to ten days. These parameters may vary as prescribed by the doctor depending on the disease. For example, uncomplicated gonorrhea involves a single dose of 400 mg of Suprax.
Suprax is available in capsules and powder for suspension. For children under the age of twelve, the drug is prescribed in suspension, and the dose is 8 mg per 1 kg of body weight 1 time per day. 4 mg / kg once every 12 hours may be prescribed.
Children from 5 to 11 years old take 6-10 ml of suspension, and children from 2 to 4 years old take only 5 ml of suspension. Babies from six months to a year are prescribed 2.5-4 ml of suspension.
Side effects
Suprax is a strong antibiotic, but not the safest. It is reliable, but not suitable for everyone because of the large list of side effects:
- Diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, flatulence, dry mouth, hyperbilirubenemia, activity of hepatic transaminases, gastrointestinal candidiasis, jaundice, cholestasis, dysbiosis. Sometimes there is pseudomembranous enterocolitis, glossitis, stomatitis.
- Headache, tinnitus, dizziness.
- Thromocytopenia, pancytopenia, neutropenia, leukopenia, hemolytic anemia, agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia, bleeding.
- Vaginitis.
- Various renal dysfunctions and interstitial nephritis may occur.
- Allergic reactions and anaphylactic shock are possible.
However, all these side effects are not contraindications for everyone, but for some groups of people, capsules and Suprax suspension are not recommended or prohibited for use. It is not prescribed to people with intolerance to cephalosporin and penicillin group preparations.
Contraindications
Suprax differs from many other antibiotic drugs in that it has few contraindications. As mentioned above, it can not be used only for the treatment of people with hypersensitivity to drugs of the penicillin and cephalosporin groups. However, there are application features for people with impaired renal function. The doctor must adjust the dose of the drug in accordance with the degree of violations.
Overdose
"Suprax", like other similar drugs, in case of an overdose gives the same reactions that are indicated in the side effects. However, they are amplified, but allergic reactions are eliminated.
In case of an overdose, gastric lavage is necessary. Symptomatic and supportive therapy is also carried out, which may include antihistamines, epinephrine, dopamine, norepinephrine, GCS. Transfusion of infusion solutions, mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy can be used. In large quantities, cefixime from the blood is not excreted by dialysis (hemo- or peritoneal).
Allergic people
The experience with the Suprax antibiotic and cephalosporins in general shows that patients who are hyperreactive with penicillins are also prone to allergies with cephalosporins. Rarely, the course of treatment is more than ten days, since with an increase in this time, suppression of the natural intestinal flora and uncontrolled growth of bacteria resistant to the drug can occur.
Diarrhea and pseudomembranous enterocolitis can result. Doctors often use the Supraks drug as the second stage of antibiotic therapy if the first was taken in a hospital using injectable antibiotics. For details, see below or in the Suprax adult manual.
special instructions
As indicated in the instructions for use "Supraks", taking an antibiotic for a long time is often accompanied by a violation of the intestinal microflora. As a result, the amount of Clostridium difficile is increasing , which can lead to severe diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis.
For expectant mothers
Suprax can be used during pregnancy. However, this is a strong drug, therefore, like any other antibiotic, in the first trimester it can cause serious harm to the fetus. At this time, doctors prescribe such medicines only in the most extreme cases, when the health benefits of the mother greatly exceed the potential risk to the fetus.
In the second trimester, the use of such drugs is considered safer. However, in no case should you self-medicate. All appointments should be done by a qualified specialist who knows the intricacies of using drugs to treat pregnant women.
The use of Suprax during pregnancy should be carried out exclusively under the supervision of doctors. At this time, it is desirable that the woman is in the department of pregnancy pathology. Before prescribing an antibiotic, it is necessary to conduct a test for the sensitivity of pathogens to this drug. Broad-spectrum antibiotic drugs, such as the Suprax antibiotic, are often prescribed in cases where bacterial culture is not possible for any reason.
Avoid side effects
Despite the fact that Suprax capsules, like other antibiotic drugs, can greatly facilitate the task of doctors in maintaining the health of patients, they have side effects. It is very difficult to avoid them completely. However, to minimize the negative effect of the drug on the strength of almost any patient. How to do it?
- Firstly, do not take antibiotics if there is no good reason for this. Even if a cold or cough makes you uncomfortable, you should not immediately take "heavy artillery" in the form of antibiotic drugs, especially such as "Supraks" with a wide spectrum of action. With unauthorized administration, such a drug can not only not have a positive effect, but also harm your health. Remember that antibiotics mainly affect bacteria, so if you don’t know which microorganisms caused the disease, refuse to take antibiotics.
- Secondly, keep a journal of antibiotic intake. Record when taking this or that drug, for what disease and for how long the course of treatment lasted. Record atypical body reactions. This information may help your healthcare provider if you need a course of antibiotic drugs again.
- Thirdly, clearly follow the admission schedule. The fact is that for an effective antibiotic action it is necessary to maintain the optimal concentration of the drug in the patient's blood. That is why doctors advise taking the medicine at regular intervals. Use the alarm clock on your smartphone to not skip taking the drug if you suddenly get carried away with any business.
- Fourth, you can not stop the course of treatment. The instructions for use of Suprax indicate that this parameter is from seven to ten days. The rule works even if the patient has already felt improvement. Remember that if the pathogen is not completely destroyed, the disease can become chronic. Bacteria are living organisms that are constantly evolving. They can become immune to an antibiotic. The duration of the course is usually calculated by the doctor.
- Fifth, do not adjust the dosage of Suprax. It can also lead to bacteria becoming resistant to the drug. Some patients believe that by lowering the dose, they can reduce the harm that antibiotics cause to the body, thereby giving the pathogen the ability to adapt to new conditions. By this, the patient can endanger not only himself, but also relatives. Having become infected with such a strain resistant to antibiotics, it will be much more difficult to recover than in the usual case. We will have to use even stronger antibiotics, and, therefore, the consequences for the body will also be more serious.
Nutrition Details
An important aspect in minimizing side effects is the correction of nutrition. Antibiotic drugs affect not only pathogenic microflora. They inhibit the activity of all beneficial bacteria in our body. That is why the gastrointestinal tract is most affected. During the course of treatment with Suprax, adjust your diet to reduce the load on the digestive tract. Refuse alcohol, smoking, fried and fatty, spicy and sour foods.
Reducing the negative effects of the gastrointestinal tract will help the introduction of fermented milk products containing probiotics into the diet. Stool disorder is one of the most common side effects. Use probiotics to minimize this effect.
Reviews about the drug
Reviews about Suprax tablets, especially those that can be read on the Internet, are quite controversial. You should not decide whether to take Suprax or not, focusing solely on reviews. After all, many factors are unknown.
For example, the child was prescribed Suprax for bronchitis, and the drug did an excellent job, but had no effect on the second. Perhaps in the second case, the pathogen was incorrectly identified. After all, antibiotic drugs affect mainly bacteria. Or maybe the reception regimen was not respected.
Some people write that there were a lot of side effects, and some did not have them at all.
Remember: you can not choose an antibiotic, focusing only on reviews! Take into account the opinions of qualified professionals and analysis data. After all, not only pathogens of diseases and diseases themselves differ from each other. Each organism also has features.
For example, Suprax with angina will be effective only in the case of a bacterial type. For other types, other drugs are used. Nevertheless, even some doctors may prescribe an antibiotic “just in case”, for no particular reason. Bacterial culture can help you figure out if you should take an antibiotic or not.