The children's body is often exposed to all kinds of infections, among which the pathologies of the intestinal system are considered the most common. Indeed, due to age-related characteristics, a small person is simply not able to monitor personal hygiene or the freshness of the products taken. That is why pathogenic microorganisms that provoke various disorders of the digestive system so often settle in the body of children.
Often, the pathogen cannot be determined even with the help of laboratory tests. In such situations, doctors often prescribe broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs. One of these is Furazolidone. This remedy helps children to get rid not only of unpleasant symptoms, but also of the reasons that provoked the pathological condition. However, before giving this powerful drug to a child, you should carefully study the instructions for its use and features.
General information
Is Furazolidone possible for children? This drug belongs to the category of antibacterial medicines and is used to combat poisoning of various etiologies. It is effective for infections of the genitourinary system, digestive system and giardiasis.
Unambiguously recognized by specialists as an effective and harmless drug "Furazolidone" is recommended for use in the treatment of poisoning in young children of different ages. But first of all, you should find out in which particular cases its use is permissible and what this medication is.
Composition and form of release
"Furazolidone" is an antimicrobial drug that belongs to the category of nitrofuran derivatives. This is a synthetic medication, the main active ingredient of which is furazolidone. As auxiliary ingredients are also used:
- calcium stearate;
- potato starch;
- silica;
- glucose monohydrate.
The bacteriostatic effect of the drug is aimed at suppressing gram-positive cocci, gram-negative rods and protozoan parasites, reducing their respiratory activity. The effect of furazolidone on pathogenic bacteria significantly reduces their production of harmful toxins, due to which the general condition of a small patient improves even before complete disposal of harmful microflora.
Children "Furazolidone" is also recommended due to its property to be easily absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract and quickly distributed throughout all tissues. The active substances of the drug are inhibited in the liver and excreted mainly through the kidneys, while staining the urine in a characteristic yellow hue, and the intestines.
The product is available in the form of tablets (dragees) and granules for the manufacture of a suspension. Children up to a year of age "Furazolidone" is best to buy in the latter option, since such a solution can easily drink even infants. To determine the amount of water needed in combination with the drug, a special measuring spoon is attached. But kids over three years old can be given pills. The drug is sold without a prescription, but it is not worth using it without consulting a specialist.
Doctors believe that in the treatment of intestinal and other infections children "Furazolidone" is preferable to antibiotics. After all, this drug does not suppress the protective properties of immunity and generally affects the body much more delicately. In addition, pathogens develop resistance to furazolidone much more slowly. Most often, "Furazolidone" is recommended for vomiting in a child - the drug quickly helps to overcome the problem and destroy the pathogenic microflora that provoked it.
When should i use?
Parents should know exactly when it is possible to give Furazolidone to their children. According to the instructions for use, it is advisable to use the drug when:
- digestive tract infections of various pathogenesis, including paratyphoid, food and rotavirus pathology, dysentery;
- severe signs of poisoning in the form of diarrhea and vomiting;
- giardiasis and other diseases caused by various parasites;
- urinary tract infections, including cystitis, pyelitis, trichomonas urethritis;
- infected burns and wounds.
According to numerous studies, this drug has an intense destructive effect on certain parasites and bacteria:
- gram-negative and gram-positive microbes, including salmonella, due to this, the drug effectively fights typhoid fever, salmonellosis, intestinal infection, paratyphoid;
- Shigella, which provoke dysentery;
- Trichomonas, causing infection of the genitourinary system of the baby;
- Giardia and other parasites that inhabit the rectum and provoke giardiasis.
Instructions for use "Furazolidone" for children
The use of this medication is allowed for babies of any age, but with a specific indication of the problem that he must solve. Giving the child "Furazolidone" should be based on the diagnosis and age.
For infants, the drug helps in the treatment of infected wounds and burns. A sterile dressing should be moistened in a solution of the drug and applied to the damaged area.
Instructions for use "Furazolidone" for children over the age of one year recommends using the suspension for diarrhea and other intestinal disorders. To prepare it, it is necessary to dissolve the granules from the bottle in 100 ml of warm boiled water. After the mixture becomes homogeneous, it must be thoroughly shaken and the baby given the appropriate dosage.
"Furazolidone" for children over 3 years old can be taken in tablet form.
Dosage
What should not be done is to prescribe the medicine to the child on his own. The correct dosage of "Furazolidone" for children is prescribed exclusively by the pediatrician. This also applies to tactics for further treatment.
The specialist takes into account all the conditions: whether the child has chronic defects, what kind of disease, how severe it is. In addition, when calculating the required amount of the drug, the weight of the baby is also taken into account.
According to the instructions for the medicine, the daily dosage of "Furazolidone" for children with intestinal infection and other pathologies should not exceed 10 mg per 1 kg of weight. For example, a six-year-old child who weighs 20 kg needs to use 200 mg of the drug during the day.
Therapeutic regimen
Doctors have developed rules for the use of the drug and nutrition during the treatment period, designed for children. And parents should remember them well:
- the course of treatment should not exceed 10 days;
- during the day you can take the drug no more than 4 times;
- take tablets and a suspension of "Furazolidone" for children after meals, drinking plenty of fluids;
- it is very important to reduce the number of foods containing tyramine in a child’s diet: canned food, yogurt, legumes, smoked meats, chocolate, cheese, kefir.
The requirements for the baby’s menu are explained by the fact that the active components of the drug in contact with tyramine provoke the occurrence of negative reactions in the body. The child may encounter such unpleasant phenomena as dizziness, increased pressure, nausea. In order to prevent the appearance of such problems, the baby's nutrition should be monitored.
Contraindications
At what age can Furazolidone be taken without any concern for children? The minimum level of toxicity of this drug is the main argument, allowing doctors to prescribe a remedy for rotaviruses and other infections, even infants. But this positive quality does not mean the absence of certain contraindications in the medication. For example, the drug is prohibited for use with:
- problems with the central nervous system;
- individual intolerance to the components of the drug;
- chronic renal failure;
- glucose deficiency.
Side effects
With improper use of the drug, a negative reaction of the child's body is likely to occur, which can manifest itself in the form of:
- allergies - rashes, itching, redness, swelling;
- digestive tract disorders - lack of appetite, vomiting, nausea;
- neuritis - arises only with prolonged use.
As you can see, the side effects of the drug are not so many, but parents should carefully monitor the behavior of their child during therapy with this drug.
Consequences of an overdose
If you adhere to the prescribed dosage, the chances of encountering complications are extremely small. However, since such information is indicated in the instructions, it means that cases with an overdose were still recorded. In such a situation, a child may experience such problems:
- hemolytic anemia and methemoglobinemia;
- polyneuritis;
- violation of the cellular composition and functionality of plasma;
- acute form of hepatitis.
Drug compatibility
If there is a need to use "Furazolidone", parents should definitely tell the pediatrician about what other funds the child takes. This information is extremely important, since with some medicines this drug is incompatible:
- Ethanol Contact with this agent causes an acute form of intoxication, which manifests itself in the form of vomiting, fever, headache, fever, nausea, heart rhythm disturbances, and difficulty breathing.
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors and antidepressants. If a child uses a drug based on phenylephrine, a vasoconstrictor, a parallel intake of “Furazolidone” will provoke a sharp jump in pressure.
- Antibiotics that belong to the category of aminoglycosides can enhance the antimicrobial effect of the drug.
- Drugs and foods that can make urine more alkaline. Penetrating into the body at the same time as "Furazolidone", such funds accelerate the excretion of active ingredients, thereby reducing its effectiveness.
Analogs
Compositions completely identical to "Furazolidone" are not produced in composition. There are medicines similar to it in their therapeutic effect. If it was necessary to replace the prescribed drug, you should consult a pediatrician who will select the appropriate remedy.
If there is no need for antibiotics, most often babies are prescribed Smecta. In the event of a bacterial infection, other drugs are selected:
- capsules and suspension "Enterofuril" - a drug based on nifuroxazide, indicated for the detection of infectious diarrhea;
- Naxojin tablets - a medication with nimorazole, recommended for trichomonas infections, giardiasis, gingivitis;
- Furadonin tablets - a drug based on nitrofurantoin, is prescribed in case of detection of urinary tract infections and for the prevention of intestinal infections during catheterization;
- suspension and tablets "Stopdiar" - a drug based on nifuroxazide, prescribed for chronic and acute form of diarrhea;
- Negram tablets - a medicine with nalidixic acid as the main active ingredient, is indicated for pyelonephritis, urethritis, digestive tract infections, cholecystitis, cystitis, prostatitis.