Levomekol is a generally available and effective topical preparation with a combined composition. It is produced in our country and has been successfully used by more than one generation. All the necessary information about Levomekol ointment: instructions for use, analogues in Russia and abroad, and other necessary facts about the drug are in this article.
The mechanism of action of the drug
Ointment "Levomekol" refers to dehydrating and antimicrobial drugs for external use. It is a yellowish substance in tubes or bottles of darkened glass. Its cost is very affordable - about 50 rubles.
The active substances of the ointment are two main components:
- dioximethyltetrahydropyrimidine or methyluracil (7.5 mg / g), which stimulates tissue regeneration;
- Chloramphenicol (40 mg / g), an antibiotic active against gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms such as staphylococci, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeroginosa.
Chloramphenicol has an important feature: it penetrates deep into the tissue, but the integrity of the cell membrane is not violated. On the contrary, the substance has a stimulating effect on regenerative processes. The presence of pus and necrotic formations does not reduce the effectiveness of an antiseptic.
In what cases is ointment used?
"Levomekol" is used in the treatment of purulent wounds in the stage of inflammation. Ointment is indicated in the presence of pressure sores, boils, advanced hemorrhoids, calluses, herpetic ulcers, auditory canal inflammation, acne, lymphadenitis. Well proven "Levomekol" in the following medical fields:
- in ENT practice for the treatment of rhinitis and sinusitis with confirmation of the presence of pathogenic bacterial flora;
- in dentistry, the ointment is used for stomatitis, periodontal disease, trophic ulcers and other inflammatory processes that occur during tooth extraction and implantation;
- in gynecological and urological practice, Levomekol is prescribed in the postpartum and postoperative period, with colpitis, balanitis and balanoposthitis.
Ointment "Levomekol" is used in several ways:
- in the form of dressings for skin lesions;
- in the form of tampons for gynecological and urological diseases;
- by means of a catheter in the cavity with suppuration;
- in the form of turund with ENT diseases;
- in a local way by rubbing in dentistry or by spot application in the treatment of acne.
Features of the drug
When treating with Levomekol, the use of pyrazolone derivatives, sulfonamides and cytostatics should be avoided.
Using this drug for more than 5-7 days in a row is not recommended due to the occurrence of sensitization or hypersensitivity to the skin. This is due to the action of methyluracil and chloramphenicol, which are included in Levomekol (ointment). Analogs that do not contain these active substances will be a true alternative to this tool.
To whom is Levomekol contraindicated?
Contraindications to the use of ointments are the presence of hypersensitivity to chloramphenicol or methyluracil, psoriasis, children under 3 years old, fungal skin lesions (including thrush) and eczema. In the presence of these conditions, the patient should not use Levomekol. Analogues of the drug will become an alternative, but only a doctor should deal with the selection of a suitable drug. During pregnancy and lactation, this drug is used with great care in the presence of serious indications.
Can side effects occur?
When using Levomekol, side effects may occur in the form of itching, burning, hyperemia, edema and skin rashes. Cases of general weakness, dermatitis, urticaria and angioedema are known . In the presence of any of these phenomena, you should immediately consult a doctor who usually recommends canceling Levomekol (ointment). Analogs may be prescribed after symptomatic therapy.
Analogs
In some cases, this ointment is undesirable and dangerous, for example, in the presence of allergies or other contraindications. The first document that you must read before using Levomekol is an instruction. Your doctor can prescribe analogues to this tool from the following list of drugs:
- "Bepanten";
- "Vulnuzan";
- "Aloe liniment";
- Aekol;
- "Methyluracil";
- "Contractubex".
All these drugs are analogues of Levomekol according to ATX code level 4.
Bepanten
Outside of Russia, when traveling or traveling with us, unpleasant situations may arise that require the use of medications. And here the difficulties begin. The fact is that many familiar domestic drugs abroad are quite difficult to find, and we do not know what to replace them with. If you need Levomekol, you can find analogues in Europe. An excellent substitute for domestic ointment will be Bepanten.
The active substance of this drug is dexpanthenol, which normalizes cell metabolism, moisturizes, regenerates the skin and has an anti-inflammatory effect. This tool can be used on any skin area, including for the treatment of weeping wounds and areas with hairline. Bepanten is made by the Swiss
company Bayer and is available in the form of
ointment, cream and lotion. The average cost of the drug is 480 rubles.
If you needed an analogue of Levomekol for children, it is difficult to find something more suitable than Bepanten. It can be used even for newborn babies as a means to prevent and treat diaper rash, sweating, diathesis, burns and other skin lesions. Bepanten can also be successfully used to treat pressure sores, chronic ulcers, anus or nipple cracks during lactation, cervical erosion and other injuries and inflammations of the dermis. Contraindication to the use of "Bepanten" can only be individual intolerance to dexpanthenol. Side effects from the use of the drug are quite rare and can occur in the form of skin itching or urticaria.
"Vulnuzan"
This drug is an analogue of Levomekol abroad. Sopharma company produces Vulnuzan ointment in Bulgaria. The composition of this drug is unique, as it includes the extract of the mother liquors of the Bulgarian Pomorie salt lakes, which are rich in macro- and microelements, natural acids and alkalis, as well as colloids.
Ointment "Vulnuzan" is a means of natural origin and serves as a biogenic stimulant. It can be used to treat abscesses, long non-healing and purulent wounds, trophic and varicose ulcers, nipple cracks and gum disease. If there is no allergic reaction, then ointment can be applied even to small children. However, if there is an individual intolerance to the drug, a rash, urticaria, or Quincke's edema may occur. Ointment "Vulnuzan" is available at a price, its cost is 150 rubles.
Aloe Liniment
This analogue of Levomekol has an absolutely natural composition: aloe juice, eucalyptus and castor oil. The drug has adaptogenic, regenerative, restorative, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and bactericidal effects.
This drug is indicated for burns (not higher than the 2nd degree), neurodermatitis, epidermitis, psoriasis, lichen and other skin diseases and lesions. Caution should be exercised when using "Liniment Aloe" to patients with individual intolerance to the components of the drug, since allergic reactions can occur. Children under 12 years of age are contraindicated. Pregnant and lactating women should be taken only as directed by a doctor. If you need to replace Levomekol, you need to look for cheap analogues among domestic drugs, the price of which is much lower than for foreign pharmaceutical products. The cost of Liniment Aloe on average in Russia is 84 rubles.
Aekol
This analogue of Levomekol is produced in Russia and Ukraine. "Aekol" is an oily liquid containing acetate, menadione, betacarotene, retinol and sunflower oil in the composition of alfatocopherol. Due to its vitamin composition, this agent has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hemostatic effect, normalizes the permeability of capillaries and tissues.
"Aekol" can be used both internally and externally. Effectively, the remedy helps with rectal cracks, hemorrhoids, scleroderma, bedsores, trophic ulcers, colpitis, cervical ulcers, burns of the 2nd and 3rd degree, purulent wounds with necrosis and after autodermoplasty. There are practically no restrictions for taking Aekola as a local remedy. An exception is an allergy to the components of the drug. However, for the use of the drug inside, there is an extensive list of contraindications, including children under 14 years of age, pregnancy, lactation, obesity, hypervitaminosis A and E, cardiovascular disease, alcoholism and kidney disease. With external use of "Aekola", reactions may occur in the form of hypersensitivity or exacerbation of inflammation. When taken orally, a fairly large number of side effects are known, which are described in the instructions for the drug. The cost of the drug "Aekol" is 120 rubles.
"Methyluracil"
This analogue of Levomekol is available in the form of ointments, suppositories and tablets. The main active ingredient is methyluracil or dioximethyltetrahydropyrimidine, which is a stimulator of tissue regeneration. Suppositories are used for colitis, proctitis, hemorrhoids, anal fissures, sigmoiditis, cervical erosion, vulvitis of a non-specific nature, colpitis. Ointment "Methyluracil" is widely used to treat various wounds, abrasions, burns, cracks and scars. Local use of the drug is unacceptable with excessive granulation.
As a result of the use of suppositories or "Methyluracil" ointment, burning or rashes may occur, as well as more serious allergic manifestations associated with the patient's individual intolerance to the components of the drug. It is noted that with the simultaneous use of the drug with antibiotics, a synergistic effect is observed. Pregnant and lactating women candles, ointment or tablets "Methyluracil" can be prescribed by a doctor only if there are serious indications. These drugs, replacing Levomekol, are Russian analogues and their price is quite affordable for consumers. Ointment costs 60 rubles, tablets - 200 rubles, and candles can be bought for 80 rubles.
Contractubex
This analogue of Levomekol is available in the form of an ointment, the active components of which are onion extract, heparin and allantoin. "Kontraktubeks" has an antiproliferative, emollient, smoothing and anti-inflammatory effect. The ointment is indicated for cicatricial overgrowths of a hypertrophic and atrophic nature, keloid changes in the dermis, stretch marks, scars on the skin after acne, boils, burns and for the prevention of pathologies of postoperative or post-traumatic sutures.
Kontraktubeks has contraindications: an allergy to the components of the ointment, atopic dermatitis, allopecia, rashes in children. The use of the drug can provoke adverse reactions in the form of itching, erythema, urticaria, swelling, pain, pustular formations. When using the ointment to get rid of fresh scars, it is necessary to limit the access of ultraviolet radiation, to exclude hypothermia and massage, as these actions can reduce the effectiveness of the components of "Contractubex". This drug is produced by the German company MerzPharma. The cost of "Contractubex" is 700 rubles.
Each of these analogues of Levomekol has its own characteristics: indications, methods of use, doses and contraindications. In connection with these circumstances, only the attending physician should be responsible for choosing the appropriate remedy.