In childhood, a runny nose, colds and viral infections often occur. The pharmaceutical market offers a wide selection of drugs whose action is aimed at combating pathologies of an infectious and inflammatory nature. True, not all and not always prove to be really effective. Qualified pediatricians and otolaryngologists offer a time-tested remedy for eliminating diseases of the throat and nose, namely aminocaproic acid. Let's try to figure out whether the product is really effective and safe for the child in this field of application.
Description of this medication
When a child is prescribed this or that drug, parents carefully read the instructions, which is the right step. However, in the case of aminocaproic acid, everything is different. The prescriptions for this medication do not mention the treatment of diseases of the nose of an infectious-inflammatory nature.
Some experts use the drug for its intended purpose, without prescribing it to patients for the treatment of colds and colds. Let's try to understand the reasons for this duality.
Aminocaproic acid is a hemostatic drug. It has a hemostatic property, and also prevents the development of bleeding. According to the official instructions for use, aminocaproic acid is prescribed in the following cases:
- Hemorrhagic syndrome during surgery on the heart, brain or blood vessels.
- Pathologies of internal organs, in which there is a high risk of bleeding, for example, peptic ulcer.
- Transfusion procedures.
- Dental treatment as a prophylaxis of bleeding.
The accompanying instruction, therefore, does not mention the treatment of ENT diseases. However, if the attending physician recommends that the child instill aminocaproic acid in the nose, this appointment should not be ignored .
The hemostatic drug is successfully used in the practice of otolaryngologists and accelerates the healing process of a child with viral pathologies, as well as relieves inflammation of the sinuses and passages.
The properties
According to the instructions, aminocaproic acid also has a number of therapeutic properties necessary for the treatment of the common cold, including:
- Decreased vascular permeability of the circulatory system and strengthen the cell membrane.
- Increased local immunity by enhancing the action of interferons in the body, which leads to increased resistance to the negative effects of pathogenic microflora.
- Prevention of histamine production, which reduces the likelihood of an allergic reaction.
Similar therapeutic properties of the drug when instilled into the nose have the following effect:
- A pronounced decrease in edema.
- Decreased nasal mucus and pus.
- Strengthening the vascular walls.
- Elimination of signs of an allergic rhinitis, including burning, congestion, sneezing, itching, etc.
According to studies, aminocaproic acid has an antiviral effect. The drug is most active against influenza and adenovirus in the nasal mucosa. Acid inhibits the spread of pathogens.
One of the important qualities of aminocaproic acid is that it does not dry the nasal mucosa and does not constrict the blood vessels. This is a distinctive feature of the drug from other nasal drugs.
Indications
The use of aminocaproic acid is advisable for any diseases of an infectious and inflammatory nature, which are accompanied by the formation of edema, rhinorrhea and nasal congestion. Indications for the use of the drug are:
- Runny nose of viral origin in acute form.
- Sinusitis
- Allergic runny nose in chronic form.
- Enlarged tonsils in the nasopharynx, characterized as first-degree adenoids.
- Bleeding from the nose that occurs against the background of inflammation of the nasal mucosa.
- Treating symptoms of tonsillitis, flu, and other viral respiratory infections.
In addition, aminocaproic acid in the nose is used to prevent seasonal epidemics of viruses, including acute respiratory viral infections and influenza.
Contraindications
Despite the many beneficial properties, the drug is not always suitable for treating a child. In particular, its use is contraindicated in the following situations:
- Hypersensitivity to acid.
- Blood clotting disorder.
- Tendency to blood clots.
- Violation of the blood circulation in the brain.
- Pathologies of the kidneys, expressed in the appearance of blood impurities in the composition of urine.
The use of aminocaproic acid for children up to a year in the treatment of the common cold should occur under strict medical supervision.
Adverse reactions from the use of this medication
The attached instruction contains information about those adverse reactions that may occur with the traditional use of the drug. When instilled into the nasal passages, the drug is not actually absorbed into the systemic circulation and does not affect the internal organs and systems. The likelihood of adverse reactions with this method of use is reduced to zero.
However, parents should be aware of potential adverse reactions. For example, against the background of hypersensitivity to aminocaproic acid or in the case of an allergic reaction, the following undesirable consequences occur:
- Skin rash.
- Strengthening the severity of swelling of the nasopharynx.
- Itching and burning.
Less often in children, such systemic reactions of the body as a decrease in pressure in the arteries, tinnitus, diarrhea and dizziness are observed. When used locally, similar symptoms are excluded.
How to use aminocaproic acid in the nose?
Instruction manual
The drug can be made in several forms, including powder and tablets. In our country, the drug is presented in the form of a 5% solution intended for intravenous drip.
The official instructions do not contain any data on the use of the drug for instillation into the nose. For this reason, attention should be paid to the doctor's recommendations regarding the use of aminocaproic acid.
Instillations in the nasal passages
The most popular method of using aminocaproic acid in the treatment of viral diseases is instillation in the nasal passages. The dosage and number of daily instillations is determined taking into account the age of the child:
- Up to one year three instillations are appointed. Dilution of acid with physiological saline in equal proportions is allowed.
- After a year, the number of installations can be increased to four.
Duration of therapy with this drug and recommendations
The duration of therapy in most cases is one week. For preventive purposes, the use of aminocaproic acid is allowed for two weeks.
Do not forget that the solution inside the bottle is sterile, which means that you do not need to remove the cap. Experts recommend piercing the bottle with a needle and gaining the required volume. After removing the needle from the syringe, instillation is performed. The use of disposable syringes in this case is strictly necessary.