Everyone knows that the use of antibiotics can bring not only benefits, but also noticeable harm to the body. But, at the same time, there are situations when it is simply impossible to do without such drugs. One of the best known is Cefepim.
The injections with this drug and its analogs are rather painful, but when it comes to one’s own health, it all comes to the fore.
About Cefepim: price, manufacturer, release form
Relatively inexpensive (up to 150 rubles), but a very effective antibiotic "Cefepim" is made in several countries at different plants. In Russia, this drug is produced by the company "Vial".
The product is available in the form of a white or yellow powder, from which a solution for injection is made.
The price is within 150 rubles per package.
Shelf life of the drug is 2 years, while it must be stored at a temperature not exceeding 25 degrees in a place closed from direct sunlight.
Indications for use of "Cefepime" and its analogues
Analogues of "Cefepime" and the drug itself are used in the following cases:
- inflammatory and infectious diseases that were caused by microorganisms sensitive to the use of the drug;
- with infections and inflammation of the respiratory tract (lung abscess, bronchitis, pneumonia, etc.);
- with inflammation and urinary tract infections (gonorrhea, urethritis, cystitis, pyelitis, pyelonephritis, etc.);
- with infections of the biliary tract (cholecystitis, cholangitis, etc.);
- with infections of joints, bones, soft tissues and skin;
- with bacterial meningitis (in children);
- as a result of infection of burns or wounds;
- during the preoperative and postoperative periods for the prevention of various surgical infections.
It is important to remember that antibiotics are not medicines and are used only in addition to the main therapy.
At the same time, the drug "Cefepim", like other potent and good antibiotics, can be used only as directed by a doctor. In pharmacies, it is sold exclusively with a prescription.
The use of the drug "Cefepim"
The drug is injected into the body. "Cepepime" injections are of two types: intramuscular and intravenous. The second option is used less often and in most cases only for patients in whom life-threatening and serious infections are found, as well as for infants up to 2 months of age.
Analogues of “Cefepime” and the original drug in most cases are injected deep into the muscle and very slowly (the process can take up to 5 minutes).
Drug dosage
The doctor prescribes the required dosage of Cefepim to each patient individually, taking into account the characteristics of the body, the severity of the disease, the functioning of the kidneys, and so on.
The approximate dosage of the antibiotic will be as follows:
- For adults and children weighing more than 40 kilograms, the drug is administered every 12 hours at 0.5-1 grams.
- In case of severe infections, the dose increases to 2 grams every 12 hours.
- For children weighing up to 40 kilograms, the dose will be 50 milligrams per kilogram of weight every 12 hours.
- With bacterial meningitis, an antibiotic is administered every 8 hours at 50 milligrams of the drug for every kilogram of weight.
- If there are violations in the functioning of the kidneys, the dose of the drug and the frequency of its use is calculated individually, based on the results of the analyzes.
The average course of antibiotic use is 10 days. But in the presence of severe infectious diseases, it can be extended.
Contraindications to the use of the drug
The use of the drug is prohibited in the presence of individual intolerance or hypersensitivity to one or more components of the drug.
In addition, the use of Cefepima during pregnancy, lactation, as well as children under 12 years of age, is possible only when the expected benefits of taking outweigh the possible risks. In such cases, the dosage is taken based on the characteristics of the body of a woman or a child.
Possible side effects from the use of the drug
Any, even the best antibiotics, can cause some side effects.
Cefepim can cause: headaches, dizziness, convulsions, insomnia, swelling, anemia, cough and chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, impaired proper functioning of the kidneys, increased sweating, allergic reactions and so on.
Despite the variety of negative symptoms, they are not so common and, as a rule, violations are observed only in one of the systems (gastrointestinal tract, respiratory, genitourinary, cardiovascular and so on).
In case of adverse reactions, the doctor decides to change the dosage of the drug or search for its analogues.
The use of "cefepime" in combination with other drugs
It is forbidden to use Cefepim analogs and the original drug at the same time in order to avoid exceeding the maximum dose of the active substance.
In addition, the parallel use of any other antibiotics with the drug is undesirable. If nevertheless it is necessary, each antibiotic is administered separately; it is strictly forbidden to mix them in one syringe.
It is forbidden to mix in one syringe "Cefepima" with heparin, as well as other antimicrobial drugs.
You can not combine the drug with a solution of Metronidazole. If Metronidazole is to be used, the infusion system is first flushed with Cefepime. This usually happens during surgery to protect against possible infections.
Reviews about the drug "Cefepim"
What do those patients who were treated with Cefepim say? Reviews once again confirm the effectiveness and wide spectrum of action of the drug. Moreover, as the practice of patients has shown, this antibiotic is not prescribed immediately upon admission to the hospital ward. First, weaker antibiotics are prescribed, and only if they do not bring the desired effect, “Cefepim” goes to battle. The price of the drug also can not but rejoice, especially considering its multifunctionality and strength of action.
Once again, it is worth recalling that the injections of Cefepim cannot be carried out without a doctor’s prescription! It is a potent drug and, in case of improper use, can not only not bring benefits, but also significantly harm healthy organs!
The most famous analogues of "Cefepime"
Almost all medications have analogues, and Cepepime is no exception in this regard. In this case, the word "analogs" means antibiotics that have the same generic name as the main drug. So, the main analogues of the cefepime antibiotic:
- "Maksipim" (France);
- Megapim (India);
- Novapim (India);
- Exipim (Iran);
- Quadrocef (Ukraine);
- "Maxinort" (Ukraine);
- Hipim (India);
- Kefpim (India);
- "Abipim" (India).
All these drugs are united by one important detail: the main active ingredient in each of them is cefepime (hence the name of the original drug). They have a similar type of action and differ in most cases only at the cost of the drug. Therefore, it makes no sense to consider all analogues of Cefipim, indications and contraindications, method of use, and so on. Just dwell on one of them - “Abipime”.
"Abipim": indications for use, contraindications, method of use, side effects
So, what is the drug "Abipim"? Instructions for use say that it is a white powder for injection.
It is used to treat infectious diseases of the respiratory tract, urinary system, skin and soft tissues, as well as gynecological infections and bacterial meningitis.
The drug is contraindicated in cases of individual intolerance to the components of the drug.
Side effects after use are very rare and can occur in the form of allergic reactions, fever, diarrhea or constipation, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, colitis, shortness of breath, cough with accompanying chest pains, headaches and dizziness, insomnia, and causelessness anxiety, sweating, and so on.
The effect of the drug on the kidneys is also minimal, therefore, a violation of their proper functionality after administration may indicate renal failure.
During pregnancy and lactation, Abipim is used only in cases where the expected benefit exceeds the possible negative consequences.
The drug is approved for use by children aged at least 1 month. But this is done in cases of emergency.
The use of the drug is not compatible with the use of any other groups of antibiotics.
According to the method of application, the analogues of "Cefepime" are no different from the main drug. This means that antibiotics are injected into the body using intramuscular or intravenous injections. The standard dosage and frequency of injections also do not differ at all from those provided for by the use of Cefepim (more on this above).
Which is better: "Cefepim" or its analogues?
There is nothing surprising in such a question, and it is quite logical. Only a definite answer to it is not. In the composition of the original drug and its analogues, the same main active substance is cefepime. And this means that the principle of action of drugs will be similar. The main difference is in the concentration of this substance itself: there is more in Cefepime, which means that the drug itself has a stronger effect on the body. On the one hand, this is good, since the treatment will be faster and more effective. And on the other hand, the negative impact on healthy organs will also increase and, accordingly, the likelihood of allergic reactions and other side effects will increase. Analogs act on the body more gently.
Due to the mild effect and the very rare manifestation of any side effects (in only 0.1-1% of cases), the use of analogues is allowed from the age of two months, while treatment with Cepepim is extremely undesirable until the age of 12. .
Another aspect is the spectrum of action of drugs. Analogues of “Cefapim” are effective only in the treatment of infectious diseases, while “Cefepim” itself shows excellent results in the fight against various kinds of inflammatory processes.
In any case, the decision about the need to use this or that drug will be made by the attending physician, based on the symptoms and severity of the disease.