Many people try to avoid antibiotic treatment because of the side effects of this group of drugs. However, there are drugs that can be called relatively safe - these are macrolides. They have a minimum negative effect on the body and at the same time are able to quickly eliminate pathogenic pathogens. Azimed is one of the representatives of such antibiotics. All the necessary information about the reception and features of the drug treatment contains instructions for use. Azimed is available in several forms, which allows it to be used to treat patients of all age groups.
General description of the tool
The class of macrolide antibiotics was replenished with Azimed. This is a modern bactericidal medicine, manufactured by several pharmaceutical companies - Kyivmedpreparat and Arterium (Ukraine). Compared with erythromycin, the drug is more stable in the acidic environment of the digestive tract, which provides it with higher bioavailability and significantly reduces the risk of side effects.
Azimed penetrates deep into tissues and organs, where it begins to accumulate. This effect creates a high lipophilicity of the drug. A high concentration of the drug in the focus of the disease persists for 36-50 hours. This allows you to reduce the daily dose and frequency of taking the medication, which is also a significant advantage. The antibiotic has a wide range of effects, as reported by the instructions for use. Azimed underwent the necessary clinical studies, during which the efficacy and safety of the medicine was proved.
What is included in the composition?
The antimicrobial effect of the drug provides the main active ingredient - azithromycin. This is an azalide having a 15-membered lactone ring with an additional nitrogen atom in the nucleus. The chemical composition and structure of the molecule secrete azithromycin among other representatives of macrolides. The substance is very active in relation to gram-negative pathogens: Enfluenza bacillus (Afanasyev-Pfeiffer), moraxella cataralis, chlamydia trachomatis, pneumonia mycoplasma.
Pathogens of pertussis and diphtheria, Helicobacter pylori, ureplasm, spirochetes, anaerobes, and listeria are sensitive to azithromycin. Organisms that are resistant to erythromycin are absolutely not sensitive to Azimed.
Additional components that are part of the chemical composition of the drug enhance the therapeutic effect. These include calcium anhydrous hydrogen phosphate, magnesium stearate, corn starch, microcrystalline cellulose, titanium dioxide, lactose, macrogol, triacetin, hypromellose, sodium lauryl sulfate.
Types of Macrolides
Modern macrolide antibiotics are divided into natural and semi-synthetic. The first group includes erythromycin, leukomycin, oleandomycin, josamycin, spiramycin. They are obtained from certain microorganisms. Natural macrolides are characterized by high efficiency, but at the same time pathogenic agents quickly develop resistance to them.
Semi-synthetic macrolides are a newer group of antibacterial agents. They have a wide range of effects, high antimicrobial activity, are well tolerated by the body. The therapeutic effect of such agents persists for a long time. This type includes azithromycin, clarithromycin, roquitamycin, flurithromycin, roxithromycin. A distinctive feature is the ability to influence gram-negative bacteria.
Mechanism of action
Macrolide "Azimed" has an antimicrobial effect due to the influence of microbial cells on the ribosome and disrupting protein synthesis. Infectious agents cannot withstand such an attack and are destroyed. A distinctive feature is the moderate anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating effect that the antibiotic has. Unlike other antibiotics, Azimed can remain active for several days.
Release Forms
The drug is available in the form of capsules (250 mg), tablets (500 mg) and powder for the preparation of a suspension (250 mg of the active substance). The tablet form is intended for the treatment of adults and children with a body weight of at least 25 kg. The suspension prepared from the powder has a pleasant fruity aroma. The volume of the bottle is 20 or 30 ml. Included is a measuring spoon and syringe.
Indications for appointment
Azimed macrolide antibiotic is used to treat a wide variety of pathological conditions of infectious etiology. The drug is most often prescribed to patients with intolerance to cephalosporins and penicillins. In the presence of a disease caused by microorganisms sensitive to azithromycin, the specialist will calculate an individual therapy regimen with this medication.
Indications for the appointment of Azimed are the following ailments:
- infections of ENT organs (otitis media, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis, sinusitis);
- lower respiratory tract infections (community-acquired pneumonia, bronchitis, exacerbation of chronic diseases);
- diphtheria, whooping cough;
- sexually transmitted diseases (gonorrhea, chlamydia, mild chancre, syphilis)
- urethritis, cervicitis;
- pathology of the oral cavity (periodontitis, periostitis);
- infectious processes of soft tissues and skin integuments (impetigo, chronic migratory erythema, secondary pyodermatosis, besychia, severe acne);
- peptic ulcer of the stomach or duodenum caused by Helicobacter pylori.
The drug can be prescribed as a prophylaxis of pertussis after contact with an infected person. The antibiotic is used for the rehabilitation of carriers of meningococcal infection. Azithromycin is used in dentistry to prevent the development of endocarditis.
Is Azimed prescribed for children?
In pediatric practice, cases of respiratory diseases of an infectious etiology are most often encountered. In young children, such ailments can provoke the development of serious complications. To avoid unwanted effects, doctors prescribe antibiotic therapy. Most specialists prefer to use macrolides for treatment, for example, Azimed (suspension or tablets).
The drug has proven effective against both extracellular and intracellular pathogens. It is prescribed as starting therapy even for complex diseases of bacterial etiology. This is the safest antibacterial drug that practically does not cause side effects and is well tolerated by the body. Usually, specialists prescribe for children the minimum dose of the Azimed drug (100). For children, such a concentration of the active substance is considered safe. This means that in 5 ml of the finished suspension contains 100 mg of azithromycin.
How to prepare a suspension?
It is important to follow the rules for the use of the drug. Its therapeutic effectiveness directly depends on this. How to breed Azimed to obtain a suspension? There is a powder in the bottle from which the drug should be prepared. To do this, measure with a syringe 11 ml of cooled boiled water and add it to the bottle with the drug. After this, the resulting mixture should be thoroughly shaken until a homogeneous mass. The result should be 25 ml of suspension.
The finished product is stored only 5 days, after which it is strictly forbidden to use it. Before each reception, the vial must be shaken. Measure the required amount of medicine with a syringe or spoon. After taking Azimed, you should drink a small amount of liquid (tea, juice) in order to clean the mouth of the suspension residues. After use, the syringe or spoon should be washed with running water and dried.
Dosage
The required dosage of the drug is calculated by the doctor individually. According to the instructions, with infectious pathologies of the upper and lower respiratory tract, it is recommended to give 10 mg of active substance per kilogram of patient weight. That is, for example, a child weighing 5 kg, it is necessary to give 2.5 ml of suspension.
In the form of tablets (250 mg), the drug is indicated for children weighing more than 25 kg. Some experts recommend giving the medicine in the form of a suspension if the child's weight is less than 45 kg. In this case, you can purchase a powder for the preparation of oral suspension "Azimed" 200 mg (volume 30 ml). With a child weighing more than 45 kg, an adult dosage is prescribed. The treatment regimen is selected at the discretion of a specialist.
The frequency of administration and the daily dosage will depend on the diagnosis and the presence of concomitant diseases. Adult patients are usually prescribed Azimed 500 mg. This dosage is usually taken once a day. However, with sexually transmitted pathologies, chronic migratory erythema and ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori, it is indicated to take 1 g of azithromycin at a time.
When should I refrain from taking the medication?
The medicine is contraindicated in case of intolerance, hypersensitivity to macrolides or components in the composition. Taking the medication can cause serious complications. Also, Azimed in the form of tablets is not prescribed for children whose body weight is less than 25 kg, and for women during pregnancy.
The active component is metabolized in the liver and excreted along with bile. Therefore, in patients with a history of serious liver dysfunction, it is not recommended to use an antibiotic based on azithromycin. In the presence of mild renal dysfunction, it is not worth changing the dosage of the medication, but treatment of such patients should be under the supervision of specialists. With caution, medication is prescribed for elderly patients.
What side effects can Azimed cause?
An antibiotic is generally well tolerated. The reason is that macrolides are non-toxic and the safest among antimicrobial medicines. This is confirmed by patient reviews and instructions for use. “Azimed” only in rare cases provokes the development of adverse events, which are most often expressed from the digestive tract. Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, flatulence, abdominal pain - these are one of the most common signs of the negative effect of the drug on the body.
With prolonged use of an antibacterial agent, an allergic reaction may develop in the form of skin rashes, hives, itching. More serious consequences - Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis - are extremely rare.
On the part of the hearing organs, side effects (ringing or tinnitus, hearing impairment) are reversible and rarely occur. The central nervous system can also negatively respond to antibiotic therapy. This is expressed in signs such as dizziness, perversion of taste, convulsions, drowsiness, asthenia, and insomnia.
Side effects also include cholestatic jaundice, necrotic hepatitis, anaphylactic shock, arterial hypertension, aggressiveness, nervousness, thrombocytopenia. Suspension or tablets "Azimed" stop using with the development of side effects.
Application features
The antibiotic should be correctly combined with the use of other medications, which may affect its bioavailability and effectiveness. The simultaneous administration of antacids will slow down the absorption of the drug, as warned by the patient instructions for use. Azimed should be taken at least two hours after the antacid.
Macrolide is able to increase the concentration in the blood serum of indirect anticoagulants, valproic acid, cyclosporine, theophylline, and ergot drugs. An antibiotic may increase the bioavailability of digoxin when taken orally.
To avoid the undesirable consequences of antibiotic treatment, it is necessary to strictly follow the doctor's recommendations, follow the medication regimen, do not increase the dosage. It is important not to miss the time of taking the medication. In large dosages, Azimed (500 mg) can only be used to treat adults.
An antibacterial drug is recommended to be taken one hour before a meal or two hours after a meal. The tablets are washed down with plenty of water, as well as the suspension. The child is allowed to drink the medicine (suspension) with juice or tea. In this form, Azimed is stored for no more than 5 days in the refrigerator. After taking the last dose, you should get rid of the bottle with the remains of the suspension.
How to replace Azimed?
The price of the drug is slightly higher than the cost of other antibacterial agents. The drug in the form of tablets and a dosage of 500 mg will cost the patient 160-200 rubles. The cost of the suspension is 140-170 rubles (dosage of 100 mg / ml). However, the drug can not always be found in pharmacies and patients are trying to find its substitute. It should be immediately taken into account that in such a matter it is better not to count on the help of a pharmacist. Only a doctor can prescribe antibiotics, taking into account the patient's condition, age and the presence of concomitant diseases. Only after consultation with a specialist can Azimed be replaced.
Analogs based on azithromycin, the original tool has the following:
- Ormax.
- "Sumamed."
- "Zitrolex".
- "Azivok".
- "Azit."
- Hemomycin.
- "Azithromycin."
- "Ziomycin."
- "Azitro".
- Azitral.
- Zomax.
Each of the medicines has its own indications and features of use. The optimal antimicrobial drug for the treatment of an infectious disease can only be prescribed by the attending physician. It is recommended that you first pass laboratory tests to confirm the presence of a bacterial pathogen and determine its sensitivity to the drug "Azimed". The price of substitutes will depend on the dosage of the active substance and the manufacturer.
Sumamed or Azimed?
Sumamed is another macrolide antibiotic azalide. In small concentrations, it has a pronounced bacteriostatic effect. It disrupts protein synthesis in microbial cells, which provokes changes in metabolic processes, and prevents reproduction. Currently, this antibacterial drug is often prescribed in pediatric practice. Sumamed is also suitable for treating older patients.
Sumamed is produced by a Croatian pharmaceutical company, which affects not only the quality, but also the cost of the drug. You can buy the product in the form of tablets (125 and 500 mg), gelatin capsules (250 mg) and powder for the preparation of an oral suspension (100 and 200 mg). The analogue of Azimed also has immunomodulatory properties unrelated to its antibacterial effect. Experts say that this ability of the drug is due to exposure to cyclooxygenase and the formation of superoxide oxygen ions.
Both antibacterial drugs have a minimal negative effect on the intestinal microflora. This avoids the unpleasant consequences of the gastrointestinal tract. With proper administration of the drug, they will not provoke the development of dysbiosis.
"Sumamed" can be used to treat the smallest patients. Good tolerance and minimal side effects have made this tool especially popular.
Patient Reviews
The treatment of many serious diseases cannot be imagined without antibacterial drugs. Only thanks to these agents can the viability of pathogens be suppressed. One of the representatives of the latest generation of safe macrolide antibiotics is Azimed.
The reviews of patients and doctors suggest that this is an effective medicine that has an immediate therapeutic effect and at the same time practically does not cause side effects from the internal organs and systems. Use tablets or suspension only on the recommendation of a specialist who will calculate the necessary dosage of the active ingredient and the duration of treatment. After treatment with an antimicrobial agent, many patients still recommend undergoing rehabilitation therapy and establish intestinal microflora.