Bronchitis is a disease characterized by inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bronchi. This pathological condition occurs against a background of severe coughing, shortness of breath, and increased body temperature. This disease affects absolutely all age groups of people.
Forms of the disease
Bronchitis in adults and children can be chronic, acute, and obstructive. Depending on the form of pathology, the specialist decides on the need to use certain antibiotic drugs.
- Acute bronchitis usually does not require the use of antibacterial drugs. The exception is only those rare cases when there is a high risk of bacterial complications. In this situation, the best antibiotic for bronchitis in adults is a drug belonging to the penicillin group.
- The chronic type of the disease during the exacerbation period is well treated with aminopenicillins, cephalosporins and macrolides. Also, therapy with such means is indicated for elderly patients (to reduce the risk of complications and pneumonia).
- Obstructive bronchitis is treated only with antibacterial drugs, if a person has a purulent infection. Such a course of the disease can be indicated by a high body temperature of the patient. In this case, the best antibiotic for bronchitis in adults is one that will get rid of the causative agent of the disease. An effective medicine should be prescribed only by a specialist based on analysis data. If the disease is severe, then antibacterial agents are prescribed in injections.
When should I use an antibiotic for bronchitis in adults (in tablets, injections, etc.)?
According to doctors, inflammation of the bronchial mucosa is not always treated with antibacterial agents. Usually, in the early days of the disease, specialists refrain from prescribing such drugs. However, there are times when antibiotics are simply necessary. For instance:
- if a patient has a bacterial infection and his body cannot cope with it for two weeks;
- if chronic bronchitis is protracted, and also often gives relapses, as a result of which the human immunity is greatly reduced;
- if bronchitis is accompanied by weakness, shortness of breath, breathing problems and high refractory temperature (for several days);
- if the patient has symptoms of intoxication, and an increase in ESR is detected in the test results;
- with the elderly patient, as well as a high risk of complications.
Which antibiotic is best for adults with bronchitis should be decided only by a doctor after a thorough study and diagnosis. It should be remembered that self-medication of such a disease is fraught with serious complications and even death.
The effect of antibacterial drugs
Before using an antibiotic for bronchitis in adults (in tablets, injections, etc.), you should find out how they act in certain forms of the disease.
In the classical treatment regimen of the disease in question, penicillins are usually used. At the same time, it is impossible to unequivocally answer the question of which antibiotic is better for bronchitis in an adult. It all depends on the form and nature of the current disease, the characteristics of the patient’s body, as well as the sensitivity of the bacteria.
Usually, with inflammation of the bronchial mucosa, doctors prescribe antibiotics from the following groups to their patients:
- Aminopenicillins (for example, Augmentin, Amoxiclav, or Amoxicillin). Such drugs are capable of damaging the cell membranes of bacteria. The main advantage of such drugs is that they do not cause serious side effects. As for the minuses, they include frequent allergic reactions that occur against the background of the use of medications.
- Fluoroquinolones (for example, Ofloxacin or Levofloxacin). These names of antibiotics for bronchitis in adults are familiar to many patients. Such drugs act on an extensive list of pathogens (destroy their DNA). Such drugs can be prescribed by specialists even before the results of the analysis on the sensitivity of bacteria to antibiotics. The main disadvantage of fluoroquinolones is that with prolonged use, they can cause dysbiosis.
- Cephalosporins (for example, Ceftriaxone, Cefazolin, Ceftazidime, Suprax). Such names of antibiotics for bronchitis in adults should beware, since they can cause severe allergies. That is why they are prescribed with extreme caution. The main advantage of such drugs is that they are able to slow down the production of protein in bacterial cells, as a result of which the process of reproduction of the pathogen stops and its death occurs.
- Macrolides (for example, "Midecamycin", "Sumamed" or "Azithromycin"). These are some of the best antibiotics for bronchitis in adults. Reviews of experts report that the active substance of such drugs contributes to the disruption of protein production in bacterial cells, which ultimately leads to a stop in the reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms and their death. Typically, such drugs are prescribed for a prolonged course of the disease or in the case when other drugs cause an allergic reaction.
List of the best antibiotics for bronchitis in adult patients at an affordable price
Most patients who suffer from inflammation of the bronchial mucosa are interested in not only which drugs will most effectively cope with their ailment, but also which ones have an affordable price.
Experts say that the best antibiotics for bronchitis in adults do not always have an overpriced cost. Moreover, many of them have quite reasonable prices. These inexpensive, but effective medicines include:
- Amoxicillin. Such an antibiotic from the penicillin group contains the same active substance and is actively prescribed for pneumonia and bronchitis, as well as in the treatment of ENT organs, urinary system, gastrointestinal tract and other pathologies. On sale, this medicine comes in tablets, granules and capsules. As medical practice shows, the effect of an antibacterial medication begins half an hour after administration, and its effect lasts about 6 hours.
- "Biseptolum." Of the best antibiotics for bronchitis in adults, this is the most inexpensive. It belongs to the group of sulfonamides and is prescribed only in the complex treatment of diseases of the respiratory system (for example, with bronchitis, lung abscess and pneumonia). Such a remedy has quite a few contraindications, and also causes a large number of side effects.
In medicine, Biseptol has been used for a very long time. It should be noted that many bacteria are insensitive to the active substance of the drug, therefore, before the start of therapy, it is imperative to take an analysis of the sensitivity of pathogenic microorganisms.
- Ofloxacin. What is the best antibiotic for injections with bronchitis in an adult? Answering this question, many experts mention Ofloxacin. The active substance of such a product from the group of fluoroquinols is able to destroy the DNA of bacteria, which leads to their death.
The drug in question is prescribed for patients from many bacteria, as well as in cases where other antibiotic medicines for bronchitis do not work.
According to the instructions, Ofloxacin is actively used for inflammation of the bronchial mucosa. Also, indications for the use of this medication are pneumonia and diseases of other organs. It should be noted that such a tool is forbidden to be taken by pregnant women and nursing mothers, minors, as well as those who have a high sensitivity to the substances of the drug.
Only the doctor should individually select the dosage of Ofloxacin, since there is a huge risk of side effects from the cardiovascular, genitourinary and nervous systems.
Other antibiotic drugs
About which antibiotic is better to take with bronchitis in adult patients, we described above. However, these are not the only drugs that effectively fight diseases of the respiratory system. There are other tools that have a wide spectrum of action, but they cost more. Consider these medications further.
Flemoxin-Solutab
The active ingredient in this drug is amoxicillin trihydrate. The preparation also includes the following excipients: dispersible cellulose, lemon flavor, crospovidone, tangerine flavor, magnesium stearate, vanillin, microcrystalline cellulose, saccharin.
This is a medicine from a number of penicillins. Usually it is prescribed for complicated chronic or acute bronchitis. On sale, such a medicine comes in the form of traditional as well as chewable tablets that have a pleasant taste.
In addition to adults, Flemoxin-Solutab is actively prescribed for children. Side effects after taking such a drug are extremely rare.
Augmentin
This is one of the best antibiotics for bronchitis in adults. Its active substance is amoxicillin (in the form of trihydrate), as well as clavulanic acid (in the form of potassium salt). Also, the composition of the medication includes such auxiliary components as sodium carboxymethyl starch, magnesium stearate, colloidal silicon dioxide and MCC.
"Augmentin" is an agent from the group of aminopenicillins. It overwhelmingly affects the reproduction of bacteria, and also does not allow them to synthesize b-lactamase, which protects them from penicillins. Such a medicine is prescribed for inflammatory infections provoked by pathogenic microorganisms.
"Augmentin" is very convenient to use, as it is available in several forms (in the form of tablets, injections, powder for suspension and drops). Adverse reactions after using such a drug are rare.
Sumamed
The active component of such a drug is azithromycin dihydrate. The antibiotic also includes the following excipients: pregelatinized starch, anhydrous calcium hydrogen phosphate, microcrystalline cellulose, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, sodium lauryl sulfate and corn starch.
Such a medication from a number of macrolides is prescribed to patients from an extensive list of diseases of an infectious and inflammatory nature. It can be purchased in tablets, capsules and powder with a strawberry flavor.
"Sumamed" is known for the shortest period of use. To eliminate all signs of bronchitis, it is usually enough to take three tablets.
The drug in question is fairly well tolerated by patients. It rarely contributes to the development of adverse reactions. The only exceptions are cases of improper administration or overdose.
"Azithromycin"
The main component of such a drug is azithromycin (in the form of dihydrate). It also includes the following additional substances: croscarmellose sodium, sodium lauryl sulfate, pregelatinized starch, magnesium stearate, calcium hydrogen phosphate.
"Azithromycin" is prescribed for patients from diseases that were caused by various bacteria (for example, with bronchitis and pneumonia). The medicine is available in capsules and tablets.
After 3 days of treatment, the drug completely eliminates all signs of bronchitis. However, when taking it, the following contraindications should be taken into account: the presence of hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, the period of pregnancy and breastfeeding. As for adverse reactions, among them often arising are: vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, allergic reaction.
"Cefazolin"
What to do if, for one reason or another, the patient should not take pills? What is the best antibiotic for bronchitis in an adult? "Cefazolin" is an effective drug that goes on sale in the form of ampoules with a powder intended for the preparation of injections. This is a relatively old medicine from a number of cephalosporins. It is prescribed to patients from many types of bacteria that cause infectious and inflammatory diseases, including pneumonia, all forms of bronchitis and lung abscess.
The active substance of “Cefazolin” is the component of the same name. It has a minimum of contraindications and is considered one of the least toxic in its group. However, such a medicine can not be used by pregnant and lactating women. It should also be noted that against the background of its administration, adverse reactions from the urinary system and gastrointestinal tract are likely.
Ceftazidime
The names of the best antibiotics for bronchitis in adults should be known not only to specialists, but also to patients. This will allow you to choose the most suitable and safe drug, as well as determine its shape.
Ceftazidime is available in powder form for the preparation of an intravenous or intramuscular solution. Ceftazidime (in the form of pentahydrate) is its active ingredient, and sodium carbonate is an auxiliary component.
The drug in question from new cephalosporins is a third-generation antibiotic. It is prescribed for purulent-septic conditions of a severe nature, as well as complicated respiratory infections. "Ceftazidime" helps to cope with acute and chronic bronchitis and pneumonia. It is contraindicated for use in case of individual intolerance, and with caution it is prescribed to people with bleeding and renal failure.
Among the side effects after using the medicine, the following are possible: blood from the nose, allergic reactions, changes in the composition of the blood, diseases of the digestive system, problems in the work of the National Assembly.
Features of the use of antibacterial drugs
Now you know which antibiotic is better to drink with bronchitis in an adult. However, before taking this or that drug, you should find out that the antibiotic course should not be interrupted, as well as shorten or increase the duration of treatment that was prescribed by the doctor.
In the process of treating bronchitis with antibacterial drugs, you need to know the following:
- Acceptance of any antibiotics must be tied to time, taking into account the hour interval recommended in the instructions for use. That is, during treatment, the periods between taking the medicine should be equal, and if the medication is taken once a day, then this should be done at the same time. This will maintain the necessary concentration of the active component in the body, and the fight against microbes will be carried out regularly.
- Against the background of taking antibiotics, it is necessary to monitor the patient's state of health, to identify improvements or, conversely, worsening, as well as side effects. If after two days there is no improvement, then it is better to replace the drug with another.
- It is imperative to observe all hygiene measures, establish a drinking regime and adjust the diet. This is necessary so that the human body can fight bacteria, and toxic substances are gradually removed.
- Together with antibacterial agents, the specialist should prescribe antifungal and antihistamine drugs to the patient.