In the article, we will figure out what Tetracycline Ointment helps from.
It is an antibiotic intended for external use. A medication is prescribed for the treatment of certain pathological conditions, including trophic ulcers, purulent skin infections and infectious genesis, furunculosis, and other dermal lesions provoked by the activity of pathogenic microorganisms. It is unacceptable to use medicinal ointment in the treatment of children whose age is less than 11 years, as well as patients suffering from lesions of the dermis having a fungal etiology. Before using the drug, consult a specialist.
Pharmacological form
According to the instructions for use, "Tetracycline ointment" is available in the form of an ointment having a yellow color and a dosage of the active component of 3%. The medicine has a specific recognizable odor. The ointment is Packed in tubes of aluminum, each of which can accommodate 10 or 15 grams. A cardboard box contains one aluminum tube.
Composition, description
The antibiotic effect of Tetracycline Ointment is due to the antimicrobial activity of the active component present in its composition - tetracycline hydrochloride. Every 100 grams of medication contains 3 grams of active substance.
Additional forming ingredients are: paraffin, sodium sulfite, anhydrous lanolin, ceresin, petroleum jelly.
Ophthalmic Tetracycline Ointment is also available. The main active ingredient of the drug is tetracycline in an amount of 10 mg (1% ointment). Auxiliary components of the ointment are vaseline, anhydrous lanolin.
Pharmacological group
As indicated by the instructions for use with Tetracycline Ointment, it should be assigned to the group of antimicrobial agents with a wide spectrum of antibiotic effects. Against the background of the use of tetracycline hydrochloride, the ability of pathogens to multiply and grow is suppressed. The bacteriostatic mechanism is due to the prevention of complex compounds between transport RNA and the ribosome in the bacterial cell. As a result, intracellular protein synthesis ceases, the biological activity of the microorganism is inhibited.
The medication has a pronounced therapeutic effect in the treatment of diseases of the dermis, provoked by the following pathogenic microorganisms:
- Gram-positive: Anthrax bacillus, Listeria, Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus.
- Gram-negative: mycoplasmas, chlamydia, rickettsia, shigella, salmonella, klebsiella, enterobacteria, E. coli, pale treponema, gonococcus.
Eye "Tetracycline ointment" is indicated for:
- Blepharitis.
- Conjunctivitis.
- Blepharoconjunctivitis.
- Keratitis.
- Maybomite.
- Trachoma.
In relation to fungi, some strains of bacteroids, viruses, hemolytic group A streptococci, proteus mirabilis, serration, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the antibiotic effect of tetracycline hydrochloride does not develop. This is due to the resistance of these microorganisms in the active component of the drug. At what age is Tetracycline Ointment approved for use? About it below.
The pharmacological features of Tetracycline Ointment have not been studied, since the drug acts exclusively locally and is not able to penetrate the systemic circulation.
Indications for use
In accordance with the instructions for use with Tetracycline Ointment, the main indications for use are presented by dermatological pathologies of an infectious and inflammatory nature and provoked by microorganisms sensitive to the action of tetracycline hydrochloride.
For adult patients, medications are prescribed for the treatment of the following disorders:
- Inflammation of the hair follicle.
- Eczema is of microbial origin.
- Festering pathology of the dermis, having an infectious origin.
- Furunculosis.
- Acne.
- Streptostaphyloderma (mixed form pyoderma).
"Tetracycline ointment" for children under 11 years of age is contraindicated. This prohibition is due to insufficient clinical data confirming the safety of the drug in patients of this age category. From 11 years of age, a medicinal ointment can be used for the same indications as in adult patients.
It is not recommended to use the medication during pregnancy and in the lactation period. Nevertheless, the use of tetracycline hydrochloride is allowed, if there is an urgent need. Therapy should be coordinated with the doctor and carried out under his close supervision.
Contraindications
Tetracycline hydrochloride exhibits a high degree of antibacterial activity, and therefore the use of the drug is contraindicated in the following cases:
- Individual hypersensitivity to tetracycline or any auxiliary component present in the composition of the ointment.
- Fungal infections of the dermis.
- Age less than 11 years.
It is important to exercise caution when using the drug in the lactation period and during pregnancy.
Use of medication
According to the instructions for use, “Tetracycline Ointment” should be used exclusively externally. It is necessary to apply the product on a skin area slightly larger than the affected area. This will stop the spread of pathology.
Adult patients are shown to apply a small amount of the drug twice a day. A dressing with ointment is allowed on the lesion site. The dressing should be changed twice or once a day. The duration of use is determined individually taking into account the nature of the pathology, the response of the body. On average, therapy can take several days or weeks.
“Tetracycline ointment” for conjunctivitis is placed behind the eyelid of the affected eye in small amounts every 2-4 hours. The duration of the course of treatment determines the severity and nature of the pathological process. With trachoma, the duration of use of this medication should be at least 1-2 months.
Negative impact
Against the background of the use of the drug, systemic side effects do not develop, since the active components do not penetrate into the bloodstream. Most often, such local reactions develop as:
- Hyperemia of the skin.
- Photosensitivity.
- Itchy skin.
- Burning dermis at the site of application of the drug.
If these negative manifestations occur, the patient is recommended to inform the attending specialist about them.
Interaction with other medicines
When in contact with metal ions, tetracycline hydrochloride forms complex complex soluble compounds, and therefore it is contraindicated to use medicinal ointment simultaneously with iron preparations, antacid medicines, and dairy products, since calcium is present in their composition.
Special instructions for use
Tetracycline hydrochloride should not be used for the treatment of puncture wounds, severe burns, or some ophthalmic pathologies (for infectious diseases of the eyes, it is necessary to use "Tetracycline ointment" with a dosage of the active component of 1%).
When treating with a drug, it is necessary to take into account that antimicrobial agents for external use can provoke the occurrence of photosensitization. If this effect does not disappear within 2 weeks, consult a specialist.
"Tetracycline ointment" with conjunctivitis may not immediately help. Some time should pass. But if the result of treatment is not observed, you should contact a specialist.
Overdose
Currently, there are no clinically confirmed cases of overdose when using "Tetracycline ointment". Nevertheless, it is not necessary to exceed the therapeutic dosage recommended by the doctor in order to avoid the development of negative symptoms.
Analogs of Tetracycline Ointment
If necessary, "Tetracycline ointment" can be replaced by drugs whose composition or therapeutic effect is similar to those of tetracycline hydrochloride. However, it should be remembered that each medication has its own number of contraindications and is able to provoke the occurrence of various negative reactions. In this regard, any replacement of drugs should be agreed with the doctor.
The most popular analogues of "Tetracycline ointment" are:
- Bactroban. The active ingredient in its composition is mupirocin. The manufacturer produces the drug in several pharmacological forms - ointments intended for nasal or external use. It is allowed to use “Bactroban” in the treatment of pregnant and lactating women. Nasal ointment is contraindicated for use in children under 12 years of age.
- Gentamicin-Akos. The main active component in its composition is the antibiotic substance aminoglycoside. The ointment form of the drug can be used in the treatment of infectious skin diseases in nursing women, pregnant women and children.
- "Erythromycin ointment." There is a form for external and ocular use. It is allowed for use in the treatment of patients of any age category and pregnant women. In the lactation period, its use should be abstained.
- Levomekol. It is a therapeutic substitute for the drug in question. It has an antibacterial and wound healing effect, it is allowed for use in children from 12 years old, pregnant women. Ointment for ophthalmic use should not be used in the lactation period.
Cost
The average cost of funds in Russian pharmacies is at the level of 38 rubles. The shelf life of Tetracycline Ointment after opening the package is up to 2 months. In undisturbed packaging, the drug can be stored for 2 years.
Reviews about "Tetracycline Ointment"
The experience of using the drug is mostly positive, as evidenced by numerous reviews. Reports that the drug provoked the occurrence of negative symptoms are very rare. Patients often note the high effectiveness of the drug, which develops in a short time.
Quite often there are positive reviews about "Tetracycline Ointment" when used in animals. The undoubted advantage of the drug is its availability and affordable cost.
Despite the large number of positive opinions about the drug, it should be remembered that his appointment should be carried out by a doctor.
We examined how Tetracycline Ointment helps.