It is no secret that antibiotics are used to treat various diseases. Some microorganisms are more sensitive to them, and some less. And before using this or that antibiotic, you should definitely consult a doctor. After all, only an experienced specialist knows which treatment regimen is best for you.
Today we will tell you about why they prescribe such a medication as Alfa Normix. Instructions for use, price, reviews of consumers and doctors, as well as side effects of the mentioned drug will be presented below.
Description, composition, packaging and form
In what form is the Alpha Normix antibiotic made? Customer reviews say that you can buy this medication in a pharmacy in two different forms.
- Round convex coated tablets of pink color. Their active substance is rifaximin. The drug also includes additional elements, which are presented in the form of sodium carboxymethyl starch, palmitostearate glycerol, microcrystalline cellulose, colloidal silicon dioxide, hypromellose, talc, E172, disodium edetate, titanium dioxide and propylene glycol. The tablets are on sale in blisters of 12 pieces. In one cardboard box can be 1 or 3 blisters.
- Granules of orange color, intended for the preparation of a suspension. The finished solution has a cherry flavor and a characteristic aroma. The active ingredient of this form is rifaximin. The suspension also includes auxiliary components such as sodium carmellose , sodium benzoate, kaolin, microcrystalline cellulose, wild cherry flavoring, pectin, sucrose and sodium saccharin. The drug in question can be purchased in dark 5 ml glass bottles. Also included is a dosing cup.
Pharmacodynamic characteristics
What is remarkable about the Alpha Normix medication? Instructions for use (reviews about this tool are very mixed) reports that this drug contains the active ingredient in alpha form. It refers to antibiotic drugs that belong to the rifampicin group.
The active component of this agent binds the beta subunits of the DNA-dependent enzyme of harmful microorganisms, and rifaximin inhibits the synthesis of RNA, as well as proteins in bacterial cells. This process is irreversible. As a result, microbes die.
The medication in question is sensitive to many gram-negative bacteria and gram-positive microorganisms.
Drug properties
What properties are inherent in the Alpha Normix medicine? The reviews of doctors, as well as medical experience, show that this drug can reduce:
- The number of microbes that are present in the diverticula of the colon. As a result of this effect, inflammation around the diverticular sac decreases, the symptoms are eliminated, and the risk of complications of the diverticular disease is reduced.
- Amount of ammonia, as well as other bacteria vital products.
- A specific antigenic stimulus that initiates and supports chronic inflammation in the intestine.
- The risk of infectious complications that can occur both after and during colorectal surgery.
- Proliferation of microbes, but only if it is increased due to the syndrome of excessive growth of harmful microorganisms in the intestine.
Kinetic indicators
Is Normix Alpha sucked in? Reviews of doctors can not give an answer to the question. For it you should refer to the attached instructions. According to her, in the intestine the antibiotic is practically not absorbed (less than 1%), and, therefore, does not enter the systemic circulation. Therefore, the medication in question affects only the microflora of the said organ, significantly reducing its pathogenicity. In this case, the drug rarely causes serious side effects.
After taking the drug in the blood, it is not detected (sometimes it may be present in small quantities). At the highest daily dosage of 0.8 g, the peak of its concentration in the intestine is reached within 3 hours. Also, the medication is found in urine (less than 1%).
Indications for use
Under what conditions is a drug such as Alpha Normix prescribed? Children (reviews about the antibiotic are presented at the end of the article) and adult patients are recommended for the treatment of infectious diseases sensitive to its effects.
According to the instructions, this medication is very effective in:
- diarrhea of the "traveler";
- gut overgrowth syndrome;
- hepatic encephalopathy ;
- diverticulosis of the colon;
- acute infections in the digestive tract;
- intestinal inflammation (chronic);
- prevention of complications after surgical interventions in the colorectal region.
Contraindications to taking an oral medication
When should you not prescribe the Alpha Normix antibiotic? Instructions, reviews of experienced specialists indicate that there are not very many contraindications for this medicine. These include:
- ulcer, erosion in the intestines;
- intestinal obstruction;
- the presence of allergic reactions to the components of the drug.
It should also be noted that the finished drug suspension is not recommended for use with intolerance to the antibiotic or its individual ingredients.
How to take "Alpha Normix" (tablets)?
Reviews of experts say that the drug in the form of tablets is no less effective than the drug in granules. It should be taken orally without chewing or dividing in half.
The dosage of this drug, as well as the duration of its administration, is determined individually only by the attending physician.
For patients over 12 years of age, this drug should be taken one tablet every 8 hours or two tablets every 12 hours.
Therapy should be continued no longer than one week. If necessary, the course can be repeated, but not earlier than a month later.
How to prepare a solution "Normix Alpha"?
Reviews of doctors report that the medication in the form of granules in question is most often prescribed for children.
To prepare a drug suspension, ordinary water is added to the vial with the drug (up to the first mark). Next, the container is shaken well. After that, the liquid is again added to the vial (to the next mark).
The dosage recommended by the doctor is measured using a measuring cup, which, together with the medicine, is contained in a cardboard box.
How long can I store the prepared Normix Alpha solution? Reviews of experts say that the suspension should be used within one week, but this is only if all the storage conditions have been met. Before using the drug, it must be shaken thoroughly.
Use in childhood
At what age are Normix Alpha suspension prescribed for children? Reviews of pediatricians say that this drug can be given to a child from 2 years.
The daily dosage of the drug for children 2-6 years old is 200-600 mg, which corresponds to 5-10 ml of suspension. The specified amount of funds is divided into three doses.
For children aged 6-12 years, the drug is recommended to be taken in a dose of 400-800 mg (or 10-20 ml of suspension) twice a day.
As for adolescents over 12 years of age, they are prescribed 600-1200 mg of an antibiotic (or 10-20 ml three times) per day.
Treatment of children with this tool should be carried out no longer than one week. Before taking the drug, you need to consult a pediatrician.
Adverse reactions
What undesirable consequences can occur when taking an antibiotic such as Alpha Normix? Side effects, reviews of which are extremely rare, when using this tool occur infrequently. Of those available, most are associated with symptoms of concomitant illness. So, some patients complain of high blood pressure, palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, headache, loss or distortion of taste, rash, fever, cold sweat, heartburn, diarrhea and Quincke's edema.
Most often, adverse reactions after taking the drug in question are manifested by the digestive system. Such adverse events include nausea, epigastric pain and vomiting.
Reactions of this kind go away on their own some time after the start of therapy.
Overdose Signs
What symptoms of an overdose can occur if the Alpha Normix medication is not taken correctly? According to the instructions, an overdose is not possible with less than 2400 mg of rifaximin per day.
If the patient has taken a dose significantly higher than the recommended one, then he should be sure to rinse the stomach and also produce symptomatic treatment.
Antibiotic compatibility with other drugs
Experienced experts say that the interaction of this medicine with other medicines is unlikely. This is due to the fact that the drug in question practically does not enter the systemic circulation. However, before using it, be sure to inform your doctor about what medicines you are using at a given time.
Special recommendations for the use of the drug
What features of the medication should you know before taking pills or a suspension of Alpha Normix? Reviews (analogues of this medicine will be listed a little below) experts report that it is extremely rare for this drug to enter the systemic circulation. As a rule, this happens with damage to the intestinal mucosa. That is why this antibiotic is forbidden to use if there is an ulcer or erosion in the said organ.
If "Alpha Normix" has entered the systemic circulation, this may contribute to the staining of urine in a reddish-orange color.
Terms of sale, storage and shelf life
A prescription is not required to purchase an oral antibiotic. Granules and tablets "Alpha Normix" is preferably stored in a cool place inaccessible to small children.
The shelf life of this medicine is three years. After preparing the suspension, it can be stored for one week, but only in the refrigerator. In the presence of an unpleasant odor, the solution should not be used.
Analogs and cost of antibiotic
Do you know how much Alfa Normix is worth? The price (reviews about this medicine will be presented right now) of this drug is quite high. This is the opinion held by many consumers.
Tablets in the amount of 12 pieces you can buy for 600-650 rubles. As for the granules intended for the preparation of a medicinal suspension, they can be bought a little cheaper (for 550-570 rubles).
If there are contraindications to the use of the drug "Alpha Normix", it can be replaced with such medicines of a wide spectrum of action as "Rifaximin", "Nystatin", "Pimafucin", etc.
Feedback from consumers and experienced professionals
Reviews of patients about the antibiotic in question are quite ambiguous. Some people report that this drug helped them cope with chronic bowel disease. By the way, it is often used as an effective emergency tool.
However, another category of patients recalls that after taking such strong antibiotics, you should definitely drink a course of probiotics. After all, this medication is able to disrupt the normal microflora in the intestine, provoking prolonged and intense diarrhea.
It is impossible not to say that among the negative responses very often there are messages in which it is said that this drug has an overvalued cost. Although experts say that the price of Alpha Normix is fully consistent with the quality of the medicine. Doctors also argue that for effective therapy, this drug should in no case be taken at their own discretion. It should be prescribed by an experienced gastroenterologist, who for a long time monitors the patient's condition.