For bacterial infections that affect the respiratory tract, urogenital area or other organs, doctors prescribe systemic antibacterial agents. You can get rid of a number of gram-positive or gram-negative microorganisms, alpha-hemolytic streptococcus, mycoplasma, chlamydia and other bacteria using Erythromycin. Analogues of this drug with the same active ingredient are also effective.
Product features
Erythromycin tablets contain 500 mg of the active ingredient of the same name. It is an antibacterial drug belonging to the group of macrolides. Its action is based on the fact that it is able to disrupt the formation of peptide bonds between amino acids and block the process of protein synthesis in pathogenic microorganisms. At the same time, it does not affect nucleic acids in any way.
But the active substance erythromycin is unevenly distributed in body tissues. It accumulates in the kidneys, liver and spleen. The concentration of the antibiotic in urine and bile is several times higher than in blood plasma. Erythromycin is able to penetrate well into the tissues of the lymph nodes, lungs, middle ear exudate, semen, prostate secretion, synovial and ascitic fluid, pleural cavity.
Indications: in what cases the drug is prescribed
Before you look for analogues of "Erythromycin", you need to deal with the indications for taking this remedy. It can be used in cases where the disease is caused by microorganisms sensitive to this antibiotic. We are talking about the following pathologies:
- scarlet fever;
- gonorrhea;
- diphtheria;
- conjunctivitis in newborns;
- trachoma;
- brucellosis;
- whooping cough;
- erythrasma;
- infections of the upper respiratory tract (bronchitis, tracheitis, pneumonia);
- primary syphilis;
- genitourinary infections in expectant mothers;
- uncomplicated chlamydia;
- infectious lesions of ENT organs (otitis media, sinusitis, tonsillitis);
- bacterial lesions of the biliary tract (cholecystitis);
- eye infections (mucosal problems);
- pustular formations on the skin, bedsores, trophic ulcers, burns.
Patients with rheumatism use Erythromycin (analogues of the drug are also suitable) to prevent the development of streptococcal infections. It is also prescribed during dental operations, during preoperative preparation, before endoscopy.
Possible substitutes for the remedy
If a doctor, prescribing treatment to a patient,says that a drug with the active substance erythromycin is needed, then a person can choose the most suitable remedy for him at the pharmacy.
It could be Erythromycin enteric coated tablets. Also, the pharmacist can recommend the remedy "Erythromycin-LEKT", "Erythromycin Phosphate". Also on sale you can find drugs "Erifluid", "Erythromycin-Ferein", "Sinerit", syrups "Gryunamycin", "Ilozon".
If necessary, the doctor may prescribe systemic antibacterial agents with a different active ingredient. This is done in cases where the patient has contraindications to taking drugs made on the basis of erythromycin. The following antibiotics can be prescribed: Klacid, Macropen, Sumamed, Fromilid, Azithromycin, Azax, Zitrolid.
List of contraindications
Before you start drinking the original drug or Erythromycin analogues, you need to find out if you can use such drugs. After all, the list of situations in which they should be abandoned is quite wide. The most common include:
- lactation period;
- hearing loss;
- established hypersensitivity to erythromycin;
- the need to take Astemizol or Terfenadin funds.
If there was a history of jaundice, arrhythmias, kidney or liver failure, prolongation of the QT interval on the cardiogram, then it is also better to replace it.
Reported drug complications
Refusethe use of the drug is necessary and if any side effects occur. In this case, it is desirable to choose analogues of "Erythromycin" with another active ingredient. Side effects may include:
- skin reactions (rash, urticaria);
- eosinophilia, increased activity of hepatic transaminases;
- diarrhea, nausea and vomiting;
- pain in the abdominal region;
- pseudomembranous enterocolitis;
- cholestatic jaundice;
- appearance of tinnitus;
- hearing loss;
- some people experience tachycardia, ventricular arrhythmias while taking it;
- in extremely rare cases, anaphylactic shock occurs.
Fund release forms
Before you go to the pharmacy and select a modern analogue for the Erythromycin preparation, you need to decide in what form you need the drug. On sale you can find tablets, ointment, powder or granules for suspension and lyophilisate for injection.
In most cases, patients are prescribed the drug in the form of tablets. But if patients need intensive care, and treatment is carried out in a hospital hospital, then intravenous administration of the drug may also be prescribed. The solution can be administered by slow injection over 3-5 minutes or by drip, depending on the doctor's recommendations.
Ointment is prescribed for the treatment of pustular skin lesions, including juvenile acne. It must be applied to all affected areas. For infectious and inflammatory problems with the eyes, a special ointment is used, whichmust be laid behind the lower eyelid.
Powder and granules are intended for suspension preparation. They are usually prescribed to children who still find it difficult to find the right dosage in tablets.
Domestic substitutes
If you don't want to spend too much money buying analogues of Erythromycin, you can take Russian-made tablets. In the pharmacy you can find Erythromycin-AKOS, produced by Sintez OJSC (Kurgan).
Erythromycin phosphate can be purchased if an injection is required. It is made by the same Russian company Sintez.
Erythromycin-LEKT is also produced in the Russian Federation at the Tyumen Chemical and Pharmaceutical Plant. In addition, on sale you can find the original drug "Erythromycin", manufactured by the companies Sintez OJSC, Biosintez OJSC, Tatkhimfarmpreparaty, NIZHFARM, Bryntsalov-A.
Import analogues
Many refuse domestically produced drugs, even if they are prescribed the drug "Erythromycin". It is not difficult to choose an imported analogue, because many drugs are made on the basis of this active ingredient.
If you need to purchase a solution for intravenous administration, you can pay attention to "Erythromycin lactobionate", manufactured by a company from the USA. In the same country, Ilozon suspension for children is made.
Erythromycin-Ratiopharm suspension powder is made in Germany, and granules for Grunamycin syrup are also produced there.
Remedy"Erythromycin-Teva", which is available in the form of tablets or powder for the preparation of suspensions, is produced in Israel. Imported drugs manufactured in India are considered more affordable. In Russian pharmacies, you can find "Erythromycin stearate" of Indian production - these are 125 mg tablets.
External remedies
Erythromycin ointment is popular. Use this antibacterial drug as an external agent. The main active ingredient, as you might guess from the name, is erythromycin. Ointment (analogues are applied in the same way as the original drug) is easy to use. The agent is spread with a thin layer on the affected area and gently distributed. It is not worth rubbing it intensively.
Before applying the ointment to the skin, clean the problem area and wipe it dry. After that, it is necessary to squeeze a strip of the product up to 3 cm long onto the skin. The ointment must be evenly distributed. The effect comes if you apply it for 1-2 weeks up to 4 times a day. Using this scheme, you can get rid of teenage acne.
You can also use a solution. It is produced under the name "Erifluid". To get rid of acne, doctors recommend making lotions or compresses with this remedy. To do this, soak a cloth or cotton wool with the solution and apply it to the problem area for 5-15 minutes. Such compresses should be done for 2 weeks up to 3 times a day. But you should not increase the duration of the procedure because of the risk of irritation.
Analoguesoutdoor products
Some people do not trust cheap domestic drugs and are looking for a new generation analogue of Erythromycin. One of the well-known means is "Zinerit". This is a lotion made on the basis of erythromycin and zinc acetate dihydrate. There are 2 bottles in the package. One contains the active ingredients, and the second contains the solvent. Of these, everyone can make a lotion on their own. It is able to inhibit the reproduction of organisms that cause acne.
Klindovit is often used as an analogue of an ointment, the main component of which is erythromycin. However, their indications for use and side effects differ, because the drugs are made on the basis of different active substances. Gel "Klindovit" is used exclusively to combat acne. The course of treatment lasts more than 6 weeks.
For the treatment of boils, abscesses, acne, doctors may recommend Dalacin gel. The main active ingredient in it, as in the Klindovit remedy, is clindamycin.
Use of antibacterial suspensions
If necessary, pediatricians prescribe antibiotics in the form of suspensions to children, and in many of them the main active ingredient is erythromycin. Analogues (instructions for use allow the use of such funds even for the treatment of newborns) doctors choose at their discretion.
A specialist can prescribe a suspension of "Ilozon" for infections of the upper respiratory tract or genitourinary system. The dosage is selected depending onweight of a small patient. Children, depending on the complexity of the situation, may be prescribed from 30 to 50 mg of the drug per kilogram of body weight per day. This dosage is set for patients aged 4 months to 18 years, although adolescents, of course, are better off buying the medicine in tablet form. And newborn babies who are not yet three months old are prescribed 20-40 mg of suspension for each kilogram of their weight. In difficult cases, the dosage may be doubled.
Instead of Ilozon, suspensions of Synerit, Eomycin, Grunamycin and other products based on the active substance erythromycin can be prescribed. Analogues are taken according to the same scheme and for the same indications as the Erythromycin tablets themselves.
Price comparison
When going to the pharmacy, many people want to know in advance how much they will have to spend. It will depend only on what kind of drug the doctor prescribed. If you buy "Erythromycin" of domestic production, you can significantly save. A pack of 10 tablets of 250 mg will cost 55 rubles. A bottle of lyophilisate with a volume of 100 ml costs only 14 rubles.
Erythromycin ointment is also inexpensive. For a tube with a capacity of 15 g, you will have to pay about 26 rubles. But the Zinerit remedy will cost several times more: 30 ml of the drug costs 518 rubles. A tube of Klindovit gel costs about 289 rubles. The Dalacin tool will cost less - you will have to pay 112 rubles for it.
Analogues of "Erythromycin" in tablets, made on the basis of other active ingredients, will also be more expensive. For example, Sumamed tablets (500 mg No.3) will cost 447 rubles. But the drug "Macropen" will cost 246 rubles. This amount will have to be paid for a package of 16 tablets of 400 mg.
Effectiveness of drugs: people's reviews
It is difficult to compare the effectiveness of taking different antibacterial agents. After all, a certain active substance is active against a number of sensitive microorganisms. But if it is necessary to treat infections caused by microorganisms that can be affected by erythromycin, then this drug is considered one of the best.
Despite the affordable price, its effectiveness remains on top, as evidenced by many reviews. Of course, at the request of patients, it can be replaced by other, more expensive means. But this, according to experts, will not speed up the healing process.
Doctors recommend drinking all antibiotics for another 2-3 days after the condition improves. Erythromycin is no exception. Analogues are drunk according to the same scheme as the original drug.
Depending on the indications and the complexity of the condition, treatment can last from 7 to 14 days. For adults, the daily dose is 1-2 g. But in severe cases, 4 g can be prescribed.
It is impossible to increase the dosage of the agent without urgent need to increase efficiency. After all, this can lead to negative consequences. Among them, doctors call hearing loss and the development of acute liver failure.
