It's no secret that antibiotics are used to treat various diseases. Some microorganisms are more sensitive to them, and some are 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 a medication such as Alfa Normix is prescribed. 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 antibiotic "Alpha Normix" made? Consumer reviews say that you can buy this medication at a pharmacy in two different forms.
- Round, convex, pink film-coated tablets. Their active substance is rifaximin. Also, the composition of the drug includes additional elements, which are presented in the form of sodium carboxymethyl starch, glycerin palmitostearate, microcrystalline cellulose, colloidal silicon dioxide,hypromellose, talc, E172, disodium edetate, titanium dioxide and propylene glycol. The tablets are sold in blisters of 12 pieces. One carton may contain 1 or 3 blisters.
- Orange granules for suspension preparation. The finished solution has a cherry taste and a characteristic aroma. The active ingredient in this form is rifaximin. The suspension also contains such auxiliary components as sodium carmellose, sodium benzoate, kaolin, microcrystalline cellulose, wild cherry flavor, pectin, sucrose and sodium saccharinate. You can buy the drug in question in dark glass bottles of 5 ml. Also included is a dosing cup.
Pharmacodynamic characteristics
What is remarkable about the drug "Alpha Normix"? Instructions for use (reviews about this tool are very ambiguous) reports that this drug contains the active ingredient in the alpha form. It belongs to the 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 and proteins in bacterial cells. This process is irreversible. As a result, microbes die.
This medication is susceptible to a variety of gram-negative bacteria and gram-positive microorganisms.
Drug properties
What properties are inherent in the medicine "Alpha Normix"? Reviews of doctors, as well as medical experience shows that this drug is able to reduce:
- The number of microbes that are present in colonic diverticula. As a result of this exposure, inflammation around the diverticular sac is reduced, symptoms are eliminated, and the risk of complications in diverticular disease is reduced.
- The amount of ammonia, as well as other waste products of bacteria.
- An antigenic specific stimulus that initiates and maintains chronic inflammation in the gut.
- 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 overgrowth syndrome of harmful microorganisms in the intestine.
Kinetic indicators
Is Normix Alpha absorbed? Reviews of doctors cannot give an answer to the question posed. For it, you should refer to the attached instructions. According to it, the antibiotic is practically not absorbed in the intestine (less than 1%), and, therefore, does not enter the systemic circulation. Therefore, the medication in question affects only the microflora of the mentioned organ, significantly reducing the level of its pathogenicity. However, 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, its peakconcentration in the intestine is reached within 3 hours. Also, the drug is found in the urine (less than 1%).
Indications for use
Under what conditions is a drug like 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 that are sensitive to its effects.
According to the instructions, this medication is very effective in:
- traveler's diarrhea;
- gut microbial overgrowth syndrome;
- hepatic encephalopathy;
- diverticular disease of the colon;
- acute infections in the gastrointestinal tract;
- inflammation of the intestines (chronic);
- prevention of complications after colorectal surgery.
Contraindications for oral medication
When should you not prescribe the antibiotic Alpha Normix? Instructions, reviews of experienced professionals indicate that there are not very many contraindications for this medicine. These include the following:
- ulcer, erosion in the intestines;
- intestinal obstruction;
- presence of allergic reactions to the components of the drug.
It should also be noted that the finished medicinal suspension is not recommended for use in case of intolerance to the antibiotic or its individual ingredients.
How to take AlphaNormix (tablets)?
Reviews of experts say that the drug in the form of tablets is no less effective than drugs in granules. It should be taken orally, without chewing or splitting in half.
The dosage of this remedy, as well as the duration of its intake, are 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 for no longer than one week. If necessary, the course can be repeated, but not earlier than in a month.
How to prepare Normix Alpha solution?
Reviews of doctors report that the medication in question in the form of granules is most often prescribed to children.
To prepare a medicinal suspension, ordinary water is added to the vial with the drug (up to the first mark). Next, shake the container well. After that, the liquid is again added to the vial (up to the next mark).
The dosage recommended by a doctor is measured using a measuring cup, which is contained in a cardboard box along with the medicine.
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 conditions for its storage have been met. Shake well before use.
Use in childhood
At what age is the Normix Alfa suspension prescribed to children? Reviews of pediatricians say that thisthe drug can be given to a child from 2 years old.
Daily dosage of medication for children aged 2-6 years is 200-600 mg, which corresponds to 5-10 ml of suspension. The indicated amount of funds is divided into three doses.
For children aged 6-12 years, the drug is recommended to be taken at 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 antibiotic (or 10-20 ml three times) per day.
Treatment of children with this remedy should be carried out no longer than one week. Before taking the drug, you should consult with a pediatrician.
Adverse reactions
What undesirable consequences can occur while taking an antibiotic like Alfa Normix? Side effects, reviews of which are extremely rare, occur infrequently when using this remedy. Of those that do exist, most are associated with symptoms of a concomitant disease. 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 appear from the digestive system. These adverse events include nausea, epigastric pain and vomiting.
Reactions of this kind go away on their own some time after the start of therapy.
Signs of an overdose
What symptoms of an overdose can occur if Alfa Normix is taken incorrectly? According to the instructions, when using less than 2400 mg of rifaximin per day, an overdose is impossible.
If the patient has taken a dose that is significantly higher than the recommended one, then he should definitely wash the stomach, as well as perform symptomatic treatment.
Compatibility of the antibiotic with other drugs
Experienced experts say that the interaction of this drug 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 medications you are currently using.
Special recommendations for the use of the drug
What features of the medication should you know about before taking Alfa Normix tablets or suspension? Reviews (analogues of this medication will be listed a little lower) experts report that this drug can rarely enter the systemic circulation. As a rule, this happens when the intestinal mucosa is damaged. That is why this antibiotic is forbidden to be used in the presence of an ulcer or erosion in the mentioned organ.
If Alpha Normix enters the systemic circulation, it may contribute to urine staining in a reddish-orange color.
Terms of sale, storage and shelf life
Purchasing an oral antibiotic does not requiremedical prescription. It is advisable to store Alfa Normix granules and tablets in a cool place out of the reach of small children.
This medicine has a three year shelf life. 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 must not be used.
Analogues and cost of an antibiotic agent
Do you know how much the drug "Alfa Normix" costs? The price (reviews about this medicine will be presented right now) of this drug is quite high. This is the opinion of many consumers.
You can buy 12 tablets 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 Alfa Normix, it can be replaced with broad-spectrum drugs such as Rifaximin, Nystatin, Pimafucin, etc.
Reviews from consumers and experienced professionals
Patient reviews of the antibiotic in question are rather ambiguous. Some people report that this drug has helped them cope with chronic bowel diseases. By the way, it is often used as an effective emergency remedy.
However, another category of patients reminds that after taking such strong antibiotics, you should definitely take a course of probiotics. After all, thisthe drug 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 there are very often messages that say that this drug is overpriced. Although experts say that the price of Alfa Normix is fully consistent with the quality of the medicine. Also, doctors argue that for effective therapy, this drug should never be taken at its own discretion. It should be prescribed by an experienced gastroenterologist who has been monitoring the patient's condition for a long time.
