Once upon a time, the development of the simplest penicillin became a panacea for a number of diseases of a bacterial nature, from which people died in most cases. Since then, mankind has stepped into another millennium and has developed a number of medical antibacterial drugs, both broad-spectrum and sensitive to certain strains of microorganisms. One of these means is Arlet. The instructions for use of this medication contain complete information about all its properties.
Composition of the antibacterial agent
The main components are amoxicillin trihydrate (in terms of amoxicillin possible volumes of 250, 500, 875 mg) and potassium clavulanate (volume - 125 mg in terms of clavulanic acid). The first component belongs to penicillin from a number of semi-synthetic, characterized by a wide field of antibacterial activity. The second main component of the drug isan irreversible beta-lactamase inhibitor.
In addition, there are a number of auxiliary components included in the drug "Arlet". Instructions for use, description of the drug are brought to the attention of consumers that the core contains low molecular weight povidone, pregelatinized starch, calcium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose and talc. And that's not all.
The antibiotic shell is formed by hypromellose, propylene glycol and polyethylene glycol 4000 (or macrogol 4000), titanium dioxide. The weight of one Arlet tablet (instructions for use contains this information) is 600, 1100 or 1600 mg.
Pharmacodynamics
As mentioned earlier, "Arlet" is a complex of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. The latter forms a stable inactivated complex with beta-lactamases (bacterial enzymes, the main functions of which are to counteract beta-lactam antibiotics, the most widely used for antimicrobial chemotherapy - cephalosporin, penicillin, etc.). Beta-lactamases are responsible for creating a persistent resistance to the above medicines.
By itself, clavulanic acid, whose structure is similar to that of beta-lactam drugs, is characterized by rather weak intrinsic antibacterial abilities. Nevertheless, the presence of acid in the composition of the drug "Arlet" resists the destruction of amoxicillin and increases the scope of its antibacterial capabilities, includingbacteria and microorganisms that, under standard conditions, are resistant to the effects of amoxicillin, other drugs from the groups of penicillins and cephalosporins.
Antibiotic "Arlet" instructions for use regulate as a drug with a wide area of effect. It is active against strains susceptible to amoxicillin (not excluding those that synthesize beta-lactamase). These include a number of Gram-positive and Gram-negative aerobes and anaerobes.
Indications for the use of Arlet
The area of influence of the antibacterial agent is quite extensive, it is effective in a number of infections of different etymologies. "Arlet" instructions for use allow you to use to eliminate problems with the upper respiratory tract and ENT organs. In particular, we are talking about acute and chronic forms of sinusitis and otitis media, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, abscesses in the pharynx. The drug has a positive effect in the treatment of diseases of the lower respiratory system, which include bronchitis (chronic and acute, accompanied by bacterial superinfection) and pneumonia.
However, these are not all areas where Arlet is applied. Instructions for use, description of the drug report on its effectiveness in the treatment of diseases of the genitourinary system and pelvic organs. Such diseases include pyelonephritis, prostatitis and urethritis, endometritis and vaginitis of a bacterial nature, septic abortion, gonorrhea, etc.
Also positivethe antibiotic affects the treatment of infections of the skin and soft tissues of various origins (abscesses, cellulitis, erysipelas, impetigo, wound surfaces and re-infected dermatoses). "Arlet" can be used in the treatment of bone and connective tissues, in the treatment of biliary tract (cholecystitis, cholangitis), with odontogenic lesions, for the prevention of inflammatory processes in surgery, in postoperative periods.
Dosage and methods of application
For the Arlet drug, the method of administration and doses are set individually, and depend on age, weight, kidney condition and the severity of the infection. In order to minimize the likelihood of developing undesirable effects from the gastrointestinal tract, it is necessary to take the tablets before eating, whole, not chewed and washed down with water.
Patients over 12 years of age or weighing more than 40 kg with mild and moderate infections take one tablet (250 mg of the main component) three times a day or twice a day (500 mg of amoxicillin). For severe lesions, take a dose equivalent to 500 mg of amoxicillin three times a day or 875 mg twice a day.
Patients from 6 to 12 years old "Arlet" instructions for use recommend using in terms of 1 kg of body weight: amoxicillin - 20-30 mg, clavulanic acid - 5-7, 5 mg. The usual dose for such patients is 1 tablet (250 mg) twice or thrice daily or 1 tablet (500 mg) twice daily. In severe cases, the dose may be doubled.
For patients with impaired renal function, the dose and frequency of administration are adjusted depending on the clearance of creatine. For those who suffer from anuria, it is recommended to increase the intervals between doses to 48 hours or more. For patients on hemodialysis, the amount of medication is selected based on the maximum dose of amoxicillin.
People with abnormal liver function should be treated with caution with Arlet. Instructions for use (abstract), reviews of medical specialists recommend constantly monitoring the state of this organ.
No dosage adjustment required for elderly patients.
Side effects
A specific list of side effects contains instructions for use for the Arlet antibiotic. Treatment (patient reviews confirm) with this remedy can provoke a number of deviations from the gastrointestinal tract in the form of lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. Occasionally, you can hear about violations of the liver, even less often - about the development of cholestatic jaundice, hepatitis, pseudomembranous colitis.
The reaction of the central nervous system to the use of the drug "Arlet" can be headaches and dizziness, hyperactivity (in a reversible form) and convulsive activity.
The hematopoietic system may react with the appearance of symptoms of leukopenia, hemolytic anemia, agranulocytosis. Prothrombin time may increase (in this case, the process is reversible). Crystalluria and interstitial nephritis - possible consequences of using the drug withside of the urinary system.
The list of possible allergic manifestations for taking the antibiotic "Arlet" is quite wide. Instruction, description of the drug inform consumers about the possible development of itching, urticaria, erythematous rash. Occasionally, you can hear about the appearance of symptoms of erythema multiforme exudative, angioedema, anaphylactic shock. There is information about single manifestations of side effects in the form of Stevens-Johnson syndrome and exfoliative dermatitis.
Contraindications for the use of "Arlet"
The list of reasons that limit the use of an antibiotic contains instructions for use for the Arlet medication. Contraindications limit the intake to those patients who suffer from individual hypersensitivity to the main and auxiliary components of the drug, to other beta-lactam antibacterial agents (penicillins, cephalosporins, etc.). Arlet is also not prescribed for those who have a history of liver dysfunction during treatment with amoxicillin and clavulanic acid in combination. The drug is contraindicated for those who suffer from mononucleosis and lymphocytic leukemia, as the likelihood of developing exanthema increases.
The reason for refusing treatment with this antibiotic is chronic renal failure and children under 6 years of age.
As for pregnant women, they can only take Arlet when the benefit to the mother is undeniably greater than the perceived risk to the fetus. With lactationthe main components of the drug pass into milk in small quantities, so you should discuss with your doctor the question of not breastfeeding.
Overdosing
Disorders of the digestive tract - this is the main group of symptoms characteristic of an overdose of Arlet (tablets). Instructions for use, patient reviews report vomiting, diarrhea, pain in the abdomen. In addition, conditions such as insomnia and dizziness, anxiety are possible. It is very rare to hear about seizures.
When overdose symptoms appear, the best solution for the patient is to be under the supervision of a specialist. Treatment in such situations is symptomatic.
If the fact of taking an unacceptably large dose occurred no more than 4 hours ago, it is necessary to wash the stomach and take absorbent drugs (for example, activated charcoal) in order to minimize absorption. Hemodialysis will be effective to remove amoxicillin and clavulanic acid from the body.
Interaction with other substances and medications
With the parallel intake of "Arlet" and "Methotrexate", the toxicity of the latter will increase. Significantly decrease and slow down absorption in the treatment of antacids, glucosamine, aminoglycosides. Ascorbic acid, on the contrary, will increase absorption - such information is contained in the instructions for use about the Arlet antibiotic.
The price of a drug fluctuates independing on dosage and region, but they are available to a wide range of consumers. Therefore, it is necessary to consult with your doctor, and not independently combine the use of an antibiotic with other drugs.
"Arlet" enhances the effect of indirect coagulants by inhibiting the intestinal microflora, reducing the production of vitamin K and reducing the prothrombin index. When taken in parallel with anticoagulant drugs, it is important to constantly monitor blood clotting parameters. Reduced effectiveness of oral contraceptives.
NSAIDs, diuretics and other medications that suppress tubular secretion increase blood levels of amoxicillin.
Tandem "Arlet" with "Allopurine" can cause the development of exanthema. Bactericidal antibiotics lead to synergy of action, and drugs with a bacteriostatic mechanism of action lead to antagonism.
Special Instructions
Due to the fact that Arlet drugs (instructions for use contain such information) with different doses of amoxicillin, however, include the same amount of clavulanic acid (125 mg), it must be borne in mind that two tablets of 250 mg of amoxicillin are not at all the equivalent of 1 tablet of 500 mg of this substance.
It should also be borne in mind that large amounts of amoxicillin can provoke a false positive response when determining the level of glucose in the urine if tools such as reagent are used for analysisBenedict or Felling's solution. It is better in such cases to use enzymatic reactions with glucosidase.
When using an antibiotic in courses, it is necessary to constantly monitor the state of the functions of the hematopoietic organs, liver, and kidneys. "Arlet" in the recommended amounts does not affect the ability to drive vehicles and perform work that requires attention and increased speed of psychomotor reactions.
Price range and consumer opinion about the drug
Information on the possible dosages of the main components in the composition of the medication contains for "Arlet" (tablets) instructions for use. The price, as mentioned earlier, depends on the dosage and the region in which the drug is purchased. For example, film-coated tablets at a dosage of 875 mg + 125 mg in Moscow can be purchased for an amount ranging from 270 rubles to 310 (14 pieces per pack). In St. Petersburg, the same package will cost 278-282 rubles.
As for the opinion of patients about the drug, there are both positive and negative feedback about the drug. A large group of patients speaks of an excellent effect in the treatment of diseases of the ENT organs and upper respiratory tract. The drug effectively and quickly copes with sinusitis, and the period of remission is then quite long. Its effectiveness in the treatment of bacterial infections is also confirmed by patient reviews.
Negative reviews about the Arlet drug are most often the result of patients havinghypersensitivity to the components of the drug. In such cases, people most often talk about abnormalities in the functioning of the digestive tract, such as: dyspepsia, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea. There is almost no information about any more severe deviations.
However, it is worth saying that if this antibacterial agent was prescribed by the attending physician and the optimal dose was selected by him, all sorts of side deviations are extremely rare. If something like this did happen, the doctor will select an analog similar in effect and effectiveness, since the Russian pharmaceutical market is saturated with antibiotics with a wide range of effects.