One of the most common external broad-spectrum antibacterial agents is streptocide liniment. The drug belongs to the group of sulfonamides and has long been used to treat infected wounds. Streptocid is a time-tested antibiotic. According to patients, it is effective against many microorganisms that cause inflammatory diseases. And for external use, streptocide liniment is often used. The instruction recommends using it for any purulent-inflammatory processes on the skin.
What is liniment
The liquid form of the drug, which is used externally, is called liniment. The name comes from the Latin word for "spread". Liniment is a thick liquid or a harder gelatinous substance. But the peculiarity of these funds is that when in contact with the human body, they melt and become liquid. This ensures a deeper penetration of the active ingredient under the skin. That's whyliniment is considered more effective than ointment or cream.
Such funds can be produced on a different basis: alcohol, oil, fat. For example, streptocide liniment is a suspension of powder dissolved in fish oil. The basis of this drug also has a therapeutic effect. Liniment excipients are emulsifiers, stabilizers added to maintain the uniformity of the substance.
Characteristic of streptocide
This is one of the first broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs. Streptocide is otherwise called sulfanilamide. It has a bacteriostatic effect. A feature of the drug is that it is included in the metabolism of microorganisms and disrupts the synthesis of nucleic acids necessary for their growth. This leads to the death of bacteria.
Soluble streptocide (liniment) is a fast-acting preparation, therefore it effectively cleanses tissues from infection and stimulates healing. This sulfanilamide is active against staphylococci, streptococci, gonococci, Escherichia coli, as well as shigella, chlamydia, proteus and toxoplasma. Treatment with this drug is ineffective in case of infection with enterococci, anaerobic bacteria, fungi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Streptocide liniment
This drug is a thick oily suspension of white color with a yellowish tinge. It is produced in tubes of 30 grams. The average price in Russian pharmacies is 80 rubles. The main active ingredient of the drug is soluble streptocide. Liniment contains it 50 mg, that is, in a five percent concentration. The composition also includes auxiliary components:
- purified cod fish oil;
- an emulsifier based on cetyl and stearyl alcohol;
- sodium carboxymethylcellulose stabilizer;
When streptocide is applied to the skin, liniment accelerates wound healing, which is noted by many users. The drug promotes faster epithelialization and reduction of erosive lesions. Its peculiarity is that the drug is absorbed only through the damaged surface.
Production of streptocide liniment
This drug is produced by various pharmaceutical companies. Its composition and color may vary slightly. The preparation contains: soluble streptocide, stabilizer, emulsifier, fish oil and distilled water. Various substances can be used as emulsifiers and stabilizers, which does not affect the effectiveness of the drug. Now the production of streptocide liniment is becoming unprofitable, since its main component is scarce cod fat. But still, this drug is much cheaper than most antibacterial ointments.
Streptocide in liniment is used in the form of a paste: first it is mixed with fish oil, and then all other substances are added. This makes the manufacturing process of the drug rather complicated.
Another disadvantage of streptocide liniment is that the stabilizers used cannot providelong-term storage of the drug. In addition, at temperatures above 15 degrees, it begins to melt, and an orange film forms on the surface of the product - reviews repeatedly indicate this. The same oxide appears when the liniment is stored for more than six months in its original packaging.
Do not expose the drug to low temperatures. After freezing, the liniment stratifies, and its homogeneous structure is then not restored. This drug should not be used.
Indications for use of the drug
Streptocide liniment is effective for any purulent-inflammatory skin diseases caused by microorganisms. He is appointed at:
- infected wounds;
- ulcers and skin cracks that do not heal for a long time;
- pressure sores, skin graft;
- 1st and 2nd degree burns;
- superficial pyoderma;
- acne, impetigo;
- boils and carbuncles;
- erysipelas.
Previously, streptocide liniment was often used against acne on the face, acne and furunculosis. Now it is being replaced by more effective and safe drugs. And some doctors do not recommend applying streptocide to the face because of the possibility of developing allergic reactions.
Contraindications and side effects
Sulfanilamide is a strong chemotherapy drug with frequent side effects. When applied externally, they are not so pronounced, but still not everyone canuse streptocid soluble liniment. The instruction does not recommend prescribing the drug for:
- pregnancy and lactation;
- under 12;
- kidney failure;
- diseases of the hematopoietic system;
- anemia;
- Graves' disease;
- Individual intolerance to sulfa drugs.
The drug in the form of liniment is quickly absorbed and therefore works effectively. But because of this, it can cause allergic reactions. With individual intolerance, a rash, dermatitis or urticaria may occur. About 10% of the active substance penetrates into the blood and can cause systemic side effects. In some cases, the patient experiences nausea, headaches, upset stools. With kidney disease, there may be a violation of their work. Very rarely, changes in blood composition, cyanosis, tachycardia and numbness of the extremities were observed.
Soluble streptocide. Liniment: instructions for use
How many times to apply the drug and how long the treatment will last, the doctor determines depending on the severity of the disease and the individual characteristics of the patient. Streptocide (liniment) is used differently. Instructions for use recommends applying it to the affected surface in a thin layer. The maximum dose for adult patients is 2 grams. In severe cases, it is possible to use liniment streptocide directly under the gauze bandage. You need to change it 1-2 times a day. Do not use linimentstreptocide for more than two weeks. But basically this is not required, since relief is observed after 3-4 days, and epithelization of ulcers begins after a week.
Before the first use of liniment, it is necessary to check the patient's response to the drug. To do this, a small scratch is applied to the forearm, and streptocide is applied to it. If no allergic reactions appear after 15 minutes, the drug can be used.
Liniment or ointment: which is better?
Sulfanilamide comes in different forms. For external use, powder, streptocide liniment, ointment can be used. The instruction recommends trusting the choice of the drug to a specialist. The drug in the form of liniment has a liquid form, so in some cases it is inconvenient to apply it to the skin. And then you can choose streptocid ointment. It is based on petroleum jelly, but its effectiveness is due to the higher concentration of sulfanilamide.
In addition to streptocid ointment, there is a drug "Sunoref" based on this antibiotic. This ointment contains camphor, ephedrine, eucalyptus oil and is used to treat various types of the common cold.
There are other analogues of liniment with a similar antibacterial effect:
- "Streptonitol" is a drug that, in addition to streptocide, includes nitazole.
- "Dermazin" is an effective ointment based on sulfanilamide.
- "Silvederm" - a cream, aerosol or ointment containing sulfadiazine.
- "Argosulfan" - an ointment based on sulfathiazole.
- ForSulfacyl sodium is used to treat eye infections.
Special Instructions
It is undesirable to use the drug alone. After all, there are some features that need to be considered when using a soluble streptocide (liniment). Instructions for use indicate them:
- treatment must not be interrupted before the time prescribed by the doctor, otherwise microorganisms may develop resistance to the action of sulfonamides;
- if allergic reactions and other side effects occur, the drug should be discontinued;
- you can not use streptocide liniment together with novocaine, since the latter weakens the effect of sulfanilamide;
- during treatment it is undesirable to take Digitoxin, Phenobarbital, Caffeine and Adrenaline;
- keep the drug in the refrigerator, but do not freeze it.
