Streptocide is a substance that belongs to antimicrobial agents. It is included in various preparations. Let's figure out why streptocide is needed, in what dosage forms it is produced and how to use this or that drug correctly.
Pharmacological action
First, let's look at the pharmacological action. Streptocid (sulfanilamide) is an antimicrobial bacteriostatic agent. When exposed to a pathogenic microorganism, the substance contributes to the launch of destructive processes. It inhibits dihydropteroate synthetase, disrupts the synthesis of dihydrofolic, tetrahydrofolic and nucleic acids.
Streptocide is active against gram-negative and gram-positive cocci, Escherichia coli, Vibrio cholerae, Haemophilus influenzae, plague bacillus, anthrax, diphtheria, toxoplasmosis, as well as against such genera as shigella, clostridia, chlamydia, actinomycetes.
Topical Powder
Under the name "Streptocide" a powder is produced forexternal use in packaging of 5 and 2 g. It is effective:
- for purulent wounds;
- presence of infected burns II and I degree;
- other skin purulent-inflammatory processes.
A drug is prescribed as part of complex therapy.
The active component of this drug is able to penetrate the body through the skin, so the drug is not always safe for humans. The powder "Streptocid" in the instructions for use lists contraindications:
- hypersensitivity to substances belonging to the group of sulfonamides;
- periods in a woman's life like childbearing and breastfeeding;
- liver failure;
- kidney failure;
- azotemia - an excessively high level of nitrogenous metabolic products in the blood, which must be excreted by the kidneys;
- chronic heart failure;
- congenital deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase;
- porphyrin disease is a disorder of pigment metabolism caused by heredity;
- thyrotoxicosis - an increase in thyroid function due to an increase in the number of thyroid hormones;
- diseases affecting the hematopoietic system;
- inhibition of bone marrow hematopoiesis;
- anemia is a disorder in the human body, in which the concentration of hemoglobin and the number of red blood cells decrease.
The instructions for use of the Streptocid powder say that caution should be observed when treating children under the age of 3 years with this remedy. A drugonly needed if it is actually prescribed by a doctor.
Features of powder application
It is applied to the affected skin. Dressings are performed after one or two days.
Adults for one application of the powder "Streptocid" for wounds and burns can spend a maximum of 5 g, per day - 15 g. For children under 3 years old, the dosages are different. A single dose for them is 0.1 g, a daily dose is 0.3 g.
Streptocid powder is used for as many days as the doctor prescribes. If there is no improvement, consult a specialist.
In the process of using Streptocid powder for wounds, burns, some people find side effects in themselves. Those patients who were not aware of their hypersensitivity to sulfonamides experience allergic reactions. These symptoms require discontinuation of the drug. There may also be unwanted effects such as:
- dizziness;
- headache;
- nausea;
- vomit;
- feeling of pain, heaviness in the stomach;
- blue skin;
- drop in white blood cells (leukopenia);
- decrease in the number of granulocytes in the blood (agranulocytosis);
- increased content in the urine of crystalline s alt residues of biologically active acids (crystalluria).
Ointment for external use
Another dosage form containing streptocide is an ointment 10% for external use. There is only one active ingredient, and it is streptocide. Vaseline is an auxiliary component in the ointment.
U ointment "Streptocide" indications for use and contraindications are exactly the same as for the powder. Treatment with this drug is carried out taking into account the following recommendations:
- The ointment is intended for the treatment of affected areas of the skin. It is allowed to apply the product on a gauze napkin.
- Dressing is performed in 1-2 days. The total duration of treatment is from 10 to 14 days. Enough medication is applied each time.
- If no improvement is observed after a period of use of the drug, it is necessary to inform the attending physician.
Topical application of ointment
Topical and external use are completely different terms. The latter involves applying the medicine to the skin. Topical application - the use of drugs on the mucous membranes. The Streptocid line of medicines has a special 10% ointment, which is suitable for both local and external use. It contains sulfanilamide and medical vaseline.
Helps "Streptocid" from a sore throat, this drug is used to treat tonsillitis, tonsillitis. The medicine is also effective in other infectious and inflammatory diseases, pathological processes arising from microorganisms sensitive to sulfanilamide (for example, with boils, rosacea, erysipelas). The ointment is easy to use. It is applied to the affected areas in a thin layer.
Liniment
"Streptocid" is still available in the form of liniment for external use. The active ingredient in the preparation is mesulfamidesodium (soluble streptocide). Other Ingredients: Purified Water, Glycerol, Emulsifier 1 (Lanette® SX, NEOWAX® SX).
Liniment is indicated for use as part of complex treatment in the presence of purulent wounds on the body, infected burns of II and I degree and other pyoinflammatory processes on the skin. The medicine is prescribed, as a rule, from 3 months of age. For children under one year old, the Streptocid liniment is allowed to be used for burns and wounds, but with extreme caution.
The drug is prescribed for 10-14 days. Streptocide is applied to an open wound or gauze. Dressing is done in 1-2 days. When processing the skin, the liniment is applied in a thin layer. However, there is one limitation. With a large affected area, an adult should not apply more than 120 g to his body. Should not be applied to a child's body:
- more than 60 g of liniment at the age of 5-12 years;
- more than 36 g in 1-5 years;
- over 12g under 1 year.
The main side effects that arise from liniment are allergic reactions. With prolonged use of large doses, headaches, nausea, vomiting and other symptoms that have already been mentioned above begin to torment.
Tablet dosage form
Tablets "Streptocide" - a form of release, which today is already considered obsolete. The drug was prescribed for wound infections, lesions of the skin, ENT organs, respiratory and urinary tract. Experts used to recommend drinking the medicine at 0.5 g 5-6 times a day. For children in the instructions forthe following recommendations were made for the use of Streptocid tablets for angina and other diseases: at the age of 6-12 years - 0.3-0.5 g, at 2-5 years old - 0.2-0.3 g, up to 1 year - 0, 05-0, 1g per reception.
Currently, recommendations for the use of tablets are no longer relevant. This dosage form is no longer manufactured. It has been removed from the drug registry. In Russia, they decided to abandon this medication, because they began to think about why Streptocid should be taken in the form of tablets if it poses a threat to human he alth during treatment. The drug has a strong negative effect on the kidneys and liver. In adults and children, Streptocid throat tablets often caused dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, agranulocytosis, leukopenia, cyanosis, and allergic reactions.
All of the above side effects are in powder, ointment, liniment, but when applied externally, only a small part of the active ingredient penetrates inside. Undesirable symptoms are possible, but their probability is not too high. But when taken orally, streptocid is almost completely absorbed into the bloodstream, spreads throughout the body. Accordingly, the impact is significant.
Why "Streptocid" is not prescribed for pregnant and lactating women
Specialists have not conducted studies to find out the effectiveness and safety of the drug for pregnant and lactating mothers. Just in case, doctors do not prescribe any dosage forms of Streptocide to women during such periods of life.
Why in the treatment of children"Streptocide" needs caution
Newborn babies are never prescribed drugs containing streptocide. In infants, this active substance displaces bilirubin from its association with plasma proteins. As a result, kernicterus develops because of this.
Older children tolerate the properties of streptocide better, but caution is still needed when using. It is recommended due to the fact that no studies have been conducted in groups of children to prove the safety and effectiveness of the drug.
Symptoms of overdose and what to do
If you use a powder, ointment or liniment in large doses to treat a large affected surface, you may experience overdose symptoms. This condition makes itself felt headache, nausea, intestinal colic, dizziness, drowsiness, depression, fainting, confusion, visual impairment. With a prolonged overdose in patients, the following changes in the body are detected:
- thrombocytopenia - a decrease in the number of platelets;
- leukopenia - a decrease in the number of leukocytes;
- megaloblastic anemia is a disease associated with impaired hematopoiesis due to a lack of vitamin B12;
- jaundice - an increase in bilirubin in the blood, causing the skin and mucous membranes to become icteric.
In case of an overdose of streptocide, a person is prescribed treatment in the form of a plentiful drink. In case of ingestion of dosage forms intended for external use,gastric lavage required.
Additional information for patients
In some cases, in order to achieve the best effect during therapy, doctors prescribe Streptocid + antimicrobials for oral administration to their patients. During the course of treatment, experts additionally recommend a plentiful alkaline drink.
For specific drug interactions, you should consult your doctor. It is known that with the simultaneous use of myelotoxic drugs, the manifestations of hematotoxicity of streptocide increase.
There is another important note for patients. In no case can you cancel "Streptocide" on your own. Why is it necessary to strictly observe the duration of therapy? Due to premature interruption of the course of treatment, new strains of pathogenic microorganisms with resistance to the effects of sulfonamides may develop.
Studies to study the effect of the drug on the ability to drive a car and various complex mechanisms have not been conducted. However, doctors still advise people to be careful when driving or performing dangerous duties at work. Experts give such a recommendation due to the fact that the drug can cause dizziness and other side effects.
Reviews about "Streptocide"
About different dosage forms of "Streptocide" people leave mostly positive feedback. The drug is really effective. Thanks to him, the affected skin recovers faster without any complications. Propowder, for example, is said to be a very convenient dosage form. You just need to cut the corner of the medicine bag and pour it on your wound or burn. The powder does not cause discomfort as it does not sting.
In positive reviews, many people say that "Streptocide" is inexpensive. It really is. Approximate prices:
- bag of powder, 2 g – 35 rubles;
- ointment for local and external use, 25 g – 87 rubles;
- liniment, 30 g – 100 rubles
The disadvantages of the medicine include the presence of contraindications, the occurrence of side effects.
Analogues
Streptocide has analogues. One of them is Ranavexim. The release form of this medicine is a powder for external use. "Ranavexim" is completely similar to "Streptocide" in powder form. In both of these drugs, the same active ingredient is streptocide.
Another analogue is Sulfargin. This is a 1% ointment for external use. Pharmacotherapeutic group - sulfonamides, antimicrobial agents. The active ingredient is silver sulfadiazine. This component heals wounds, burns, bedsores, protects against infection, accelerates healing. This analogue of "Streptocide" has the following method of application:
- after surgical treatment of the wound, removal of necrotic tissue, apply the ointment in a thin layer (approximately 2-4 mm) (can be applied both openly and under a bandage);
- treat the affected area with medicine 1 or 2 times a day;
- Single dose should not exceed 300g;
- duration of treatmentdetermined individually, but most often doctors recommend using the remedy for up to three weeks.
Contraindications for "Sulfargin": pregnancy, breastfeeding, children under 1 year of age, hypersensitivity to sulfanilamide drugs, a pronounced lack of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.
Dermazin, a cream for external use, can also be attributed to the number of analogues. This drug is made on the basis of silver sulfadiazine. "Dermazin" is prescribed for the treatment and prevention of burn infections, infection of wounds, trophic ulcers. The medication is used in the same way as Sulfargin. Contraindications available for the drug: hypersensitivity to the components of the composition, pregnancy, childbirth, children under 2 months of age, premature newborns.
All dosage forms containing streptocide should be used correctly. What is this reminder for? The fact is that many people self-medicate and make various mistakes. Not only the effectiveness of treatment, but also the condition of the patient, his he alth depends on the peculiarities of the use of drugs with the named component. In order not to harm your body, you need to use medications with streptocide only when they are prescribed by a doctor, and only in compliance with all recommendations.
