Pneumonia is a dangerous and rather insidious disease that leads to various complications. The pathology is characterized by an acute infectious and inflammatory process that takes place in the lower respiratory tract, affecting the bronchioles and alveoli. The disease can overtake a patient of any age. However, it is more common in immunocompromised people. Treatment is recommended in a hospital setting. In any case, specialist supervision is required. The only correct drug needed in this case is an antibiotic. In tablets for pneumonia in adults, such drugs are considered the most suitable because:
- easy to take;
- effective enough.
It is strictly forbidden to select medicines on your own, because such amateur activity is fraught not only with aggravation of the condition, but evenfatal.
Main causes of disease development
What antibiotics to take for pneumonia in adults in each case, only a doctor can determine based on a thorough examination of patients and clinical tests. It is known that the disease can cause the activation of pathogens. But the causes of the development of pathology can be a variety of bacteria:
- Pneumococci. In more than half of cases, these microorganisms are diagnosed.
- Staphylococci. Found in 5% of cases.
- Hemophilus influenzae. Laboratory studies reveal it in 6-7% of cases.
- Enterobacteria and mycoplasma. Found in 6% of cases.
Streptococci, Legionella and E. coli can also serve as causes. Similar microorganisms are found in 2-4% of cases.
In this regard, only a specialist will be able to suggest which antibiotics for pneumonia in adults will be effective, because each of them has a different active composition.
Risk factors
Pneumonia in an adult does not just happen. The most common risk factors are:
- Weakened immunity.
- Malnutrition, when there is not enough quality meat, fresh fish, vegetables and fruits in the diet.
- Frequent stress.
Often provoke the occurrence of pathology persistent colds. The result is chronican infectious focus that promotes the reproduction of microorganisms. Alcoholism and smoking are also considered risk factors.
Diversity of pathology
Which antibiotics for pneumonia in adults can contribute to recovery depends on the etiology of the disease. According to medical terminology, the types of pneumonia are as follows:
- viral;
- bacterial;
- fungal;
- mycoplasma;
- mixed.
Depending on the definition of the species, the doctor prescribes the appropriate antibiotic. The most common pathology is hospital-acquired pneumonia. The disease can develop in a patient within three days after entering the hospital. Microorganisms settle in the lower respiratory tract, entering through the nasopharynx and gastrointestinal tract.
Depending on the course, specialists distinguish pneumonia:
- spicy;
- atypical;
- chronic.
In addition, pneumonia is divided into right-sided, left-sided and bilateral. The disease can be mild or severe in degree.
Antibiotic for pneumonia in adults: names, list
The basis of therapy for pneumonia should be antibiotics. But the choice of specific tablets depends entirely on the identified pathogenic microorganism that caused the development of the pathology. Pulmonologists use the following types of drugs in their practice:
- Penicillins. They can be both synthetically produced and natural. Used for pneumococcal andstaph infection.
- Tetracyclines. Capable of killing many disease-causing organisms.
- Cephalosporins. Effective against Gram-negative bacteria and E. coli.
- Fluoroquinolones. Doctors prescribe them for bacterial pneumonia.
- Macrolides. If pneumonia is provoked by mycoplasma, then with the help of this type of pill you can quickly stop the inflammatory process.
An antibiotic tablet for pneumonia in adults can be prescribed by a pulmonologist based on clinical tests. But it is important to remember that such drugs should be taken at regular intervals, strictly following the recommended dosage, and not interrupt the prescribed course.
Regardless of the severity of the course, in the first days of the development of pathology, the patient is prescribed bed rest. Next, consider the most famous and effective antibiotics in the form of tablets from the types described above.
Penicillin series
Penicillin antibiotics are most commonly recommended for pneumonia in adults. The list of famous ones is as follows:
- "Amoxicillin";
- "Ampicillin";
- "Amoxiclav".
"Amoxicillin" in the form of tablets is prescribed three times a day. The dosage for adult patients is usually 500 mg. However, depending on the severity of the pathology, the doctor may increase it to 1 g. Ampicillin has similar instructions for use.
"Amoxiclav" is made on the basis of two active ingredients and contains semi-synthetic produced penicillin amoxicillin, as well as clavulanic acid. The dosage is prescribed depending on the severity of the disease. Doctors usually recommend 250 mg taken by mouth two or three times a day.
Cephalosporin line
If the disease is caused by Escherichia coli or Gram-negative bacteria, then antibiotics from the category of cephalosporins are prescribed for pneumonia in adults. Names of specific drugs are as follows:
- "Cephalexin";
- Cefepim.
"Cephalexin" is available in standard pills, as well as in capsules. The drug is prescribed 30 minutes before the main meal, 0.25-0.5 g every 6 hours. It is important to take the medicine at least four times a day. Cefepime is indicated for mild to moderate pneumonia. To cure, doctors prescribe up to 1 g of antibiotic at one time. Between the use of tablets should pass 12 hours. However, the dosage may be increased by a pulmonologist up to 2 g if the patient's condition is severe.
Macrolide and tetracycline tablets
Antibiotics for the treatment of pneumonia in adults (tablets) should be selected based on the type of microorganism that caused the pathology. Tetracyclines are rarely prescribed. This is justified by the fact that this type of antibiotic accumulates in tissues and organs. Thus, it provokes a large number of side effects. Among the pills most in demand are:
- "Doxycycline";
- Tetracycline.
"Tetracycline"doctors prescribe 0.5 g four times a day. Treatment should be carried out for at least a week.
"Doxycycline" is also used in the treatment of pneumonia. The maximum dosage is 600 mg. The duration of therapy can only be determined by the doctor based on the development of the inflammatory process.
However, antibiotics in tablets are considered the most effective and safest for pneumonia in adults from the category of macrolides. Doctors distinguish among them:
- "Sumamed";
- Erythromycin;
- Clarithromycin.
"Sumamed" is convenient to use because you need to drink only one pill per day, containing 500 mg of the active ingredient. At the same time, therapy is also short-lived. If the pathology proceeds without complications, then the course of treatment is usually 3-5 days.
"Erythromycin" in the form of tablets is prescribed four times a day at a dosage of 250 mg.
Antibiotics for the treatment of pneumonia in adults are diverse. Many prefer the appointment of drugs that should be used for a short time. So, "Clarithromycin" should be taken during the day only two times. This scheme suits many patients. However, pulmonologists may prescribe the drug to the patient in the form of an intravenous solution.
Should be safe and not cause serious side effects, the best antibiotics for pneumonia in adults. The names of the above have already been heard by many, because they are effective, but they act gently and quickly.
Usefluoroquinolones
Which antibiotics for pneumonia in adults (pills) will help to cope with the infectious process completely, depends on the microorganism that caused the pathology. If the disease is provoked by legionella or E. coli, then fluoroquinolones are prescribed. This type of antibiotic preparations has its own advantages. They penetrate deep into damaged tissues, while they do not cause resistance in pathogens to them.
What antibiotics are prescribed for pneumonia in adults? The names of drugs from the category of fluoroquinolones are as follows:
- Ofloxacin. Assign twice a day from 200 to 800 mg.
- "Ciprofloxacin". It is recommended to take twice a day from 250 to 500 mg.
The course of therapy is determined by the pulmonologist individually in each case. On average, treatment for moderate pneumonia lasts one to two weeks.
Side effects of antibiotic therapy
Antibiotic tablets for pneumonia in adults can cause serious side effects. Therefore, it is so important that a specialist on the basis of an accurately established diagnosis is engaged in their appointment. However, the specificity of the tablets is such that even with proper administration, they can cause:
- digestive disorders;
- allergic reactions.
Due to the fact that antibiotics disrupt the natural flora, women often experience vaginal candidiasis in the body. Patients of both sexes may develop:
- allergic reactions;
- neurotoxicsymptoms;
- anaphylactic shock.
The least dangerous in terms of complications are tablets belonging to the penicillin series, as well as cephalosporins and macrolides. Therefore, pulmonologists often prescribe these medications.
Contraindications for antibiotics
If a patient has an individual intolerance to any drug, then this is a direct contraindication to its appointment. Also, many antibiotics are prohibited during pregnancy and lactation.
However, such patients with well-defined pneumonia also require antibiotic therapy. At the same time, the doctor selects for the woman the most gentle pills in terms of impact on the body. According to the level of danger they are classified as group B.
Diagnosis of pneumonia
To decide which antibiotics to drink for adult patients with pneumonia, the doctor conducts a detailed examination. To do this, the specialist uses the following methods:
- inspection;
- listening to the lungs with a stethoscope;
- body temperature measurement;
- sputum analysis;
- general and biochemical blood tests;
- chest x-ray.
X-ray is considered to be the basis of diagnosis. The examination must be carried out in direct, in some cases - lateral projection. This method allows the doctor to accurately diagnose, predict possible complications, prescribe effective therapy and evaluate its effectiveness. Therefore, an x-ray of the lungs with pneumoniaheld several times.
Depending on the severity of the course of the disease, the doctor may prescribe the following measures:
- bronchoscopy;
- tomography.
This is necessary to rule out tuberculosis and lung cancer. A pleural fluid analysis may also be ordered.
Suspicious symptoms
Even the best antibiotics for pneumonia in adults cannot improve the condition unless an accurate diagnosis is made. Common symptoms of the disease are:
- high body temperature;
- dry hysterical cough;
- chest pain.
As the inflammation increases, the patient complains of lack of air, excessive anxiety, muscle pain and fatigue. Sometimes blue nails and lips are fixed.
Despite the commonality of symptoms, pneumonia can be caused by different kinds of microorganisms. Only laboratory tests will help to establish their pathogenicity. Therefore, if you suspect the development of pneumonia, you should immediately seek the advice of a doctor. It is forbidden to use any pills and other drugs on your own in order to avoid serious complications and death.
If the doctor detects pneumonia, then antibiotic therapy will be the only right decision. However, complex treatment is necessary. For this, the pulmonologist prescribes expectorant and antipyretic drugs. To strengthen the immune system, vitamin complexes are required with a high content of vitamins such as C, A and group B.
Of course, the use of antibiotics leads tovarious kinds of complications. To get rid of unpleasant symptoms, probiotics and prebiotics can be prescribed. They must be taken to put in order the intestinal microflora. Homeopathy is also becoming relevant, but only a doctor can prescribe such drugs in accordance with the patient's condition and his individual physical characteristics.
How an antibiotic is selected
Antibiotics in the treatment of pneumonia are the main part of the treatment. The choice of a group of such drugs is built by a specialist based on the examination of the patient and the results of laboratory tests, bacterial culture of sputum.
Only after the causative agent of the disease is determined, it is possible to test its sensitivity to a certain category of antibiotic.
However, often the patient's condition requires immediate treatment. Therefore, before identifying the pathogen, the doctor may prescribe an antibiotic, following these principles:
- The use of broad-spectrum tablets. In this case, the dosage is calculated in such a way that there is a constant concentration of the active ingredient in the blood.
- If SARS is detected, then specialized medicines containing clarithromycin are also needed. Sumamed is considered the most effective drug.
Conclusion
It should be understood that the disease is dangerous and, if not properly treated, can lead to serious complications and even death. The prescription of antibiotics is justified and necessary. Do not stop taking them because of possible side effects. Otherwise, the disease cannot be cured. The main condition for successful therapy is compliance with the dosage and treatment regimen recommended by the doctor.
