A woman's body undergoes tremendous changes during pregnancy: all its functions and systems work to bear the fetus. Because of this, of course, a woman weakens, her immunity deteriorates, and she becomes more susceptible to attacks by viruses and bacteria. During such a period, a woman can very easily catch a cold or catch an infection.
The choice of medicines during pregnancy should never be approached superficially. Even a common cold in the most important period of a woman's life should be treated by a therapist or gynecologist. But it often happens that neither raspberry tea nor harmless non-aggressive medicines can cope with the disease, and the patient has to take drugs that can only be taken with the correct alignment of risks for the fetus and benefits for the mother. In some cases, it is impossible to overcome the infection without taking antibiotics. Then you need to choose the right drug that has the least harm to the fetus.
"Sumamed": all or nothing
One of the strongest antibiotics that can be used during pregnancy is Sumamed. The active ingredient in this drug isazithromycin - belongs to the class of semi-synthetic macrolides of category "B". Experimental data on the analysis of drugs of class "B" did not reveal adverse effects on the fetus in animals, but there were no in-depth studies in pregnant women.
Studies of azithromycin have shown that only small amounts can cross the placental barrier and, according to statistics, does not increase the percentage of births of children with developmental anomalies.
However, in the first trimester of pregnancy, the fetus is still poorly protected. At this time, the fundamental functions and organs of the unborn baby are formed. During this period, it is undesirable to take any medications in general, not to mention Sumamed in the early stages of pregnancy. Its use in the first 12 weeks is extremely dangerous for the fetus.
But in some cases, the refusal to take "Sumamed" during pregnancy cannot but lead to consequences for the he alth of the mother or even her life. For example, pyelonephritis, if not properly treated, can seriously impair kidney and liver function. In this case, you must be prepared for a total risk: the pregnancy will either be completely interrupted or continue to run until the end without any consequences.
Starting from the 2nd trimester, "Sumamed" during pregnancy can be used more calmly, it will not have a pathological effect on the fetus.
Method of using azithromycin
Azithromycin, when ingested, exhibits bactericidal properties, inhibiting the development of harmful cells. Once inside human immune cells, the drug accumulates in them to the amount necessary to fight pathogens. "Sumamed" begins to show therapeutic properties after 1-3 days from the start of its administration.
This is the main plus of azithromycin over other drugs: instead of difficult courses of treatment of 7-10 days, "Sumamed" must be taken only 3 days, 1 tablet or capsule one hour before meals or two hours after.
With this intake, the drug is quickly absorbed by the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, enters the systemic circulation of the body and then to the lesion, destroying bacterial microorganisms.
Sumamed can be taken in several variations: tablets, capsules, suspension.
Indications for the use of "Sumamed" during pregnancy
Given that Sumamed is the strongest broad-spectrum antibiotic, it can be used to treat the following diseases:
- infections of the upper respiratory tract (pharyngitis, tonsillitis, otitis media);
- lower respiratory infections (acute and chronic bronchitis, pneumonia);
- genitourinary tract infections;
- erythema migrans.
"Sumamed" inhibits bacteria such as streptococci, gardnerella, staphylococcus, Helicobacter bacterium and Haemophilus influenzae,stopping their growth and reproduction.
Contraindications
Any antibiotics are aggressive drugs. Their use should be approached very seriously, taking into account all the pros and cons. So there are several significant contraindications to taking azithromycin during pregnancy:
- The period of the first trimester (taking "Sumamed" during early pregnancy threatens with spontaneous miscarriage).
- Impaired liver and kidney function.
- Increased sensitivity to azithromycin and macrolides.
Side effects when taking "Sumamed"
Like all antibiotics, azithromycin negatively affects the intestinal microflora. In view of this, the use of Sumamed during pregnancy is extremely important to combine with drugs that support the digestive system.
Gastrointestinal side may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating or constipation. It is important to remember that when such symptoms appear, it is necessary to strictly observe the drinking regimen in order to avoid dehydration. It is advisable to take saline solutions (the basis for them can be bought at a pharmacy or prepared by yourself).
Weakening the immune system even more than before the illness, the use of "Sumamed" during pregnancy also activates fungal bacteria: a woman may develop candidiasis of both the mucous membranes of the vagina and the oral cavity. Treatment of thrush, acting only on the elimination of its symptoms, may be delayed, thereforeit is also necessary to strengthen the immune system in ways possible during pregnancy.
Other side effects include allergic reactions such as skin rashes or Quincke's edema from the endocrine system, as well as dizziness, pain, insomnia from the nervous side.
Analogues of "Sumamed"
"Sumamed" is a broad-spectrum drug that belongs to the group of azalide macrolides. Its cost is an order of magnitude higher than that of other antibiotics with azithromycin as an active ingredient in the same drug group.
Cheaper analogues of "Sumamed" include the following medications:
- "Azithromycin" - available in the form of capsules of 250 mg.
- "Azitral" - available in the form of capsules of 250 and 500 mg.
Reviews
Those who used "Sumamed" during pregnancy, the reviews are fundamentally different from each other: some believe that this is a first-class drug that can overcome the disease in a couple of days, while others were afraid to take it due to the lack of adequate data on its effect on the body as the mother herself, and the child in her womb.
In both cases, opinions agree on one thing: taking the drug allows you to feel much better already on the first day. But at the same time, the side effects of "Sumamed" may haunt for some more time.
Statistical data show that taking azithromycin during pregnancy does not lead to birthchildren with pathologies, even when treated in the first weeks of pregnancy, provided that the pregnancy was maintained at such an early stage.
