Sofradex (Sofradex) ear drops. Price, instructions for use, cheaper analogs, reviews

Unlike other ear drops, Sofradex can be used not only in otolaryngology. This combination drug has an affordable price and is suitable for the treatment of adults and children.

Forms of release and composition of the drug

Sofradex is a versatile antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent that is used in various fields. The drug easily blocks puffiness, relieves burning and itching. To obtain the maximum therapeutic effect, the patient should strictly adhere to the dosage and regimen of the drug.

Sofradex - ear drops (the price of the drug is relatively low when compared with some analogues), which are shown in a number of cases. They are prescribed by ophthalmologists and otolaryngologists.

The pharmacological action of the drops is caused by the content of the following substances:

• gramicidin;
• dexamethasone;
• framycetin sulfate.

As auxiliary substances that enhance the effect of the above components, the manufacturer uses:

• phenylethyl alcohol;
• lithium chloride;
• citrate ethanol;
• polysorbate (tween 80);
• purified water;
• sodium citrate.

By the way, citric acid is used here as a preservative for the medicinal composition, which helps to maintain the properties of steroids.

Ear drops Sofradex have the characteristic smell of an alcohol-based drug. The solution of a light yellow tint has a liquid consistency, does not contain sediment.

The drug is available in darkened glass vials with a volume of 5 ml. In the package, the container comes with a nozzle-cap with a drip dispenser function, which makes it easier to use at home.

Pharmacological properties

The effect of Sofradex on the body can be explained by the healing properties of the active substances - corticosteroids and antibiotics:

• Framycetin sulfate - an antibacterial substance from the aminoglycoside group is effective against streptococcal, staphylococcal, gram-positive bacteria, E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. According to some reports, the substance is ototoxic.
• Gramicidin - is also a representative of a wide spectrum of antibiotics capable of destroying anaerobic microflora, including Staphylococcus aureus, the causative agent of dysentery.
• Dexamethasone - an artificial hormonal substance that maintains the normal tone of the blood vessels, the outflow of liquid tissues, trophism of the tissues of the hearing organs. In addition, this glucocorticoid is involved in the processes of suppressing allergic reactions and contributes to the rapid relief of the corresponding symptoms. However, the main disadvantage of dexamethasone is its immunosuppressive properties.

When instilled into the ears, Sofradex quickly eliminates burning and itching, since immediately after instillation, the active ingredients penetrate through the skin of the auditory canals to the nerve receptors and blood vessels.

Antibiotics destroy infectious agents in otitis media of any kind, preventing the concentration of exudate and pus in the middle ear cavity, which accumulates as a result of inflammation. However, ear drops are completely useless for otitis media of viral or fungal etiology.

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

Drops for ears Sofradex have a bactericidal and antibacterial effect on the tissues of the organ affected gram-positive or gram-negative pathogens (strains of staphylococcus, streptococcus, proteus, eschecheria, klebsiella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Gramicidin and framycetin play a major role in the restoration of normal microflora of the hearing organs.

The relief of the inflammatory process, blocking of histamine receptors and the removal of allergic symptoms is ensured by the presence of a substance such as dexamethasone in the Sofradex composition.

If you instill the drug in the eyes, then it is this hormonal component that will help get rid of pain, burning sensation, photophobia, lacrimation with bacterial conjunctivitis. These ear drops also have an anti-inflammatory effect on adenoids.

The use of Sofradex is accompanied by a low level of total absorption - this means that a minimum amount of active substances enters the bloodstream. Antibiotics and hormones present in the composition of this drug exert their therapeutic effect locally.

Framycetin sulfate enters the body through inflamed or damaged skin, wound surface. After entering the systemic circulation, antibacterial components are rapidly excreted by the kidneys, leaving the body in its original form along with urine (half-life is 2-3 hours).

Unlike antibiotics, dexamethasone is rapidly absorbed into the blood, its half-life can be in the range of 4-6 hours.

Indications for use

Sofradex - ear drops, the price of which, according to most users, is affordable. The drug has a wide spectrum of action, but at the same time, such a potent combined drug can negatively affect the entire body. Together with pathogenic microflora, it also destroys healthy microorganisms.

Most often, drops are used in the treatment of otitis media of the external or middle ear caused by bacteria such as:

• klebsiella;
• Proteus;
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa;
• Staphylococcus aureus;
• streptococci.

Ear drops Sofradex are also suitable for the treatment of ophthalmic pathologies. Most often, this remedy is prescribed to patients with blepharitis, barley caused by Staphylococcus aureus, iridocyclitis, iritis. In addition, the effectiveness of Sofradex has been clinically proven for adenoids and polyps in the nasal passages.

Contraindications

Drops should not be used if the patient has a damaged eardrum. In this case, the drug is used only for the treatment of catarrhal otitis media. It is also important to consider other restrictions on the use of Sofradex drops.

Absolute contraindications are:

• mycotic diseases of the outer and inner ear;
• diseases of viral etiology;
• allergy or individual intolerance to individual components in the composition;
• abscesses and abscesses in the area of ​​the auditory canals;
• tuberculosis;
• period of pregnancy;
• lactation.

The hormonal components of the drug Sofradex are highly ototoxic, therefore the use drops in violation of the integrity of the tympanic membrane is fraught with the development of complications up to the loss hearing.

In case of serious diseases accompanied by damage to the organs of hearing, it is important to carry out treatment under the supervision of the attending physician. In addition, with prolonged use, patients often develop addiction to the drug and increase the resistance of bacteria to the antibiotic.

The use of Sofradex ear drops for eye diseases is impossible with viral infection of the mucous membrane of the eye, thinning of the cornea, the presence of open wounds, burns. After surgery on the lens, the drug is not prescribed.

The use of Sofradex is prohibited against the background of an exacerbation of herpes infection. The corticoids present in the preparation stimulate the activity of the virus and contribute to its intensive reproduction.

At what age can the drug be used?

Studies of the clinical efficacy of Sofradex ear drops in young patients have not been conducted. In this regard, the drug is prescribed to children with extreme caution, and drops are not used at all for babies under 2 years old.

In pediatrics, treatment with combined Sofradex is recommended in a stationary setting. For children with otitis media, a three-fold regimen of the drug is suitable. The dosage is determined by the doctor individually for each child, depending on his age and weight. The optimal dose of the drug is considered to be 2 drops (in each ear canal).

After the instillation procedure, cotton swabs are inserted into the diseased ears. Another way of using the medicine is also possible: the turundas moistened with drops are inserted into both ears for 30 minutes. When redness or burning appears, the turundas are immediately removed.

In general, the use of Sofradex at an early age cannot be considered completely safe. With prolonged use of drops with a hormonal component, the risk of developing functional disorders of the adrenal cortex increases. In this regard, it is forbidden to treat otolaryngological diseases with Sofradex for children under 2 years of age.

Instructions for use, dosage

Ear drops Sofradex should be used only after diagnosis and consultation with the attending otolaryngologist.

In the annotation to the drug, the manufacturer gives the following explanations about the dosage:

• Adults and children over 12 years old are recommended to drip ears 3-4 times a day, 3 drops into each ear canal with an interval of at least 4 hours. The optimal course of treatment is at least 7 and no more than 10 days.
• For children from 2 to 12 years old, 3-time use of 2 drops is enough.

After instillation, the ears must be closed with a cotton swab. Since the drops contain potent antibacterial and corticosteroid substances, you should carefully treat the dosage of the drug and periodically visit the ENT doctor to monitor the condition of the hearing organs.

Sofradex is not your usual ear drops. Despite the affordable price, this remedy also copes well with eye diseases. With a bacterial infection, the drug must be carefully injected into the conjunctival sac. Before using the product, it is important to thoroughly wash your hands and treat the dispensing pipette with an antiseptic.

You can use Sofradex for inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eyes against the background of an allergic reaction, keratitis. The scheme for using drops looks like this: 1 drop at least 3 times a day, 1 drop. It is advisable for patients with barley to make compresses with Sofradex, keeping for 15-20 minutes. on closed eyelids, cotton or gauze bandages soaked in medicine.

Some experts prescribe Sofradex ear drops to patients in order to relieve a pronounced inflammatory process in the nasopharynx. For adenoids, the drug is used intranasally, dripping 5 drops into the nasal passages. The course of therapy lasts at least 5 days. Drops are usually combined with pill or injectable antibiotics.

In order for the drug to produce the expected therapeutic effect, it must be used in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.

The instructions state:

1. Before injecting drops into the ear canal, they must be heated to body temperature by first holding them in the hand or leaving the bottle in a water bath. Using cold medicine can cause discomfort.
2. Before treatment, the patient must take the correct posture: lie on his side, freeing the sore ear from hats and hair.
3. After the introduction of the drug into the ear canal, you need to install a small cotton turunda, pre-lubricated with petroleum jelly - this is necessary to exclude weathering or leakage of the medicinal solution, as well as its uniform distribution over the inflamed areas.

It is important to remember that with prolonged use of drops, the risk of the formation of resistance of the bacterial flora increases, which initially may not manifest itself in any way outwardly, but at the same time it will have a depressing effect on the immune system.

Dexamethasone, like other glucocorticosteroids, eliminates symptoms and clinical manifestations, from which the course of the infection often becomes secretive. As a result, the bacterial infection will spread to the inner tissues of the ear and the disease will worsen.

If after several days of use there is no noticeable therapeutic effect, it is necessary to consult a doctor, who will most likely recommend replacing Sofradex with an analogue.

Side effects

By observing medical prescriptions and all points of the instructions, the occurrence of side effects can be avoided. effects, however, it is important to understand that, in general, Sofradex often provokes negative reactions from organism. Most often, an adverse effect occurs as a manifestation of an allergic reaction to antibiotics or synthetic hormones in the composition of the drug.

Sofradex - ear drops (the price of the drug will be indicated later in the article), which most often provoke the appearance of the following symptoms:

• hyperemia of the skin;
• dermatous rashes;
• hives;
• swelling;
• itching.

These signs can occur not only in the places where the tissues come into contact with the medicinal solution, but also on the abdomen, hands, and face.

In rare cases, Sofradex can provoke the activity of viruses and fungi. If, after 2-3 days of using the drops, there are no positive changes in the patient's well-being, it is necessary to change the drug with a medicine with other active ingredients.

Overdose

Sofradex, despite the possible ototoxicity, does not apply to highly concentrated hazardous agents. After a single application of an excessive amount of the solution, no overdose symptoms will occur. Meanwhile, with prolonged therapy, the active substances accumulate in the body.

If you use drops for more than 7-10 days, problems such as:

• exacerbation of the herpes virus;
• swelling and swelling of the limbs;
• burning sensation at the injection sites.

In case of an overdose of the drug, an increase in blood pressure, a decrease in the level of hormones produced by the adrenal glands, and the appearance of weakness and drowsiness are possible. After the drops are canceled, the functions of all organs and systems are fully restored without any additional medical intervention.

special instructions

Drops for eyes and ears of Sofradex should be used strictly as prescribed by a specialist, without neglecting his recommendations on the dosage and duration of the course of treatment. Ignoring the rules for using the medication can lead to complications.

For example, the dexamethasone contained in the solution promotes thinning of the mucous membranes, and antibiotics that get on open wounds or fistulas sometimes provoke an ototoxic effect.

It is also important to consider that dexamethasone reaches the adrenal glands, being transported through the bloodstream, therefore, if the dosage is exceeded, the likelihood of a failure in the production of hormones increases. One of the consequences can be partial dysfunction of the thyroid gland and kidneys.

The manufacturer does not indicate any restrictions for patients who drive cars or operate complex equipment: Sofradex does not affect the speed of reaction and sense of perception.

The use of these drops is not allowed with an unknown etiology of inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye. Framycetin sulfate can cause nephrotic reactions and liver dysfunction if you use drops for more than 2 weeks.

When using Sofradex for 7 days or more, it is important to take measurements every day intraocular pressure, check the organs of vision for the addition of secondary infections, development cataracts.

Children's specialists in the field of otolaryngology have long been able to come to the conclusion about the effectiveness of Sofradex drops for rhinitis of various origins. However, the instructions for use do not contain any instructions on how to properly drip the nose with Sofradex.

Doctors prescribe 1-2 drops 3 times a day in each nasal passage for allergic or infectious rhinitis, adenoids, rhinopharyngitis.

If we are talking about the treatment of a simple rhinitis in children, then Sofradex in such cases is undesirable to use. It is best to use other drugs, the use of which minimizes the development of side effects.

Drug interactions

As a rule, the combination of antibiotics and glucocorticoids with similar substances in therapy requires special care.

Simultaneously with Sofradex, it is forbidden to use drugs containing:

• monomycin;
• gentamicin;
• streptomycin.

Otherwise, such a drug combination can lead to impaired renal function. However, even those medicines, the use of which in parallel with Sofradex drops does not pose a clear threat to health, should be used in compliance with certain time intervals (at least 15-20 minutes. after instillation).

Analogs

Sofradex (ear drops, the price of which will be in the same range, may have different medicinal properties) should be prescribed by a specialist. If the patient has an individual intolerance to the components of the drug or there are restrictions on the use, the doctor will help you choose another remedy.

You should not seek advice from a pharmacy pharmacist, since only a professional doctor is competent in this matter. Based on the severity of the disease and the characteristics of the patient's condition, the doctor will find an alternative solution.

Instead of Sofradex ear drops, specialists often prescribe drugs from the following list:

Analogue name, cost	Active ingredients	Description
Otinum (201-218 rub.)	choline salicylate	It has an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect, it is indicated for acute and chronic otitis media, myringitis, otitis externa, it is not used in the treatment of children 1 year of age.
Aurisan (from 120 rubles)	decamethoxin	Has an antiseptic and antimicrobial effect, is intended for the treatment of bacterial and fungal acute otitis media, is contraindicated in children under 12 years of age
Neladex (1498 rub.)	neomycin	It is a combined agent with an antibiotic, it is used as a medicine for instilling ears and eyes, it is not used for mycoses.
Galazolin (49 rubles)	xylometazoline	A representative of the group of vasoconstrictor agents, it is used for otitis media, sinusitis, including allergic ones, it is prohibited for use up to 6 years.
Otipax (281-351 rubles)	phenazone, lidocaine hydrochloride	It is indicated for otitis media of various etiologies, including in infants, and is not used for hypersensitivity to components or mechanical damage to the tympanic membrane.

Terms, conditions of sale and storage

The drug Sofradex is dispensed in pharmacies with a prescription from a doctor. Usable drops remain for 2 years from the date of manufacture of the medicine, provided that the bottle is kept closed.

Suitable conditions for saving the properties of Sofradex are:

• the presence of a cardboard box;
• air temperature no more than 25 ° С;
• inaccessibility for children.

The drug must not be frozen. From the moment the bottle is opened, only 30 days are left for its use - after this period, the remnants of the drug must be disposed of.

Price

In Russian pharmacies, the cost of Sofradex ear and eye drops is in the range of 296-310 rubles, so this drug belongs to the middle price segment. It is worth noting that in the choice of Sofradex or its analogue, the issue of cost is not the key. The retail price of a drug is determined exclusively by the trade margin of a specific pharmacy chain.

One of the most effective ear and eye drops that act after the first application is Sofradex. There are no drugs with an identical composition and price on the pharmaceutical market yet, however, if it is necessary to replace it, any of the above-described analogs can become an alternative to Sofradex.

Video about the drug

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