Hexoral (Hexoral) lozenges. Price, instructions for use, reviews

During the period of seasonal viral diseases, lozenges are often used. They help with sore throat and sore throat. One of the most affordable - drug Hexoral.

Forms of release and composition of the drug

Geksoral is also available in the form of a throat irrigation spray, however, the tablet form is considered to be no less popular and convenient to use. As part of this agent, the main role is assigned to the antiseptic and analgesic components - chlorhexidine dihydrochloride and benzocaine.

Each lozenge, which has a rounded, convex shape and rough surface, contains peppermint oil and thymol. On tablets, which are usually white or creamy, specific plaque and bubbles may form. The package of Hexoral contains 2 blisters, each containing 10 tablets.

Pharmacological properties

Geksoral - tablets for resorption, the price of which is relatively low. The drug belongs to the budget segment of medicines and is suitable for local therapy of dental and otolaryngological diseases. The active substances of the drug Hexoral have antiseptic and anesthetic properties.

Sore throat pills not only destroy the infection that provokes inflammation of the mucous membrane in the nasopharynx, but also produce an analgesic effect. According to reviews, the effect of the drug lasts 3-4 hours after application, since throughout this time a sufficient concentration of benzocaine and chlorhexidine remains in saliva.

Also, the pharmacological properties of Geksoral are due to the content of the following substances in it:

• peppermint oil destroys germs, relaxes muscles and connections, dulls pain;
• menthol cools the inflamed areas of the throat;
• aspartame, consisting of potassium and magnesium, helps relieve swelling;
• thymol is a powerful antiseptic, eliminates itching;
• isomalt is a natural sweetener and, unlike ordinary sugar, provides a pleasant taste of tablets and does not create favorable conditions for the reproduction of pathogenic microflora.

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

Since chlorhexidine destroys any pathogen, it can be used even before an accurate diagnosis is made, regardless of the type of pathogen. This substance destroys the membranes and cytoplasmic membranes of most microorganisms, however, it is completely useless for diseases caused by fungi, Proteus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Chlorhexidine is most active in slightly alkaline and neutral media. With a significant amount of purulent discharge, its effect is minimized.

Chlorhexidine, being the main component in the composition of Hexoral lozenges, reduces the concentration of microbes in saliva. Prolonged use often leads to an increase in the resistance of pathogenic microflora to this substance.

Benzocaine is used by pharmacists as a local anesthetic. Its advantage is fast and long-term pain relief of the inflamed affected tissues. Upon contact with the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx and oral cavity, small particles of benzocaine penetrate the lipophilic septa of the cell membrane in a few seconds.

In the upper epithelial layers, the substance acts on peripheral receptors, providing complete anesthesia within 30-60 seconds after resorption. The anesthetic effect is gradually neutralized as the concentration of benzocaine decreases due to its dilution with saliva.

There are no confirmed pharmacokinetic data on chlorhexidine yet. Partially, the substance enters the bloodstream through the mucous membrane of the oral cavity, and is retained in the saliva for about 6-8 hours.

The anesthetic benzocaine is characterized by slow absorption and insolubility in water. The metabolism of this component occurs in the liver, where it is cleaved by esterase, breaking down into para-aminobenzoic acid and ethanol.

Indications for use

Hexoral in tablet form is more often prescribed for such diseases:

• pharyngitis - inflammation of the upper layers of the mucous and lymphoid tissue of the nasopharynx, which is manifested by pain when swallowing, talking, it is chronic and acute;
• angina - This is a disease of infectious etiology, which is expressed by an acute inflammatory process of the pharyngeal tonsils;
• gingivitis - hyperemia and bleeding of the gums against the background of bacterial lesions, the cause of the pathology, as a rule, is non-observance of oral hygiene, a deficiency of useful microelements in the body.

Chlorhexidine-based preparations are also recommended for use in stomatitis, sinusitis and otitis media. The active components of Hexoral penetrate into distant parts of the nasopharynx, acting on the inflamed areas of the mucous membrane and blocking pain receptors. Lozenges are used as an adjuvant to enhance the main therapy.

Hexoral can be used at elevated body temperature, which is often accompanied by all of the above diseases. For maximum effectiveness, it is necessary to dissolve the pills when the first symptoms appear and do not abandon the use until complete recovery.

In addition to the above diseases, Hexoral can also be used for diseases such as tonsillitis, periodontal disease, glossitis, inflammation of the alveoli after tooth extraction, candidiasis, and halitosis.

Contraindications

Geksoral in the form of tablets for resorption is not included in the list of drugs that have no restrictions on use.

So the grounds for prohibiting the use of this medication are:

• open lesions of the oral mucosa or larynx;
• ulcers and erosion of unknown etiology;
• an allergic reaction to any of the components in the composition;
• phenylketonuria is a genetic disorder of amino acid metabolism.

Lozenges for resorption are undesirable for patients with impaired swallowing reflex and respiratory failure. With a low concentration of the enzyme cholinesterase in plasma, which is detected by the results of a biochemical blood test, benzocaine-based drugs should also not be used.

A relative contraindication for the use of Hexoral are erosive and desquamative changes in the mucous membrane in the mouth. Due to the whole list of restrictions, it is advisable to use tablets for resorption under the supervision of a physician.

At what age can the drug be used?

The manufacturer does not recommend giving Hexoral tablets to children under 4 years of age. The main reason for this age restriction is the potentially high allergenicity of benzocaine and other components capable of activating histamine receptors in a child. In addition, this component has a certain toxicity when it enters the esophagus and upper respiratory tract.

Geksoral - tablets for resorption, the price of which is far from being of paramount importance in the treatment of preschool children. In addition to allergenic properties and toxicity, this drug has an inappropriate formulation for babies.

The average child 2-3 years old does not know how to dissolve the medicine, and at best he will just gnaw a pill, and at worst he will try to swallow it whole.

Instructions for use, dosage

Geksoral is a local drug. The tablets are intended for resorption, which means that they must be placed in the mouth and kept in the mouth until they are completely dissolved. To achieve the maximum therapeutic effect, Hexoral does not need to be gnawed, chewed or swallowed with water.

The dosage of the drug depends on the type of disease and its severity. The age of the patient also matters. In the acute period, it is recommended to dissolve Hexoral every 2-2.5 hours. However, more than 8 tablets should not be taken during the day. Before using the lozenges, you should make sure that there are no contraindications by consulting your doctor.

After resorption of the tablet, it is important to refrain from eating and drinking for 1 hour. The duration of the course of taking Hexoral tablets is determined individually. As a rule, it is necessary to use lozenges for resorption until the symptoms are completely eliminated.

For children

Since the manufacturer does not recommend giving Hexoral to children under 4 years of age, the instructions for this tool do not contain any instructions on the dosage of the drug for such young patients. As for the treatment regimen at the age of 4 to 12 years, the maximum permissible number of lozenges per day is strictly determined - no more than 4 pieces.

For adults

For patients who do not have contraindications to the use of this drug, the optimal dosage of the drug is considered as follows: no more than 8 lozenges per day with an interval between doses of 1.5-2 hours. Patients with diabetes should take into account that each lozenge contains carbohydrates, albeit in small quantities.

Geksoral for resorption should not be taken in a dosage less than the recommended dosage. Wanting to save on pills, the price of which is not the highest in comparison with analogues, the patient runs the risk of not getting the expected result. Pathogenic bacteria are able to quickly develop resistance to low doses of chlorhexidine and adapt to it.

Side effects

Hexoral Tabs tablets are safely tolerated by most patients. In rare cases, patients may experience side effects, the mention of which is most often found in reviews. Changes in the digestive system, which are caused by the use of Hexoral, are the most frequent negative reactions of the body, based on responses.

Adverse reactions are expressed by the following symptoms:

• discoloration of the tongue, slight darkening of the gums;
• the formation of dense plaque;
• yellowing of tooth enamel and artificial restoration materials in the oral cavity;
• a recurring feeling of numbness of the tongue;
• decreased sensitivity of the gums and inner surface of the cheeks;
• the appearance of aphthous ulcers against the background of an allergic reaction;
• violation of taste and smell;
• inflammation of the parotid salivary glands.

In addition, Geksoral often causes skin rashes, hives, and itching. A side symptom of allergies can also be cough, increased tearing, burning eyes, numbness in the mouth.

Overdose

If you adhere to the dosage regimen prescribed by the attending physician, an overdose of Hexoral in resorption tablets is impossible. Chlorhexidine and benzocaine contained in the lozenges have minimal absorption properties and are poorly soluble in water.

In almost all cases of overdose associated with taking drugs based on this antiseptic, the cause of poisoning was not chlorhexidine dihydrochloride, but chlorhexidine gluconate, which dissolves easily in water and quickly gets into blood flow.

In this case, there is a high probability of burning the mucous membrane of the larynx and esophagus, an increase in the permissible level of liver enzymes. If Geksoral is used incorrectly, the patient is more likely to overdose with benzocaine.

This toxic anesthetic, entering the body in an amount significantly exceeding the norm, causes the following symptoms:

• vomiting;
• nausea;
• tremor of the limbs;
• convulsions;
• respiratory failure;
• coma.

A severe overdose of benzocaine occurs when the permissible dose of Hexoral is exceeded by 5-6 times. In high concentration, this substance blocks atrioventricular conduction, can cause arrhythmias and cardiac arrest. In children, an overdose of Hexoral can lead to methemoglobinemia, which occurs with cyanosis and attacks of asphyxia.

In case of poisoning with Hexoral resorption tablets, the patient should induce vomiting as soon as possible, rinse stomach by drinking 1-1.5 liters of water in a short period of time or by stimulating the root of the tongue, take enterosorbents.

If relief does not come, urgent medical attention is needed. In case of cardiac arrest, it is necessary to carry out resuscitation measures before the arrival of doctors. To date, it is not known about the methods of specific treatment and elimination of the consequences of an overdose.

special instructions

Geksoral - tablets for resorption, the price of which will be presented later in the article for comparison with analogues. They can provoke methemoglobinemia.

This condition is a certain symptom complex:

• discoloration of the skin of the face, body, limbs;
• blanching of the lips, mucous membranes;
• the acquisition by the nail bed on the fingers of a gray or bluish tint;
• migraine attacks, spasmodic headache;
• light-headedness;
• frequent shortness of breath;
• constant feeling of tiredness;
• failure of the heart rate.

The manifestation of these signs most often indicates the presence of increased methemoglobin and an insufficient volume of oxygen transported to the tissues. Patients at risk of developing methemoglobinemia (children and the elderly) are advised to take Hexoral at the same time as iron-containing agents.

In addition to benzocaine and chlorhexidine, the drug contains aspartame, a substance produced from phenylalanine. The last of the above substances poses a huge threat to patients with phenylketonuria.

Some pediatricians prescribe Hexoral for resorption to patients under 4 years of age in the absence of aspiration or swallowing disorders and in the presence of appropriate indications.

Drug interactions

With the correct use of lozenges, you should not worry about any adverse interaction of Hexoral with other drugs, especially with antibiotics. The instructions for use contain a recommendation to take the tablets at least 1 hour after a meal or other medications.

It is not accidental and is explained by the fact that:

• benzocaine minimizes the antibacterial activity of sulfonamides and aminosalicylates;
• the effect of chlorhexidine is inhibited by the parallel use of sucrose, polysorbate, magnesium, calcium, zinc.

Analogs

Among the medicines that can be called substitutes for Hexoral in lozenges, the most popular should be highlighted. They have a similar principle of action, but have a completely different composition.

Astrasept	This is one of the analogs of Hexoral, the active ingredients are 4-dichlorobenzyl alcohol and amylmetacresol. It is produced in the form of tablets for resorption, has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, local anesthetic properties. Astrastept destroys pathogenic microorganisms by coagulation of proteins of their cell membrane. The indications for use are identical to those of Geksoral.	RUB 90 per packing
Ajisept	This is a complete analogue of Astrasept, is a combined antiseptic agent for the treatment of diseases of the oral cavity and pharynx caused by gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. They have a lemon, pineapple or orange flavor, so they are easily tolerated by children over 5 years old (at an earlier age, using Ajisept is contraindicated).	RUB 100-140
Strepsils	This is a more expensive imported analogue of Hexoral. The drug is based on dichlorobenzyl alcohol and amylmetacresol. Unlike Geksoral, it is suitable for the treatment of laryngitis, including hoarseness due to professional activities. Strepsils should not be given to children under 5 years of age.	The price varies between 185-237 rubles.
Lizobact	It is a throat and oral antiseptic based on lysozyme hydrochloride and pyridoxine hydrochloride. The advantage of the drug is its antiviral and antifungal activity, immunomodulatory properties. It is often used in the treatment of acute respiratory infections in children.	The price of 30 tablets for resorption is more than 280 rubles.
Grammidin	This is an analogue of Hexoral tablets with active ingredients such as cetylpyridinium chloride monohydrate and gramicidin C dihydrochloride. Grammidin has an identical list of indications with Lizobact. Not assigned to children under the age of 4.	RUB 280-300

Terms, conditions of sale and storage

Geksoral - tablets for resorption (the price of the drug is quite consistent with its effectiveness - thinks so most users), which are undesirable to be thrown into waste water on the street after the expiration date suitability. It is important to be aware of the toxicity of benzocaine, which can harm the environment.

And although Hexoral is dispensed without a prescription, it is advisable to consult a doctor before starting treatment. The tablets should be kept out of direct sunlight and out of the reach of small children. The optimum temperature at which Geksoral retains its medicinal properties as much as possible is 25 ° C.

Hexoral tablets remain usable for 3 years from the date of release (the date is indicated on the carton).

Price

The average cost of Hexoral in tablets for resorption is 162-194 rubles. The price is shown for a pack containing 20 lozenges. Judging by the reviews of patients, Hexoral relieves unpleasant symptoms in the throat in a few seconds and rarely provokes side effects.

Video about the drug

Hexoral tablets: