Every person has encountered unexpected diarrhea in life. It can be infectious and non-infectious. In the second case, it can help antibiotic therapy. Levomycetin in tablets is one of the most effective drugs for diarrhea.
Record content:
-
1 Composition, form of release, where to buy and price
- 1.1 Release form
- 1.2 Where to buy and price
- 2 Mechanism of action
- 3 Who is appointed?
- 4 Who is not recommended?
- 5 Side effects
- 6 Overdose
- 7 Effectiveness for diarrhea
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8 Therapy scheme
- 8.1 Admission scheme for adults
- 8.2 Admission scheme for children
- 9 special instructions
- 10 Drug interactions
- 11 Storage conditions and periods
- 12 Substitutes
- 13 Video about Levomycetin tablets
Composition, form of release, where to buy and price
The dosage form in question is part of the Amphenicol group. Chloramphenicol is used as the main active ingredient in the composition. It is a colorless crystal with strong bitterness. Its concentration is 0.25 and 0.5 g.
The compound is relatively resistant to water and fairly well soluble in ethanol and propylene glycol. The high sensitivity of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria to chloramphenicol, which provoke body poisoning, has been reliably established.
Starches, calcium stearate, crospovidone (detoxification substance), sodium croscarmellose (an auxiliary component that affects the rate of dissolution tablets).
Release form
Manufacturers produce Levomycetin tablets in shades from pure white to beige. There are tablets with yellowish blotches. This is an acceptable color, you should not mistake it for marriage.
The shape of the tablets ranges from a flattened cylinder to a rounded triangle. The dividing line is present on all tablets. Produced in cell cartons of 10 and 20 tablets.
Where to buy and price
Levomycetin, although it is a thing of the past, because stronger and more modern drugs have appeared, it is still included in the list of vital drugs. Despite its many negative characteristics, it continues to be prescribed for treatment in cases where other medicines are powerless.
Since it belongs to the group of potent ones, it cannot be purchased in a pharmacy without a doctor's prescription. Therefore, before getting to the pharmacy, you should contact your doctor for examination and prescription. Practice shows that Levomycetin for diarrhea in tablets is not popular.
Therefore, pharmacies buy it in small quantities, but it is always available. The cost of the medicine is low and varies from 20 to 45 rubles. The price depends on the selling price of the medicine from the manufacturer and the markup of the retail network.
Mechanism of action
Levomycetin belongs to the 2nd group of antibiotics. Chloramphenicol resistance develops slowly in infectious agents. Therefore, sufficiently long therapeutic courses of treatment are permissible.
Levomycetin (tablets for diarrhea are included in other groups of medicines and dietary supplements) are prescribed, when other antidiarrheal drugs do not achieve their therapeutic effect or when they are taken impossible. Or, when the harm caused by the drug is significantly lower than the positive effect of it.
The drug is active against the following groups of bacteria:
- Proteus.
- Shigell.
- Salmonella.
- Streptococci.
- Escherichia coli.
- Staphylococci.
- Neisseria.
The active component, coming into contact with the cell, prevents the production of the amino acids it needs. The protein chain breaks down and pathogens lose their vitality and ability to reproduce. When it enters the body, the active substance is rapidly absorbed, distributed throughout the body, most of it is quickly excreted naturally.
The maximum level of the active ingredient in the blood is fixed after 1 to 3 hours. The therapeutic effect of the drug continues for 5 hours. It is concentrated in the kidneys and liver, a smaller part is fixed in the cerebrospinal fluid and gallbladder.
In the process of removing the drug from the body, the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys, partly the gallbladder, are involved. The half-life is in the range from 1 to 3 hours, depending on the metabolic rate. With functional disorders of the liver, it can reach 11 hours, and with kidney pathology up to 4 hours.
Levomycetin (pills for diarrhea usually eliminate not the diarrhea itself, but its root causes) shows its bactericidal effect against multiplying microbes, as well as those in the resting stage. Acts synergistically with penicillin, streptomycin and tetracycline.
The drug is able to selectively block the production of protein in microorganisms that are sensitive to it, after which harmful bacteria begin to die. This does not disrupt the process of amino acid biosynthesis. After eliminating the root causes of diarrhea, the accompanying symptoms recede and the stool is normalized.
The action of the drug is aimed at destroying pathogenic cells, while it does not act on radionuclides, heavy metal salts that cause poisoning. The drug does not affect the production of enzymes in the stomach, does not slow down intestinal motility and does not have an astringent effect.
Who is appointed?
The drug Levomycetin has a dual nature, consisting of simultaneous treatment and side effects. In the treatment of some diseases, it is impossible to do without it.
The drug is used to treat the following diseases:
- Meningitis, which is an inflammation of the lining of the brain caused by a bacterial or fungal infection.
- Dysentery, which is a lesion of the stomach and intestines with general infectious intoxication.
- Salmonellosis.
- Brucellosis, a common infectious disease transmitted from animals to humans and characterized by damage to all human systems and organs.
- Paratyphoid fever, manifested by pathological processes provoked by salmonella with intoxication symptoms.
- Shigellosis.
- Typhoid and typhus, characterized by acute intestinal infection, with simultaneous damage to the intestinal lymphatic system.
- Osteomyelitis.
- Whooping cough.
Levomycetin is allowed for children from 12 years old. But for health reasons, an earlier admission is also permissible. It is recommended to conduct a preliminary test, since some side effects can be very aggressive, for example, Quincke's edema can kill a person in a few hours.
Who is not recommended?
According to the instructions, the drug is not prescribed during all periods of pregnancy, newborns and during breastfeeding.
The medication is not combined with:
- Barbiturates.
- Cytostatics.
- Diphenin.
- Neodikumarin.
- Sulfonamides.
It is also contraindicated in patients with:
- mycoses;
- porphyria;
- psoriasis;
- eczema;
- sick kidneys and impaired hematopoiesis.
The antibiotic should not be used as a prophylaxis for tonsillitis, acute respiratory infections. Patients who have undergone radiation therapy sessions should use the drug under the supervision of a doctor.
With observance of precautions, the drug should be used by patients of older ages and with pathologies of the cardiological profile. Patients whose work requires increased attention, as well as associated with the control of precise and complex mechanisms, should be warned about the side effects of the drug.
Side effects
Levomycetin tablets as a remedy for diarrhea can negatively affect all internal organs.
Sometimes it gives phenomena in the following forms:
- moderate depression;
- encephalopathy;
- disorders of facial expressions and voluntary movements;
- headaches;
- taste dysfunctions;
- hearing and vision impairment.
From the side of the digestive tract, the following manifestations are possible:
- the occurrence of nausea and vomiting;
- increased diarrhea;
- enterocolitis;
- dyspepsia;
- dysbiosis;
- bloating;
- irritation of the mucous membranes of the mouth.
Negative reactions can manifest themselves from the lymphatic and circulatory systems and provoke the following pathologies:
- anemia;
- leukopenia;
- erythrocytopenia;
- agranulocytosis;
- lowering hemoglobin;
- pancytopenia;
- granulocytopenia;
- reticulocytopenia;
- hypoplastic anemia.
Effects on the skin and the immune system:
- angioedema;
- Quincke's edema;
- hyperemia;
- dermatosis;
- hives;
- swelling of the face;
- skin rash.
Medical practice shows that children can develop hyperthermia, dermatitis, collapse.
As a result of the use of the drug, infections are likely to occur, often fungal, resistant to antibiotics.
Overdose
Severe complications arise with prolonged courses of taking large doses - 3 g or more.
In adults, vascular disorders are possible, which manifest themselves:
- pallor;
- sore throat;
- fatigue;
- an increase in temperature;
- hematomas and bleeding.
Often, with an overdose, hearing and vision impairment, hallucinations, and a slowdown in psychomotor reactions occur. In young children, the phenomena of bloating, nausea and vomiting are possible.
Premature babies may have a bluish skin tone, a sharp drop in body temperature, and heart failure. In 2 cases out of 5, death occurs. Treatment of an overdose is carried out by discontinuing the drug, washing the stomach and taking enterosorbent drugs.
Effectiveness for diarrhea
Before taking the drug, the cause of the disease must be established. Levomycetin works in case of poisoning when the consumed product is infected with the bacteria Salmonella, Chlamydia, Shigella, Brucella.
The medicine is ineffective for:
- disorders of a viral nature ("intestinal flu");
- food allergies;
- disorders of the nervous system;
- chronic diseases of the digestive tract.
Therapy scheme
Levomycetin (diarrhea tablets are used not only for poisoning with low-quality products) is also used for bacterial infection. The drug is taken in 30 minutes. before meals with plenty of water for higher absorption of the substance. The tablet should be swallowed whole, it should not be chewed or crushed.
Should be taken every 4 to 6 hours. If after the first dose the diarrhea has stopped, then it is not worth taking the medicine further. But if there is no improvement within 5 hours, you should immediately consult a doctor to stop the multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms.
In case of poisoning, attacks of nausea and vomiting occur. Then the medicine should be drunk after 60 minutes. after meals with water, 3 times a day. The interval between pills should be approximately the same.
For an adult, the dosage of the first tablet should be at least 500 mg, for a child, doses are calculated based on age and body weight, but not more than 250 mg.
Admission scheme for adults
The highest average daily dose is recommended at 4 g. Since the active ingredient has high toxicity, such a dose cannot be taken once, it must be divided by 3-4 times. With the usual intake, 0.25 g - 0.50 g (1 - 2 tablets) are prescribed up to 3 - 4 times a day.
Admission scheme for children
Levomycetin Aktitab was developed especially for children. This species is active against a greater number of bacteria and is allowed for use until it reaches 3 years of age. Regular tablets have a strong bitter taste, which makes it difficult for children to take. Due to the peculiarities of production, the drug Aktitab has a neutral taste.
Appointments are made in accordance with the patient's age:
| Child's age (years) | Dose per kg of body weight (mg) |
| Until 3 | 10 – 15 |
| 3 to 8 | 150 – 200 |
| 8 and older | 200 g - 300 |
The frequency of admission is determined by the doctor, based on the severity of the disease. Usually 3-4 times a day.
The courses of therapy with Levomycetin are determined in 7 - 10 days. With successful tolerance, the medication is taken for up to 2 weeks in a row. It is highly undesirable to repeat the course of treatment after a short time, the interval should be at least 1 - 1.5 months. If the drug did not work during the course of treatment, then it was chosen incorrectly.
special instructions
In most European countries, Levomycetin is banned due to side effects. It is impossible to get it without a prescription. In Russia, Levomycetin is considered a reserve medicine and is used only when alternative treatment is minimized. Levomycetin therapy involves taking probiotics, since the drug is capable of provoking dysbiosis.
Levomycetin (diarrhea tablets are periodically updated with new dosage forms) is considered an outdated drug. Against the background of rapid evolution, resistance of microorganisms to the drug develops. But its biggest problem is toxicity. Therefore, if it is possible to apply an analogue, then this will be the best solution.
Chloramphenicol reduces the number of blood cells, suppresses the function of the bone marrow and provokes leukemia. Therefore, when the first negative symptoms appear, the medicine should be canceled immediately. When taken with ethanol, a disulfiram-like reaction can occur, the consequences of which are unpredictable.
Convulsions, vomiting, skin redness, reflex cough may appear. The action of the active substance does not apply to toxins, acids and alkalis, therefore it is not recommended for them to treat poisoning with household chemicals, mushrooms and poisonous plants. Uncontrolled use of the drug will lead to complicated dysbiosis, which will reduce the already weakened immunity.
Drug interactions
Levomycetin inhibits the action of enzymes, so it can be dangerous to combine it with other types of drug therapy.
Simultaneous reception with cytostatics, barbiturates and sulfonamides affecting liver function enhances the depressing effect on the bone marrow. Taking estrogen-containing contraceptives during chloramphenicol therapy reduces the reliability of the contraceptive.
Weakens the mutual antimicrobial effect of simultaneous administration with penicillin, erythromycin, lincomycin, clindamycin. When taken together with cephalosporins and penicillins, it reduces the antibacterial effect. Levomycetin improves iron absorption.
Storage conditions and periods
Refers to the list B. Storage is carried out in dry and cool conditions, at a temperature not exceeding + 25 ° С. The shelf life is determined by the manufacturer at 3 g. It is imperative to ensure that children do not have access to places where the medication is stored.
Substitutes
Levomycetin belongs to potent drugs that have many side effects, therefore, if necessary, drugs with a similar effect are prescribed. They are drugs of different pharmacological groups.
Most effective substitutes:
-
Monural (one of the most harmless medicines). Has a minimum of side effects. A single dose is sufficient to combat primary infection.
- Nolitsin, which is highly effective for diarrhea and more complex infectious diseases. But it is forbidden to take it to children under 18 years old.
- Synthomycin is the cheapest analogue. The active substance is the same as that of Levomycetin (chloramphenicol)
- Nifuroxazide, which is effective for diarrhea, but is not analogous in terms of differences in contraindications.
- Ofloxacin, which is a powerful antimicrobial agent
- Cefix, prescribed for acute intestinal diseases
- Alpha Normix, used for the treatment of diseases of the digestive tract of an infectious nature
Semisynthetic penicillins with the active ingredient amoxicillin have also worked well:
- Amoxiclav, which is a combined preparation with a wide spectrum of action: from diarrhea to bone infection.
- Augmentin.
- Panklave, a modern drug with high bactericidal properties.
Of the analogues of Levomycetin, which are not antibiotics, Enterofuril is known in tablets. It is a very powerful intestinal antiseptic that eliminates harmful pathogens of diarrhea and other intestinal disorders without harming health.
Video about Levomycetin tablets
Review of Levomycetin tablets:
