Sumamed tablets are an excellent antibacterial medicine that is used for any infections and inflammations. The stability of the drug allows you to withstand numerous bacteria and microbes, thereby stopping the development of pathogenic processes in the body.
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The composition of the antibiotic
Azithromycin is the basis of Sumamed and its main substance. It is a semi-synthetic antibiotic and was first synthesized in 1980. The composition in its chemical formula belongs to the class of macrolides and a subclass of azalides, the basis of which is the lactone ring. Azithromycin is 300 times more resistant to acids than its erythromycin analogue, which makes the drug an antibiotic of a wide spectrum, allows you to deal with a large number of pathogenic microorganisms.
On sale, the medicine can be found under the trade name Sumamed®, presented in various forms. A popular option is dispersible round white tablets, which when combined with water form a suspension. Due to this form, the medication is easy to take even if it is difficult to swallow. Along with tablets, you can buy Sumamed in capsules and in powder form to create solutions. Manufacturers did everything to make the drug very simple and convenient to take. Each dosage form
Sumamed has its own composition:
- Tablets: azithromycin dihydrate (125 mg, 500 mg and 1000 mg) and sodium dihydrate, as well as povidone, flavor, silicon dioxide.
- Powder: azithromycin 100 mg in 5 ml of the finished solution, in addition sucrose, flavorings, silicon dioxide, sodium phosphate.
- Capsules Sumamed 250 mg film-coated: 250 mg of active ingredient and components for capsule shell (gelatin, magnesium stearate).
Tablets are sold in plastic blisters, powder in special paper bags. And you can also buy a ready-made solution in a bottle.
Pharmacological action and pharmacokinetics
The main purpose of Sumamed is antibacterial and antimicrobial, i.e., the action of the antibiotic is aimed at the destruction of bacteria and the cessation of their vital functions in the human body. Due to its resistance to acidic environments, this medication destroys harmful microorganisms of numerous species, thereby it is used to treat infectious diseases.
The mechanism of action of the drug is based not only on the ability to stop the proliferation of protein cells of bacteria, but also their growth. With a long course of treatment, the active substance, accumulating in the body, begins to have a bactericidal effect.
Due to its resistance to different environments, azithromycin acts on a large number of pathogenic organisms, including:
- gram-positive aerobes and bacteria;
- gram-negative aerobes;
- intracellular microorganisms.
Since Sumamed is a more resistant drug, it tends to affect those bacteria that are immune to erythromycin (bacteria and aerobes).
One of its main properties is the ability to penetrate through cell membranes, which makes it effective in inflammation caused by intracellular pathogens.
Once in the body, the substance is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream through the walls of the digestive tract. Bioavailability after a single dose is about 37%, and the highest blood content is reached after 3 hours. At the end of the course of treatment, the concentration of the drug does not change for a week. Sumamed is excreted, without breaking up into metabolites, through the urinary system (6%), and also with feces through the colon (50%).
Why is the drug prescribed?
An antibiotic affects many pathogenic organisms, therefore it is used for any infectious and inflammatory processes, including:
- respiratory tract (tonsillitis, sinusitis, otitis media, bronchitis, pneumonia, etc.), nasopharynx and also pharyngitis;
- skin (inflammation and dermatitis);
- soft tissues (erysipelas, dermatosis);
- genitourinary system (urethritis).
Sumamed is part of drug therapy for Lyme disease (borreliosis or erythema migrans), bronchitis. Effectively used for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and ulcerative lesions, if they are the result of the action of Helicobacter pylori microorganisms.
Instructions for use Sumamed for children and adults
Sumamed is used orally once a day, the dosage is prescribed by the doctor who controls the course of treatment. The bioavailability of an antibiotic is food independent, but it is best to take it 1 hour before or after a meal. The allowed age for starting treatment is 6 months, but Sumamed tablets are not recommended for children. Instead, you should use ready-made solutions or dilute suspensions.
Dosage is available in several versions:
- Infections affecting the airways or soft tissues. In such cases, adults should take Sumamed tablets 500 mg once a day, for children - 10 mg per 1 kg of weight for 3 days.
- Chronic erythema migrans. For adults, the drug is prescribed once a day, starting with 500 mg, lasting 2-5 days. Children - 20 mg / kg of weight on the first day, second and fifth days - 10 mg / kg.
- Gastrointestinal diseases and intestinal ulcers: 500 mg once a day as part of complex therapy for 3 days.
- Uncomplicated inflammation in the genital tract: 1 gram every 24 hours. Complicated process - 1 gram 3 times a day every 7 days (weekly admission, then a break for the same period, re-admission).
Capsules can be dissolved in liquids or simply swallowed, the solution should be properly prepared by dissolving it in water, following the recommendations of the instructions.
During pregnancy and lactation
Any antibiotics are prohibited during pregnancy and during breastfeeding, as they seriously affect the development of the baby. Sumamed is allowed to be taken only if the therapeutic effect for the mother is higher than the possible harm to her and the baby. It is allowed to take the drug only with the permission of the attending physician, temporarily stopping breastfeeding.
Drug interaction
Sumamed often becomes part of complex therapy, so it can interact with such medications as Cetirizine or Didanosine.
However, you should know the consequences of drug interactions:
- Simultaneous administration with antacid preparations does not harm the patient, but Sumamed’s effectiveness decreases, since antacids reduce his maximum concentration in the blood by 30%.
- When taking medication with digoxin, azithromycin increases the concentration of the former in the blood.
- When using the drug together with ergot alkaloids, it can provoke poisoning.
- When used with cyclosporine, azithromycin increases its concentration in the blood, which can provoke an overdose.
In addition, pathological disorders or serious health problems while taking Sumamed and other antibiotics have not been identified.
Contraindications, side effects, overdose
The main contraindications for taking Sumamed is an allergic reaction to the main substance or its components, as well as the patient's age up to 3 years.
In addition to allergies, the use of the drug is not recommended for the following reasons:
- severe renal and hepatic insufficiency;
- phenylketonuria;
- Heart arythmy;
- taking ergotamine and dihydroergotamine.
Doctors also prescribe the drug with caution in case of heart problems, prolonged QT interval with ECG, and in the case of patients receiving antidepressants.
Otherwise, side effects may occur:
- candidiasis;
- rhinitis;
- nausea and general weakness;
- allergic reactions (rash, swelling);
- dizziness and headache;
- dyspnea;
- fever;
- drowsiness.
If the dosage regimen is not followed, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting may occur, which indicates signs of an overdose. But it is easily stopped by symptomatic therapy.
Analogs
In case of allergy to Sumamed or lack of therapeutic effect, the medicine can be replaced by a structural analogue:
- Azithromycin;
- Azithral
- Azimed;
- Zitrolide;
- Sumazid.
These drugs also contain azithromycin and have similar properties.
Analogues for therapeutic effects are selected depending on the diagnosis, among them the following drugs were noted:
- Unidox Solutab;
- Amoxiclav;
- Augmentin;
- Genferon.
Analogs are selected together with a general practitioner after a complete and accurate diagnosis, since self-medication can significantly harm health.
Sumamed is an effective drug, the use of which allows you to quickly stop the spread of infection, to feel a noticeable improvement in well-being. The main advantage of the drug is the ability to use it for young children who are especially susceptible to infectious diseases.
