In case of digestive disorders caused by a change in the composition of bacteria in the intestine, probiotics are prescribed for children. One of them is Lactobacterin. Why is it prescribed to children and how is it correct to give such a medicine to babies?
Release form and composition
Lactobacterin is available in the following forms:
- lyophilisate;
- pills;
- vaginal suppositories.
All forms of the drug contain Lactobacillus acidophilus as an active ingredient. Children are often prescribed a lyophilisate, from which a suspension is prepared. It comes in vials containing 3 or 5 doses of lactobacilli.
One dose is 2 or 4 billion CFU, and one box contains 10 bottles. In addition to dried live bacteria, the preparation contains milk, edible gelatin and sugar. The medication looks like a porous mass or crystals of yellowish, white-gray or beige color.
Operating principle
In lactobacilli, antagonism is noted in relation to opportunistic and harmful microorganisms, for example, to Shigella, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus. In addition, the use of Lactobacterin helps to improve metabolic processes and immune defense, and also prevents the protracted course of intestinal pathologies.
Indications
The medication is used:
- after an acute intestinal infection, if the function of the gastrointestinal tract is impaired or tests show the presence of pathogenic flora;
- with dysbiosis, caused by antibiotic treatment, chemotherapy and other factors;
- with atopic dermatitis;
- with chronic colitis, which are manifested by constipation and other disorders of the digestive tract.
Also, doctors sometimes prescribe to drip the suspension into the nose (if the child has long-term rhinitis or adenoiditis), gargle the throat with medicine (with tonsillitis) or the mouth (with stomatitis or gingivitis).
At what age is it prescribed?
Lactobacterin can be used from birth. Such a remedy is prescribed even to infants, however, it is not recommended to give the drug to a newborn, 10-month-old baby or an older child without consulting a doctor.
Contraindications
The drug is not given if the child has hypersensitivity or candidiasis is diagnosed. Due to the presence of sugar and milk in the composition, the medicine is also not used for problems with the digestion of sucrose or lactose.
Side effects
Usually, no negative reactions occur during treatment with Lactobacterin. Only in very rare cases can the drug cause allergies.
Instructions for use
- You need to dilute the lyophilisate with boiled water, which should have room temperature. For one dose of medicine, take 5 ml of water.
- Having filled the required amount of water, depending on the dosage in the bottle, in a glass, you need to open the bottle with the medicine and pour a little water inside to get a homogeneous white-gray or yellow-beige liquid. Then it is poured into a glass and stirred, after which the child is given a drink.
- The diluted medicine should be given to the child right away. Do not store dissolved bacteria. It is best to drink Lactobacterin before meals, about 30-60 minutes, with milk of the medicine.
- A child under one year old is prescribed 3 doses for 1 dose, and a child over a year old - 5 doses. Babies of the first 6 months of life are given medication twice a day, and babies 6-12 months - three times a day. A child aged 1-3 years should be given Lactobacterin twice, and children over three years old - 2-3 times a day.
- The duration of treatment depends on the disease, for example, with dysbacteriosis, it is advised to take the medicine for 3-4 weeks, and after suffering dysentery - at least 4-6 weeks. If, after 2 weeks from the beginning of the intake of lactobacilli, no improvement is noted, it is recommended to investigate the composition of the microflora and choose another probiotic.
Overdose and drug interactions
When the dose of Lactobacterin is exceeded, no negative effects occur. Since lactobacilli are quite resistant to antibacterial agents, the lyophilisate can be prescribed simultaneously with antibiotics and any other drugs.
Terms of sale and storage
A prescription for the purchase of Lactobacterin in a pharmacy is not required. The average price of 10 bottles of 2 billion CFU of lactobacilli per dose is 150-170 rubles. It is necessary to store the vials in a cool place, where the temperature will not exceed +10 degrees. The shelf life for a lyophilisate containing 2 billion lactobacilli in 1 dose is 1 year, and for a drug with a higher CFU count - 2 years.
Reviews
On the treatment with Lactobacterin children respond mainly well. Mothers confirm that such a remedy is effective for violations of the intestinal flora and improves the well-being of the child. The drug is also praised for its low cost, ease of use and lack of side effects.
Analogs
Other drugs with a similar effect on the intestinal microflora can replace Lactobacterin:
- Bifidumbacterin. This medication in the form of powder, tablets, lyophilisate, capsules or suppositories contains live bifidobacteria. It is used in children of any age, even in infants.
- Linex. Such capsules with lactobacilli, bifidobacteria and enterococci are also prescribed at any age.
- Bifiform. This medication is in the form of powder, tablets, solution and capsules, contains enterococci, streptococci, bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. It is also prescribed for children of any age.
- Hilak forte. Such drops contain metabolic products of beneficial bacteria and can be prescribed for dysbiosis from birth.
- Bactisubtil. These capsules contain the bacteria Bacillus cereus, prescribed to children over 7 years old with rotavirus, salmonellosis and other diseases.
- Acipol... This probiotic in capsules contains not only lactobacilli, but also polysaccharides, which are obtained from kefir fungus. The medication is prescribed from 3 months.
You should not choose an analog yourself.
For any ailments in children, it is important to contact a pediatrician - a specialist will help determine which probiotic is best for a small patient.
You will learn more about the use of lactobacilli for children in the following video.
