Antibiotics from the cephalosporin group are often used for various respiratory tract infections and other diseases provoked by bacteria. Many of them are available in injectable form, but there are also drugs that are taken by mouth. One of them is Suprax.
Is such an antibacterial agent used in the treatment of children, when is it prescribed and in what doses is it used? Can this antibiotic harm the child's body and what analogues can replace it if necessary?
Release form
Suprax is presented in pharmacies with such options.
- Granules from which you want to make a suspension. They are spherical in shape, small in size, white with a cream shade and are sold in dark glass bottles. If you dilute these granules with water, you get a creamy white sweet liquid medicine with a strawberry scent. The bottle comes with a transparent plastic dosage spoon that can hold 5 ml of medication. It also has a mark on which you can measure 2.5 ml of the suspension.
- Capsules. They have a white body and a purple lid, and inside is a yellow-white powder. On top of the capsule, you can see the inscription H808. Such Suprax is sold in packs of 6 capsules, placed in one blister.
A separately produced drug called Supraks Solutab. They are strawberry-scented, oblong, pale orange dispersible tablets that have a risk on either side (which can be halved). This medicine is capable of dissolving to form a suspension with a strawberry smell and sweet taste. One package of Suprax Solutab can contain from 1 to 10 tablets.
Composition
The basis of Suprax both in granules and in capsules is cefixime. This substance is micronized and is in the form of a trihydrate (thanks to this compound, it is not destroyed in the stomach, but passes into the intestines, where it is absorbed into the blood). Its amount in terms of pure cefixime in 5 milliliters of the finished suspension is 100 mg, and in one capsule - 400 mg. The action of the drug Solutab is also provided with cefixime, which is presented in one tablet of such a Suprax with a dose of 400 mg.
The auxiliary inactive ingredients of the granules are xanthan gum and sodium benzoate. For a pleasant smell, strawberry flavor is added to the preparation, and the sweetness of this type of Suprax is provided by sucrose. Carmellose calcium, colloidal silicon dioxide and magnesium stearate are added to the cefixime contained inside the capsules. For the manufacture of the capsule, gelatin, dyes and food inks are used.
Additional components of Solutab tablets are hyprolose, magnesium stearate, povidone, microcrystalline cellulose and yellow dye. For a sweet taste, such Suprax contains calcium saccharinate, and the smell of the tablet is due to strawberry flavors.
Operating principle
Suprax is a representative of antibiotics called cephalosporins and belongs to their 3rd generation. It has a very wide range of bactericidal effects on various microbes, associated with the properties of cefixime to block the formation of bacterial cell membranes, as a result of which the pathogen dies. Note that such a drug is not affected by beta-lactamases, which are produced by many harmful microorganisms.
Such an antibacterial agent is capable of destroying:
- hemophilic sticks;
- pneumococci;
- colibacilli;
- proteas;
- shigella;
- salmonella;
- pyogenic streptococci;
- gonococci;
- citrobacters;
- Klebsiella pneumonia;
- moraxelles catarlis;
- pasteurella;
- providence;
- serration.
However, enterococci, enterobacteria, clostridia, bacteroids, staphylococci, some types of listeria and pseudomonads are insensitive to the action of Suprax. If you suspect the presence of such microbes, it is important to determine the cause of the infection and the sensitivity of the pathogen to cefixime.
The bioavailability of the drug both in suspension and in solid forms is estimated at 40-50%, and the drug taken during meals is absorbed faster.
The maximum amount of cefixime in the blood is detected 4 hours after taking any variant of the drug, and the half-life of the drug is 3-4 hours. Approximately half of the drug leaves the body unchanged in the urine within 24 hours after administration. One tenth of cefixime is excreted in the bile.
Indications
Doctors prescribe Suprax to young patients if they have an inflammatory process provoked by bacteria sensitive to cefixime. The medicine is used for:
- sinusitis and other types of sinusitis;
- angina, which was provoked by streptococci;
- pharyngitis or bacterial laryngitis;
- bronchitis, proceeding with a cough, during which purulent sputum is released;
- pneumonia of bacterial origin;
- otitis media;
- gonorrhea;
- intestinal infection, for example, with shigellosis;
- urethritis, pyelonephritis, cystitis and other bacterial lesions of the urinary tract.
Since the drug does not work on viruses, Suprax is not used for ARVI, mononucleosis, chickenpox and other viral diseases.
If a child has a sore throat, but at the same time a rash appears, lymphadenitis or other alarming symptoms have occurred, the use of Suprax is possible only after examination by a doctor who will rule out the viral nature of the infection.
At what age is it prescribed?
For the treatment of children, Suprax granules are most preferred, since this form of medicine can be given from the age of six months. It is convenient to use it both in infants under one year old and in older children. Due to its liquid appearance and sweet taste, this suspension is often called syrup.
In addition, soluble tablets are often prescribed for children, for which only a weight limit is provided - such a medication is not given to patients weighing less than 25 kg. If the weight of a small patient is lower, it is permissible to give him only a suspension. As for the capsules, because of the high dose and the impossibility of separating the capsule, this Suprax is prescribed from the age of 12 to patients weighing more than 50 kg.
Contraindications
It is forbidden to give any form of Suprax to children with intolerance to its active substance or allergy to cephalosporins. Do not prescribe such a medication and patients with hypersensitivity to penicillin antibiotics.
Caution in the use of the drug is required by children with renal failure (they need an individual dose selection, taking into account the violation of the excretory function) and pseudomembranous colitis.
When using the suspension in children with diabetes, it is important to take into account the amount of sucrose in such a medicine.
Side effects
Among them, the following were identified.
- When treating Suprax, various allergic reactions can occur, from itching and redness to urticaria and anaphylactic shock.
- In young patients taking Suprax, nausea, flatulence, dry mouth, stool changes, abdominal pain and other unpleasant symptoms of gastrointestinal irritation may occur.
- Some children react to the drug with tinnitus, dizziness, or headaches.
- Long-term use of the drug often causes dysbiosis.
- Taking medication sometimes affects hematopoiesis, which is manifested by a decrease in the number of cells in the blood test, as well as the appearance of bleeding.
- Due to treatment with Suprax, cholestasis may develop and liver dysfunction may occur.
- The drug can provoke the appearance of candidiasis, stomatitis or pseudomembranous colitis.
- Occasionally, medication interferes with kidney function.
Instructions for the use of granules
This form of Suprax is considered the most optimal for the treatment of children under twelve years of age. Before starting use, water is added to the medicine so that a suspension forms from the granules. It is recommended to dilute the granules only when there is a need for treatment with Suprax, because the finished suspension has a short shelf life. The diluted drug is taken orally in a dose that must be calculated by weight.
How to properly dilute the granules?
First, the bottle is inverted and the balls placed inside are shaken. Having opened the lid, it is necessary to pour in boiled chilled water inside. It is best not to do this right away, but first pour in half of the required volume of water, mix the preparation, and then add the remaining water and shake the closed bottle vigorously. In just one bottle of Suprax, 40 ml of water is required.
It is convenient to use a 5-10 ml syringe to dispense the infused liquid. So that the contents of the bottle have time to dissolve and the foam that appears after shaking sits a little to the bottom, it is recommended to put the bottle aside for about 5 minutes immediately after diluting the granules.
How to take the prepared suspension?
Since the components of the suspension gradually settle to the bottom, such Suprax must be shaken before each intake. Next, the drug is taken with a measuring spoon and allowed to swallow the child, after which the patient can drink the medication with a small volume of plain water. Next, the spoon must be rinsed and dried, leaving it to be stored in a box with a bottle until the next dose of the medicine.
The daily dose of Suprax is drunk once or divided into two doses.
Dosages for children
The amount of medication that is prescribed to a child is determined based on the patient's weight and age. In addition, dose changes are required by children with kidney pathologies. It is best if the doctor calculates the required dosage of the suspension for a particular patient. The localization of the infectious process and the severity of the course of the disease do not affect the daily dose of Suprax.
A child under 12 years of age needs 8 mg of cefixime per day for each kilogram of his weight.
Average dosages are:
- for children under one year old - 2.5-4 ml;
- for kids 2-4 years old - 5 ml of suspension;
- for patients 5-11 years old - from 6 to 10 ml of the drug.
- children weighing more than 50 kg are given the medicine either at a dose of 400 mg once (20 ml of suspension), or twice a day, 200 mg (10 ml of the drug per dose).
Duration of treatment
Most often, Suprax is prescribed in a course of 7 to 10 days, however, if a pyogenic streptococcus is detected, it is recommended to take the medicine longer (10-14 days). You cannot stop taking it earlier than 7 days, because this threatens with incomplete cure and the appearance of resistance to such an antibiotic in bacteria.
In such a situation, if an exacerbation of the infection begins soon, Suprax and any other cephalosporins will already be ineffective, which will require resorting to stronger drugs from other groups.
How to take capsules?
This form of Suprax is used in adolescents over 12 years old, provided that the patient's weight has exceeded 50 kg. If the child is already 12 years old, but his body weight is lower, the use of capsules is prohibited. Such a patient is given either soluble tablets or a suspension. In addition, Suprax capsules are not used in the treatment of children aged 12 years and weighing more than 50 kg, if the patient is diagnosed with impaired renal function. Due to the reduced dosage, such a child is also prescribed either the drug Solutab or Suprax in suspension.
The capsule must be swallowed whole. It is impossible to open its shell and take only its contents. The diet does not affect the time of taking the capsules, however, during the entire course of treatment, it is recommended to take the capsules at the same time, for example, if the patient first drank the medicine at 9 am, then the next day he should take the capsule in the morning at about 9 am.
A single dosage is 1 capsule of Suprax, and since it is taken only once, this is also the daily dose of the drug. The duration of treatment is influenced by the disease in which the antibiotic was prescribed, for example, with gonorrhea, the capsule is taken only once, with Streptococcus pyogenes infection - every day for two weeks, and with other infections - from one week to 10 days.
Instructions for use of Suprax Solutab
This form of antibiotic is approved for children weighing more than 25 kg. The medicine can be taken in two ways:
- Swallow without chewing and drink 50-100 ml of plain water (other liquids are not recommended).
- Dissolve in water and drink the medication in suspension.
The drug can be taken at any convenient time, regardless of when the child ate. The dosage is influenced not by the patient's age, but by his weight indicators.
- If a child weighs from 25 to 50 kg, then he needs to take 200 mg of cefixime per day, which corresponds to half a tablet (the medicine is broken at risk).
- With a weight of more than 50 kg, the daily dose will already be 400 mg, that is, a whole tablet.
The duration of taking this form of Suprax is the same as for treatment with a suspension or capsules, that is, most often the medication is drunk for 7-10 days. After the symptoms of infection have disappeared, it is recommended to continue using the tablets for another 2-3 days.
Overdose
Accidental overdose of the drug may cause diarrhea, nausea, headaches, constipation and other negative symptoms. To eliminate them, you should rinse the child's stomach and consult a doctor for the appointment of supportive therapy.
Interaction with other medications
If you give Suprax together with penicillins or some diuretics, an overdose may develop (the concentration of cefixime in the blood will increase).
The use of Suprax affects the prothrombin index, therefore, such an antibiotic can enhance the therapeutic effect of anticoagulants. Combined use with carbamazepine will increase the concentration of this drug. When taken simultaneously with antacids, the absorption of Suprax will slow down.
If the medicine is prescribed with diuretics or medicines that can worsen the kidney (for example, aminoglycosides), the risk of side effects on the kidneys increases.
Terms of sale
All forms of the drug are prescription drugs. This means that a doctor's examination is required before purchasing any type of such antibiotic. The average price of one bottle of Suprax granules is 600-650 rubles. For a package of 6 capsules, you need to pay about 700 rubles.
Storage conditions
The sealed granules can be stored for the entire shelf life (3 years) in a dry place where the drug will be inaccessible to children. After opening the bottle and adding water, the medication should be used within 14 days.
If more than two weeks have passed since the granules have been diluted, the medicine should be discarded, even if the entire contents of the bottle have not been consumed. Storage of the finished suspension does not require refrigerator conditions, the drug can be left at room temperature.
The shelf life of Suprax solid forms is also 3 years. Until the date marked on the package, capsules and dissolving tablets are recommended to be stored at + 10 + 25 degrees, placing the box with the medicine in a place hidden from the sun and moisture, where children cannot reach the medicine.
Reviews
Most reviews about Suprax confirm its high effectiveness for otitis media, bronchitis, sinusitis and other infections. The advantages of the drug in suspension include ease of use in children and the possibility of using it at an early age.
Moms love that this drug is taken orally, but it works in the same way as painful injections of other cephalosporins.The disadvantages of the medication include its frequent side effects, the short shelf life of the suspension after dilution, as well as its high price.
Analogs
Replacing the Suprax suspension is often chosen Panzef, since one of the forms of such a drug is also granules, from which a white-yellow suspension with orange flavor is prepared. The basis of this medicine is also cefixime trihydrate in the same dosage as in the finished Suprax suspension. Such a medication is used from 6 months of age with the same indications, and the side effects and contraindications for Pantsef and Suprax are the same. As for the price, Panzef in the form of a suspension is cheaper.
Note that Pancef is also produced in solid form - in tablets that have a shell. Since one tablet contains 400 mg of active compound, it is analogous to Suprax in capsules and is also prescribed from the age of 12.
Another analogue of Suprax for the active substance is Ixim Lupine... Such a medicine of Indian production is presented in a single form - a powder for preparing a strawberry suspension. The average price of one bottle of this medicine is 480 rubles.
Instead of Suprax, in a given situation, the doctor may prescribe another antibacterial medicine, including the following.
- Suspension Zinnat. This is also a cephalosporin antibiotic, since cefuroxime is the basis of the drug. This medication can be used from the age of three months and is also available in tablets that can be given to patients over 3 years old.
- Suspension Sumamed. The action of this medication is provided by azithromycin. It is prescribed for babies from 6 months. In childhood, Sumamed is also in demand in dispersible tablets, which is prescribed from the age of 3. Coated tablets can also be given to patients over 7 years old.
- Suspension Macropen... Such an antibacterial drug based on midecamycin is approved from birth. It is also available in tablets for patients weighing more than 30 kg (usually from the age of three).
- Soluble tablets Vilprafen Solutab. This medicine, which contains josamycin, can be used in infants weighing over 10 kg. For older patients, for example, at 4 years old or 6 years old, it can be replaced with Wilprafen tablets.
- Suspension Augmentin... The action of such an antibiotic is provided by amoxicillin, to which clavulanic acid is added. The drug can be used in the treatment of infants, and Augmentin tablets are prescribed from the age of 12.
These medicines are quite effective on bacteria that provoke otitis media, bronchitis, sinusitis and other infections.
However, they should not be given to children without a doctor's prescription, because each of them has its own contraindications, application features and dosages allowed in childhood. And therefore, the question of replacing Suprax with any of such funds should be decided by the attending physician.
For information on how to properly dilute the Suprax suspension, see the next video.
