Among the sulfa drugs, Biseptol can be called the most popular. Such a drug is produced in suspension, which can be given to even the smallest children. In addition, Biseptol is available in tablets. Is it allowed to give this dosage form to children and in what dosage is it used?
Release form
Biseptol tablets are distinguished by their round flat shape, white (sometimes yellow) color, as well as the presence of risks and engraving Bs. They are packed in blisters of 20 pieces and sold in 1 blister per pack.
Composition
The substance that provides Biseptol with a therapeutic effect is called co-trimoxazole. This name combines two active compounds, the ratio of which in one tablet is 5 to 1. Depending on the amount of such active substances, the drug is presented in two dosages:
- 120 mg tablets, containing 100 mg of sulfamethoxazole supplemented with 20 mg of trimethoprim.
- 480 mg tablets, of which the patient receives 400 mg sulfamethoxazole and 80 mg trimethoprim.
To make the drug solid and keep the tablet in shape, talc, Mg stearate, propyl and methyl parahydroxy benzoate, potato starch, propylene glycol and polyvinyl alcohol are added to the composition.
Operating principle
The active substances in Biseptol have a bactericidal effect... They affect the synthesis of proteins in bacterial cells, disrupting it, as a result of which microbes die. The drug is active in infection with E. coli, enterococci, Klebsiella, Salmonella, pneumococcus, Proteus, Shigela, Pneumocystis and many other bacteria. In relation to pseudomonads, mycobacteria, leptospira, viruses, treponemas and some other microorganisms, Biseptol is ineffective.
Indications
Biseptol helps with infections caused by pathogens that are sensitive to it. It is prescribed for:
- Purulent otitis media.
- Sinusitis.
- Typhoid fever.
- Cholera.
- Salmonellosis.
- Brucellosis.
- Bronchitis.
- Bacterial diarrhea.
- Pneumocystosis.
- Typhoid fever.
- Scarlet fever.
- Angina.
- Pharyngitis.
- Gonorrhea.
- Whooping cough.
- Laryngitis.
- Pneumonia.
- Bronchiectasis.
- Peritonitis.
- Cholangitis.
- Osteomyelitis.
- Skin abscesses.
- Furunculosis.
- Urethritis.
- Orchite.
- Cystitis and many other infections.
Doctor Komarovsky devoted one of his programs to infectious diseases in children:
From what age is it allowed to take?
Instructions for the use of the Biseptol tablet form include information that the remedy is recommended for children over three years old. If you want to prescribe a medicine to babies who have not yet turned 3 years old, use a suspension. It can be given from 2 months of age.
Contraindications
The use of Biseptol is prohibited:
- If a child has an intolerance to such a drug or other sulfonamide drugs.
- If the analyzes of a small patient showed renal failure.
- If the child's liver is damaged and its work is severely impaired.
- If deficiency of glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase is detected.
- If a blood test reveals agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia, or leukopenia.
The use of the drug with caution implies that the child has an allergic disease, thyroid pathology, lack of vitamins B9 and B12, or porphyria.
Side effects
The child's body often reacts to treatment with Biseptol with allergies or disruption of the digestive tract. In addition, the drug can cause:
- Suppression of hematopoiesis.
- Dizziness, apathetic or depressive state, convulsions, headaches.
- Shortness of breath and cough.
- Impaired renal function.
- Joint or muscle pain.
Instructions for use and dosage
The tablets should be taken after meals with plenty of water. The dosage is best determined individually based on the clinical picture, the condition of the child, the sensitivity of the pathogen and other factors. Usually Biseptol tablets are prescribed in such a single dose:
In this single dosage, Biseptol should be taken twice a day., and the break between doses should be 12 hours.
The duration of use is determined depending on the pathology. The drug is prescribed for at least 5 days, and when the symptoms of infection disappear, it should be taken for another two days. The average duration of treatment with Biseptol is 5 to 14 days. If the infection is severe, single dosages can be increased by 30-50%.
Overdose
If you take more pills than your doctor has prescribed, your child will develop headaches, nausea, abdominal pain, drowsiness, fever, and other negative symptoms. Prolonged excess of the dosage leads to the appearance of anemia, leukopenia, jaundice and thrombocytopenia.
Interaction with other drugs with food
- Biseptol tablets should not be taken with milk, as this will reduce their effect.
- Before taking the drug, you should not eat foods that are quickly absorbed and removed from the intestines, for example, baked goods or dried fruits.
- During treatment, it is advisable to limit fatty animal products in the patient's diet, as well as peas, cabbage, carrots, beans and tomatoes.
- Biseptol enhances the therapeutic effect of the use of indirect anticoagulants, hypoglycemic drugs, phenytoin and methotrexate.
- Co-administration with diuretic drugs will increase the risk of thrombocytopenia.
- The medicine should not be used together with aspirin or drugs that can inhibit hematopoiesis.
Terms of sale
To buy a tablet form of Biseptol, you need to present a prescription from a doctor. The average price of a pack of tablets with 120 mg of active compound is 30 rubles.
Storage conditions and shelf life
Biseptol tablets should be stored away from moisture and sunlight, at temperatures below +25 degrees. Babies should not have free access to the drug. The shelf life of this form of medicine is 5 years.
Reviews
Mothers and doctors respond differently to the use of Biseptol tablets in children. Someone notes that the medicine helped to cure bronchitis, otitis media, cystitis or other infection, and someone complains about its ineffectiveness. In addition, in negative reviews, parents mention that many children have difficulty swallowing pills and react to them with rashes or nausea.
Analogs
As a replacement for tableted Biseptol, you can use:
- Bactrim forte. Such a preparation is a complete analogue, that is, it includes the same active compounds. It is also available in tablets, but due to the high dosage, this remedy is prescribed from the age of 12.
- Co-trimoxazole. This analogue of Biseptol is produced in granules, suspensions and tablets with several dosages. It can be given with the same indications as Biseptol.
- Bi-septin. Such a preparation is presented in tablets containing 120 or 480 mg of active compounds. A medicine with a lower dosage can be used from 1 year.
Also, instead of Biseptol, other drugs of the sulfonamide group can be used, for example:
- Sulgin... The active substance of this agent is represented by sulfaguanidine. The drug is produced in tablet form and is used in the treatment of children over 3 years old.
- Sulfadimethoxine... This medication is an antimicrobial pill for children over 2 years of age.
- Sulfadimezin... Such tablets are used in the treatment of children who are 3 years old.
