Instructions for use sumamed

"Sumamed" by its nature belongs to the class of antibiotics, however, it stands out from their slender row in that it belongs to a completely new category - azalides. And the most striking example was Sumamed, produced in tablets, capsules and powder for dilution of the suspension, shown in pediatric therapy. How to use it to treat a child? Is it possible to choose an analogue?

Sumamed: general characteristics of the drug

The source for this drug is erythromycin, but the action accents are slightly shifted due to the modified chemical structure: gram-positive bacteria have a weak effect (for example, streptococcus), but the inhibition of gram-negative bacteria is much stronger than that of erythromycin. It is noteworthy that azalides can be released without a doctor's prescription, since they carry less damage to any organism, including children.

• Azithromycin is the main active ingredient of the drug, bacteriostatic, which does not contribute to the destruction of bacteria, but only inhibits their development. However, with prolonged therapy, it acquires the properties of a bactericidal agent. Microorganisms that are resistant to penicillin and tetracycline, as well as most gram-negative bacteria, respond to it.

The scope of "Sumamed" - almost all infectious diseases (both skin and ENT organs, as well as the genitourinary system) and ulcers of the gastrointestinal tract. But it is important to remember that taking any antibiotic entails intestinal dysbiosis, so treatment of the digestive tract in this way is a controversial issue and a specialist in need of consultation.

• It should be noted that the use of "Sumamed" in children and adults with angineproduced only after finding out the exact causative agent of the disease: azithromycin has no effect on some of them.

Among the contraindications to the drug in addition to individual intolerance and pregnancy are violations of the liver and kidneys. The most frequently occurring adverse reactions to azithromycin are nausea and vomiting, epigastric pain, changes in heart rate and rhythm.

Instructions for use "Sumamed" for children

In pediatrics, this drug should be used with caution, and this concerns even the choice of its format: the manufacturer offers 3 forms, including capsules, tablets and powder. Which of them is designed for?

• The smallest (up to six months) need to purchase a Sumamed suspension.
• For children younger than 3 years, shows tablets with a concentration of 125 mg.
• The drug with a high dosage (500 mg) is prohibited in children under 12 years old, as well as with body weight up to 45 kg.

Each age also has its own admission peculiarities, concerning not only the schedule and the duration of the course, but also the rules for medication delivery. Especially often questions from young parents arise about the powder "Sumamed."

• The powder is in the bottle, where it is necessary to pour water at room temperature, after which the bottle is agitated so that the granules dissolve completely. Measure the required amount of a syringe or measuring spoon, which are supplied with the drug.
• The physician must specify the individual dosage; for the smallest patients, it is calculated as a certain amount of mg of active substance per kg of baby weight. In particular, the average for severe infections is 10 mg of azithromycin per kg of weight. When tonsillitis rate doubled.
• Reception of suspension is carried out no more than 3 times a day, the total daily dose for a child up to 3 years old should not exceed 30 mg per kg of weight. However, in the suspension itself, 5 ml is usually listed 100 mg of the active substance.

As for the calculation of the dosage of the tablets "Sumamed 125 mg" for children, everything is much simpler than with the suspension, and there are only 2 weight limits:

• With a body weight of up to 30 kg, no more than 250 mg of azithromycin are allowed;
• With a body weight of up to 44 kg - not more than 375 g of azithromycin.

The indicated dosage is a daily, but at the same time the drug is taken once. For the treatment of tonsillitis, indicators can be increased by 2 times, and children weighing 45 kg or more are allowed to resort to an adult dose of 500 mg of the drug per dose.

Doctors warn that azithromycin can be used with a gap of 2 hours or more, always after meals (after 1.5-2 hours), because it is not absorbed from the intestine.

Analogs of the drug

In its category - azalides - Sumamed is the most well-known drug and almost the only one. He has practically no exact analogues (generics): experts point only to Azin, an Indian-made medicine, also working on azithromycin. It can be used in pediatric therapy, but the concentration of the active substance per tablet is 250 mg, which requires its division.

Analogs with other names, pharmacists call the following drugs:

• Russian "Sumametsin" and "Sumazid";
• Czech "Azitsid";
• Serbian Hemomitsin.

Some of these medicines are available in various forms (powder, tablets) and dosages, some have only 1 option, which makes their use in children difficult, but, according to the manufacturer’s instructions, it is still possible. However, it is highly recommended to select a replacement for Sumamedu only with the help of the attending physician: in the issue of antibiotics, a minimum discharge from the prescription can be fatal.