Biseptol for colds and flu

Indications for use of "Biseptol"

In the pharmaceutical field, it is generally accepted that drugs with the word “septol” in their names are antiseptics.

And the first part of the word of the name of the product means from Latin “BIS” - “twice”, i.e. The action of the drug is based on two components.

That is why it is suitable for the treatment of diseases the development of which is provoked by pathogenic microorganisms.

The active ingredients are effective against many bacteria, streptococci, salmonella, E. coli, chlamydia, and toxoplasma.

Treponema, pathogenic viruses and tubercle bacilli are not affected by the drug. Due to the large list of microorganisms that are sensitive to the components of Biseptol, its scope is also wide.

Indications for taking the drug are as follows:

• Infectious respiratory tract diseases (bacterial tonsillitis, pneumonia, etc.). These diseases are usually caused by streptococci and staphylococci;
• Bacterial bronchitis. At the same time, inflammatory processes in the bronchi are quite often caused by viruses resistant to Biseptol. Therefore, you should not take the drug without a doctor’s prescription if you have a cough;
• Inflammatory processes occurring in the maxillary sinuses (i.e. with sinusitis). This disease in most cases is caused by staphylococci, mycoplasmas and chlamydia. In this case, treatment with antibiotics is most often prescribed, and only for certain indications can a doctor prescribe this medication.

Indications for use also include bacterial infections of the intestines and diseases of the urinary system, for example, cystitis. At the same time, taking the drug should not be uncontrolled; the treatment regimen and the advisability of taking it should be determined by the doctor.

"Biseptol" can be purchased in several forms:

• Suspension;
• Tablets (120 or 480 mg);
• Ampoules intended for the preparation of intravenous injections or droppers. In this form, the drug is used for treatment in a hospital.

Also, some pharmaceutical companies offer the medicine in syrup form for treating children.

Contraindications and indications for Biseptol

Biseptol is an antibacterial agent, like antibiotics, and is used exclusively when the body is damaged by bacteria. If the cause of the disease is a virus, then the drug is not prescribed. Thus, the indication for use of the medicine is influenza, colds and various respiratory diseases of a bacterial nature. You should take into account the contraindications that the drug has.

Biseptol does not affect viruses. However, when bacteria join a viral infection that is already raging in the body, the list of medications is reviewed and sulfonamides and antibiotics are prescribed.

Biseptol is used in the treatment of many diseases, since its spectrum of effects is wide:

• Angina.
• Pharyngitis.
• Intestinal disorders.
• Sinusitis.
• Genitourinary diseases of an infectious nature: urethritis, prostatitis, salpingitis, pyelonephritis.
• Empyema of the pleura.
• Bronchitis in various forms.
• Abscess and other purulent manifestations in the lungs.
• Pneumonia.
• Bronchiectasis.
• Gonorrhea.
• Sinusitis.
• Otitis.
• Typhoid fever.
• Dysentery.
• Cholera.
• Furuncle.
• Pyoderma.
• Acne.
• Boil.
• Meningitis and brain abscess.
• Treatment and prevention of HIV-infected people with Pneumocystis pneumonia.
• Septicemia.
• Osteomyelitis.
• Wound infections.
• Infectious diseases: borreliosis, brucellosis, scarlet fever, toxoplasmosis, malaria.

If a person falls ill with a viral disease, then Biseptol is not prescribed. However, you should monitor your own health. If complications occur 3-5 days after the development of the disease, then you should consult a doctor, since the following symptoms indicate the addition of a bacterial infection:

1. Deterioration of health.
2. Temperature rises to 38-39°C.
3. The appearance of a headache.
4. Change in cough character.
5. Nasal congestion.
6. Sore throat when swallowing, etc.

Composition of the drug

According to the instructions, the effect of the drug is based on two components. These are sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim. Moreover, the total number of active components is indicated in the name.

The main component of the drug is sulfamethoxazole, it is one of the bactericidal substances. Due to its action, the synthesis of acids that support the vital activity of microorganisms is disrupted. And due to trimethoprim, the effect of the main substance is enhanced.

The effectiveness of the combined action of these two substances in the composition of the drug was proven back in the 1960s.

At the same time, the proportions of the compounds of these two components are verified in the most precise way and amount to 1 to 5. After the medicine enters the body, the proportions change and amount to 1 to 20. This ratio allows you to achieve the most effective effect of the components.

What drugs can replace Biseptol - analogues

If for any reason drug therapy is not suitable for the patient, the attending physician can always make an equivalent replacement. Not only Biseptol helps with cough, but also a number of other similar drugs.

The most commonly prescribed of them are:

1. Triseptol. Refers to antimicrobial agents for systemic use. Effectively eliminates cough of infectious origin. The bactericidal properties of the drug are due to the action of its main components: sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim. The therapeutic agent has a suppressive effect on gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms. Produced in tablet form.
2. Sumetrolim. An antibacterial sulfonamide drug, which is an analogue in its composition and action. It eliminates infections of the respiratory tract, genitourinary system, ENT organs and gastrointestinal tract well. It can be purchased in tablet and suspension form. The minimum course of therapy is 5 days.
3. Groseptol. A combined antimicrobial agent containing trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole in a ratio of 1:5. Promotes disruption of the synthesis of dihydrofolic acid in the cells of pathogenic microorganisms. Has a wide spectrum of action. Used for internal administration, intravenous and intramuscular administration.

To eliminate cough symptoms, the following are also often prescribed:

1. Bactrim.
2. Oriprim.
3. Bactiseptol.
4. Solyuseptol.
5. Raseptol.

The drugs differ in release form, price and manufacturer.

"Biseptol" for colds and flu - to drink or not to drink?

Many people prefer to fight flu and colds with antibiotics or antibacterial agents, including Biseptol. At the same time, the causes of these diseases may differ, so treatment must be selected individually.

According to the instructions for use, the drug will not be effective against viruses, namely they are the causative agents of colds and acute respiratory viral infections. Therefore, treating colds with this medicine is inappropriate in most cases.

With a common cold, symptoms disappear within 7-8 days. At the same time, if the immune system is weakened, the recovery process may be delayed. This often leads to the development of bacterial infections, which are indications for the use of this antibacterial agent, when taking it very effectively helps get rid of the disease.

Determining the nature of the disease for a person unfamiliar with medicine can be very difficult. Therefore, the prescription of Biseptol should be made by a specialist - self-medication can lead to side effects.

How to drink Biseptol

The medicine is approved for use starting from 6 weeks of age. For children in the first years of life, doctors usually prescribe medicine in the form of a syrup or suspension. The instructions included with the suspension describe in detail how to take the medicine depending on the age of the baby.

The usual dose for children aged 6 months - 5 years is 240 mg, 2 times a day. To dose the drug, a measuring spoon is included in the package, which holds 5 ml; it should be taken in the morning and evening.

For children, it is recommended to use Biseptol 120 in the form of tablets. Children under 5 years of age are usually prescribed 2 tablets twice a day.

Children over 6 years old are prescribed Biseptol at a dosage of 480, 2 times a day. For persons over 12 years of age, the recommended dose is 960 mg (2 times a day). Adults, as a rule, choose treatment with tablets.

In this case, the duration of therapy is selected by the doctor individually and can be 5-14 days. If the disease is severe, the doctor may significantly increase the dosage.

An important point when choosing Biseptol in the form of a suspension is the need to shake it before use. This is due to sedimentation of the active substances. Otherwise, the measuring spoon may contain much less of the active ingredient of the drug.

If you use the medicine in syrup form, there is no need to shake the bottle. The active ingredients are evenly distributed in consistency. Since the suspension and syrup have a pleasant taste, children usually use this product with pleasure. Therefore, it must be kept out of their reach.

It is necessary to drink Biseptol, following the following recommendations.

• A prerequisite is to maintain a 12-hour interval between morning and evening doses. If you violate the order of administration, the effectiveness of treatment is significantly reduced.
• Taking the medication (both in the form of tablets, syrup, and suspension) is required after meals. Taking the medicine before meals may cause irritation of the digestive organs.
• The duration of treatment cannot be less than 5 days. If the started treatment has been suspended, this may lead to complications, and after incomplete treatment it will be much more difficult to get rid of the bacterial infection.

Contraindications for use

The instructions for use do not recommend giving the drug to children under 6 weeks of age. Also contraindications for use include pregnancy and lactation. Therefore, if you have a cold, nursing and pregnant women will need to choose another remedy that is safer for the baby’s health.

Contraindications also include individual sensitivity to the components that make up the medicine.

The drug is contraindicated in severe diseases of internal organs, such as the kidneys and liver.

Adverse reactions of the body and a list of main contraindications

There are a number of restrictions on the use of the therapeutic agent.

Taking the medication is not allowed for treatment if you have:

1. individual intolerance to the constituent components;
2. renal and liver failure;
3. aplastic anemia;
4. leukopenia;
5. disorders of the hematopoietic process;
6. agranulocytosis;
7. clinical manifestations of jaundice.

The use of the drug is contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The drug is not prescribed to children under 3 months.

During therapy, you should carefully monitor your well-being. During treatment, unwanted side reactions from the body may develop.

There are malfunctions in the functioning of the nervous system, manifested by headache, dizziness, sleep disturbances, decreased vitality, depression and even neuritis or aseptic meningitis.

From the respiratory system, spasms, disturbances in the breathing process, and the occurrence of infiltrates in the lung tissue are possible.

Sometimes dysfunction of the digestive organs develops, accompanied by decreased appetite, nausea and vomiting, and discomfort in the epigastric zone. In rare cases, lesions of the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract are diagnosed.

In some cases, there is a change in the composition of the blood. Leukopenia, neurotropenia, and thrombocytopenia develop.

If, under the influence of the drug, disturbances in the functioning of the kidneys appear, then blood impurities are present in the urine, and a biochemical analysis reveals an increased level of salt and urea.

The risk of side effects increases when treating elderly people and infants, as well as debilitated patients.

In order not to provoke the development of kidney pathology, Biseptol is recommended to be taken with plenty of water. Simultaneous intake of folic acid is useful, which helps reduce the side effects of the drug.