Levomycetin from the stomach. Levomycetin for diarrhea: methods of use and precautions. Use in pediatrics

Many people know that Levomycetin is an effective remedy for diarrhea, but do not forget that this drug is antibacterial, and therefore you must follow the instructions for use.

Anti-diarrhea refers to antibacterial drugs that have a wide range of bacteriostatic effects due to disruption of protein synthesis by bacterial cells. When taken orally, the antibiotic is quickly absorbed into the gastrointestinal tract. Before using it, it is important to study the annotation.

Light yellow tablets have a cylindrical shape. They contain the active element floratfenicol. It refers to antibiotics that block the production of microbial proteins and disrupt their integrity.

Excipients include:

• calcium stearate;
• potato starch;
• polyvinylpyrrolidone.

Thanks to the activity of the components, the distribution of the active substance in the body and its absorption into the stomach accelerates.

After two hours, the maximum concentration of Levomycetin in the blood can be noted. The drug enters the tissues, fluids, organs of the body, as well as breast milk and cerebrospinal fluid.

Indications and contraindications

Medicines are prescribed for the following conditions:

The drug is contraindicated in the following conditions:

• inhibition of hematopoiesis;
• fungal infections;
• psoriasis;
• hypersensitivity to the elements included in the drug.

The medication is prohibited from use:

• during breastfeeding;
• during pregnancy;
• newborns.

Instructions for use

The medication is allowed to be used for diarrhea when it is caused by bacteria that are sensitive to this type of medication. The drug is not allowed to be used independently without understanding the cause of diarrhea, since the antibiotic can cause negative side effects and has serious contraindications.

: Levomycetin use in adults is permitted only after consultation with the attending physician. The usual dosage that the patient should take is 2 g per day. The dose should be divided into four doses before eating. For severe forms of intestinal infection, the maximum dosage is 3-4 g. After taking the tablet, the concentration of the antibiotic in the blood plasma is observed after 3 hours. The drug is effective for 5 hours.

Levomycetin's instructions for using tablets for diarrhea indicate that when using the medicine you need to monitor kidney function and take a biochemical blood test.

The use of Levomycetin in children with diarrhea under the age of three is contraindicated. This is due to the fact that there is a high probability of side effects that can cause significant harm to the baby’s health.

From the age of three years, this medication is allowed to be used only after consultation with the treating doctor. From 3 to 7 years, 0.5 g is prescribed; from 8 to 15 years, the daily dosage of the drug should be up to 1 g.

The drug has a rather bitter taste, so when used by children, a sweetened liquid can be given. The use of an antibiotic can cause negative side effects. These include the following symptoms:

• stomatitis;
• vomit;
• anemia;
• headache;
• memory impairment;
• dizziness;
• pancytopenia;
• deterioration in the functioning of the senses.

The drug is a strong antibiotic, so significantly exceeding the dose can lead to serious complications. If the drug is used incorrectly, the following may appear:

• increased weakness;
• gray skin;
• labored breathing;
• heart pathologies;
• sore throat;
• significant increase in body temperature.

In case of severe overdose, pathology of the kidneys and liver and destruction of the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract may develop. If such a reaction occurs, it is recommended to rinse the stomach as soon as possible and contact a medical facility for first aid.

Analogues of the product

The medicine Levomycetin has a large number of analogues. Such drugs include:

Levomycetin is an antibiotic antimicrobial agent with a fairly wide spectrum of action. In high concentrations or when applied to bacteria, chloramphenicol often exhibits a unique bactericidal effect. The product is almost instantly and without residue absorbed from the stomach and penetrates into the blood. The maximum concentration is achieved within one to three hours. Penetrates well into blood, tissue, liquids, breast milk, etc. The highest concentration of this drug is observed in the kidneys, which, with long-term use, can have a detrimental effect on health in the future.

Levomycetin instructions

This drug is used exclusively orally. The drug is made in the form of tablets that must be swallowed whole, without crushing them beforehand, simply with water. The best option would be to take the medication approximately 30 minutes before meals. There are isolated cases when Levomycetin tablets cause a feeling of nausea in the patient; only in this case, it is recommended to take the drug 1 hour after eating. Moreover, it is worth remembering that this drug must be taken consistently, at regular intervals, and these intervals themselves and the duration of administration must be discussed during a consultation with an experienced doctor.

Levomycetin indications

Indications for the use of the drug can be very extensive, since this drug is part of the group of antibiotic drugs, which means that chloramphenicol can quite actively fight against:

Chlamydia, typhoid fever, rickettsiosis, paratyphoid fever, meningitis, shigellosis, purulent peritonitis, brucellosis, sepsis, pneumonia, and many other diseases in which other antimicrobial agents have proven to be ineffective.

Levomycetin use

The dosage and course of treatment must be discussed individually with the doctor, but there are basic provisions that you need to know about this. Adult patients can take this drug in a dosage of 300 to 500 mg 3 times a day, before meals. The daily dose of this drug should not be more than 2 grams. For fairly severe forms of infectious diseases in hospital settings, the daily dose can be increased to 3 grams. The average course of treatment ranges from 1 week to 10 days. If there is such a need, and no chemical changes in the composition of the blood are observed, then the course of treatment can be extended to 15 days.

Levomycetin for diarrhea

Diarrhea is a rather unpleasant action that can be accompanied by severe pain in the intestines and stomach. The causes of diarrhea can be very different, and in order to understand whether it is worth taking chloramphenicol, you should first understand the cause of the diarrhea. Due to the fact that the consequence of diarrhea is always dehydration, it is necessary to deal with this problem as quickly as possible. So in such a situation, you obviously won’t go to the doctor, but only a stool test can determine why you have diarrhea. In this case, you can not be afraid at all and play it safe with a couple of chloramphenicol tablets, just remember that this is an antibiotic, and in itself, it is not very gentle on both the stomach and the body as a whole.

Levomycetin for children

Levomycetin is a rather controversial and controversial drug. Of course, if there are no other, more gentle drugs at hand, then the child can also be given chloramphenicol, you just have to remember that after this, the child must be under constant monitoring and maximum test measurements. The best option for this would be the supervision of a specialist. A child may experience a fairly extensive list of side effects, which includes loose stools and vomiting, with the subsequent development of dysbacteriosis, general weakness against the background of decreased blood pressure and temperature. In general, the situation can be quite dangerous. Now the decision is up to you.

Levomycetin price

It is not clear what this is connected with, but over the past five years, compared to other drugs of this type of action, the price of chloramphenicol, from very low, has jumped about 4-5 times. Manufacturers, represented by pharmaceutical factories, explain this by an incredible surge in demand for this type of drug. Which is quite strange, because recent monitoring and statistical data have shown that during this time a sufficient number of similar drugs have appeared on the market that are superior to chloramphenicol in all respects. But the fact remains a fact.

Levomycetin reviews

Mitya: I don’t know how anyone thinks, but I’m sure that chloramphenicol should be in absolutely every first aid kit. This drug is quite effective and efficient, in addition, I have been familiar with it since childhood and am confident in its effectiveness; my parents also do not go on a trip without these pills. At any seaside resort, after you drink the local water, you feel so bad that you don’t even want to live, but these pills always help out. And, by the way, I have never encountered the side effects described on the package insert.

Igor: My name is Igor, I am already 38 years old, and I want to tell you something about these antibiotics. I don’t want to be dramatic, but if I think soberly, these pills once saved my life. It happened like this. When my wife and I went to a resort village, on the coast of Crimea by the sea, to relax. My wife is a pharmacist. And, already on the first day I just had terrible diarrhea, which was accompanied by vomiting. At first, I tried to hide it, but it didn’t last long, because it was impossible to hide such vomiting. Fortunately, my wife always has a mini-pharmacy with her, not a first aid kit, but a pharmacy. What did she have there, but mostly a bunch of modern drugs. Having taken everything I needed, I “died” within two more days, but the symptoms did not decrease. And only after starting to take chloramphenicol, as the last thing that could help, we successfully packed up home and left. This is how I spent a wonderful weekend with my wife.

Diarrhea and discomfort in the abdominal area always cause a lot of discomfort. And people are looking for different ways to get rid of diarrhea. Levomycetin is used for diarrhea, but there are important points when prescribing this remedy for diarrhea.

Composition and release form

The active component of the drug is chloramphenicol. This is an antibacterial agent with a wide spectrum of action. Helps in the fight against many gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms. The dosage of the active substance comes in 2 types: 250 mg and 500 mg.

Auxiliary components: calcium stearate, povidone (K-25), potato starch.

The medicine is available in the form of tablets, drops, and solution for external use. The tablet form of the drug is a biconvex tablet coated with a film coating. Color – white or with a yellowish tint.

One of the substitutes for regular Levomycetin is Levomycetin actitab. It has a more pronounced bacteriostatic effect. While taking Levomycetin actitab, bacterial resistance to chloramphenicol slows down significantly, so taking the drug is recommended for a long time.

Does Levomycetin help with diarrhea?

Currently, chloramphenicol is practically not used for acute intestinal infections. Due to two factors: The first drug is quite toxic, there are many undesirable effects, in particular, it inhibits the hematopoietic function of the bone marrow. Secondly, due to frequent use, many bacteria have become resistant to chloramphenicol. The drug can be prescribed for the generalized form of salmonellosis, shigellosis (caused by Shigella Sonn), but is not the drug of choice, and is prescribed after bacterial culture.

Levomycetin helps against diarrhea in the following diseases:

• salmonellosis (acute intestinal infection caused by salmonella);
• typhoid fever (acute intestinal infection caused by a special serotype of salmonella - Salmonella typhi);
• paratyphoid A, B (proceeds like typhoid fever) and paratyphoid C (more similar to food poisoning);
• tularemia (diarrhea in the abdominal form of the disease);
• shigellosis or dysentery (a typical intestinal infection caused by Shigella);
• brucellosis (about 5-7% of patients with this zoonotic infection suffer from diarrhea).

The use of Levomycetin or Levomycetin actitab for diarrhea is also justified in the case of other diseases that are caused by microorganisms sensitive to chloramphenicol.

The drug should be used only after medical consultation. It is the doctor who, after examination and necessary tests (for example, bacteriological culture of stool), prescribes medicine. When taken independently, the drug can cause side effects and complications, aggravating the course of the disease.

Instructions for use of Levomycetin for diarrhea

The instructions for the product are quite simple, so that every patient, after a medical prescription, will be able to understand how to take Levomycetin for diarrhea.

The drug is prescribed 1-2 tablets 3-4 times a day. Depending on the condition, a dosage of 250 mg or 500 mg is prescribed. Take anti-diarrhea tablets half an hour before meals or 1.5 hours after. Take the medicine with plenty of water.

The maximum daily dosage of the drug is 2000 mg. But for particularly severe forms of the disease, a specialist may prescribe up to 4000 mg of chloramphenicol. The course of therapy directly depends on the severity of the patient’s condition. The minimum course of treatment is 5 days. It is highly undesirable to take the medicine for more than 14 days.

If relief has occurred, but the course of pills has not yet been completed, you should not discontinue the drug yourself. It is important to finish the medicine completely. The improvement may be short-lived, and without further treatment the disease will flare up with renewed vigor.

Can children be given Levomycetin for diarrhea?

Levomycetin is not recommended for children under 3 years of age with diarrhea, since the child’s body is more likely to experience side effects (only in particularly severe cases). From 3 years of age, the drug is prescribed strictly by the attending physician. The drug is taken under medical supervision. It is worth noting that Levomycetin is not recommended if the child’s weight is less than 20 kg.

Dosage for children under 8 years of age: 15 mg per 1 kg of body weight. Children over 8 years of age are prescribed the medicine at a dosage of 20-30 mg per 1 kg of body weight. The daily dose is calculated individually for each person by medical personnel. In childhood, it is better to take Levomycetin actitab. This analogue does not have a bitter taste, like the original Levomycetin, and is better tolerated by the child’s body.

Contraindications

Treatment with Levomycetin has contraindications:

• individual intolerance to the components of the drug;
• pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• children under 3 years of age;
• body weight less than 20 kg;
• severe liver and kidney failure;
• disruption of the hematopoietic system;
• pathologies of the skin (psoriasis, eczema).

Precautionary measures

When using Levomycetin or Levomycetin actitab for diarrhea, some precautions must be observed.

Treatment of patients with impaired liver and kidney function requires individual dose adjustment. Levomycetin and its substitutes for diarrhea should not be used together with alcohol (risk of developing convulsive syndrome). Drinking Levomycetin simultaneously with taking cytostatics or undergoing radiation therapy is highly not recommended.

During long-term treatment with the drug, it is necessary to monitor blood counts.

Side effects

The medicine may cause side effects:

• from the gastrointestinal tract: nausea, vomiting, heartburn, flatulence, abdominal pain, dysbacteriosis;
• from the nervous system: drowsiness, feeling of depression, increased fatigue, mood swings;
• from the hematopoietic system: thrombocytopenia, leukopenia;
• skin reactions: development of dermatitis;
• allergic reactions: urticaria, angioedema;
• reactions of the sense organs: visual impairment, hearing impairment.

Overdose of Levomycetin

Symptoms: nausea, vomiting, increased diarrhea. Changes in the circulatory system develop (thrombocytopenia, aplastic anemia). Due to impaired hematopoiesis, bleeding may develop. In early childhood, an overdose is fraught with breathing problems, the development of heart failure, and convulsions.

Treatment: gastric lavage, taking sorbents. It is recommended to cleanse the blood of toxins (hemoperfusion or hemodialysis). In severe cases, massive blood transfusion is recommended. Symptomatic therapy.

Levomycetin analogues for diarrhea

The following drug analogues are popular among patients and doctors:

1. Levomycetin Actitab. Produced by FP "Obolenskoe", Russia. Has a wide spectrum of action. Price – 100-120 rubles.
2. Monural. The active substance is fosfomycin trometamol. Produced by ZAMBON Switzerland Limited, Switzerland. Price 500-600 rubles.
3. Alpha Normix. The active ingredient is rifaximin. Produced by ALPHA Sigma S.p.A., Italy. Price from 600 rubles.
4. Tetracycline. Produced by PJSC Biosintez, Russia. Price from 30 rubles.
5. Amoxiclav. Active ingredients: amoxicillin, clavulanic acid. Manufacturer: SANDOZ, Slovenia. Price from 170 rubles.

Replacement of Levomycetin with one or another analogue is carried out only by a doctor. Changing medications on your own can lead to side effects and complications.

Levomycetin for diarrhea is prescribed after determining the cause of its occurrence.

If diarrhea in adults or children lasts longer than 2 weeks, and there is abundant watery or mucous stool, the disease can become chronic.

Such medications include Levomycetin.

Effect of the drug

The drug Levomycetin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic, which is indicated for use in the presence of certain microorganisms in the body.

The action of the tablets is aimed at disrupting the process of protein synthesis in microbial cells. Levomycetin is ineffective against acid-fast bacteria and anaerobes, as well as some representatives of staphylococcus.

Levomycetin contains chloramphenicol. Anti-diarrhea tablets consist of colorless crystals with a bitter taste. Since 1947, scientists have found a method for producing the drug synthetically.

The slow development of resistance of pathogenic bacteria to the main substance of the diarrhea medication in question has been proven. Therefore, Levomycetin can be used by children and adults.

The tablets are also indicated for use in dysentery, enterocolitis, salmonellosis and other pathologies that occur with diarrhea.

Most strains of bacteria resistant to penicillin and tetracycline antibiotics are quickly destroyed by Levomycetin.

The drug in question for diarrhea in adults and children is available in the form of yellow and white tablets. Each anti-diarrhea tablet contains up to ¼ or ½ gram of the main substance.

• Potato starch strengthens diarrhea tablets - this substance is presented in the form of a powder of uniform consistency. This semi-finished product is extracted from potato tubers;
• povidone is an enterosorbent with detoxification effects. Easily binds toxins that are in the patient’s body;
• calcium stearate with synthetic fatty acids.

Indications and contraindications

The drug helps with various diseases, so before taking it, study the instructions. Levomycetin is prescribed to children and adults for the following diseases:

1. Inflammation and infection caused by microbes and bacteria that are sensitive to the drug in question.
2. Chronic disease of the biliary tract.
3. Chlamydia.
4. Sepsis.

The medication can be taken for other diseases if other drugs are ineffective. To become familiar with the contraindications to taking the medication, read the instructions:

• high sensitivity to the main component of the drug;
• renal failure;
• skin pathologies;
• acute form of porphyria;
• pregnancy and lactation period.

Levomycetin should not be taken for diarrhea in children under 3 years of age. Against the background of an overdose of the drug, the patient may complain of depression, intoxication, migraine, dermatitis.

The risk of developing the above-described phenomena will increase if the patient takes Levomycetin for diarrhea in combination with sulfonamides and cytostatics. The latter drugs inhibit the process of hematopoiesis.

Against the background of abuse of the drug in question, a toxic effect on the heart muscles develops. The patient's skin turns green and body temperature drops to 35 degrees.

At the same time, it becomes difficult for him to breathe. He does not react to external stimuli. It is forbidden to take Levomycetin simultaneously with penicillins and cephalosporins, since the effect of all of these medications is weakened.

If you have diarrhea, you should not take Levomycetin and drink alcoholic beverages at the same time. Otherwise, the above complications will appear.

This drug easily eliminates diarrhea caused by intestinal infection if taken from the first day of diarrhea. In mild cases, diarrhea will disappear after 3 hours, but in severe cases, therapy lasts longer than two days.

Treatment effectiveness

You can get rid of diarrhea if you take a tablet of Levomycetin immediately after the second bowel movement. After 1-3 hours the patient will feel relief. The frequency of diarrhea will decrease.

Over the next 4-5 hours, the therapeutic effect of the medication is observed. The maximum concentration of the antibiotic is observed in the liver and kidneys.

Therefore, Levomycetin is not prescribed for diarrhea in patients with dysfunction of these organs.

The main substance of the drug is excreted through the kidneys and liver within 24 hours. If the patient underwent hemodialysis before such therapy, the process of removing the active component slows down.

Treatment rules

The antibiotic in question has a therapeutic effect against diarrhea if it is caused by an infection that appears after eating poorly washed fruits and vegetables, as well as after drinking poor-quality water.

Modern infectious disease specialists advise taking Levomycetin for diarrhea with blood or purulent mucus. You can take the drug if diarrhea is accompanied by high body temperature and weakness.

If other medications are ineffective against E. coli, the patient is prescribed Levomycetin.

Since the active component is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, pathogenic microbes die within a few hours after taking the drug.

Levomycetin therapy should be supervised by a physician. The dosage is prescribed taking into account the severity of diarrhea and accompanying symptoms, the patient’s age, and current pathologies.

For adult patients, the drug is prescribed orally, 1 tablet every 5-6 hours. The tablets are taken 30 minutes before meals or an hour after them. For mild diarrhea, the dosage is 0.25 grams, and for severe cases, 0.5 grams.

If necessary, the doctor increases the dosage. In this case, the maximum daily dosage is 4 grams. For diarrhea, children are prescribed an antibiotic based on their weight and age.

If the child is over 3 years old and weighs more than 20 kg, the drug is taken at a rate of 12.5 mg per 1 kg of weight every 6 hours.

You can take an antibiotic 25 mg 2 times a day with a break of 12 hours. For severe infectious diarrhea, take 75 mg per 1 kg of weight.

With this therapy, frequent monitoring of the concentration of the main substance in the bloodstream is indicated. At the same time, the functionality of the liver and kidneys is monitored.

The main requirement during the treatment period is to take the drug at regular intervals. The total duration of therapy is 7-14 days. If the diarrhea disappears quickly, the tablets are taken in a smaller dosage.

The drug in question has an antimicrobial effect on the patient’s body. Modern doctors advise adhering to the following rules for taking Levomycetin tablets:

• the active component is better perceived if the tablets are drunk before meals. If you have frequent bowel movements, you need to drink 1 tablet every 4 hours;
• Regardless of the frequency of bowel movements and symptoms, the maximum daily dose of the drug should not exceed 4 mg. In this case, the frequency of administration is 3-4 times a day;
• An antibacterial course of therapy with Levomycetin should be prescribed only by a doctor after examining the patient. On average, the phenomenon in question lasts up to 7 days.

Scientists have proven that with a single dose of this antibiotic, a single manifestation of diarrhea can be quickly eliminated. This remedy also effectively combats a simple form of diarrhea.

If 5 hours after taking one tablet the symptoms of diarrhea have not disappeared, the patient feels unwell, you should inform your physician.

Otherwise, the resident pathogenic flora will multiply again.

A severe form of diarrhea, provoked by an underlying disease, is treated in a hospital. If E. coli is detected in the patient’s body, he is hospitalized in the infectious diseases department.

In this case, therapy is prescribed after standard laboratory tests have been completed and interpreted.

Before receiving the results, the patient is prescribed Levomycetin and other drugs that are necessary to eliminate the symptoms.

Levomycetin is considered one of the best and effective remedies for diarrhea. This advantage over its analogues is due to its wide range of effects.

The drug quickly eliminates infectious and inflammatory diseases. It is prescribed with caution to patients who suffer from renal pathologies.

At the same time, Levomycetin is sold in pharmacies without a doctor’s prescription. You should not take this antibiotic on your own, as it is characterized by various side effects. The risk group includes pregnant women and children under 3 years of age.

Useful video

Medicines have become an integral part of human life. Almost every third person on the planet takes some kind of medication. Some people do this directly to correct pathology, while others try to prevent diseases and carry out prophylaxis. In this article we will talk about the drug “Levomycetin” (tablets). You will find out further what this remedy can help with. It is also worth mentioning how to take the medicine in a particular case.

What does the medicine "Levomycetin" (tablets) help with?

This drug is a broad-spectrum antibiotic. In terms of its composition, it is classified as bacteriostatic. This suggests that the drug not only suppresses the action of pathogenic microorganisms, but also inhibits their division and growth at the cellular level. Thus, the composition of the product blocks protein synthesis. As a result, the microbe dies.

In what cases is the drug "Levomycetin" prescribed? What do pills help with? Most often the medicine is prescribed in the following cases:

If you ask about the drug “Levomycetin” (the tablets help), then every second person will say that the medicine treats diarrhea and poisoning. However, this is not entirely correct. If the pathology is not caused by a bacterial infection, then the remedy may be completely powerless. In some cases, diarrhea is the result of a viral infection. In this case, the use of the drug is inappropriate.

How is the drug used?

Depending on the symptoms, individual medication should be prescribed. Before using it, it is necessary to conduct a test for the sensitivity of bacteria to this substance. Otherwise, you may not only not achieve a positive result, but also increase the resistance of microorganisms to this drug.

The drug is prescribed for oral administration approximately thirty minutes before meals. You can also take the medicine two hours after eating. This regimen must be followed in order to avoid nausea. The drug often causes a similar reaction in patients. Let's look at the main regimens for taking Levomycetin.

Diarrhea tablets for babies

Most often the composition is used specifically for the treatment of diarrhea. It is worth noting that the medicine is usually used in children. Adults choose more modern correction methods. The drug "Levomycetin" (tablets for children against diarrhea) is prescribed in the following dosage.

The initial dose is 12 milligrams of the drug per kilogram of the child’s weight. If the baby weighs 10 kg, then he, accordingly, needs to be given 120 mg (this is about a quarter of a tablet). This scheme must be repeated four times a day. In this case, the effect of treatment should be noticeable already on the second day. Remember that you cannot independently treat a child under two years of age with this drug!

For urinary tract infections in women and men

Quite often, “Levomycetin” (tablets) is prescribed for cystitis and various pathologies of the genital organs. In this case, the dose for men and women will be the same.

A single serving is from half to one whole tablet. On the first and subsequent days you can take no more than four pieces. The duration of correction is determined individually by the doctor and can range from five to fourteen days.

Quite often the drug is prescribed in complex therapy for the treatment of sexually transmitted infections. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the toxicity of additional drugs and, if necessary, take drugs that support normal liver function.

Alternative ways to use medicine (in cosmetology)

Levomycetin tablets for acne are often used. Cosmetologists prepare special local masks from them. It is worth noting that this treatment does not cause pathological changes in the liver, which is why it can be used at any age.

To prepare the miraculous composition, you need to crush one tablet into powder. This can be done using two spoons or a special mortar. After this, add a few drops of glycerin to the bulk mass. This drug can be purchased at every pharmacy chain. Apply the mask to the skin and massage. Leave the drug for 10-15 minutes, then rinse with clean water. The manipulation should be carried out no more than twice a week.

Serious abdominal pathologies

As you know, the indications for using the drug are typhoid and peritonitis. These complications are occurring less and less frequently, but may well develop in the absence of timely treatment. In this case, the drug dosage regimen will be as follows.

At the first dose you need to take one tablet. The manipulation must be repeated after 3-4 hours. In this case, the daily dose should not exceed 8 pieces. The duration of the correction is chosen by the specialist.

Summing up and a short conclusion of the article

You now know in what cases the drug "Levomycetin" is prescribed. Remember that the medicine may have a toxic effect on the liver and gastrointestinal tract. Expectant mothers and children under two years of age should not take the drug. In case of overdose or improper use of the drug, adverse reactions may develop in the form of allergies, nausea and disruption of the digestive system.

The child's body is not yet fully formed, so the child is more often susceptible to diseases. In addition, he cannot help himself, because due to lack of experience he does not know how to do it, and here his parents must come to the rescue.

Diarrhea is a fairly common occurrence and has many causes. In treatment, one of the main points is to establish the factor that provoked the disorder, and then you can choose medications. Levomycetin helps against childhood diarrhea.

Description of the drug

Levomycetin for diarrhea for children

Levomycetin belongs to the amphenicol group of antibiotics. It is available in tablets with a dosage of 250 and 500 mg.

The drug is made on the basis of chloramphenicol, a synthetic antibiotic identical in composition to the natural substance produced by some types of bacteria.

Each Levomycetin tablet contains a number of additional components:

• calcium stearate;
• potato starch;
• medical low molecular weight polyvinylpyrrolidone.

Levomycetin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic and has a systemic effect on the body. The mechanism of its work is based on the suppression of the peptidyl transferase enzyme and disruption of protein synthesis in bacterial cells.

The activity of Levomycetin is manifested against gram-positive cocci:

1. pneumococci;
2. enterococci;
3. streptococci;
4. staphylococci.

Chloramphenicol also works successfully against a number of bacteria:

• salmonella;
• shigella;
• serrations;
• coli;
• Haemophilus influenzae;
• proteas;
• Klebsiella

Levomycetin: tablets

Levomycetin is effective against spirochetes, rickettsia, anaerobic bacteria, pathogens of inguinal lymphogranulomatosis, trachoma and psittacosis.

The drug successfully suppresses the activity of strains that are resistant to other groups of antibiotics - sulfonamides, streptomycin, penicillin. Bacterial resistance to chloramphenicol develops slowly.

Acid-fast microorganisms, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, protozoa and clostridia have sufficient immunity to Levomycetin.

The tablets are well digestible and absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract. 2-3 hours after administration, the maximum concentration of the active substance is reached in the blood plasma. The therapeutic concentration is maintained for 4-5 hours. Bioavailability (digestibility) of the drug reaches 90%.

When Levomycetin is consumed by a pregnant woman, the active substance penetrates the placental barrier and enters the blood of the fetus. The antibiotic also passes into breast milk.

Almost completely the substance is excreted through the kidneys within 24 hours. Up to 3% of the formed metabolites are excreted through the intestines.

Cases of drug overdose in the body can occur when using Levomycitin for a long time in large quantities. The so-called cardiovascular syndrome is possible in newborns and premature infants.

It develops due to the fact that critical doses of chloramphenicol accumulate in the body, and the baby’s immature liver enzymes are not able to process it. As a result, chloramphenicol acts directly on the myocardium. Symptoms of cardiovascular syndrome:

1. anorexia;
2. vomit;
3. a sharp decrease in body temperature;
4. gray skin color;
5. hypotension;
6. lack of reaction to light and movement.

In this case, therapy is prescribed, including blood purification and elimination of accompanying symptoms. The lethal outcome in case of development of pathology reaches 40%.

Indications and contraindications

Diarrhea in a child is a problem

The drug is prescribed for the treatment of infectious diseases caused by microorganisms sensitive to chloramphenicol. Indications for use of Levomycetin:

• paratyphoid;
• typhus and typhoid fever;
• meningitis;
• whooping cough;
• chlamydia;
• sepsis;
• tularemia;
• brucellosis;
• dysentery;
• brain abscess;
• trachoma;
• pneumonia;
• gonorrhea;
• actinomycosis.

Levomycetin is also prescribed for diarrhea in children, as many of the above diseases are symptomatically manifested by diarrhea. It is important to know the diagnosis accurately, since diarrhea can occur from food poisoning or even due to some psychological factors.

In these cases, the disorder goes away within a few days, and it is treated with completely different drugs. The use of Levomycetin in this situation can only aggravate the child’s condition without bringing any benefit.

Contraindications to the use of Levomycetin are determined by the following factors:

1. pregnancy and breastfeeding;
2. renal and liver failure;
3. individual intolerance to chloramphenicol or other components of the drug;
4. depressed hematopoiesis in the bone marrow;
5. acute intermittent porphyria (genetic disorder of pigment metabolism, accompanied by neurological symptoms);
6. deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (an enzyme whose deficiency leads to anemia).

Caution should be exercised when prescribing antibiotics to young children and newborns (less than 4 weeks old).
Levomycetin has a number of side effects, so it must be taken under the supervision of a doctor in order to prevent developing disorders in time. The antibiotic affects the digestive system, causing:

• nausea;
• vomiting;
• dyspeptic disorders;
• dysbacteriosis;
• diarrhea;
• irritation of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity and pharynx.

From the hematopoietic system, a deficiency of leukocytes, granulocytes, reticulocytes and platelets may occur. When the nervous system is affected, the following may develop:

1. hallucinations;
2. depression;
3. absent-mindedness;
4. neuritis;
5. headache;
6. decreased visual and hearing acuity.

In addition, it is possible to develop allergic reactions in the form of rash and swelling, secondary fungal infection and collapse (acute vascular insufficiency) in children under one year of age.

Levomycetin should not be taken simultaneously with a number of other medications, as it suppresses their therapeutic effect. This group includes:

• phenotoin;
• phenobarbital;
• antibiotics of the cephalosporin and penicillin groups;
• erythromycin, lincomycin and clindamycin.

Simultaneous use of the drug with cytostatics and sulfonamides that inhibit hematopoiesis may cause additional side effects. Oral hypoglycemic drugs enhance their effect when interacting with Levomycetin.

How to use for diarrhea

Levomycetin is an antibacterial agent

The antibiotic is taken orally (inside) half an hour before meals. For children, the daily dosage depends on age and body weight.

For children under 3 years of age, 10-15 mg per 1 kg of weight is prescribed, at the age of 3-8 years - from 150 to 200 mg, for older children - 200-300 mg. A single dose is taken 3-4 times a day. If necessary, the tablet is divided into parts.

Chewing and crushing the drug in other ways is not recommended. The tablet or part of it is swallowed whole with a glass of water (200 ml).

When taking Levomycetin, like other antibiotics, enzyme preparations that support healthy intestinal microflora are prescribed (Linex, Bifiform, Bifidumbacterin). These medications must also be prescribed by a doctor, since each antibiotic affects the intestinal microflora differently.

Taking Levomycetin should be accompanied by periodic monitoring of peripheral blood patterns. It is necessary to monitor the concentration of red blood cells, platelets, leukocytes, neutrophils and other blood cells in order to promptly recognize pathological changes caused by the action of the antibiotic.

Levomycetin for diarrhea in childhood should be prescribed with caution. The antibiotic has a number of side effects, so it should only be taken with a doctor's prescription and under his supervision.

Diarrhea in a child: what to do and how to treat it? The video will tell you:

Stool disorder is a common occurrence, characterized by thinning of stool and increased frequency of bowel movements. When diarrhea is prolonged, and diet or usual remedies do not help cope with the disorder, the patient begins to look for a more effective way to stop the unpleasant process. Taking antibacterial drugs is relevant if the disorder is caused by food intoxication or intestinal infection. One of the list of effective medications for diarrhea is Levomycetin, which allows you to eliminate the symptom in a short time.

Benefits of Levomycetin

Levomycetin is an antibacterial drug with a broad spectrum of action. Actively affects pathogens of intestinal infections (except viral and fungal). The medication inhibits the growth and reproduction of bacteria - the causative agents of salmonellosis and shigellosis. It affects the microorganism cell, destroying the formation of protein, destroying its viability. The medicine does not eliminate the symptom, but acts on the cause that provoked the body’s reaction.

Indications

The medication is available in the form of white tablets with a yellowish tint. Levomycetin is prescribed for acute intestinal infections. For selected pathologies that cause diarrhea, an antibiotic is necessary. Diseases for which the drug is taken:

• Salmonellosis;
• Dysentery;
• Typhoid fever and others.

The drug is inactive against some bacteria. Therefore, it is important to establish the exact cause of the pathology before taking the medication.

An effective remedy for food poisoning and indigestion if:

• The frequency of stool exceeds 10-15 times, and the patient’s condition does not improve after taking alternative medications.
• The patient notices bloody streaks or pus in liquid stool. This case involves treatment with antibacterial agents.
• Diarrhea is infectious, but it is not affected by alternative antibacterial agents. The patient must undergo a stool test to determine the pathogen.
• In addition to intestinal upset, there is an elevated body temperature.
• The patient has an individual intolerance or an allergic reaction to other antibacterial drugs.

Directions for use and dosage

The attending physician can prescribe antibacterial agents. The doctor sets the dosage and duration of treatment with Levomycetin depending on the severity of the disease. When the patient begins to use the medicine, the condition improves noticeably after a day. But ending therapy is contraindicated - you need to take the full course of the drug prescribed by the doctor in order to completely destroy the bacteria. On average, the course of treatment lasts from a week to ten days.

Tablets should be taken half an hour before meals or an hour after meals. For better absorption, it is permissible to bite the tablet. The taste of the drug is very bitter; you need to take the tablet with a large amount of water. The tablets are taken at the same time interval.

In the box with the medicine there will be instructions for use that must be followed, but the medicine must be taken according to the doctor's instructions.

Rules for use in adults

A mild form of diarrhea involves taking a tablet 4 times a day.

For severe diarrhea caused by infection, 2-4 tablets are prescribed, 3-4 times a day.

Rules for admission to children

Levomycetin is a potent drug. When treating diarrhea, it is important to know the dosage for children and not exceed it. Children are prescribed the drug, taking into account their age and weight.

From 3 to 8 years, no more than 200 mg per day is allowed.

Over 8 – up to 300 mg per day.

Giving medication against diarrhea to a child is allowed after diagnosis and consultation with a therapist.

Contraindications

The antibiotic has a strong effect, there are contraindications. Restrictions on use:

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding period. If therapy with the drug is necessary, you should stop feeding for the period of treatment.
• Renal dysfunction.
• Porphyrin disease.
• Children's age up to 4 months.
• Diabetes.
• Skin diseases: psoriasis, eczema.
• Allergy and individual intolerance to the components of the drug.

Do not take for sore throat and acute respiratory viral diseases.

The use of the medication is not recommended for stool disorders caused by allergies or the use of laxative products. Treatment with an antibiotic is carried out in case of infection in the digestive tract.

By-effect

Taking the medication, even in accordance with the prescribed dosage, is often accompanied by the appearance of symptoms. The patient may feel dizzy and have a headache, and vision and hearing may deteriorate. Levomycetin causes pathological processes in the circulatory system, for example, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia. The patient may feel discomfort in the abdomen - bloating, flatulence.

Patients prone to allergies experience skin rashes or other reactions. In difficult cases, swelling occurs, which poses a danger to human health and life.

Side effects disappear after stopping treatment.

Overdose

Exceeding the recommended dose is fraught with various complications. The patient's vision and hearing may deteriorate, dizziness and headaches may occur. Symptoms of overdose are general weakness, nausea, vomiting, and convulsions.

Often patients, in pursuit of a quick recovery, make an independent decision - to increase the dose of the drug. When taking antibiotics, it is forbidden to change the dosage yourself. For diarrhea, the doctor prescribes the volume required by the patient. Exceeding it worsens the condition and can cause severe stool upset.

Precautionary measures

To protect yourself from adverse reactions, you must follow the rules for taking the medication:

It is forbidden to take tablets when consuming alcohol-containing products. Alcohol reduces the effectiveness of the medication. There will be no positive result if you combine alcoholic beverages and antibiotic therapy.

Analogues

Infectious diarrhea can be overcome by drugs similar to Levomycetin or antibiotic substitutes:

• Levomycetin Actitab is a medicine produced in the form of tablets. The main substance is chloramphenicol, as in standard Levomycetin. It differs from an antibiotic in the composition of its excipients.
• Levomycetin Darnitsa is a broad-spectrum antibiotic with the active substance chloramphenicol.
• Dexamethasone is a synthetic drug that regulates protein and carbohydrate metabolism. It can be prescribed instead of Levomycetin for typhoid fever and diphtheria.

The choice of antibacterial agent depends on the causative agent of the disease. The doctor must prescribe the medicine based on laboratory studies of human biological material.

Levomycetin is a strong antibiotic that helps cope with infections in adults and children. It is forbidden to take it for any diarrhea, since the medicine will not only not help cope with a banal stool disorder, but will also intensify diarrhea. Before taking it, you need to identify the cause using laboratory testing. And after making sure that the symptom is caused by bacteria, start antibiotic therapy without violating the dosage.