Levomycetin: a backup antibiotic for emergency cases

Chloramphenicol is a medicine that our grandmothers also knew, so it can be said that it has been tested by time. Look for packaging photos below. Chloramphenicol Actitab appeared a little later, and has more pronounced antibacterial properties. In addition, it is available exclusively in the form of tablets, while the classic “Levomycetin” can also be found in the form of solutions, there are even levomycetin drops. Since those who have not yet taken Levomecitin have limited knowledge about it, you need to know whether it is used for colds, before or after meals to take it, whether it is used against worms, and what is the price of the drug in a pharmacy.

The first “Levomycetin” (chloramphenicol) was the result of isolation from the microbe Streptomyces venezuelae. It was isolated from soil taken in Venezuela in 1947. The structure of the substance turned out to be very simple, so after a year it was possible to synthesize it artificially. Then it was used against an outbreak of typhoid fever and got good treatment results. The antibiotic was put on production. But by 1950, it became clear that it causes extremely serious adverse reactions. Therefore, its use was limited to severe infections in which resistance to habitual antibiotics is observed.

Features of the mechanism of action

Chloramphenicol is characterized by a wide spectrum of action. It has lipophilic properties, so it easily penetrates the membrane of a bacterial cell, binds to ribosomes and disrupts protein synthesis. It does not allow amino acids to attach to the necessary parts of the molecule; therefore, the cells do not receive the main building element - protein.

But the action is not limited to bacterial cells. Chloramphenicol can enter some mammalian cells. In humans, these are young fissile red blood cells. This explains the serious side effects of the drug.

The antibiotic acts bacteriostatically on most microbes - it inhibits their reproduction, stops growth, but does not kill. However, on some it acts bactericidal:

• Neisseria meningitidis - the causative agent of meningitis;
• Streptococcus pneumoniae - causes pneumonia;
• Haemophilus influenzae - leads to pneumonia, meningitis, arthritis, sepsis.

Conduct treatment with Levomycetin against the following pathogens:

• pyogenic streptococcus;
• Staphylococcus aureus;
• streptococcus agalactia;
• mycoplasmas;
• chlamydia;
• rickettsia;
• cholera vibrio.

In Escherichia coli, Salmonella, some Shigella and Klebsiella strains, a decrease in sensitivity is gradually observed. The antibiotic ceases to act on them.

Pharmacological properties

"Levomycetin" is available in the form of tablets, solutions for injection, eye drops. Previously, there was still a form of suspension, but production in many countries ceased.The pharmacological effect is due to the following mechanisms.

• Suction. When ingested quickly enters the bloodstream, the maximum concentration in the blood is observed after two to three hours. For intravenous and intramuscular administration, the drug precursor is used. When instilled into the eyes, the drug is distributed over the cornea, iris, vitreous body. It does not penetrate the lens.
• Distribution. It penetrates well into tissues and biological fluids. It is found in cerebrospinal fluid, brain tissue, bile, milk. Able to overcome the placental barrier.
• Metabolism. The main processing site is the liver. An inactive compound with glucuronic acid is formed. Most are excreted by the kidneys, only 1-3% through the intestines.

Instructions for use "Levomycetin"

The drug belongs to the reserve list. This means that its use is justified only in the case of resistance of microorganisms to penicillins and cephalosporins. It can also be prescribed for allergic reactions to these groups of antibiotics. Indications for the use of Levomycetin include the following diseases caused by microorganisms sensitive to it:

• typhoid fever and paratyphoid;
• brain abscess
• generalized salmonellosis;
• dysentery;
• brucellosis;
• tularemia;
• Q fever;
• chlamydia
• rickettsiosis (typhus, trachoma);
• yersiniosis;
• meningococcal infection;
• pneumonia;
• purulent peritonitis;
• otitis;
• conjunctivitis, blepharitis, keratitis;
• cystitis, pyelonephritis;
• inguinal granuloma;
• biliary tract infections.

Rotavirus causes gastroenteritis, which is accompanied by severe diarrhea. Some take these symptoms for dysentery. But rotavirus infection is characterized by the presence of a runny nose (the second name is intestinal flu). The use of antibiotics in this case is ineffective.

How to use

Some people try to treat a bowel disorder or poisoning with Chloramphenicol, arguing that possible diarrhea is a symptom of salmonellosis. This approach cannot be used. There are safer drugs to treat intestinal disorders. Chloramphenicol should be left in case of colitis caused by cholera vibrio or with diagnosed salmonellosis, as well as for severe infections. The dosage is selected by the doctor, but the concentrations of the substance presented in the table are approximately used.

Table - Dosage of Levomycetin tablets, as well as eye drops

In gynecology, the drug can be used for severe purulent lesions of the appendages. With adnexitis, 250-500 mg is also prescribed up to four times a day. Scheme of administration of "Levomycetin" with cystitis does not differ from the above.However, you need to prepare for the fact that, against the background of taking an antibiotic, it may break out thrush. Therefore, for prophylaxis, a Fluconazole capsule is taken before and after treatment.

The ointment is applied to the foci on the skin one to three times a day. Treatment cannot be continued for more than ten days.

The use of Levomycetin eye drops is not limited to conjunctivitis. This may be blepharitis, which is popularly called barley. The dosage regimen remains standard.

What is the danger of the drug

Side effects are due to the mechanism of action - the suppression of protein synthesis in cells. When using tablets, allergies (rash, acute urticaria, angioedema), as well as the following adverse reactions can occur.

• Digestive system. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, united by one name - dyspeptic disorders. At high doses - intestinal dysbiosis.
• Nervous system. Depression, facial neuritis, impaired consciousness, headache, visual and auditory hallucinations.
• Blood formation. Decrease in the level of platelets, white blood cells, reticulocytes, granulocytes, red blood cells. Rarely - aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis (decrease in white blood cell count).

Overdose

Overdose can occur with prolonged use of therapeutic doses or single use of a large number of tablets. In case of poisoning with Levomycetin, the following symptoms appear:

• vomiting
• decrease in body temperature;
• gray skin color, turning into cyanosis (cyanotic coloration of the skin and mucous membranes);
• respiratory failure;
• oppression of blood formation.

With prolonged use of large doses - bleeding caused by a decrease in the synthesis of vitamin K in the intestines.

Contraindications

A toxic drug has its contraindications:

• pregnancy;
• lactation;
• severe impaired liver function;
• severe renal failure;
• individual intolerance;
• blood formation diseases;
• psoriasis;
• eczema;
• fungal diseases.

Reviews about “Levomycetin” and its analogue “Syntomycin ointment” are not always positive. A large number of side effects and toxicity of the drug are affected. Therefore, it should not be used independently, but only as directed by a doctor.

Reviews: "In all countries of the world it is no longer released"

I wanted to write about this tool, so I have a medical education. This antibiotic is taken by someone who is not lazy, ate something and got a stomachache, and now, please, a remedy for diarrhea. I want to warn everyone that this is a very unhealthy antibiotic, it is no longer being released in all countries of the world, since it has been found that only 3 tablets lead to the death of liver cells, to cirrhosis, and if the liver is not transplanted, then a person dies. It’s a very dangerous drug, in no case can it be taken, and people still buy and drink it, although I know that no doctor will prescribe or recommend this drug. I used to take this drug too when an infection arose and really regret it, how much harm I brought to my health. There are many other side effects of this drug. You can not take not adults and especially children.

Dgesi, http://otzovik.com/review_637559.html

It can happen to everyone.I am talking about diarrhea, nausea and acute pain in the abdomen, which indicates food poisoning. This unpleasant phenomenon happened to me last year, just the other day. They didn’t find out the reason (either salad under a fur coat, or smoked fish ... the list of suspects was quite large). But the investigation did not keep waiting long. Acute pain and going to the toilet in an hour exhausted me. Accepted mezima, the lines did not help, they were about to call an ambulance, but I asked my wife for something else. Then she brought the stricken tablets of Levomycetinum. Bitter, very bitter to drink (I would call the taste of tablets the standard of bitterness). But the effect is instantaneous, in half an hour the pain subsided, and after an hour I, doubly joyful of not getting to the hospital, already returned to the usual rhythm. But still, according to the testimony of these pills, I would not recommend it as universal, it’s good that I can easily stand any “chemical attack”. Without the advice of doctors, I would beware of chloramphenicol. As for the title, if you do not have a rich aunt for good and very expensive funds, then chloramphenicol.

Ximik, http://otzovik.com/review_343791.html

I once had to experience the effects of chloramphenicol. To be honest, I did not have a very good opinion of him. No, I do not mean its effectiveness. It is possible that the effectiveness of this drug may be envied by many other antibiotic agents. I am talking about side effects. There are really a lot of them. I was sick, dizzy and headache, I stopped hearing well. Two days I even vomited. I endured its action very hard. I don’t wish anyone like that.
Irina, http://www.tiensmed.ru/news/levomicetinusi1.html#comments

I treated drops of Levomycetin with conjunctivitis. Often in the draft, therefore, the eye apparently caught a cold, eyes were very sour in the morning as she got up, ate them opened. She was sick more than once, so she wiped with tea leavesdaisies and dripping drops, sorry instructions for the drops there, only the inscription on the bottle. After 3 days, the virus completely disappeared, the eyes felt better, though the eye was reddish, as for me an effective and cheap treatment.
Irina, https://zrenie1.com/lechenie/preparaty/kapli/levomitsetin.html

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