Features of the use of antibiotics in intestinal infections

Having penetrated the digestive system, pathogenic microorganisms begin a vigorous activity, releasing poisons and toxins, poisoning the human body. Drug therapy of intestinal infection with antibiotics can prevent microbial colonization, eliminate inflammation in the organs of the digestive tract and prevent the infection from penetrating into other systems and organs.

The principle of any treatment is the commandment "do no harm", and the treatment of intestinal infections with antibiotics - not an exception. Therefore, when the first signs of the disease are detected, one should seek medical help in order to avoid complications, and in no case self-medicate. The therapeutic effect should be complex, with the mandatory inclusion of antibiotic therapy and diet.

Indications and contraindications

Antibiotics are substances of biological or synthetic origin that inhibit the growth and development of bacteria and individual microscopic fungi. There are many antibacterial drugs, and some of them work even in the case of an unspecified diagnosis, they are called broad-spectrum drugs.

Antibiotics for intestinal infections are taken in the following cases:

diagnosed with salmonellosis, dysentery, cholera or escherichiosis;
complications and severe course of intestinal infection;
septic lesions and the occurrence of infectious foci outside the intestinal cavity;
diarrhea more than 10 times a day;
severe intoxication, which cannot be eliminated by sorbents, gastric lavage and heavy drinking;
traces of blood and the presence of mucous impurities in the feces;
antibiotics must be used for intestinal infections in adults and children with hemolytic anemia, immunodeficiency states and various neoplasms.

It is not recommended to resort to self-prescription of antibiotics for intestinal infections. The fact is that in this case, separate drugs are used, the action of which should be directed to a specific group of the pathogen.

To find out what exactly caused the disease, and only a doctor can determine the infectious agent. In this case, the drugs should be taken according to an individual scheme, depending on the severity of the intestinal infection, the age and characteristics of the patient's body.

Contraindications to the use of antibiotics

Antibiotics of the fluoroquinol group for intestinal infections in children are contraindicated in the age group under 2 years of age. They are prescribed if the disease is severe, while trying to choose the most benign modern drugs. Antibiotics are also used with caution in adolescents. The fact is that these drugs can adversely affect the state of the muscular and skeletal systems.

Antibiotics of the erythromycin group for intestinal infections are undesirable during pregnancy and lactation.

Any antibacterial agents are prescribed with caution to persons suffering from diseases of the liver and urinary system.

Side effects

There are no antibiotics that do not have unwanted effects. Often they are allergic, the composition of the blood worsens, the liver suffers. That is why antibiotics for intestinal infections should be selected by a specialist.

Side effects of antibiotic therapy:

violation of hematopoietic processes: anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia;
violation of the central nervous system - a feeling of tingling and numbness in the tissues, spasms, paresthesia, disorientation in space, increased drowsiness, muscle weakness, epileptic seizures;
disorders of the digestive system - a decrease or lack of appetite, impaired liver function, diarrhea, vomiting;
sensory disorders - hearing loss, tinnitus, temporary hearing loss, dizziness, problems with coordination of movements and breathing;
problems from the genitourinary system - thirst, impaired urination, the appearance of blood and protein in the urine;
hypotensive syndrome, allergic reactions of the body in the form of itching, skin rashes and fever.

Instructions for use and dosage

The use of antibiotics for intestinal infections in adults already on the first day from the start of treatment has a positive effect.

Drugs of choice in adults include:

Beta-lactams: Ampicillin 0.5 g every 12 hours, Amoxicillin + clavulanic acid, Amoxiclav, Augmentin - 1250 mg every 12 hours.
Macrolides: Azithromycin 0.5 g every 12 hours, Clarithromycin 0.5 g every 12 hours.
Aminoglycosides: Tetracycline 0.5 g 4 times a day.
Nitrofurans: Nifuroxazide 0.2 g 4 times a day.
Fluoroquinolones: Ciprofloxacin 0.5 g every 12 hours, Levofloxacin 0.5 g every 12 hours.

Drugs of choice in children include:

Amoxicillin 0.5 g 2 times a day.
Ceftriaxone 20-80 mg per kg of child's weight intramuscularly or intravenously.
Cefepime 50 mg per kg of child's weight intravenously or intramuscularly.
Azithromycin 0.25 g once a day.
Clarithromycin 0.25 g twice a day.

The treatment regimen and dosage of antibacterial agents is specified by the doctor on an individual basis.

Review of popular antibiotics

The most commonly used antibiotics for intestinal infections in adults are:

Levomycetin . A broad-spectrum drug effective against most pathogens, including cholera and typhoid. Due to the large list of side effects and contraindications, it is not used in childhood. Levomycetin is usually prescribed by a doctor in cases where other groups of antibiotics for an intestinal infection could not give the desired effect.
Rifaximin (Alpha Normix) . A low-toxic antibacterial agent, which is equally successfully used for the treatment of adults and children. Rifaximin not only has a detrimental effect on the pathogenic microflora, but also prevents the further development of complications.
It should also be noted the effectiveness of intestinal infections in adults with antibiotics from the category of penicillins. For example, Ampicillin - a drug of semi-synthetic origin, which can be used in expectant mothers and children.
In addition, an antibiotic from the fluoroquinolone group is often prescribed, for example, Ciprofloxacin . Fluoroquinolones are active against a wide range of microorganisms, while they practically do not provoke development.

In intestinal infections in children, antibiotics are prescribed with caution.

Most often applied:

Amoxicillin . A broad-spectrum penicillin drug. Available in granules, which are convenient for the preparation of a suspension.
Augmentin . The drug has an extended spectrum of action, is available in the form of a powder for suspension. Contraindicated in children under 3 months.
Ceftriaxone . The drug of the 3rd generation cephalosporin group. Available as a solution for intramuscular and intravenous injection. Forbidden to premature babies and newborns suffering.
Cefix . A broad spectrum antibacterial agent based on cefixime trihydrate. Fights all types of pathogenic bacteria, primarily prescribed by pediatricians for the treatment of intestinal disorders. Available in the form of a syrup or powder used to prepare a suspension.
Enterofuril . Another antibiotic for intestinal infections for children, also characterized by a wide spectrum of action. In the form of a suspension, it can be used to treat babies from the age of 4 weeks. For children over 7 years of age, Enterofuril is indicated to be taken in capsules.

It is important to remember that the appointment of antibiotic therapy in childhood should be an exceptional and necessary measure. Antibiotics should only be used when really needed.

Basic rules for taking drugs

You can not prescribe antibiotics for an intestinal infection on your own. For example, if the disease was caused by Escherichia coli, then you need to consider that this pathogen easily adapts to many antibacterial agents. If this happens, then in the future it will be difficult to eliminate the pathogenic microflora that has formed resistance to medicines.

The dosage and duration of the drug should be determined by the attending physician. It is not recommended to arbitrarily stop taking the antibiotic before the prescribed treatment period if there is a significant improvement in the condition.

Other things to keep in mind when taking antibiotics:

It is forbidden to take antibiotics for prophylactic purposes.
It is important to strictly observe the prescribed dosage and time intervals between doses of the drug.
In order to improve the resistance of immune defenses and normalize the intestinal microflora, it is advisable to take biologics along with antibiotics, for example, Hilak Forte, Lactulose.
To avoid deterioration in health and general well-being, it is important to warn the doctor before prescribing the drug about the presence of somatic diseases and contraindications.
The child must drink the entire course of antibiotics completely. In no case should parents change the treatment regimen by reducing or increasing the dosage of the drug or the intervals between its doses.
Taking antibiotics for intestinal infections in children and adults is possible only after the confirmed bacterial nature of the disease.
It is preferable for children to choose antibacterial agents in the form of syrup or tablets, but not injections.
In the process of antibiotic treatment, it is advisable not to resort to the use of antipyretics, since these drugs can lubricate the clinical picture of the pathology.

Why are antibiotics dangerous?

Treatment of intestinal infection with antibiotics inevitably leads to the fact that, along with pathogenic microorganisms, there is a mass death of beneficial intestinal microflora. To prevent dysbacteriosis, along with antibacterial drugs, probiotics are prescribed - drugs of biological origin that contain live bacteria of the intestinal microflora: for example, Linex, Bifidumbacterin, etc.

Also, the use of antibiotics for intestinal infections in children and adults has a negative effect on the liver, kidneys and blood. Therefore, it is highly not recommended to be treated with such drugs uncontrollably to prevent the development of side effects.

In addition, many pathogenic microorganisms are able to acquire resistance to drugs, as a result of which the use of antibiotics becomes simply useless and dangerous to health.

Sometimes patients, when the first symptoms of an intestinal infection appear, start taking antibiotics immediately, not wanting to understand the causes of the digestive tract disorder that has arisen, without contacting a gastroenterologist.

Such actions destroy the microflora in your intestines, aggravating the course of the disease and causing serious damage to health. Patients lose the opportunity to receive real medical care if they really develop a dangerous disease not only from the digestive system, but also in any other organ.

The fact is that antibiotics, once used thoughtlessly and uncontrollably in the past, simply may not work in the body, as resistance has arisen to them. This is especially dangerous in childhood and old age.