Release form and composition
The dosage form of Furadonin Avexim is tablets: flat-cylindrical, yellow or yellow with a greenish tint (in a cardboard pack there are 1–5 blister/cellless packages of 10 tablets; 1 blister pack or 1 jar of 20 tablets).
Composition of 1 tablet:
- active substance: furadonin (nitrofurantoin) – 50 or 100 mg;
- auxiliary components (50/100 mg): aerosil – 2/4 mg; potato starch – 46.15/92.3 mg; stearic acid – 1/2 mg; polysorbate 80 – 0.85/1.7 mg.
Analogs
Furagin
A drug whose main active ingredient is furazidin. It is a substitute for Furadonin Avexim tablets, as it has similar therapeutic effects. The medicine is presented in the form of a tablet for oral administration. It is used for infectious pathologies of the structures of the urinary system, mainly in adults.
Urofuragin
A drug substitute that is available in tablet form for oral administration and contains furazidine. The medication has antibacterial activity; it is mainly prescribed for infectious and inflammatory pathologies of various structures of the urogenital tract. The medicine is contraindicated for children, pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Pharmacological properties
Pharmacodynamics
Furadonin Avexima is one of the antimicrobial agents from the nitrofuran group; used primarily to treat urinary tract infections. Nitrofurantoin disrupts protein synthesis in bacteria and cell membrane permeability.
In small doses the substance has a bacteriostatic effect, in large doses it has a bactericidal effect.
Effective against gram-positive/gram-negative bacteria, including Proteus spp., Escherichia coli, Streptococcus spp., Staphylococcus spp., Shigella flexneri, Shigella dysenteriae, Shigella sonnei, Shigella boydii.
Acinetobacter spp., Pseudomonas cepacia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Providencia spp. are resistant to nitrofurantoin.
The drug is not used in the treatment of urinary tract infections caused by mycoplasmas, chlamydia, and gonococci.
Pharmacokinetics
Nitrofurantoin is well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Bioavailability is 50%; food intake increases bioavailability. The rate of absorption depends on the size of the crystals - the microcrystalline form is characterized by rapid solubility and absorption rate, a short time to reach Cmax (maximum concentration of the substance) in the urine.
The connection with blood plasma proteins is 60%. Penetrates the blood-brain barrier, the placenta, and is excreted in breast milk. Effective therapeutic concentrations are achieved in the urinary tract rather than in tissues and blood.
Metabolism occurs in muscle tissue and liver.
T1/2 (half-life) is in the range of 20–25 minutes. Completely excreted by the kidneys (unchanged - from 30 to 50%).
With impaired renal function, T1/2 and plasma concentrations of nitrofurantoin in the blood increase. When creatinine clearance is less than 60 ml/min, the therapeutic concentration of the substance in the urine is not achieved, accumulation of nitrofurantoin and an increased likelihood of toxicity are possible.
Nitrofurantoin exhibits greater activity in acidic urine. When urine pH is above 8, Furadonin Avexima loses its bactericidal activity.
What can replace Furadonin?
Patients are sometimes interested in the question of what effective analogues of the drug exist. If for some reason Furadonin is not suitable, it can be replaced with the following drugs:
- "Furasol";
- "Furazidin";
"Furasol" is available in powder form for internal and local use. Like Furadonin, it treats infectious diseases of the urinary organs. Due to its antiseptic effect, this medication can also be used to treat wounds. It should not be used by patients under four years of age, as well as by people suffering from allergic reactions and dermatitis. It is a low-toxic drug, so there are no cases of overdose from taking it. With the simultaneous use of Furasol and antibiotics, the therapeutic effect of both drugs is enhanced.
The drug "Furasol"
"Furagin" is the most popular substitute for "Furadonin" in the treatment of urinary tract infections. The drug is prescribed both in the acute period of the disease and in chronic forms. Uroantiseptic cannot be used in case of renal or liver failure, or in children under one year of age. Patients suffering from glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency should avoid its use.
The drug "Furagin"
"Furazidin" also refers to nitrofurans, which have anti-infective and antimicrobial effects. It is used both for the treatment of urinary organs and gynecological infections. The drug should not be used by patients under the age group of 4 years. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should also not use the medication.
“Furamag” is no different in composition and method of action from the above-mentioned drugs. It is produced in the form of capsules intended for oral and local administration. It can be used from the age of three. It is not recommended to take Furamag simultaneously with ascorbic acid and calcium chloride preparations, as they have an “acidifying” effect on the urine.
The drug "Furamag"
Which of the above drugs to use in the treatment of cystitis and other diseases of the genitourinary system should be decided only by the treating specialist.
Active ingredient: 50 mg of nitrofurantoin (furadonin).
Excipients: potato starch, colloidal silicon dioxide (Aerosil), stearic acid, polysorbate 80 (Tween 80).
Antimicrobial agent for the treatment of urinary tract infections.
Indications for use
According to the instructions, Furadonin Avexima is prescribed for bacterial urinary tract infections caused by microorganisms sensitive to the action of nitrofurantoin:
- severe complicated recurrent infections;
- acute uncomplicated infections;
- urinary tract infections, including for uncomplicated chronic diseases and urological operations/examinations - cystoscopy, catheterization of the urinary tract, etc. (for preventive purposes).
What are these pills for?
The medication is indicated for internal use. It is often included in drug therapy for the development of infectious and inflammatory diseases of the urinary organs. The annotation states that the drug is prescribed for:
- cystitis;
- urethritis;
- pyelonephritis;
- painful urination due to the formation of sand or stones in the bladder.
Used for preventive measures after diagnostic and surgical procedures.
The drug is prescribed for painful urination.
Contraindications
Absolute:
- chronic renal failure;
- heart failure stage II–III;
- deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase;
- chronic hepatitis;
- cirrhosis of the liver;
- acute porphyria;
- oliguria, anuria;
- polyneuropathy/neuritis;
- pulmonary fibrosis;
- pregnancy and lactation;
- age up to 3 or 12 years (for tablets 50 or 100 mg, respectively);
- individual intolerance to the components of the drug.
Relative (Furadonin Avexima is prescribed under medical supervision):
- diabetes;
- electrolyte imbalance;
- anemia;
- liver function failure;
- deficiency of B vitamins;
- tendency to the appearance of peripheral neuropathies (itching of legs, hands, numbness);
- lung diseases.
Reviews
Galina, 43 years old Several weeks ago I felt sharp pain in the lower abdomen while urinating. It turned out that it was cystitis. At the appointment, the therapist prescribed Furadonin. Already on the second day, the pain almost disappeared, but the doctor warned that it was necessary to complete the course, even if all the symptoms disappeared. A week passed and there was no trace of cystitis left. Despite the negative reviews on the Internet about Furadonin, I experienced absolutely no side effects.
Elizaveta, 37 years old, I have been using Furadonin for cystitis for several years now. Very pleased. This year, in the summer, the doctor advised me to drink it also as a preventive measure before the autumn cold. The dosage is very small, but the autumn passed without endless trips to the toilet and taking antibiotics.
Lyudmila Ivanovna, 53 years old In the spring, my feet got wet and the very next day cystitis began. Antibiotics are not suitable for me due to allergies that have developed with age. The doctor prescribed Furadonin tablets produced by Avexim, warning about side effects. But, after 3 days, I already forgot about the pain in the bladder, and I did not notice any negative manifestations. The undoubted advantage is the speed of treatment and recovery.
Anastasia, 30 years old I started having cystitis for the first time in my life. Because of such pain, I immediately ran to the doctor, who recommended this remedy. When I went to the pharmacy, I was pleasantly surprised by the low price. I started taking the medicine, and in addition to the pain from cystitis, I also added constant nausea, and then dizziness. I felt terrible. At the follow-up appointment, the doctor stopped Furadonin and prescribed a course of antibiotics. I will never use this product again.
Instructions for use of Furadonin Avexim: method and dosage
Furadonin Avexima is taken orally with plenty of water.
Recommended application:
- adults: 100–150 mg 3–4 times a day; maximum single dose – 300 mg, daily dose – 600 mg;
- children: 5–8 mg/kg per day in 4 divided doses. Children 3–12 years old are prescribed Furadonin Avexima 50 mg tablets.
The duration of treatment for acute urinary tract infections is from 7 to 10 days.
It is necessary to take into account that the symptoms of the disease may disappear before the infection is cured, and if therapy with Furadonin Avexima is stopped, the disease may worsen again.
If nausea occurs, reduce the dose or stop taking the drug.
Preventive, anti-relapse therapy with Furadonin Avexim is carried out from 3 to 12 months (depending on the nature of the disease). In such cases, the daily dose is 1–2 mg/kg.
For what diseases is it prescribed?
Furadonin's indications for use are as follows:
- inflammation of the urethra of an infectious nature (urethritis);
- infectious and inflammatory disease of the bladder (cystitis);
- inflammatory process in the kidneys (pyelonephritis).
What else can Furadonin tablets be used for in medical practice? The medicine can be prescribed for preventive purposes after surgery, cystoscopy, catheterization, etc.
The medicine can be prescribed for preventive purposes
Side effects
Possible adverse reactions (> 10% - very common; > 1% and < 10% - often; > 0.1% and < 1% - uncommon; > 0.01% and < 0.1% - rare; < 0. 01% – very rarely; with uncertain frequency – in cases where it is impossible to determine the frequency of occurrence of violations):
- immune system: very rarely - lupus-like syndrome (in the form of rash, eosinophilia, fever, arthralgia, while an increase in two or more parameters is observed in the blood serum - antinuclear antibodies, antibodies to the glomerular basement membrane or smooth muscle and Coombs' reaction); in some cases - anaphylaxis, angioedema, autoimmune reactions that are associated with chronic changes in the liver/lungs;
- respiratory system: very rarely - acute/chronic reactions of pulmonary hypersensitivity (in the form of fever, eosinophilia, cough, chest pain, shortness of breath), pleurisy, broncho-obstructive syndrome, interstitial changes in the lungs; pulmonary infiltration or compactions and pleural effusion may appear within several hours or days after starting to take Furadonin Avexim; after discontinuation of therapy, they usually resolve; with prolonged therapy, acute/subacute pulmonary symptoms may unnoticed, including pulmonary fibrosis; fibrosis may be irreversible, especially if the drug is not discontinued after the onset of symptoms;
- nervous system: often – headache; rarely - increased intracranial pressure; with an unknown frequency - drowsiness, dizziness, nystagmus, asthenia, peripheral polyneuropathy (including optic neuritis, the first symptoms manifest themselves as a burning sensation/numbness in the legs, muscle weakness);
- digestive system: often – vomiting, nausea, lack of appetite; rarely - pancreatitis, inflammation of the salivary glands, diarrhea, abdominal pain;
- infectious/parasitic diseases: with an unknown frequency - superinfection of the genitourinary tract (most often caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Candida spp.), pseudomembranous colitis;
- genitals/breast: very rarely – transient disorder of spermatogenesis;
- blood/lymphatic system: rarely - thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, megaloblastic anemia, agranulocytosis or granulocytopenia, hemolytic anemia due to glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency;
- skin/subcutaneous tissues: often – allergic reactions (in the form of skin rashes, urticaria, itching); very rarely - erythema multiforme, exfoliative dermatitis;
- liver/biliary tract: rarely – cholestatic jaundice, hepatitis (violations are dose-independent and disappear after discontinuation of the drug);
- others: rarely – hair loss (reversible), joint pain.
Danger of overdose
Cases of overdose have not been described in clinical practice. But if the drug was taken in a high dosage, the patient may experience the following unpleasant consequences:
- nausea, vomiting;
- headaches, dizziness;
- convulsions, numbness of limbs.
In this case, if such phenomena occur, you should consult a doctor for emergency help. It is recommended to call an ambulance at home. An overdose can be treated with: gastric lavage, drinking large amounts of fluid, stimulating kidney function.
Forced diuresis is acceptable. But dialysis is the most effective. Since Furadonin can accumulate in muscle tissue, polyneuropathy often develops against the background of an overdose; it is also diagnosed with a long course of treatment.
special instructions
When taking Furadonin Avexim with food and liquid in large quantities, the frequency of adverse reactions from the digestive system decreases.
If the first signs of peripheral neuropathy (development of paresthesia) appear, Furadonin Avexim is discontinued, since this complication can be life-threatening. Also, discontinuation of the drug is required if hepatitis develops, blood disorders occur, or the first reactions of increased sensitivity of the lungs appear.
Furadonin Avexima should not be used to treat prostatitis, purulent paranephritis and diseases of the renal cortex. Also, the drug is not prescribed for the treatment of pyelonephritis, which is accompanied by perirenal inflammation or inflammation of parenchymal tissue.
Nitrofurantoin may turn your urine brown or dark yellow.
With prolonged therapy, it is necessary to monitor pulmonary function (especially in elderly patients in whom pulmonary function may deteriorate) and liver function.
The therapeutic concentration of nitrofurantoin in urine is not achieved when creatinine clearance is less than 60 ml/min. This increases the risk of toxicity and accumulation of the active substance.
If signs of hemolysis appear in patients with suspected glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, treatment with Furadonin Avexim is discontinued.
You should not drink alcoholic beverages during treatment.
Combined use with drugs that cause renal dysfunction is not recommended.
During therapy, false positive reactions may be observed when determining glucose in urine.
Taking Furadonin Avexim can lead to the emergence of resistant microorganisms.
Impact on the ability to drive vehicles and complex mechanisms
During the period of treatment with Furadonin Avexim, patients should be careful when driving vehicles, which is associated with the likelihood of developing adverse reactions from the nervous system.
What does a patient need to know during treatment with Furadonin?
During the treatment period, you need to drink plenty of fluids, excluding mineral water and caffeine-containing drinks. You should also stop drinking alcohol in any form at this point. Drinks of this kind reduce the effectiveness and increase the toxicity of the medication.
To increase the therapeutic effect during treatment of the disease with a nitrofuran drug, you should adhere to a special diet that excludes fried, very salty, sweet and fatty foods.
Since the medication sometimes reduces reactivity, it is recommended to refrain from driving any vehicle during therapy.
During treatment, urine acquires a deep orange color, which is due to the action of the active drug substance. After discontinuation of the drug, urine takes on its previous appearance.
Drug interactions
Possible interactions:
- sulfinpyrazone, probenecid (drugs that promote the excretion of uric acid and block tubular secretion): the concentration of nitrofurantoin in the urine decreases, and in the blood increases (leads to a decrease in the antibacterial effect and an increase in toxicity);
- adsorbents and antacids: absorption of nitrofurantoin is reduced;
- drugs that increase urine pH: the antibacterial effect of nitrofurantoin in an alkaline environment is reduced, the combination is not recommended;
- drugs of the quinolone group (fluoroquinolones, nalidixic acid): their antibacterial effect decreases; Furadonin Avexima is incompatible with fluoroquinolones.
Advantages
Furadonin for cystitis Modern pharmacology has a wide range of drugs indicated in the treatment of inflammation of the genitourinary tract.
Long-term studies and patient reviews prove the effectiveness of furadonin for cystitis.
The advantages of the drug include:
- unlike antibiotics (amoxicillin) does not suppress the immune system;
- nitrofurantoin, which is the active ingredient of furadonin, disrupts the protein synthesis of pathogenic microorganisms and simultaneously activates leukocyte activity;
- positive effect on the adsorption abilities of the liver and spleen, improving the binding properties of blood;
- The recommended dosage of furadonin is not addictive;
- a small dose of medication settles in the blood, unlike antibiotics; no adaptation of bacteria to nitrofuran was observed in the treatment of cystitis and other urinary infections, which allows repeated use of the drug even in case of relapses;
- has no structural analogues;
- available to everyone without exception due to the optimal price-quality ratio; few side effects and contraindications compared to antibacterial agents for the treatment of cystitis;
- treatment of children older than 1 month is possible; simultaneous rapid bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects. The above advantages of the drug make it possible to use it to treat people with a sufficient number of chronic diseases.
Conditions for dispensing from pharmacies
Can be purchased at a pharmacy with a doctor's prescription.
Storage requires a dry and dark place, temperature not higher than 25 °C.
Tablets are stored in a dark and dry place at room temperature away from children. The drug is valid for 3 years. The date of manufacture is indicated on the packaging.
When purchasing a medicine, a prescription from a doctor is required.
The cost of tablets is 20 pcs. fluctuates between 83-92 rubles.
The drug is incompatible with alcohol.
Patients can purchase Furadonin at a pharmacy with a prescription (prescribed in Latin by the attending doctor).
- temperature no more than 30⁰С;
- away from children;
- dry rooms.