Furazolidone tablets: instructions for use, indications, price, reviews and analogues

Furazolidone belongs to the group of drugs - nitrofurans. It is available with a prescription and has an affordable price. A characteristic feature is a pronounced effect on gram-negative aerobic microorganisms that disrupt the functioning of the digestive system. Gram-positive aerobic microorganisms are less sensitive to the drug. The product is effective against fungi of the genus Candida.

The release form of furazolidone is flat-cylindrical tablets with a chamfer. They may have a yellow or slightly greenish shell. One contour package contains 10 tablets. They are sold in cardboard boxes with instructions.

The strength of the drug depends on the dosage. A characteristic feature of the drug is also its mild immunostimulating effect. Furazolidone also reduces the production of toxins by pathogenic microorganisms, which improves the general condition of a person in the treatment of certain pathologies. It is very important that the resistance of harmful microorganisms to the drug furazolidone, the instructions for use indicate this, develops slowly.

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

Pharmacodynamics

Furazolidone is an antimicrobial agent derived from nitrofuran . Salmonella , Shigella , Campylobacter , as well as protozoa ( Giardia , Trichomonas ) and Vibrio cholerae are highly sensitive to it . Depending on the concentration, it has a bactericidal or bacteriostatic effect.

The mechanism of action is the blockade of many enzyme systems of the microorganism. Nitrofurans disrupt cellular respiration, suppress the Krebs cycle and block the biosynthesis of nucleic acids. As a result, the shell of microorganisms or their cytoplasmic membrane is destroyed. When the drug acts, destroyed microbial cells release less toxins. Unlike other antimicrobial agents, they activate the immune system.

Acts on strains resistant to some antibiotics. Does not affect anaerobes and Pseudomonas aeruginosa . Resistance of microorganisms to the drug occurs rarely.

What is Furazolidone used for? Since it is poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and high concentrations are created in the intestine, it is used for intestinal infections of bacterial and protozoal etiology. Unlike Furadonin, it is characterized by low toxicity.

Pharmacokinetics

Well absorbed when taken orally. Distributed in tissues and liquids. In the cerebrospinal fluid during meningitis , the same concentrations are created as in the plasma; therapeutic concentrations are also achieved in the intestinal lumen. Intensively metabolized in the liver to an inactive metabolite. Excreted by the kidneys (up to 65%), small amounts are determined in feces,

Medicinal properties of the drug

In case of poisoning, furazolidone destroys pathogenic microflora in the body, freeing it from the harmful effects of waste products. The product is released in tablets. The active substance is furazolidone, a derivative of nitrofuran. The antibacterial properties of the drug effectively eliminate the cause of poisoning by releasing special enzymes.

The contents of the medicine are supplemented with auxiliary components, which together have a beneficial effect on the human body. The composition contains polysorbate, silicon dioxide, sucrose, lactose and potato starch.

The tablets in the stomach disintegrate into their constituent components and are absorbed into the blood. The compounds block the enzymatic activity of pathogenic microorganisms, causing their death. Nitrofuran prevents pathogenic substances from breathing, which inhibits intracellular nucleic acid synthesis. For the reason described, the outer wall is destroyed and the pathogens die. Dead bacteria under the influence of Furazolidone are in a bound state and are no longer able to release toxic substances.

The main difference between the drug and tablets of a similar effect is that the body’s own immune system is activated to protect against the toxin.

The substance affects a wide range of pathogens that penetrate the human body. The tablet is effective in the listed situations and on the specified microbes:

Staphylococci are always present on the mucous membranes of organs, but with a decrease in immunity they begin to exhibit an aggressive effect;
Streptococci live on the mucous membrane of the digestive and respiratory organs, and are also activated when the protection is weakened;
Dangerous damage to humans by salmonella occurs;
Eating foods with E. coli;
Dysentery occurs when Shigella enters the blood;
Klebsiella causes a number of dangerous infections;

Klebsiella under a microscope

Enterobacters are constantly present in the body, but cause harm when protective functions are reduced;
Giardiasis is common in children; adults rarely get sick;
Disease caused by Trichomonas;
Poisoning with mushrooms or alcoholic beverages or other food products.

Side effects

skin rash, skin itching, Quincke's edema ;
decreased appetite;
pulmonary edema , bronchospasm (with long-term use);
nausea, vomiting;
hepatotoxic effect;
neuritis (with long-term use).

The risk of peripheral neuropathy increases with diabetes mellitus , hypovitaminosis B and C , and anemia .

Side effects of use and drug overdose

Side effects of furazolidone include:

nausea with possible vomiting;
the likelihood of loss of appetite to the stage of anorexia;
Allergic reactions may occur (skin rash, itching, hyperemia, etc.).

The toxicity of the drug is very low. If the medication dose is exceeded, hematotoxicity and polyneuritis may develop. Acute toxic hepatitis occurs.

In case of an overdose of furazolidone, you should stop taking it, perform gastric lavage, and start taking B vitamins and antihistamines. Calcium chloride is also prescribed.

Furazolidone tablets, instructions for use (Method and dosage)

The drug is taken orally, after meals, as it can cause dyspeptic disorders. The tablets should be taken with a glass of water.

With long-term use for the purpose of preventing neuritis , it is combined with taking B vitamins .

Instructions for use of Furazolidone

The dose for adults for paratyphoid fever , dysentery and food poisoning is 0.1 g per day 4 times a day for 5–10 days. Single dose - 0.2 g, daily dose - 0.8 g.

For giardiasis - 0.1 g 4 times a day for up to 7 days, after a week the same course is repeated.

For trichomonas urethritis - 0.1 g 4 times for 3 days.

For trichomonas colpitis, the dosage and frequency of administration are the same and in parallel, a powder containing furazolidone and milk sugar is injected into the vagina, and suppositories containing 4-5 mg of furazolidone are administered into the rectum.

For the treatment of burns locally in the form of bandages with a solution of the drug (1:25000).

Instructions for use for children

For children, the dose is calculated per kg of body weight. It is: one-time - 0.0025 g per kg, and daily 0.01 g per kg, distributed over 3-4 doses. The course of treatment is 5-7 days.

Application in veterinary medicine

The veterinary drug is a yellow powder, insoluble in water.

The drug is used for: salmonellosis , coccidiosis , colibacillosis , enteritis , balantidiasis in animals and birds. You can also use a pharmaceutical drug in tablets (one tablet contains 50 mg).

The dosage for these diseases is the same for chickens, turkey poults and broilers - the drug is added to the feed at the rate of 3 mg per head 2 times a day, treatment is carried out for 8 days. If necessary, the course of treatment is repeated, but after a break of 10 days. As a preventative measure, young animals up to 10 days of age are given 2 mg per head once a day.

An overdose is unacceptable, since the bird becomes drowsy, lethargic and may die. How to feed to chickens? Better with food. Another option is to dissolve it in water and give it as a drink. But you need to know that the drug does not dissolve well and loses its properties when exposed to sunlight.

Taking the drug in case of poisoning

Furazolidone is recommended to be taken against poisoning from low-quality food, low-quality alcohol or bacterial damage to the body. When food intoxication occurs, the digestive organs first suffer, and a gag reflex and diarrhea develop. The drug can have a therapeutic effect in eliminating such symptoms.

It is recommended to take it if there are obvious signs:

There is a symptom of irritable bowel – diarrhea;
Pronounced nausea with vomiting;
Pain in the digestive tract;
Body temperature rose to 38-40 degrees;
Sharp headaches.

Instructions for use are included in the package of tablets. There's no point in throwing it away. You need to carefully study the information to help prevent overdose and side effects.

The duration of taking tablets should not exceed 10 days. If there is no improvement, new treatment is prescribed. The pediatrician calculates the dose and period of use for children. Drink the substance after eating. Take more than just one sip of water, drink at least a glass.

It is prohibited to consume alcoholic beverages during treatment with Furazolidone - the two components do not combine. Scientists have proven that people who abuse alcohol develop a persistent aversion to the bad habit while using the substance. Taking the drink provokes headaches with nausea, an allergic rash on the skin, and general malaise.

Interaction

Aminoglycosides and Tetracycline enhance its antimicrobial effect.

Antidepressants, phenylephrine , ephedrine , MAO inhibitors, tyramine , amphetamine in combination with furadonine cause a significant increase in blood pressure.

Agents that alkalize urine reduce the effect of the drug.

Inhibition of hematopoiesis increases when used with chloramphenicol and Ristomycin .

Incompatible with alcohol, as this combination causes disulfiram-like reactions.

Furazolidone for children

The instructions for children provide the following indications for use: amoebic dysentery , salmonellosis , giardiasis .

How to give Furazolidone to children?

A convenient form of release for children is in the form of granules, from which a suspension is prepared by adding 100 ml of water. When properly prepared, 1 ml of suspension will contain 0.0003 g of the drug. The suspension is used 4 times a day, measuring with a measuring cup and used until 7 years of age. A single dose is: 1-2 years, 4-5 ml, 3-4 years, 6-7 ml, 4-5 years, 7.5-8.5 ml.

From the age of 7, children can already take pills. The dosage of tablets for children is correspondingly less than for adults. At the age of 7-14 years, a single dose of 0.03-0.05 g is recommended, a daily dose of 0.12 g-0.15 g.

Reviews from parents indicate its effectiveness in intestinal infections:

“... We took Bifiform and Enterofuril - nothing helped. I had diarrhea for a week until the doctor prescribed Furazolidone + Linex”;
“... Smecta didn’t help, Enterofuril didn’t help either, in the end Furazolidone helped.”

Typically, no adverse reactions were observed during the 5-day period of administration.

Contraindications

Unfortunately, the drug has a number of contraindications that can cause harm. Individual intolerance to the active substance or other components prohibits taking the medicine, because this will provoke an allergic reaction, which can progress to the stage of angioedema or anaphylactic shock.

Children under five years old should not take the pills. Kidney pathologies and lactase deficiency are considered a contraindication for use. Treatment may only be permitted by the attending physician under strict supervision. Disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system are observed by the doctor throughout the treatment period to exclude complications.

During pregnancy, women should consult an obstetrician, especially in the first trimester. If the benefit of a substance is predicted to be greater than the harm to the unborn child, then the drug is prescribed for treatment.

During lactation, when using tablets, the child is weaned from the breast while taking it. The drug can cause anemia in the child or methemoglobinemia.

Furazolidone for cystitis

How effective is this drug for cystitis ? Based on pharmacokinetics, its highest concentration is determined in the intestinal lumen, and it follows that the drug will be most effective against intestinal infections. Furadonin in the treatment of urinary tract infections , but it is more toxic.

If furazolidone can be used as monotherapy for cystitis, then for pyelitis and pyelonephritis it is prescribed in combination with antibiotics. Derivatives of the nitrofuran series do not create therapeutic concentrations in the kidney parenchyma, therefore they are used only for cystitis.

Furazolidone tablets for cystitis in the usual dosages, which were mentioned above, are used for uncomplicated disease. For hemorrhagic or purulent cystitis, more serious treatment is required.

Indications for use

In what cases is furazolidone prescribed? The drug can be used for some diseases. It is not recommended to take pills without medical permission.

When to drink:

dysentery,
paratyphoid,
food poisoning,
intestinal upset, intense diarrhea,
diseases of the genitourinary system – cystitis, urethritis, vaginitis,
Giardiasis

The drug is approved for use for local treatment of wounds and burns accompanied by infections. If the disease is caused by viruses, then the use of Furazolidone will not give the required result.

Furazolidone for diarrhea

Is this drug always indicated? And is it possible to take it immediately in case of any bowel disorder?

There are clear indications - shigellosis , amoebic dysentery , salmonellosis . The drugs of choice for the treatment of salmonellosis and shigellosis are fluoroquinolone drugs and furazolidone. Sometimes, even with acute intestinal infection (AI), especially in children, treatment begins with probiotics ( Bifiform , Probifor , Enterol , Bifistim ) and enterosorbents ( Filtrum , Neosmectin , Enterosgel ). Only in severe forms or in the absence of effect from previous treatment, furazolidone anti-diarrhea tablets are prescribed for 2-3 days.

Only a doctor can prescribe how to take it for diarrhea, and if there is no positive dynamics, a switch to “reserve” antibiotics ( imipenem , Azithromycin , Amikacin , etc.) is possible. Do not forget to take a course of probiotics after treatment.

Pharmacology

Furazolidone. Pills

We are talking about Furazolidone, a drug with a wide spectrum of action for any inflammatory disease within the body. What does furazolidone not cure? The annotation for the drug states that Furazolidone has an antimicrobial effect.

It was prescribed for giardiasis and pyelonephritis, acute intestinal poisoning and suppuration of superficial wounds, as well as for cystitis, colpitis, pyelitis, vaginitis of various etiologies, including paratyphoid, the development of various coccal infections and dysentery in the body.

Furazolidone analogs

Level 4 ATC code matches:
Acylact

Iodoxide

Kolposeptin

Lactonorm

Hexicon

Ecofemin

Lactozhinal

Depanthol

McMirror

Dafnedjin

There are no analogues for the active substance. Nirofuran derivatives have a similar effect:

Nifuroxazide
Enterofuril
rifaximin
imipenem
Azithromycin
Amikacin
Fluoroquinolone
Ciprofloxacin

Reviews about Furazolidone

The question is often asked about this drug: is it an antibiotic or not? This is not an antibiotic, but a synthetic antibacterial agent, which differs from true antibiotics in the mechanism of action on microorganisms and the effect on the human body.

What are Furazolidone tablets for? Is this drug prescribed only for diarrhea? Intestinal infections are the main indication for the use of the drug. In addition to Furazolidone, other intestinal antiseptics ( Nifuroxazide , rifaximin ) can be prescribed to correct microflora, followed by the use of probiotics.

Furazolidone tablets in combination with sorbents and Creon are prescribed for the treatment of giardiasis . There are reviews about this very often. In this case, reviews of Furazolidone are mostly negative, since even a 10-day course did not lead to eradication of the parasite. Metronidazole or Macmiror are more effective than Furazolidone. What else does this drug help with? For urinary system infections, it is prescribed for 7-14 days.

There are other indications for the use of Furazolidone, which the abstract does not indicate. For example, anti-Helicobacter therapy, including Furazolidone, is effective in the treatment of erosive and ulcerative diseases in adults. The same treatment regimen is used for children infected with Helicobacter pylori (HP). It includes De-Nol , Furazolidone, Amoxicillin , Ranitidine and after treatment, 100% eradication of HP is achieved.

Reviews often indicate side effects of the drug - nausea and sometimes vomiting. When taking the drug without a doctor's prescription, carefully study all contraindications and follow the recommended doses.

Appointments

Being a powerful antimicrobial and antibacterial drug, Furazolidone is capable of exhibiting the properties of an immunomodulator, since its action is directed against fungal and monadic forms, as well as gram-negative aerobic microorganisms. Gram-positive bacteria react to the drug to a much lesser extent, and purulent and anaerobic infections are not at all susceptible to the action of the drug.

The therapeutic effect of Furazolidone directly depends on the dosage of the drug. Large doses achieve a bactericidal effect, and small doses achieve a bacteriostatic effect. Therefore, only the attending physician can prescribe treatment with Furazolidone and the optimal dose to the patient. The drug is excreted from the body by the kidneys.

Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract for which Furazolidone is prescribed, for what and for what diseases it is prescribed:

intestinal infection, or bacillary dysentery;
enteritis, or inflammation of the small intestinal mucosa;
giardiasis;
paratyphoid;
diarrhea, or diarrhea.

For diseases of the ureters and reproductive system:

for infectious and inflammatory disease of the bladder – cystitis;
with inflammation of the mucous membranes of the renal pelvis - pyelitis;
with inflammation of the urethra - urethritis;
for diseases caused by inflammation against the background of Trichomonas infection - Trichomonas colpitis;
with an inflammatory process of the vaginal mucosa - vaginitis.

Not so widely, but in cases of urgent need, Furazolidone can be used as an external agent. The crushed preparation is used to cover burn wounds with obvious signs of infection. Furazolidone is an indispensable assistant for all kinds of food poisoning, acting quickly and effectively.