Biseptolum is a combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole. It kills bacteria that cause serious infections, including urinary tract infection, the lungs (pneumonia), ear and intestines. Biseptolum also used for the treatment of so-called "traveler's diarrhea".

How does Biseptol?

Sulfamethoxazole relates to antibiotics Antibiotics - whether they will help you in the foreseeable future?   group of sulfonamides. As trimethoprim, sulfamethoxazole and act within the cells of bacteria, stopping the production of folic acid. This material was not as important for bacteria than for the human body: folic acid Folic acid - the value is hard to overestimate   necessary for the formation of the genetic material (DNA). Not being able to reproduce the DNA, the bacteria can not multiply and stops the spread of infection. Such action of antibiotics called bacteriostatic effect.

How to take Biseptol?

Bispetol produced in the form of pills and oral solution. It should be taken twice a day; in the treatment of severe pulmonary infections - 4 times per day. Each dose of medication should be taken with a full glass of water. Since Biseptol can cause an upset stomach, it is recommended to be taken with food. Bottle with liquid Biseptol need to shake before each use. Do not take more or less medication than your doctor orders.

Before you start taking Biseptol, tell your doctor:

• If you are allergic to bispetol, diuretics, oral antidiabetic drugs, sulfate preparations and / or any other drug.
• If you are currently taking any other prescription or non-prescription drugs, especially methotrexate, phenytoin (Dilantin), warfarin Warfarin - indirect anticoagulants   (Coumadin), and vitamins.
• If you have been or are now available liver or kidney disease, asthma, severe allergies, or lack of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (an inherited blood disease).
• If you are pregnant in the near future plan to become pregnant or breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking Biseptolum, consult your doctor.
• Because components Biseptolum make the skin more sensitive to sunlight during the course of treatment is highly recommended to use sunscreen and wear sunglasses and closed clothes.
• If you forget to take Biseptol, take the missed dose as soon as you remember about it. However, this should not be done if soon it is time to take the next dose. Also, do not take a double dose if you missed one step.

Side effects

The most common and harmless side effects Biseptolum are upset stomach, nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite. If they do not cause you considerable discomfort, you just need to wait until they pass by themselves.

When these side effects should immediately consult with your doctor:

• Skin rashes and itching
• A sore throat
• Fever or chills
• Sores in the mouth
• The appearance of bruising and / or bleeding
• Pale
• Yellowish color
• Pain in the joints

Biseptolum need to take extreme care in asthma, blood diseases Diseases of the blood - always seriously , Impaired liver and kidney function as well as the elderly and babies under the age of 6 weeks.

This drug should not be used in kidney and liver failure, as well as purple and some congenital abnormalities of mental development.

Biseptolum not recommended for pregnant women because it can cause considerable harm to the health of the unborn child. In addition, it is excreted in breast milk and is potentially dangerous for the newborn. Therefore, pregnant and lactating women Biseptol assigned only when reasonably necessary, that is, as a rule, if a serious threat to the health of the mother.

Side effects of metronidazole

When one or more of the following symptoms or an allergic reaction to metronidazole (hives, swelling of the face, limes, tongue or throat), contact your doctor immediately.

• peripheral neuropathy;
• skin rashes, sores in the mouth or on the lips, itching;
• pain or burning when urinating;
• diarrhea;
• nausea, vomiting;
• lack of appetite;
• metallic taste and dry mouth;
• pain in the eyes;
• headache and dizziness Dizziness - if the ground is slipping from under his feet ;
• impairment of consciousness and sleep Dreams: how to understand our dreams ;
• tinnitus, hearing loss;
• irritability;
• ataxia;
• depression;
• convulsions;
• fever;
• pain and muscle spasms;
• a sore throat;
• increasing sensitivity;
• drowsiness;
• itching and burning of the genitals;
• constipation;
• cystitis and urinary incontinence;
• intestinal cramps;
• cough and runny nose.

This is not a complete list of side effects that occur while taking metronidazole.

Interaction of Metronidazole with other drugs

Be sure to tell your doctor about other medicines you are taking:

• cimetidine (Tagamet);
• phenytoin (Dilantin) or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton);
• warfarin (Coumadin);
• lithium salts (Litobid, Escala, etc.);
• Disulfiram (Antabuse).

With simultaneous use of disulfiram may develop acute psychosis and disorientation.

With short-term use of metronidazole during treatment with lithium salts in high doses may increase the concentration of lithium in the blood plasma, increasing its toxicity and symptoms of renal dysfunction.

With simultaneous use of metronidazole with astemizole and terfenadine is possible ECG changes, arrhythmias Arrhythmia - when we hear your heart , Heart block, syncope.

When used in combination with metronidazole phenobarbital concentration decreases and increases in the plasma concentration of 2-hydroxymethyl metabolite of metronidazole.

With simultaneous application of cimetidine slows the metabolism of metronidazole in the liver. Metronidazole reduces the clearance of phenytoin and increases its concentration in blood plasma.

Also, consult your doctor before taking vitamins, nutritional supplements Food additives - basic classification   or traditional medicine.