Pneumonia (or pneumonia) is a very serious and life-threatening illness if not treated properly. It will not be possible to cure the disease on your own; it is necessary to consult a doctor at the first signs of pneumonia. With improper therapy, the disease can result in sepsis, pleurisy, meningitis, lung abscess and other complications. Only a doctor, after clinical and laboratory confirmation of the diagnosis, can prescribe the correct drug therapy to the patient. The volume of therapeutic agents and the specific choice of tablets for pneumonia depend on various factors, including the type and location of pneumonia, the causative agent, the stage of the disease, the age and general condition of the patient.
Indications
The choice of medicines is largely determined by the current indications for their intake:
- In the case of a mild form of pneumonia in a patient who has not previously suffered from pulmonary diseases, the doctor may limit himself to prescribing only antibiotic therapy.
- With a pronounced intoxication syndrome with a predominance of febrile fever, it is necessary to add anti-inflammatory drugs with an antipyretic effect to the treatment.
- If it is difficult to discharge sputum when coughing or insufficient secretion in a patient, bronchodilators and mucolytics are used , since pneumonia is often accompanied by symptoms of bronchitis, it is difficult for a person to breathe.
- If pneumonia develops against the background of an acute respiratory viral infection, which happens very often, antiviral therapy is prescribed.
- They fight catarrhal phenomena using antiseptics.
- Pneumonia is often accompanied by damage to the pleura, causing pain. In this case, pain relievers will be required.
Further, the clinical manifestations of the disease will determine which additional drugs the doctor will choose to adjust the treatment.
Contraindications
The appointment of any drugs suitable for treatment as part of complex therapy should begin with a study of the patient’s contraindications. Patients often have allergic reactions to antibiotics, up to angioedema, side effects should be immediately reported to the attending physician.
Most antibacterial drugs are excreted by the liver and kidneys, so it is important to find out what condition these organs are in, if necessary, the most gentle means are selected, and hepatoprotectors and other auxiliary drugs are prescribed.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can have undesirable effects on the hematopoietic system.
Classification of pills for pneumonia
The standard complex therapy for pneumonia includes:
- broad-spectrum antibiotics (at the onset of the disease);
- antibiotics, the sensitivity of pathogenic microorganisms to which is established by laboratory;
- antiviral drugs (in the case of a viral etiology of the disease);
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- mucolytics and bronchodilators ;
- pain relievers;
- detoxifying agents;
- supportive and preventive medications.
Antibiotics
In the early stages of the disease, broad-spectrum antibiotics are prescribed:
- penicillins;
- macrolides;
- cephalosporins.
Penicillin is an effective drug that is safer when used for children and adolescents, as well as in the treatment of mild and moderate forms of pneumonia. Of the penicillin group, Amoxiclav is most often prescribed – a combined drug containing amoxicillin and clavulanic acid.
The modern group of antibiotics, called macrolides, has a wider range of action, it is prescribed in the form of tablets for adults, suspensions – for children. The greatest effect in the treatment of pneumonia is distinguished by Sumamed , the active substance of which is azithromycin.
Antibiotics of the cephalosporin group are used for moderate pneumonia, as well as in pregnant women in the late trimesters. Cephalosporins are similar to penicillins in structure and mode of action, so cross-allergic reactions are possible. For pneumonia, Ceftriaxone is most often prescribed .
Anti-inflammatory
The treatment of pneumonia includes steroid (hormone-based) and non-steroidal drugs. The former include glucocorticosteroids such as Prednisolone and Dexamethasone. GCS are used in severe cases of the disease, are able to arrest the edema of the pulmonary parenchyma, reduce inflammation.
The second group of drugs includes drugs for the treatment of moderate pneumonia, which are of an auxiliary nature. Both antipyretic and pain relievers are used. The list of these drugs is extensive, the main representatives are Analgin, Ketorolac , Paracetamol, Erespal.
Other
The abundance of drugs for pneumonia, the risk of side effects and the general negative effect of drug therapy on the body imposes the need to use protective equipment.
Oral drugs are prescribed under the cover of Omeprazole , which is able to prevent damage to the stomach, which is especially influenced by NSAIDs.
Universal antibacterial drugs attack not only pathogenic microorganisms, but also destroy the intestinal microflora, causing dysbiosis and diarrhea, which leads to the need to protect and restore it. To prevent complications, it is necessary to prescribe eubiotics , such as Linex .
All drugs pass through the human liver, which also needs to be maintained during pneumonia treatment. Prescribing hepatoprotective agents such as Heptral helps protect the liver and accelerate recovery.
Effective drugs
Amoxiclav
This drug containing amoxicillin has a bactericidal effect against many microorganisms. The composition of Amoxiclav contains clavulanic acid, which in itself does not have a clinically significant effect, but expands the capabilities of amoxicillin, thereby making resistant microorganisms sensitive to it.
Another name for Amoxiclav is Augmentin . It is prescribed in the early stages of the disease before the pathogen is identified and the sensitivity to antibiotics is determined, as well as in the case of congestive pneumonia. Amoxiclav can cause allergic reactions, dysbiosis.
Ceftriaxone
The most popular antibiotic of the cephalosporin group in the treatment of severe and moderate pneumonia. Ceftriaxone also has broad capabilities in the fight against pathogenic microorganisms, the bactericidal effect is expressed against the pathogen of Klebsiella. It is often used as part of complex therapy in hospital treatment. The similarity with the mechanism of action and composition of penicillins determines a set of similar side effects – cross-allergic reactions and a violation of the intestinal microflora.
Sumamed
As a representative of the group of macrolides with the active active ingredient azithromycin, Sumamed is used to treat pneumonia caused mainly by chlamydia and mycoplasma. It has a bacteriostatic effect, which determines the low toxicity of this antibiotic, while it has a wider spectrum of action than drugs of the penicillin group. In the package of Sumamed , tablets are supplied in the amount of three pieces. Side effects are typical for most antibiotics – allergies, dysbiosis, inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity.
Application features
Antibiotic therapy is prescribed only by the doctor of the clinic or hospital after the necessary examination. Antibiotics must be used in a course, strictly observing the prescribed dosages, as well as the time of taking the medication. Any side effects or difficulties in taking medications should be reported to your doctor. At different stages of the course of the disease, it is possible to replace the basic therapy, depending on the obtained clinical and laboratory data.
Precautionary measures
You should not independently cancel the prescribed therapy. So, the onset of the therapeutic effect may be delayed, many drugs accumulate in the body and reach the required concentration after a while. Early withdrawal of the antibiotic can lead to future resistance of the microorganisms.
While taking a large amount of drugs in the treatment of pneumonia, it is necessary to take care of the body’s protection. To do this, you should consult with your doctor about taking drugs such as hepatoprotectors, eubiotics , antiulcer drugs.
The list of pills for pneumonia is quite extensive. Among them, you can find many good and effective drugs. Therapy necessarily includes antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and prophylactic agents.