Tetracycline: analogues of the new generation

Tetracycline is an antibiotic that has becomeuse already in the mid 50-ies of the twentieth century. Today, very many microorganisms are resistant to the 1 st generation, they have adapted, and therefore it does not have such harmful effects on them as before. But even today in difficult situations doctors often recommend tetracycline: analogues of the new generation successfully cope with the disease.

What is tetracycline (mode of action)

Group of tetracyclines and their derivatives (includingnumber of semisynthetic) has slightly more than 260 drugs and almost 40 names. They are united by a chemical structure: a condensed 4-row system. The generality of the structure causes a similar antimicrobial effect and the mechanism of influence.

The work of tetracyclines is based on bacteriostatic properties (the ability to stop the multiplication of microorganisms) by suppressing (by suppressing) the synthesis of the protein of microbial cells by them.

Such a wide production of drugs of this series is also due to their ability to influence a wide range of microorganisms. Among the latest:

• Gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria,
• rickettsia,
• causative agent of trachoma,
• viruses of ornithosis,
• spirochetes,
• Leptospira.

Over the years of prolonged production, many microorganisms have developed resistance to the antibiotic tetracycline. Analog, like rule, is more effective. Preparations from a number of tetracyclines are distinguished by the active substance, its quantity, strength and speed of action, the method of application, the rate of absorption and excretion from the body.

History of development

The history of the use of antibiotics begins 12February 1942, when the first antibiotic was introduced into Oxford University, hopelessly ill, dying from blood poisoning. Within a few days they had an improvement, and then they all died. Antibiotics in the right quantities were not found.

The very first of the large group of tetracyclines wasisolated (from the radiant fungus) chlortetracycline. Today, doctors and patients know him as biomycin or aureomycin. This event happened in 1945 in Oxford. And already in 1948, his clinical and laboratory tests began. Only a year later appears another antibiotic of this group - terramycin (oxytetracycline). And its use for medical purposes began in the following year, 1950.

The semisynthetic tetracycline known to all of us was synthesized in 1952. And only a year later he was able to isolate mushrooms from the culture liquid.

Microorganisms have a very high resistance, they are able to quickly adapt to antibiotics, which leads to a decrease in the effectiveness of drugs. This fate did not pass around tetracycline.

Today, scientists are forced to produce more and more generations of antibiotic, and the family of drugs is quickly replenished with new drugs with the latest active substances.

How the antibiotic works and when it is used

Scientists rightly believed that fighting withmicroorganisms are effective only microorganisms. An antibiotic is essentially a substance isolated from the culture fluid of fungi, molds or microbes, which can have a harmful effect on other microorganisms.

Today there are two ways of producing antibiotics. They are produced from the products of vital activity of living organisms or semisynthetic pathways.

Strictly speaking, the current semisynthetic tetracycline is a drug analogue, separated from living microorganisms. Many scientists believe that antibiotics created with the help of the newest technologies are more safe for patients.

The sphere of application of the preparations of the family of tetracyclines is quite wide. So, they are used:

• in the inflammatory processes of the upper and lower respiratory tract (bronchitis, tracheitis, pneumonia, ephemas of the pleura) caused by sensitive microbes;
• in the treatment of ENT infections;
• for the treatment of eye infections;
• in the treatment of infectious diseases of the genitourinary sphere (cystitis, prostatitis, pyelonephritis, gonorrhea, syphilis);
• for the treatment of acute and chronic infectious diseases of the liver and biliary tract (cholecystitis, dysentery);
• for the treatment of skin infections (abscesses, furuncles, panaricium);
• in the treatment of febrile conditions (fever Ky, spotted fever of the Yellow Mountains).

Types of drugs

Pharmacological industry successfullyproduces both antibiotics based on natural raw materials, and semi-synthetic drugs. Today, not only tetracycline is used - analogues of the new generation have taken their place among a large family of antibiotics.

Thus, among the semisynthetic ones one can calldoxycycline and metacycline (oxytetracycline derivatives). The next generation of tetracycline became morphocycline and glycocycline. And the newest combined preparation "Oleandomycin" is based on oletetrin and olemorphocycline.

Minocycline became very popular.

One of the most released today will be"Doxycycline" and its derivatives, but along with the newest drugs, "Tetracycline" is also produced. At the same time, it occupies a significant place in this series of antibiotics.

Dosage forms also change. In the last century there were only tablets and powder-injection solution.

The earliest forms of tetracycline appeared to bepowders. They were bred in saline and injected intramuscularly. Initially, the doses were large because of the low content of the active substance, and the injections were very painful. Later, along with injections, tablets were used.

Tablets and capsules

Today, the antibiotics of the tetracycline line area wide choice of lyophilates, tablets, ointments, eye drops, syrups. Now capsules containing tetracycline have appeared. Analogues of tablets to some extent solves the problem of the negative effect of the antibiotic on the stomach and digestive tract. Nowadays, most antibiotics of the tetracycline group for oral administration are released just in capsules or coated tablets. These drugs are based on the following derivatives:

• doxycycline (Bassado, Vidokcin, Dovitsin, Doxycycline),
• oleandomycin ("Oletetrin"),
• Oxytetracycline and erythromycin ("Ericycline"),
• Minocycline (Minocycline)

And also on the basis of tetracycline proper: "Tetracycline AKOS", "Tetracycline LekT", tetracycline hydrochloride.

The use of these dosage forms is shown whenall types of internal infections: urogenital, bronchopulmonary, intestinal. They are used as a supplement to the treatment of ENT diseases and skin problems. Assign the drugs of the tetracycline group to adults and children from 8 to 12 years of age (depending on the drug). So, tetracycline and metacycline are prescribed from 8 years, doxycycline - from 9, oxytartarcicline - from 10.

However, you should not buy on your owna prescribed drug, which is based on tetracycline, an analogue. And the instruction, carefully studied before taking the medicine, and the positive reviews collected about the drug are not a guarantee that the remedy is right for you. Yes, the symptoms described in the annotation and the symptoms you have may coincide; yes, the neighbor who advised you this medicine, felt better literally after the first pill; Yes, the active ingredients for both drugs are almost identical ... But there is one thing, and experts do not tire of saying it. When prescribing the drug, the doctor takes into account many factors. As a rule, the medicine recommended by him is optimal for this particular case. So do not engage in amateur activities.

What is a lyophilizate?

This is prepared in a special way (byfreezing and vacuum drying) powder, which is then diluted and applied for injection using special technology. Injections can be intramuscular and intravenous. The lyophilizate has many advantages, it can be stored much longer than antibiotics produced by other methods, has a higher concentration of the beneficial substance, is absorbed better and faster.

However, when preparing the solution and its administration, you should strictly follow the instructions, otherwise the medicine may lose its useful properties or even harm the patient.

The tetracycline itself can be used as atablets, capsules and a solution-powder. Lyophilisate is not based on it, but a number of its analogues of the new generation ("Vidokcin", "Tagitzil") are produced only as lyophilizate for injections.

What else can replace tetracycline? An analogue of it, appointed quite often - "Doxycycline." The medication goes on sale both in capsules and as a lyophilizate.

Tetracycline with nystatin

This is a new generation drug that hasnot only antibacterial, but also antifungal. It contains tetracycline and nystatin in equal amounts, it has a wide spectrum of action, it is used for ENT infections, pneumonia, cholecystitis, venereal diseases, intestinal infections, acne, infectious diseases of bones and soft tissues. Available in coated tablets.

Many sites are not quite rightly calledmedicines "Nystatin", "Oletetrin", "Tetracycline", substitutes for tablets "Tetracycline with nystatin." Analogues completely coinciding in effectiveness and mode of action with this drug are not actually produced. The drugs mentioned above have only partially its functions.

Syrups and suspensions

Widely used in pediatrics are suspensions and syrups based on them. All parents know how reluctantly children drink bitter pills, and tetracycline (tablets) is no exception. Analogues-suspensions allow to disguise an unpleasant tastemedicines, make his reception more comfortable. Pharmacology produces mainly special powders, which are then diluted to a state of suspension, and then a syrup.

As a powder for the suspension, lettetracycline and tetracycline hydrochloride. Among the new generation drugs can be called doxycycline hydrochloride, doxycycline monohydride, oxytetracycline hydrochloride.

The use of the suspension is most often practiced with colds and bronchopulmonary pathologies in children.

Ointments

Ointments based on tetracycline are designed forexternal application and for the treatment of eye infections. Not so long ago, tetracycline ointment was in demand, it was prescribed even for children (from the age of 8). But time does not stand still, the pharmaceutical market is replenished with modern drugs that displace medicines of the times of our mothers and grandmothers. What can replace this ointment? We named the tetracycline analogues above. Of the preparations on its basis, produced in this form, you can call "Kolbitsion", which, in addition to tetracycline, includes chloramphenicol and colistimetate. "Tebridex" has proved to be a good candidate, although it has tobramycin, and it is not an analog of tetracycline, although it has a similar effect.

Ointment for external use (tetracycline)can also be replaced with the drug "Tetracycline AKOS". In general, there are many recommended substitutes, but their active substance does not belong to the group of drugs under consideration, they only have a similar effect.

Drops

New generations of drugs based on doxycycline are available as eye drops. This, for example, "Innolir", it is effective in many eye infections.

To substitutes for an antibiotic such as tetracycline, the analogue "Oxytetracycline" (solution) can be attributed only conditionally. And they can bury their eyes only in extreme cases and under the supervision of a doctor.

As eye preparations, tetracycline ophthalmic ointment (1% and 3%) is also used, but there are no preparations based on other antibiotics of this group.

What the instruction says about contraindications

Often when the drug can not be usedon the basis of a substance such as tetracycline, an analogue and a substitute from this group are suitable as best as possible. The doctor will prescribe a new generation drug (doxycycline, oxytetracycline, metacycline), which can be used in this situation, and it will prove effective.

Among the general contraindications are:

• allergic reactions to tetracycline;
• pregnancy;
• the period of breastfeeding;
• children's age till 8 years;
• severe liver damage.

How dangerous is the use of tetracycline and its analogues?

A feature of all antibiotics is thatthey cause many side effects. not an exception and tetracycline. Analogues (any of the new generation) also have the majority of them. So, the most frequent side effects with short-term admission will be:

• decreased appetite, vomiting, or nausea;
• dizziness and headache;
• diarrhea, flatulence;
• inflammation of the gastric mucosa, gastritis and proctitis.

With prolonged use among unpleasant symptoms, patients are often referred to as:

• marked deterioration of tooth enamel;
• stomatitis;
• exacerbation of diseases of the urogenital tract;
• increased sensitivity to sunlight;
• development of fungal diseases.

Is it possible to effectively replace tetracycline?

Often this question worries those who are attentive to their health and read the instructions for the use of the prescribed drug.

You can not call harmless medicine, the mainthe active substance of which is tetracycline. An analogue (any of the group), like the original, will also have many contraindications. However, it should be remembered that the drug was prescribed by the doctor, and he must first weigh the expected benefits of the application and possible negative consequences.

Doctors prescribe medicine (this applies to the group of tetracyclines) only in cases where the benefits exceed possible negative consequences.

Independently use this drug or its analogs in any case impossible. This also applies to topical application of ointments. After all, their long use can lead to serious problems.