Sultamicillin is the medicine of first choice for treating many types of infections. It is a combination of penicillin and beta lactamase inhibitors that are used to combat various types of infections of bacterial origin, such as urinary, skin, ear and gynecological infections, among many others. This drug is a relatively safe antibiotic if used as recommended by the treating physician.
Index
What is sultamicillin for?
Sultamicillin tosylate is used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections that affect different areas or regions of the body, these being the main or the most frequent:
Skin infections
Skin diseases can have many origins, but some conditions such as skin abscesses, erysipelas, rash, impetigo, can be the result of bacterial infections that can be easily treated with sultamicillin, according to the approval of many specialists.
Intra-abdominal infections
Intra-abdominal infections are the second most common cause of infectious mortality in the community and in intensive care units. This condition can be complicated, to the point of spreading into the peritoneal space, it is associated with the formation of abscesses and peritonitis. Sultamicillin is one of the antibiotics that responds effectively to control these types of serious infections.
Gynecological infections
Gynecological infections are very common in the female audience. In most cases they are caused by a fungus. This pathology causes annoying symptoms such as itching, redness, irritation, and bad smelling secretions, etc. that can be effectively treated by treatment with sultamicillin.
Sultamicillin is used to treat other infections
Another large list of infections have also been shown to be susceptible to the active principle of sultamicillin, within this group we find.
- Gonococcal infection
- Bacterial soft tissue infections
- Bacterial infections of female reproductive organs
- Respiratory tract infections
- Middle ear infections
- Urinary infections
- Sinusitis
- Tonsillitis
- Pyelonephritis
- Bacterial pneumonia
- Exacerbation of chronic and acute bronchitis
It is important to note that before taking sultamicillin, the patient must undergo appropriate culture and sensitivity tests to isolate and identify the organisms that cause the infection and determine their susceptibility to the drug.
What should be the dose of Sultamicillin?
The doctor’s indications regarding the taking of sultamicillin, is generally limited to an approximate intake of 370 mg to 375 mg, this dose is indicated twice a day, that is, every 12 hours between 5 and 14 days, with the probability to be extended to patients who require it.
Some health conditions can make a person more susceptible to the side effects of the medicine. Therefore, it is essential to take sultamicillin according to the instructions of the treating doctor or to follow the instructions on the package leaflet.
The dosage described above is a general indication, however other dosages such as those listed below are based on individual medical condition, age, and weight. That is why it is important to consult your doctor if the situation persists or worsens.
Adult doses and children with more than 30 kg : recommended dose: between 375 to 750 mg, 2 or 3 times a day.
Children dose less than 30 kg : recommended dose of 25 to 50 mg / kg / day in 2 doses. (pediatric use).
Gonorrhea cases : single dose 2.25 g (6 tab), combined with 1 g of probenecid.
Infections caused by hemolytic streptococci : treatment should be at least 10 days.
In all cases, each dose should be taken with food and plenty of fluids to avoid an upset stomach.
Presentation of Sultamicillin
Sultamicillin (ampicillin and sulbactam) combination comes as: tablet, capsule, suspension, and injection.
- Coated tablets: contain 147 mg of sulbactam and 220 mg of ampicillin.
- Powder for suspension: when reformed with water, it provides 250 mg of sultamicillin per 5 ml.
- Powder for solution for injection: 1.5 g
Sultamicillin trade name
Sultamicillin is found in pharmacies or health centers under several trade names:
- Sultamicillin: generic name
- Unasyn
- Painted on
- Aticef
- Betamp
- Saltum Morepen
Contraindications of Sultamicillin
Before using Sultamicillin, the person should inform their doctor about the current list of medications or other over-the-counter products that they are taking, such as: vitamins, herbal supplements, etc. Most of the contraindication of this drug is found in:
Sultamicillin in pregnancy
Women who are pregnant, or have recently given birth, should consult their doctor before taking Sultamicillin, as its effects may be harmful to the baby.
Sultamicillin while breastfeeding
During breastfeeding, it is important to avoid sultamicillin, as some concentrations of ampicillin and sulbactam in small amounts will be excreted in the milk. These substances can affect the baby, since his kidney function is not fully developed.
Sultamicillin in liver and kidney functions
People who suffer from liver problems or kidney conditions, should refrain from the use of sultamicillin or take it under strict medical recommendation so as not to generate a more serious problem.
Sultamicillin in allergy sufferers
People with allergies may have an unfavorable reaction to the consumption of sultamicillin, therefore, they should refrain from ingesting it if it has not been indicated by a specialist.
Interaction of sultamicillin with other drugs
Special care should be taken in taking sultamicillin with the following medications, as they may have an adverse reaction or simply inhibit its effect.
- Allopurinol
- Dietilestibestriol
- Contraceptives
- Probenecid
- Methotrexate
Sultamicillin side effects
The following list groups the possible side effects that may occur while taking sultamicillin, although they do not always occur and some may be very rare, the important thing is to have the foresight to consult a doctor if any of these are observed, especially if they are they maintain and do not disappear.
- Urinary retention
- Irregular body movement
- Dyspnoea
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Epigastric pain
- Enterocolitis
- Blood clots in the veins of the legs
- Changes in laboratory test values
- Throat pain
- Abdominal pain
- Threw up
- Diarrhea
- Rashes
- Dizziness: since this is a common side effect of the use of this drug, driving and operating complicated machinery should be avoided while taking it.
- Major infections
- Swelling of the face
- Swelling of the tongue or throat
- Difficulty breathing
- Itch
- Rash
- Blood dyscrasias
Diarrhea can present as a side effect, but should stop when treatment has been successfully completed. If it persists or if blood is found in the stool, the recommendation is to notify the doctor immediately.
Sultamicillin Price
The prices of the drug usually vary in different stores, mainly in online stores, where you get a slightly lower price compared to pharmacy stores, so you should check well before buying.
Prices also vary by brand, and it’s important to note that some stores sell specific brands, so it’s important to compare brands and prices at different stores.
Some brands, such as Unasyn, are between 100 and 200 US dollars, depending on their presentation and dosage. However, generic sultamicillin is, within all the presentations, the most affordable, costing no more than 3 or 4 US dollars.
Conclusion about sultamicillin
As we have seen, sultamicillin is used to treat different types of bacterial infections that attack different parts of the body. However, taking this antibiotic should be done in accordance with the doctor’s instructions. It is also important to complete the treatment even when there are signs of improvement, since its interruption can generate other situations that are more difficult to control.
Dr. Samantha Robson ( CRN: 0510146-5) is a nutritionist and website content reviewer related to her area of expertise. With a postgraduate degree in Nutrition from The University of Arizona, she is a specialist in Sports Nutrition from Oxford University and is also a member of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.
