"Levomycetin alcohol" is an antibacterial alcoholic solution for local use with pronounced antimicrobial, antiphlogistic and bacteriostatic properties. By burying chloramphenicol alcohol in the ear, it is possible to prevent the development of abscesses in the mucous tissues and bone structures of the organ of hearing that arise during the development of bacterial otitis media.
The drug is active against most bacterial strains that are not sensitive to the action of drugs such as Streptomycin, Penicillin, etc. The systematic use of an alcohol solution leads to the suppression of the activity of microbes and the destruction of the bacterial flora in the foci of inflammation. The drug diluted with water can be used in the treatment of otitis externa and otitis media and furunculosis, localized in the external auditory canal.
Description of the drug
"Levomycetin alcohol" refers to broad-spectrum antibiotics. The active components of the agent have a destructive effect on the cellular structures of bacteria, which leads to their death and, accordingly, a decrease in the number of pathogens in the foci of inflammation. The pronounced antimicrobial effect of the drug is due to its chemical composition, which includes:
- chloramphenicol is an antibacterial substance that has a pronounced bacteriostatic effect against strains of gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms;
- ethanol is a colorless liquid (ethyl alcohol) with a disinfecting and drying effect;
- salicylic acid is an antiseptic agent of keratolytic and local irritating action, which helps to accelerate cellular metabolism.
Do not use a concentrated alcohol solution for instillation into the ears. This can cause burns to the tissues of the ear canal and eardrum.
According to most experts, it is dangerous to bury undiluted chloramphenicol in the ears, which is due to the high concentration of the alcohol component in the preparation. Before use, the medicine should be diluted with boiled water or purchased from the pharmacy special ear drops, which include an alcohol solution.
Mechanism of action
The principle of operation of an alcoholic solution is based on the ability to inhibit the biosynthesis of proteins in bacterial cells, which is possible due to the interaction of drug components with ribosomal
subunits. The synthetic antibiotic that is part of the drug is active against most strains of bacteria that are resistant to the effects of tetracyclines, sulfonamides, penicillins, etc.
The selective action of the drug is based on the ability to quickly detect the cells of pathogens and destroy their structures. In the case of external use, absorption of the antibiotic into the systemic circulation is minimal. But even after a single use, the drug has a pronounced bacteriostatic effect for at least 6-7 hours.
Important! "Levomycetin alcohol" can cause side reactions in case of overdose. Before using the drug, you should consult with an otolaryngologist.
Treatment for adults
It should be noted right away that an antibiotic can be used only in case of development of bacterial infections in the organ of hearing: purulent otitis media, furunculosis, mastoiditis, etc. It is strongly not recommended to use the medicine without an accurate diagnosis and determination of the type of pathogens that provoked tissue inflammation in the mucous membranes of the ear. In the presence of purulent processes, the medicine is often used as ear drops.
How should Levomycetin alcohol be instilled into the ear?
Instructions:
- dilute the drug with boiled water in a 1: 1 ratio;
- heat the solution to a temperature of 36-37 degrees;
- drip 2-3 drops of the product into the sore ear;
- close the ear canal with a clean dry cotton swab for 1-2 hours;
- perform the procedure no more than 2 times a day for a week.
Before using the medicine, you need to make sure the integrity of the ear membrane. It is categorically not recommended to bury even weakly concentrated solutions in the presence of perforated holes in the membrane. With the abundant formation of purulent masses, the frequency of instillation can be increased up to 3-4 times a day.
Otorrhea is a direct contraindication to the use of alcohol formulations. Suppuration indicates the transition of otitis media to the perforated stage. If "Levomycetin alcohol" gets into the middle ear cavity, partial or complete hearing loss is not excluded. A burn of the mucous membrane of the ear cavity and auditory receptors can cause their irreversible dysfunction.
Treatment of children
Not so long ago in otolaryngology it was allowed to instill an antibiotic in the ears of children in the presence of purulent inflammation. But today experts prohibit such use of alcoholic tinctures in pediatric therapy. Even a medicine diluted with water can provoke severe burns to the mucous membranes of the hearing organ, which is fraught with the development of hearing loss or deafness.
In pediatrics, it is recommended to use "Levomycetin alcohol" as follows:
- mix the drug with water in equal parts;
- roll up dense turundas from sterile cotton;
- moisten turundas in a diluted alcohol composition;
- insert cotton swabs into your ears for 20 minutes.
Important! Do not leave cotton swabs in the ear canal overnight, as this can cause burns.
The procedure can be performed no more than 3 times a day for a week. In the absence of positive dynamics of treatment, you should seek help from an otolaryngologist.
Alcohol compress
Heat therapy is recommended only at the stage of resolving purulent processes in the mucous and bone tissues of the organ of hearing. Warming up the ear at the stage of formation of abscesses can cause the spread of bacteria inside the ear, which can lead to the development of mastoiditis, labyrinthitis, meningitis, etc.
To prepare the compress, you need to do the following:
- dilute the antibiotic with water in a 1: 1 ratio;
- fold a piece of gauze in 4 layers and make a hole in it under the auricle;
- moisten a gauze cloth in the prepared solution;
- apply a napkin to the area behind the auricle;
- put overthrow parchment, polyethylene and a layer of cotton wool;
- fix the compress with bandages.
The duration of the entire procedure should not exceed 3 hours. After removing the compress, the skin behind the ear should be wiped dry and lubricated with baby cream.
Overdose
In 90% of cases, "Levomycetin alcohol" is well tolerated by both adults and children. In rare cases, a negative reaction of the body to the action of a synthetic antibiotic is possible. In isolated cases, allergic reactions were noted, the manifestations of which were:
- Quincke's edema;
- hives;
- severe itching;
- erythematous spots.
In the case of prolonged use of the drug, violations of the hematopoietic system are possible. In rare cases, patients showed signs of the development of erythropenia, aplastic anemia, thrombocytopenia, etc. If side effects occur, you should stop using the medication and consult a doctor.
To prevent the development of systemic diseases, in the process of using an alcohol solution, it is advisable to control the blood picture, periodically donating it for biochemical analysis.
Contraindications
Like most antibacterial drugs, Levomycetin alcohol has a number of contraindications.Otolaryngologists do not recommend resorting to using the product in the presence of the following diseases:
- psoriasis;
- blood diseases;
- kidney dysfunction;
- eczema;
- fungal infections;
- wounds in the ear canal;
- perforation of the ear membrane.
Important! You cannot use the drug in the treatment of children under the age of 12, which is due to the ototoxic effect of the antibacterial components of the alcohol solution.
Experts warn that drug abuse can lead to a decrease in local immunity. In this regard, patients often develop otomycosis, i.e. fungal infection of the external auditory canal.
