The sedative properties of the drug are due to the fact that chloropyramine penetrates the blood-brain barrier and forms connections with the receptors (H1) of the brain, thereby blocking the serotonin and acetylcholine receptors. The degree of hypnotic effect depends on the individual characteristics of the patient and the medications he takes together with Suprastin.
Release form
Suprastinex drops are available in a brown glass bottle with a dropper and a child-resistant cap. The bottle contains 20 ml of product and is packaged in a cardboard box along with instructions for use.
The drops are colorless and without sediment, have a slight odor of acetic acid.
Indications
According to information on the website of the manufacturer of Suprastin, the drug is used to treat pathologies that are accompanied by allergic manifestations:
- itching;
- rash;
- hives;
- allergic edema and anaphylactic reactions.
The drug can also be used for bites of various insects that cause the effects described above.
As we see, the hypnotic effect of the drug Suprastin is not included in the official indications for use. This means that the medicine is not a sedative, and the doctor cannot prescribe it to restore sleep.
Compound
The active ingredient in Suprastinex drops is Levocetirizine. This is a substance of the third generation of antihistamines, which acts quickly and has a long-lasting effect. It also has a significant advantage - it does not harm the functioning of the cardiovascular system, therefore it is considered completely safe. One milliliter of Suprastinex drops contains 5 mg of this substance.
Contraindications and side effects
- The drug is not prescribed to children under two years of age, as well as to those with hypersensitivity to Levocetirizine or an auxiliary component of the drug.
- Suprastinex should be taken during pregnancy (especially in the first and third trimester) only if the potential benefit to the pregnant woman outweighs the risk to the fetus, since no studies have been conducted on the effect of the drug on pregnant women. If it is necessary to use the drug during lactation, breastfeeding should be suspended.
- The drug should be taken with caution if the liver and/or kidney function is impaired, as well as in old age.
Possible side effects in the form of headache, dizziness, increased fatigue, dry mouth, abdominal pain, nausea.
Side effects
While taking Suprastin, the following side effects may develop:
- sleep disturbance (drowsiness and insomnia);
- fatigue and increased fatigue;
- disorders of the digestive system;
- urinary disturbance;
- pain in the epigastric region;
- muscle weakness;
- decreased pressure in the arteries;
- increased pressure inside the eyes.
If the above-described manifestations develop, you should consult a doctor for advice.
In rare cases, the use of Suprastin can cause severe side symptoms, manifested by swelling of the lips and oropharynx, impaired swallowing and breathing, as well as other anaphylactic reactions. In this case, it is necessary to call an ambulance and hospitalize the patient in a medical facility.
As we can see, the hypnotic effect of Suprastin is a side effect of the drug . Therefore, the use of this medication for sleep is not recommended. The exception is pathologies in which it is necessary to obtain both an antihistamine and a sedative effect.
Instructions for use and dosage
Suprastinex drops should be taken on an empty stomach or with food, the dosage for children from 2 to 6 years is: 5 drops (1.25 mg or 0.25 ml) twice a day. The recommended dose for adults and children over 6 years of age is: 20 drops (5 mg or 1 ml) once a day. The required number of drops must be added to water and drunk immediately after dilution.
The duration of taking Suprastinex depends on the disease:
Did you know? Taking antihistamines is practically useless if contact with the allergen has already occurred. Antihistamines must accumulate in the body, which is when they will help cope with the allergic reaction. Therefore, it is necessary to start a course of medication 2-3 weeks before the flowering season.
Contraindications
Experts in their reviews of Suprastinex point out the following contraindications, in the presence of which it is strictly prohibited to take the drug:
- hypersensitivity to the components of the drug;
- children's age: up to 6 years of age it is forbidden to take tablets, up to 2 years - drops;
- severe renal failure;
- lactation, pregnancy;
- lactose intolerance, a hereditary form of lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption syndrome.
It is important to exercise caution when treating elderly people and patients who suffer from chronic renal failure. More on this below.
In addition, doctors note that the drug cannot always be used to treat children. Only a doctor can prescribe it, and self-medication is usually dangerous to life and health. Experts recommend that you read the instructions for the medicine before using it. After all, it contains many contraindications, main indications for use, side effects, and also tells about the dosage of the drug and the duration of treatment for a specific disease.
This is confirmed by the instructions for use and reviews of the drug “Suprastinex”.
In general, contraindications include the use of this medicine by young children. As stated earlier, this remedy is contraindicated in children under 2 years of age, even in the form of drops. It is not used to treat children suffering from hypersensitivity to the components of the drug. Doctors try not to prescribe this medicine in tablet form to children under 6 years of age. This is explained by the fact that at present there is not yet sufficient information about the body’s reaction to its use. Most often they prescribe Suprastinex drops for children. Reviews about them are given below. If a person has renal failure and lactose intolerance, then the drug is replaced with its analogue with a different composition.
Analogs
Analogues of Suprastinex, first of all, are drugs whose main active ingredient is also Levocetirizine. These are Allerway, Ksizal, Glenset, Zenaro, Cesera, Zodak Express, Alerzin, Aleron, Cetrilev, L-tset, Free-Al, Eltset.
There is also a homeopathic medicine for allergies - Luffel. It is prescribed to children from three years of age. Also, depending on the allergy symptoms, antihistamines of all three generations can act as analogues of Suprastinex.
- Diphenhydramine, Diazolin, Suprastin, Tavegil, Fenkarol.
- Claridol, Fenistil, Clarisens, Clarotadine, Loratadine, Lomilan, Claritin, Zirtec, Kestin, Cetrin.
- Desal, Fexofast, Erius, Xizal, Fexadin, Telfast, Trexil, Gismanal.
Important! Suprastinex is easily confused with Suprastin. But these drugs have different active ingredients at their base. Suprastin belongs to the first generation of antihistamines. Suprastinex is the latest, third generation of antihistamines.
"Suprastin"
The active component of Suprastin is chloropyramine, which can block histamine receptors, preventing them from binding to histamines. The medication is available in tablet form with a dosage of 25 mg and injectable form with a dosage of 20 mg.
The medicine is indicated for use for skin manifestations of allergic reactions, itching, reactions to insect bites, allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis (year-round, seasonal).
The drug is often prescribed to reduce the severity of swelling and itching that are non-allergic in nature. In addition, it can be used as an auxiliary medicine for angioedema.
During the use of the drug, various negative manifestations may occur: severe drowsiness, interfering with driving, and decreased performance. Due to this feature of the drug, it is recommended to take sick leave during therapy with its use.
What is better to choose - “Suprastin” or “Zodak” for a child interests many parents.
"Suprastin" can be used in the treatment of patients over 3 years of age; it is not recommended during the lactation period and pregnancy.
Reviews
Marina:
At the dacha, my son was bitten on the eyebrow by a mosquito, and in the morning he could not open his eyes. We washed it with cold water, gave it Suprastinex drops and applied Psilobalm to relieve itching and swelling. An hour later - no pain, no swelling. The bite mark finally disappeared after 2 days.
Evgeniya:
In the spring, the child’s nose is running, he can’t breathe, his tears are streaming, he constantly sneezes, his eyelids swell. Suprastinex helps, Flix in the nose and Dexamethozone in the eyes. This is the only way we can be saved according to the doctor’s instructions. We drink the sorbents for another 10 days, which is also important.
Daria:
We had a bee sting while on vacation at sea. The sting was taken out, smeared with a “star”, and Suprastinex was given in drops. They did it all at once. They didn’t do anything else, since the most dangerous thing that can happen is angioedema, and it usually happens immediately after a bite. We got through this moment safely, which is why allergy medications helped.
Antonina:
We had chickenpox, the child itched terribly, neither she nor we could sleep at night... Eden did not come. Suprastinex relieved the itching best, at least for us. The child slept well after it and generally tolerated the illness better.
Vita:
We had a virus and otitis, the temperature was 39.2, we took antibiotics. A rash appeared on the legs and arms, which seemed to be caused by the antibiotic. Edem and Alerzin did not help. The rash kept getting worse. We took Suprastinex and saw the effect after a couple of hours.
Video
We recommend watching a video where Doctor of Medical Sciences Alexander Sergeevich Dukhanin talks about an integrated approach to the treatment of ARVI, which, in addition to basic medications, also includes antihistamines. What antihistamine is always in your home and travel first aid kit? And how do you feel about the fact that pediatricians prescribe anti-allergy medications along with a large list of medications for various diseases, even if the child has no tendency to allergies? Is this justified, or is it more like reinsurance than necessity? Any experience you have with allergy medications will be very helpful to other parents.
Choice of drug for treating children
Both drugs are approved for use in the treatment of children. "Suprastin" can be used from 3 years, "Zodak" - at an earlier age - from six months. The drugs must be used exclusively as prescribed by the pediatrician. There are no special children's forms of medications, so the usual forms are used, but in smaller dosages.
The doctor should determine which drug is more appropriate to use, taking into account all the clinical signs of allergies, their severity, the age of the young patient, and the tolerability of the components of each medication.
Both medications are definitely contraindicated for children under six months of age. It is also necessary to take into account that the active components of the drugs can be excreted in breast milk. Accordingly, if a nursing woman requires allergy therapy using these medications, she must first stop breastfeeding.
Children from six months to three years old are recommended to use Zodak. Its use is permitted at this age, if indicated. It must be given to a child in strict accordance with the pediatrician’s recommendations, without exceeding the indicated dosage and without prolonging the indicated course of therapy. "Zodak" in the form of drops can be dissolved in water and milk.
"Suprastin" at this age can be prescribed by a doctor only in cases where there is a threat to the child's life.
So what to choose: “Suprastin” or “Zodak”?
Children over 3 years of age can be prescribed either of the two drugs. Everything will depend on the clinical picture of the disease. It is worth noting that experts prefer to prescribe Zodak to children under 12 years of age (if the patient is not at risk of angioedema), since it is somewhat safer than Suprastin.
