What can replace Sumamed cheaper? “Azithromycin” is a worthy replacement for “Sumamed” at a cheap price

The original drug "Sumamed" has a non-proprietary name -. Under this name, various pharmaceutical companies produce “Sumamed”: “Azivok”, “Azitral”, “Safocid”, “Azitrox”, “Zitrolide”, “Sumazid”, “Hemomycin” and others. Azithromycin has special properties: increased acid resistance, the ability to penetrate cell walls, and a wide range of antimicrobial activity. Thanks to them, this drug is indispensable in the treatment of intracellular infections (ureaplasmosis, chlamydia, mycoplasmosis).

"Sumamed" is active against a significant number of pathogenic bacteria: pneumococcus, staphylococcus, some types of streptococci, pathogens of syphilis and gonorrhea.

"Sumamed" helps well with pharyngitis, otitis media, sinusitis and other infections caused by microorganisms sensitive to the active substance. The daily amount of the drug and the duration of treatment should be determined by the doctor depending on the patient’s condition and the general course of the disease. Cheaper analogues of Sumamed may be prescribed for treatment.

Differences between “Sumamed” and its analogues

Analogues or generics of the original drug are much cheaper, since their production does not require laboratory and clinical studies. The composition of analogues must completely repeat the composition of the original, but despite this, due to different manufacturing technologies and production features, it is impossible to achieve identity. The original and generics may differ in the concentration of the active substance and the composition of the shell; this can have different effects on the body’s reaction. Analogs have more impurities.

It has been established that the total amount of impurities in Sumamed analogues is 3.1-5.2 times greater than their amount in the original.

As a result of a comparison of Sumamed and generics, it was found that a significant part of the analogues dissolve more slowly than the original, which reduces their bioavailability and, accordingly, effectiveness. When comparing 4 analogues with the original (“Zitrolide”, “Azivok”, “Sumazid”, “Hemomycin”) it was found that “Hemomycin” has the best therapeutic effect, and “Zitrolide” has the least. Since the effectiveness of analogues is lower than the original, the resulting cost of treatment is more expensive than when using the original drug. When using Sumamed, recovery occurs in a short time, and no additional medications are required.

Bacterial infections are the most common pathology and require specific treatment. Most often, patients are prescribed Sumamed, but for such an expensive drug there is a cheap and effective analogue.

The antibacterial agent is available in the form of a lyophilisate for injection. The drug has a wide spectrum of action and is effective in treating the following types of infection:

Staphylococcus aureus;
Staphylococcus pneumonia;
streptococci;
Staphylococcus pyogenes;
Staphylococcus epidermidis;
Neisseria;
mycoplasma;
borrelia;
Brucella

The antibiotic has bacteriostatic and bactericidal properties depending on the dosage of the drug.

What does the medicine consist of?

The active ingredient in Sumamed is azithromycin. In addition to it, the composition includes:

cellulose crystals,
magnesium stearate;
citric acid monohydrate;
sodium hydroxide.

Azithromycin is eliminated from the body very slowly. The elimination time is approximately 60 to 76 hours. Therefore, Sumomed is used once every 24 hours. The treatment course lasts from 7 to 10 days, since the dosage regimen is very short (up to 3 days). The price for one package of medicine is on average 400 rubles.

Contraindications

Sumomed should not be used in patients with hypersensitivity to azithromycin and other components of the drug composition. The drug is also contraindicated for persons with severe impairment of the liver and kidneys. Children under 18 years of age should use Sumomed with caution.

Relative contraindications to the use of the product are:

liver and kidney diseases of moderate severity;
myalgia;
disturbances of heart rhythm and conduction.

In order to exclude these pathologies, it is necessary to consult a specialist before taking the drug.

Side effects

An antibacterial agent can lead to a secondary infection of fungal etiology. Side effects also include:

headache;
dizziness;
dyspepsia;
hearing disorders;
visual impairment;
increased myalgia;
osteoarthritis;
paresthesia;
sleep disorders;
metrorrhagia;
reproductive disorders;
disorders of cardiovascular activity.

The list of side effects of therapy is very large; a list of all adverse events is presented in the annotation for the drug.

Azithromycin is a worthy replacement for Sumamed

Both drugs contain the same active ingredient; the difference lies only in the auxiliary components of the drug. The spectrum of action for drugs is the same.

It is worth noting that Sumamed underwent all laboratory and clinical studies before hitting the pharmacy shelves, while its analogue Azithromycin did not.
The price of Azithromycin is 3-4 times less than the cost of the original drug. Sumamed also has other cheaper analogues:

Azitral;
Azitrox;
Sumasid;
EcoMed.

All names have a similar pharmacological composition, but the list of contraindications and side effects of therapy is different. Before purchasing Sumamed and its analogue, you should read the instructions for the drug and consult a doctor.

Public opinion

Many patients respond positively to Sumamed analogues. The original drug is very expensive, but the effect of treatment with cheaper drugs is the same. Here are just some patient reviews.

My son got very sick this winter. I had to be treated with antibiotics, the doctor prescribed Sumamed. When I saw the price in the pharmacy, I was scared. But a kind pharmacist suggested buying Azithromycin. We took the pills for 7 days and recovered.

Anna, Kharkov.

I was prescribed Azithromycin due to kidney inflammation. I was treated with it for three days, and then I began to notice that I could not hear well. The doctor immediately stopped the drug, and my hearing was restored. But this treatment ruined my nerves! I will never buy cheap products again!

Gregory, Naberezhnye Chelny.

I was treated with Sumomed for pneumonia. The cough was wild, wheezing, the temperature was below 40. We just started getting injections and the symptoms immediately began to subside. First the temperature disappeared, and then the cough. Very pleased with the medicine.

Marat, Lipetsk.

Content

Antibiotics help treat serious illnesses. Among this group of drugs, doctors highlight Sumamed, an effective modern drug with a wide range of effects. Sumamed analogs are used just as often, they are more affordable or have other features.

Sumamed - cheap analogues

This antibiotic drug belongs to the group of macrolides-azalides. The active substance underlying the drug is azithromycin dihydrate. It prevents the growth and reproduction of bacteria during illness. The manufacturer is the pharmaceutical company Pliva from Croatia, so the cost of Sumamed is higher than domestic drugs. The forms in which the drug is sold are suitable for any patient. For oral administration - suspension, tablets, capsules, substance-powder, there is also a solution for infusion.

If the medicine is poorly absorbed by the body or the price is not satisfactory, you can replace it with a cheaper analogue of Sumamed. Now there are more than 20 names that replace the drug:

Azitrocin;
Azithromycin;
Azithrus;
Azitral;
Azimed;
Azicide;
Azimicin;
Azivok;
Azitrox;
Vero-azithromycin;
Zitrolide;
Z-factor;
Zetamax retard;
Zithrocin;
Lyophilisate;
Zitnob;
Sumasid;
Sumamox;
Sumaclid;
Sumatrolide;
Sumamecin;
Ecomed;
Tremak-sanovel;
Chemomycin.

Sumamed - analogues for children

The drug is often used to treat children, sometimes very young ones. Not every child will swallow tablets and capsules - other forms of medication have been created specifically for such patients. An analogue of Sumamed for children is available in the form:

ready solution;
granules for preparing a suspension in a measuring bottle.

If a child takes medicine for the first time, you should monitor his behavior - an allergy may appear. The exact dosage and frequency of administration should be prescribed by a pediatrician, because each type of disease has its own treatment. You can use the instructions that come with the powder for preparing the suspension, or read it on the Internet. One example of a replacement for Sumamed is Hemomycin; Sumamox is also used.

Generic Sumamed

Drugs that contain the same substance as the patented ones are called generics. They are produced by domestic companies and their price is much lower. This happens because they repeat foreign analogues and are based on previously conducted research. The most common generic of Sumamed is Azithromycin from the Russian company Vertex.

Like the original medicine, it is used to treat:

respiratory infections (bronchitis and pneumonia);
inflammation of the ENT organs (otitis, laryngitis, sinusitis, frontal sinusitis);
inflammation of organs in the pelvis.

In addition to the positive effect of the treatment provided by the Russian analogue of Sumamed, it repeats the same side effects as the original, so its use must be agreed with a doctor. Buyers note that domestically produced drugs successfully replace imported ones, so you can safely purchase them for the treatment of adults and children.

How to choose analogues of Sumamed

All drugs are based on one component, but Sumamed and analogues can act differently. To make the right choice, you should take into account all the characteristics, pay attention to the following properties:

A variety of dosage forms (tablets, powders, liquids) for all patients.
Number of side effects. Sometimes they differ; you can read about this in the instructions for the medicine.
Reviews from consumers who have already used the drugs.

The last point is very important: the opinions of other people who have already used the drug allow you to get a picture of future treatment, and Internet portals also allow you to ask questions of interest. Real reviews will help you decide which of the many analogues of the Sumamed drug offered on the market is best for a particular person as a replacement, because there may be options.

Price for analogues of Sumamed

The cost of drugs varies greatly. Some buyers prefer the original medicine, thinking that the brand will provide a guarantee against counterfeits and will allow them to recover faster, while others trust generics. Medicines can be viewed and purchased cheaply in an online store with a convenient catalog. It is easy to compare prices for Sumamed analogues in the table; a similar form and dosage is used.

Sumamed is an antibiotic with a wide range of action. It helps to cope with a variety of bacteria and is used to treat various infectious pathologies. However, the substance often causes adverse reactions and is poorly tolerated. In addition, it is quite expensive. In such a situation, it is better to choose cheap analogues of sumamed.

How to use Sumamed

The main component of the product is azithromycin dihydrate. The product is available in the form of tablets, capsules and powder. It is usually prescribed in the following situations:

infections of the respiratory system and otolaryngological organs - sinusitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, otitis media;
infection of the skin and soft tissues;
lower respiratory infections – pneumonia, bronchitis;
early stage Lyme disease;

If Lyme disease develops, on the first day you need to take 1 g of the drug, then drink 500 mg. For Helicobacter pylori infection, 1 g per day is prescribed. For genitourinary pathologies you need to drink 1 g per day. If complications develop, use 1 g on days 1, 7 and 14.

For children under 3 years of age, the substance is prescribed in the form of a suspension.. To make it, add 12 ml of boiled water to the container with the powder. The bottle should be shaken well before each use.

Sumamed has a number of advantages:

an abundance of release forms, which allows the use of products for different age categories and various pathologies;
rarity of adverse reactions;
high half-life;
easy divisibility of tablets.

The main disadvantage of the substance is the rather high cost when comparing the medicine with analogues.

List of cheap analogues of Sumamed

In general, any antibacterial drug can be an alternative to sumamed. However, the exact choice must be made taking into account individual characteristics. Only culture from the area of the outbreak will help determine sensitivity to the antibiotic.

Doctors say that some remedies are more effective for respiratory pathologies, while others give better results for infections of the genitourinary system. Therefore, the choice of a specific substance must be carried out by a specialist.

Inexpensive analogues of sumamed, which can be used for lesions of the respiratory system, include the following:

azithromycin - 6 capsules of the drug with a volume of 250 mg cost 125 rubles;
azitrox - produced in the form of capsules, with 6 pieces costing 300 rubles;
Azithrus – 6 capsules 250 mg will cost 60 rubles;
amoxiclav - produced in the form of tablets, 15 pieces of which will cost 230 rubles;
flemoxin solutab – 20 tablets 250 mg can be bought for 300 rubles;
Augmentin - the product is produced in tablet form, 20 pieces of 375 mg will cost 260 rubles;
Chemomycin - 6 capsules 250 mg cost 250 rubles.

When choosing analogues of sumamed for children, you should definitely consult a pediatrician. Many drugs have a similar principle of action, but have different compositions. Therefore, they cannot be classified as structural analogues.

Sumamed or azithromycin - which is better?

When choosing sumamed or azithromycin, it is important to consider the characteristics of these agents. They are considered structural analogues and differ only in additional ingredients. The operating principle of the funds is the same.

Sumamed's analogue, azithromycin, is several times cheaper. Many patients prefer to choose sumamed because it is considered an original medicine that has passed some tests. The Russian analogue of sumamed has no other special differences.

Additional ingredients of sumamed extremely rarely provoke adverse reactions. As a rule, if sumamed is ineffective, azithromycin will also not give the desired results. In this situation, there is a need to choose an analogue with a different active ingredient.

Sumamed or hemomycin

When choosing sumamed or hemomycin, it is worth considering that both medications are considered structural analogues. They contain the same active ingredient – azithromycin. This means that there are practically no differences between the means. The only difference is in additional ingredients, manufacturer and cost.

Both substances are made taking into account technological standards. During production, all standards for the active ingredient and shells are observed. Therefore, from a storage point of view, these substances occupy a leading position. Reviews of the sumamed analogue indicate that it is quite effective and well tolerated. At the same time, the cost of chemomycin is approximately 100 rubles lower.

Sumamed or suprax

When choosing sumamed or suprax, you should understand that they have different active ingredients and belong to different categories of antibiotics. Suprax is made on the basis of cefixime, which is a third generation cephalosporin. The active component of sumamed is azithromycin, which belongs to the category of macrolides.

Suprax has a less pronounced toxic effect. However, when choosing Suprax or Sumamed for children, you should keep in mind that both medications can be used from 6 months.

Sumamed has a wider list of indications. If we talk about ENT organs, both remedies help to successfully treat the nose, throat, and ears. However, therapy will be effective if the causative agent of the disease is sensitive to the drug. At the same time, suprax is more expensive. A package of 6 capsules will cost approximately 800 rubles. Therefore, this product cannot be called an inexpensive analogue.

Sumamed or amoxiclav

Which is better – sumamed or amoxiclav? This question worries a lot of people. Both substances have different antibacterial effects, but are included in different groups of drugs. Thus, amoxiclav belongs to the category of penicillins, and its effect is less pronounced compared to sumamed.

Another characteristic feature of amoxiclav is the presence, in addition to the antibiotic, of clavulanic acid. This ingredient is a beta-lactamase inhibitor and negatively affects the enzymes secreted by bacteria. The medicine in powder form is prescribed from birth.

Deciding which substance is better is quite difficult, since it depends on the clinical picture of the pathology and the sensitivity of bacterial microorganisms. Most often, doctors first prescribe penicillins and only if there is no effect, they resort to macrolides.

Sumamed or Augmentin

Augmentin is considered a structural analogue of amoxiclav, therefore, in comparison with sumamed, it has the same advantages and disadvantages. The drugs are produced in different countries, and this is the key difference.

The advantage of Augmentin is that it can be used from birth. The disadvantages include the duration of therapy. The course lasts 1 week. In this case, the frequency of use of the product is 2-3 times a day. Treatment with sumamed is shorter - a three-day course is usually prescribed. The cost of Augmentin is 100 rubles lower.

Sumamed or Flemoxin Solutab

When comparing sumamed or flemoxin solutab, it is worth considering that the second product is produced only in the form of tablets. The active ingredients of the drugs differ. Flemoxin includes amoxicillin trihydrate, while sumamed is made on the basis of azithromycin.

When choosing sumamed or flemoxin, you should take into account the second drug has fewer side effects, since it is considered less toxic. The cost of Flemoxin is slightly lower. Usually it costs about 50 rubles less.

Flemoxin tablets are prescribed for children over 1 year of age. The drug should be used 2-3 times a day - this is determined by the dosage. When using the substance for children under one year old, you should adhere to the following dosage: 30-60 mg per 1 kg of body weight per day. Usually this volume is divided into 3 doses. Sumamed for babies is used only in the form of a suspension.

Sumamed or Klacid - what to choose

Klacid or sumamed - which is better? Both substances are classified as macrolides, but they differ in composition. The basis of Klacid is clarithromycin. Its effect is less pronounced. The substance is used exclusively for infections of the respiratory system and skin.

The age restrictions for these products are the same. Both medications are used only from 6 months. Side effects and limitations are also mostly similar. However, the cost is slightly different. So, 10 tablets of Klacid with a dosage of 250 mg will cost 600 rubles. Therefore, the product can hardly be called an inexpensive analogue.

Sumamed or vilprafen

Both substances belong to macrolides, but have different compositions. The active component of vilprafen is josamycin. This substance has a more extensive list of indications. You can drink it for diphtheria and whooping cough. The list of indications includes gingivitis, pathologies of the digestive system, blepharitis, lymphadenitis and other infections.

At the same time, vilprafen is strictly prohibited for people weighing up to 10 kg. It is prescribed in a course of 5-21 days. The daily dosage has to be divided several times, which creates certain difficulties. The cost of this medicine is about 600 rubles.

Sumamed is a very effective remedy that helps with a wide variety of bacterial pathologies. However, sometimes there is a need to choose an analogue. In such a situation, you need to consult a doctor. The specialist will select the substance taking into account the clinical picture.

pharmachologic effect

Broad-spectrum antibiotic. It is the first representative of a new subgroup of macrolide antibiotics - azalides. When high concentrations are created at the site of inflammation, it has a bactericidal effect.
Sumamed active against aerobic gram-positive bacteria: Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus spp. groups C, F and G, Streptococcus viridans, Staphylococcus aureus; aerobic gram-negative bacteria: Haemophilus ducreyi, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Bordetella pertussis, Bordetella parapertussis, Legionella pneumophila, Campylobacter jejuni, Helicobacter pylori, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Gardnerella vaginalis; anaerobic bacteria: Bacteroides bivius, Clostridium perfringens, Peptostreptococcus spp.
A drug also active regarding Chlamydia trachomatis, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Treponema pallidum, Borrelia burgdorferi.
To the drug stable gram-positive bacteria resistant to erythromycin.

Pharmacokinetics

Suction
Azithromycin is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, due to its stability in an acidic environment and lipophilicity. After taking the drug Sumamed orally at a dose of 500 mg, the Cmax of azithromycin in the blood plasma is achieved after 2.5-2.96 hours and is 0.4 mg/l. Bioavailability is 37%.
Distribution
Azithromycin penetrates well into the respiratory tract, organs and tissues of the urogenital tract (in particular the prostate gland), skin and soft tissues. High concentration in tissues (10-50 times higher than in blood plasma) and long half-life are due to the low binding of azithromycin to plasma proteins, as well as its ability to penetrate eukaryotic cells and concentrate in the low pH environment surrounding lysosomes . This, in turn, determines the large apparent Vd (31.1 l/kg) and high plasma clearance. The ability of azithromycin to accumulate predominantly in lysosomes is especially important for the elimination of intracellular pathogens. It has been proven that phagocytes deliver azithromycin to sites of infection, where it is released during the process of phagocytosis. The concentration of azithromycin in foci of infection is significantly higher than in healthy tissues (on average by 24-34%) and correlates with the degree of inflammatory edema. Despite its high concentration in phagocytes, azithromycin does not have a significant effect on their function. Azithromycin remains in bactericidal concentrations at the site of inflammation for 5-7 days after taking the last dose, which made it possible to develop short (3-day and 5-day) courses of treatment.
Removal
The elimination of azithromycin from blood plasma occurs in 2 stages: T1/2 is 14-20 hours in the range from 8 to 24 hours after taking the drug and 41 hours in the range from 24 to 72 hours, which allows the drug to be used once a day.

Indications

Infectious and inflammatory diseases caused by pathogens sensitive to the drug:
- infections of the upper respiratory tract and ENT organs (tonsillitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis, otitis media);
- infections of the lower respiratory tract (bacterial and atypical pneumonia, bronchitis);
- infections of the skin and soft tissues (erysipelas, impetigo, secondary infected dermatoses);
- infections of the urogenital tract (urethritis and/or cervicitis);
- Lyme disease (borreliosis), for the treatment of the initial stage (erythema migrans);
- diseases of the stomach and duodenum associated with Helicobacter pylori.

Dosage regimen

Sumamed should be taken 1 hour before meals or 2 hours after meals. The drug is taken 1 time/day.
For adults at infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract, skin and soft tissue infections prescribed 500 mg/day for 3 days (course dose - 1.5 g).
At uncomplicated urethritis and/or cervicitis Prescribe 1 g once (2 tablets of 500 mg each).
At Lyme disease(borreliosis) for the treatment of the initial stage (erythema migrans) is prescribed 1 g (2 tablets of 500 mg each) on the 1st day and 500 mg daily from the 2nd to the 5th day (course dose - 3 g).
At diseases of the stomach and duodenum associated with Helicobacter pylori, prescribed 1 g (2 tablets of 500 mg) per day for 3 days as part of combination therapy.
For children the drug is prescribed in doses of 10 mg/kg body weight 1 time/day for 3 days. The course dose is 30 mg/kg body weight.
At treatment of erythema migrans children are prescribed a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight on the 1st day and 10 mg/kg from the 2nd to the 5th days.
If you miss 1 dose of the drug, the missed dose should be taken as soon as possible, and subsequent doses should be taken 24 hours apart.

Side effect

From the digestive system: possible nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain; rarely - vomiting, flatulence, transient increase in the activity of liver enzymes.
Dermatological reactions: in some cases - rash.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to macrolide antibiotics.

Pregnancy and lactation

During pregnancy and lactation, Sumamed is prescribed only when the expected benefit to the mother outweighs the potential risk to the fetus or infant.

special instructions

Caution is required when prescribing the drug to patients with severe impairment of liver and kidney function.
It is recommended to maintain a break of at least 2 hours between taking Sumamed and antacid medications.

Overdose

Currently, no cases of overdose of Sumamed have been reported.

Drug interactions

There was no interaction of Sumamed with theophylline, oral anticoagulants, carbamazepine, phenytoin, digoxin, cyclosporine and ergotamine.

Storage conditions and periods

The drug should be stored at room temperature. The shelf life of tablets and capsules is 3 years. The shelf life of the powder for preparing a suspension for oral administration is 2 years.
Conditions for dispensing from pharmacies
The drug is available with a prescription.