28.03.2024

Sofradex and Polydex, the choice of drug

Sofradex and Polydex are included in the group of prescription drugs, so they can only be used with the permission of a doctor. The doctor must decide which drug is best for a particular patient, depending on the diagnosis, state of health, tolerance of treatment.

Often, ENT doctors prescribe Cali Sofradex and Polydex. These are combined medicines that exhibit antimicrobial activity, stop the inflammatory process.

Despite the similarities between the drops, there are many differences that need to be clarified before they can be used.

Sofradex

Sofradex is available in the form of eye and ear drops, which contain framycetin, dexamethasone, and gramicidin as therapeutic substances .

Sofradex

In appearance, they are a clear, colorless liquid with a specific odor.

Drops contain the following inactive components:

  • Twin 80.
  • Water.
  • Ethanol.
  • Lithium chloride.
  • E330.
  • Phenylethanol.
  • Sodium citrate.

The drug stops inflammation, exhibits antibacterial properties.

Framycetin sulfate is an antibiotic aminoglycoside. It causes the death of Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus, the causative agent of dysentery, E. coli. It has almost no effect on streptococci. Fungi, viruses, anaerobic bacteria are resistant to it. The resistance of microbes to aminoglycoside develops slowly.

Gramitsidin suspends the growth and reproduction of staphylococci, causing their death.

Dexamethasone is a glucocorticosteroid. It has a desensitizing effect, relieves inflammation and allergy symptoms.

When instilled into the eyes, the drug weakens pain, burning, lacrimation and photophobia.

When instilled into the ears, there are signs of otitis media: redness of the skin, pain, a feeling of stuffy ears, itching and burning in the ear canal.

For external use, drops are almost not absorbed.

With inflammation of the skin or applying framycetin sulfate to an open wound, aminoglycoside is absorbed into the bloodstream. It is excreted in the urine, the period of elimination of the antibiotic can vary from 2 to 3 hours.

Polydex

Polydex is available in the form of a cough for the ears. The therapeutic effect of them is explained by dexamethasone, neomycin, polymyxin.

Polydex

In addition to them, the drops contain additional components:

  • Thiomersal.
  • E330.
  • Sodium hydroxide.
  • Propylene glycol.
  • Twin 80.
  • Water.

Drops are a clear, light yellow liquid that foams when stirred. They stop the inflammatory process and exhibit antimicrobial activity.

Dexamethasone has an anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effect.

Neomycin is active against Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella.

Polymyxin is active against Escherichia coli and Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella, pseudomonas.

Streptococci are sensitive to neomycin and polymyxin.

What are the drugs like?

Sofradex and Polydex have the following similarities:

  1. Drugs are prescribed for the treatment of otitis externa, which is caused by microorganisms sensitive to it.
  2. Drops are contraindicated for allergies to their components, for pregnant and lactating women, for violation of the integrity of the eardrum, viral and fungal infections of the ears.
  3. Medicines should be stored at temperatures up to 25 degrees, out of the reach of children.
  4. Treatment with drugs can cause allergies, in this case, the drops should be canceled and consult a doctor who will choose another therapy.
  5. If drops are used for violation of the eardrum, they can cause toxic damage to the vestibular and auditory apparatus.
Comparison and what to choose

There are the following differences between Sofradex and Polydex:

Sofradex Polydex
Manufacturer country India. France.
Release form Eye and ear drops. Ear drops.
Effect on ability to drive a car When instilled into the eyes, short-term blurred vision may be observed, therefore, it is not recommended to immediately drive. Drivers can use the medicine without any restrictions.
Shelf life 24 months. 36 months.
Pediatric Use Sofradex is contraindicated in infants. For young children, drops should be used with caution. The drug has no age restrictions.
Adverse reactions With prolonged treatment of eye infections, there is a risk of developing glaucoma, cataracts, rupture of eye tissue, and blurred vision.
Indications for use Sofradex has a wider scope. It is used for infected eyelid eczema, conjunctivitis, blepharitis, keratitis (if there is no damage to the epithelium), iridocyclitis, scleritis. Drops of Polydex can be used for infected eczema of the external auditory canal.
Drug interaction Drops due to the content of the antibiotic-aminoglycoside are not recommended to be used simultaneously with antimicrobial agents, which can have a negative effect on the ears and kidneys. These are medicines such as gentamicin, streptomycin, kanamycin, monomycin. Due to the content of neomycin, the drug can not be used in the complex with monomycin, gentamicin, streptomycin, amikacin, netilmicin. If you use ear drops in combination with these antibiotics, then the risk of ototoxicity increases.
Contraindications Fungal and viral diseases of the eyes, glaucoma, trachoma, violation of the integrity of eye tissues.
Overdose With prolonged use in large doses, systemic adverse reactions may develop. In this case, you need to cancel the medication and, if necessary, prescribe symptomatic treatment. When taking Sofradex drops inside, an overdose of them is unlikely. Drops are practically not absorbed, so an overdose of them is unlikely.

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