What is better to choose for a child – Isofra or Polydexa?

Choosing the best course of action when your child becomes ill can be quite difficult. Isofra and Polydexa, two frequently prescribed nasal sprays, are frequently suggested for the treatment of infections in children. However, how can you determine which is best for your child?

Although they function somewhat differently, Isofra and Polydexa are both used to treat bacterial infections of the nasal passages. Whereas Polydexa is a more complex treatment that combines antibiotics with anti-inflammatory and vasoconstrictive ingredients, Isofra contains an antibiotic that targets bacteria directly.

Comprehending the distinctions among these drugs will enable you to make an educated choice. To help you feel secure in your choice of treatment, we’ll go over the important factors to take into account when your child is between Isofra and Polydexa in this article.

What are the similarities between the drugs?

• Both Isofra and Polydexa with phenylephrine are products from the same manufacturer – the French company Laboratoires Bouchara-Recordati. The drugs of this pharmaceutical factory are called high-quality, since they have long established themselves (the company is part of the European Recordati group, founded in 1926 and also produces such popular products as Hexasprey, Otofa, Hexaliz and Terzhinan).
• Both medications are produced in the form of a spray used intranasally. After pressing the nozzle, the solution evenly hits the mucous membrane of the nasal passages and acts locally. The components of Isofra and Polydexa are absorbed into the bloodstream in a tiny amount, which does not cause any harmful effects.

• The packaging of the drugs is similar and is a plastic opaque bottle equipped with a sprayer and a screw cap. Inside one bottle there is 15 ml of solution.
• The composition of both medications contains an antibiotic from the aminoglycoside group. In Isofra it is framycetin sulfate in a dose of 8000 U, and in Polydex it is neomycin sulfate in a dose of 6500 U. Such compounds make the spray effective against E. coli, Shigella, Klebsiella and some other microbes. However, both drugs do not act on streptococci.

• Neither Isofra nor Polydex is recommended for injection to children with a viral infection, since such drugs are used only for bacterial rhinitis, sinusitis or nasopharyngitis.
• A possible side effect of both drugs is an allergic reaction. If allergy symptoms occur after the first use or injection of several doses, the use of the spray should be stopped, and the child should be examined by a doctor.
• Since both Isofra and Polydexa act only at the site of treatment, overdose of such drugs does not occur. If the child accidentally swallowed the solution, it is recommended to wash out the stomach and give some kind of sorbent.

• Both medications are sold in pharmacies by prescription, so before purchasing any of these sprays, you should show the baby to the doctor. As for the cost of the drugs, it is approximately the same and is about 300-350 rubles per bottle.
• It is recommended to keep both Polydexa in spray and Isofra at home at a temperature not exceeding +25 degrees. Both drugs have a shelf life of 3 years. If the markings have worn off or the date marked on the package has passed, spraying any of these products into the nose is unacceptable.

• Both drugs receive a lot of positive feedback from parents and doctors, as they are effective against bacteria, practically do not cause side effects, are approved for use in childhood and are quite easy to use.
• Among the disadvantages of both Isofra and Polydexa, many name the high cost and high injection force.

Differences

While there are many similarities between Isofra and Polydexa, there are also a lot of differences. First of all, they differ greatly in composition. Unlike Isofra, which has just one ingredient, Polydexa is a multicomponent medication that has four active compounds present at once.

This medication includes an aminoglycoside antibiotic, an antibiotic belonging to the cyclic polypeptide group (polymyxin B), and dexamethasone, a glucocorticoid hormone, which acts as an anti-inflammatory.

In contrast to ear drops, Polydexa spray also includes phenylephrine, another active ingredient that falls under the category of an adrenergic agonist. The solution has the ability to cause the tiny blood vessels in the nose to narrow because of its presence.

Second, there are differences in the age ranges at which these drugs can be used. While Isofra is safe for children over one year old, according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, doctors occasionally prescribe this medication to infants. Children younger than 2.5 years old should not be prescribed Polydexa with phenylephrine.

Thirdly, there are distinct contraindications for every spray. If the only reason not to prescribe Isofra is an allergy to other aminoglycosides or an intolerance to the solution’s ingredients, then spraying Polydexa is also forbidden for closed-angle glaucoma and kidney diseases. If the child has high blood pressure or hyperthyroidism is identified, treatment is administered cautiously.

Every drug has subtle differences in how it should be used. The table with all the pertinent information is below:

A signpost

Use of phenylephrine in Polydexa

How frequently kids use it

Three times a day, but kids over 15 can spray four to five times a day.

Not more than seven days

Between five and ten days

One injection (one sprayer press)

It’s crucial to comprehend the distinctions between Polydexa and Isofra when selecting which drug is best for your child. While Polydexa’s combination of antibiotics and steroid gives it a wider range of action, Isofra is primarily used to treat bacterial infections. The particular condition and the doctor’s recommendations play a major role in the decision.

Isofra might be sufficient to treat a simple bacterial infection in your child. However, Polydexa may be a better choice because it can help reduce swelling and relieve discomfort if there are indications of inflammation or additional symptoms like nasal congestion.

Before giving your child any medications, always have a pediatrician consult with you. The physician will evaluate your child’s symptoms and recommend the best course of action. Both drugs work well when taken as prescribed, but in order to guarantee both safety and efficacy, they should only be taken under a doctor’s supervision.

Knowing the main distinctions between Polydexa and Isofra can help parents choose between the two for their child. Isofra is a less complicated nasal spray that only contains an antibiotic, which makes it effective against bacterial infections even in the absence of other ingredients. Contrarily, Polydexa combines a steroid, a decongestant, and antibiotics to treat more severe infections, but it has a higher chance of side effects. The doctor’s recommendation and the child’s particular condition should be considered, along with the infection’s severity and any possible side effects.

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