Drugs for treating oral and respiratory infections
In dental and ENT practice, topical agents available as lozenges or dragees are widely used. They provide sanitation of the infection focus in tonsillitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, and stomatitis.
- Ambazone monohydrate (Pharyngosept). Exhibits a pronounced bacteriostatic effect. Its broad activity spectrum covers both Gram-negative flora and Gram-positive microorganisms, including Streptococcus haemolyticus, Streptococcus viridans, and Pneumococcus. In addition to treating inflammation (including gingivitis), the drug is prescribed for the prevention of perioperative complications—for example, after tooth extraction or surgical tonsillectomy.
- Acetylaminonitropropoxybenzene (Falimint). Available as dragees and used to treat inflammatory processes in the respiratory tract (laryngitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis).
- Grammidin (Grammidin). A combination drug containing the synthetic antiseptic cetylpyridinium chloride and the antibiotic gramicidin S. The drug not only destroys microbes and reduces inflammation but also induces hypersalivation. Abundant salivation helps mechanically cleanse the mucous membranes of the pharynx and oral cavity.
- Strepsils. Another effective combination (amylmetacresol plus dichlorobenzyl alcohol). Lozenges act on Gram-positive and Gram-negative flora and provide symptomatic relief: soothe throat irritation and relieve pain in infectious and inflammatory diseases of the oropharynx.
Universal broad-spectrum antiseptics
Some synthetic drugs have an expanded spectrum of activity and are available in various dosage forms (gels, aerosols, douching and gargling solutions, tablets), making them useful not only in ENT and dental practice, but also in gynecology.
- Benzydamine (Tantum Verde). Chemically, it is an indazole derivative. The drug features a unique triad of pharmacological effects: it acts as an antiseptic, relieves inflammation, and provides local anesthesia. Benzydamine is lethal to bacteria (including Gardnerella vaginalis), Trichomonas, and fungi. In gynecology, its solutions are used to treat vaginitis of trichomonal and fungal etiology, while in dentistry and otorhinolaryngology they are used to relieve infectious and inflammatory processes (stomatitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis).
- Hexetidine (Hexoral). The mechanism of action of this drug is based on competitive antagonism with thiamine. By displacing thiamine, hexetidine blocks oxidative reactions and disrupts bacterial cell metabolism. It demonstrates high antibacterial activity (especially against Gram-positive flora, as well as Proteus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and exhibits antifungal action, destroying fungi of the genus Candida.
Use in ophthalmology
Synthetic antiseptics are also used in the treatment of eye infections. A prominent representative of this group is picloxydine (Vitabact).
Chemically, picloxydine belongs to biguanide derivatives. The drug is available as eye drops and is prescribed for patients with infectious conjunctivitis and keratoconjunctivitis.
Its main advantage is the broadest possible spectrum of antimicrobial activity. Picloxydine destroys:
- Gram-positive bacteria (streptococci, staphylococci).
- Gram-negative bacteria (Shigella, Klebsiella, Escherichia coli, Proteus, Chlamydia).
- Viruses and fungi.
The drug's special value lies in its high efficacy in treating ocular chlamydial infection, which far from every topical antiseptic can manage.
Briefly: answers to topical questions
What chemical classes of synthetic antiseptics are used in clinical practice?
Synthetic derivatives of various chemical groups are used in clinical practice. The main classes include:
- 8-Hydroxyquinoline derivatives — chinosol, nitroxoline.
- 4-Quinolone derivatives — oxolinic acid.
- Quinoxaline derivatives — dioxidine.
- Nitrofuran derivatives — furacilin, furazolidone.
- Phenol derivatives — resorcinol, tricresol, tars.
- Indazole derivatives — benzydamine.
- Biguanide derivatives — picloxydine.
- Sulfanilic acid amide derivatives — sulfonamides.
Which drugs belong to the nitrofuran derivative group?
The nitrofuran derivative group includes the following synthetic antimicrobial agents based on a furan ring:
- Nitrofural (Furacilin) — the most common antiseptic of this group.
- Nitrofurantoin (Furadonin) — representative of the class.
- Furazolidone — representative of the class.
- Furazidine (Furagin) — representative of the class.
- Nifuroxazide (Enterofuril) — representative of the class.
The triad of benzydamine's effects is easily remembered by the acronym APA: Antiseptic, Anti-inflammatory, Local Anesthetic action.
Class and exam questions
How does hexetidine work at the cellular level?
It is a thiamine antagonist. The drug disrupts oxidative reactions, leading to bacterial metabolism failure and cell death.
Why is an antiseptic added to Grammidin if it already contains an antibiotic?
The combination of cetylpyridinium chloride and gramicidin S provides a comprehensive antimicrobial effect and reduces inflammation. In addition, the drug stimulates hypersalivation, which contributes to the mechanical cleansing of the oral cavity and pharynx.
Which antiseptic from the group is effective in chlamydial eye infection?
Picloxydine (Vitabact). It is available as eye drops and is active not only against typical bacteria, but also against Chlamydia, viruses, and fungi.
What else to study on this topic
- The mechanism of bacteriostatic action of ambazone monohydrate.
- Features of benzydamine use in the treatment of vaginitis of fungal and trichomonal etiology.
- The role of hypersalivation in the treatment of infectious and inflammatory diseases of the oropharynx.
- Comparative characteristics of hexetidine activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus.
- Biguanide derivatives: chemical structure and relationship with antimicrobial activity using picloxydine as an example.
Master the entire topic in the «Pharmacology» course
This is a summary. The course covers everything tested in classes and exams.
- Complete study guide on "Synthetic antiseptics" and 5,304 more pages of the subject
- Assignments and quizzes after every topic — just like in a colloquium
- AI tutor answers questions on the topic anytime
- 116 video lessons on the subject
Other topics in the section «Antiseptics and Disinfectants»
Free video lessons: pharmacologyShort lessons with study notes — no registration required.
Prepared by WhiteCoat Pro faculty in accordance with the medical school curriculum. For educational purposes only.