FDA cautions public on self-medication with antibiotics vs leptospirosis

Health authorities on Thursday cautioned the public on using antibiotics to counter leptospirosis, in the wake of floods and heavy rain that swamped Metro Manila and nearby provinces earlier this week.

 

The Food and Drug Administration issued a public health also warned drug stores against exploiting the increase in demand for medicines in the wake of the floods by raising prices.

 

"All antimicrobial medicines are prescription medicines and are to be taken under the supervision of health workers.  The advice of the physician should be sought out when taking antibiotics and other prescription drugs," it said in a public health advisory.

 

Also, it said antibiotic prophylaxis is not a 100-percent guarantee against leptospira infection, "but it helps control the infection at a minimal or manageable level."

 

The FDA said other supportive medications should be taken to control fever or flu-like symptoms, "upon the advice of health workers and physicians."

 

Profiteering

 

On the other hand, the FDA said establishments such as drug outlets should not take advantage of the increase in demand for medication like antibiotics, pain relievers, antipyretics or anti-fever drugs, oral rehydration solution, cough reliefs, and skin ointments by increasing their prices.

 

To report any health product-related incident, experience or problem, the FDA can be reached via email at report@fda,gov.ph.

 

The FDA added the Department of Health expects cases of infectious diseases due to the floods to increase.

 

Such diseases range from fungal skin infection to leptosprisis, an infectious disease caused by Leptospira spirochete bacteria that affects both humans and animals.

 

According to the FDA, the bacteria that causes leptospirosis is present in the urine or body fluids of infected animals.

 

"It is transmitted from animals to humans by getting exposed to Leptospira-contaminated fresh or flood water that comes into human contact with the mucous membrane, e.g. eyes, mouth, and unhealed breaks in the skin," it said.

 

The FDA advised patients to seek early treatment when symptoms show within two weeks.

 

Symptoms may include fever, severe headache, chills, muscle aches, abdominal pain, vomiting and nausea, diarrhea, and rash.

 

The FDA urged the public to avoid wading in bodies of water or flood water that may be contaminated with animal urine.

 

It also urged the public to wear protective footwear and clothing if they have to wade through floods.

 

Antibiotics

 

If exposed to floodwater, people - especially those with open wounds - may be given antibiotics as prophylaxis or preventive measures.

 

"The standard prophylaxis for adults is a single 200 mg oral dose of Doxycycline (two 100 mg/capsule taken on full stomach).  The single oral administration is able to provide protection for a week, however, it is not advisable to take it for several weeks due to the risk of antimicrobial resistance," the FDA said.

 

Pregnant women may take 500 mg amoxicillin orally three times a day for five days, "provided that the patients are not allergic to penicillin."

 

Guidelines for medicine donors

 

Meanwhile, the FDA advised donors of medicines to flood victims to observe the following guidelines:

 

- All medicine to be donated should be in the original commercial presentation or package with product inserts.

 

- If possible, donations to flood victims and those in the evacuation centers should not be near expiration date. Otherwise, health workers who will administer the donated medicines should be properly advised.

 

- Donated medicines that are physician's samples should be donated through a physician or medical society or association.  — ELR, GMA News