Please note that these two types of antibiotics should not be used on children at will!

Since the beginning of autumn, the number of children infected with Mycoplasma pneumonia has increased in many places. Macrolide antibiotics are the first choice for treating Mycoplasma pneumonia in children. Alternative drugs include new tetracycline antibiotics and quinolone antibiotics. So, can all children choose one of these antibiotics for treatment at will? Definitely not. Yaowa reminds you that new tetracycline and quinolone antibiotics should not be used on children at will.

Quinolone antibiotics

The name of this type of antibacterial drug generally contains the word "floxacin", such as "moxifloxacin", "levofloxacin", "norfloxacin", etc. The antibacterial mechanism of this type of drug is to affect the replication of bacterial DNA, thereby achieving the purpose of killing bacteria. It is widely used clinically to treat urogenital infections, intestinal infections, respiratory infections, and bone, joint, and skin soft tissue infections. However, this type of drug is easily concentrated and deposited in the bone marrow, directly damaging the development of chondrocytes, affecting the development of children's bones and joints, and there is a risk of cartilage damage and tendon rupture. Therefore, the instructions stipulate that it is prohibited for children under 18 years old. However, quinolone antibiotics have a definite effect on drug-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia. If off-label use is required, the doctor must fully evaluate the pros and cons and obtain informed consent from the parents.

Tetracycline antibiotics

The name of this type of antibacterial drug generally contains the word "cycline", such as "doxycycline" and "minocycline". The antibacterial mechanism of this type of drug is to inhibit the synthesis of bacterial proteins, thereby playing a rapid antibacterial effect. It also has a bactericidal effect at high concentrations. It is clinically used as the first choice or optional drug for the treatment of rickettsial diseases, mycoplasma infections, chlamydia infections, relapsing fever caused by spirochetes, brucellosis, cholera, tularemia caused by Francisella tularensis, plague caused by Yersinia pestis, etc. It can also be used to treat acne with significant inflammatory reactions. This type of drug can combine with calcium deposited in newly formed bones and teeth. The use of patients in the tooth development period (embryonic period to 8 years old) can lead to incomplete development of deciduous enamel and yellow deposits, and the appearance of tetracycline teeth. It is only suitable for children over 8 years old. The use of children under 8 years old is an off-label use of the drug, and the doctor must fully evaluate the pros and cons and obtain the informed consent of the parents.

Antimicrobial drugs are prescription drugs and can only be purchased and used with a doctor's prescription. Children must strictly follow the indications when using antibiotics. Antimicrobial drugs should not be used for preventive medication, symptomatic fever (fever without signs of infection), and viral infection unless there is a bacterial infection. At the same time, appropriate drugs and dosage forms should be used, and infusion therapy should not be required. The drug should be taken on time and in the prescribed amount according to the doctor's orders.