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New Drug for Children
Friday, June 09, 2006
The other night was the launching of another new drug for children with tuberculosis. It is called Rimcure Paed for the tablet containing Rifampicin, Isoniazid, and Pyrazinamide; and Rimactazid Paed for the tablets containing Rifampicin and Isoniazid for the maintainance phase of treatment. Yes! You have read the right thing....these are tablets for children. They are chewable and dissolve easily in water if the child is still unable to chew the medication. These are the first pediatric anti-TB fixed-dose combinations here in the Philippines.
Why the need for a fixed dose combination? When we say FDC, we don't need anymore to compute for the dose in order to deliver the correct dosage to a child patient with TB. We just weigh the patient and based on the weight the correct number of drugs is given to the patient. This has the advantage of reducing risk of developing drug resitant TB because monotheraphy is prevented, it simplifies prescription and administration of the drug and it will enhance patient compliance. With these we can be certain to a faster TB eradication.
Dear Super Dok, My child was diagnose as having primary complex recently. Her pediatrician prescribed rimcure 5 tabs dissolved in 15cc of water before breakfast.For days I noticed her urine to be red in color.Is this normal? I was nt told about its side effects. Pls enlighten me on this matter.Thanks.
Arlene, the red coloring of the urine is the side effect of Rifampicin, one of the components of Rimcure. As long as your child is taking the drug the urine color will be red.There is nothing to worry. It will disappear after completion of treatment.
Dear Super Dok, I have 2 kids 4 and 6 their xray shows that they have primary complex.Our pedia gave them rim cure, after taking the medine for 3 days my eldest daugther develop rashes on her legs. What are the side effects of taking rim cure? Will their liver be damage?, my kids have asthma and skin allergies,is this the right medicine? My pedia said that they will only take it for 2 months,if their weight improve they will continue taking the medicine. Im really confused and I hope you can help me. My kids never lost their appetite, they dont have frequent cough and colds, they are only 19 and 14 lbs. but I think it is hereditary because everyone in the family is slim, they never experienced having fever for more than 3 days with no reason at all like pain or due to cough and cold. please help!!!
Alyssa, your pedia diagnosed primary complex on your children based on their chest x-ray. I think its best that you show the rashes to her pedia and let her decide whether to lessen the dosage or shift to other preparations. The dosage for children is computed based on weight so there's nothing to worry about the liver. Rimcure is given 1 tablet per 7kg body weight.
I want to have a second opinion regarding the right dosage of Rimactazid. How often should the patient take it? They take rimcure for 2 months, do they also need to take rimactazid everyday? thanks..
Daisy, Rimactazid Paed which is given to children has the same dosage as that of Rimcure Paed. On the average it is 1 tablet/7kgBW. Yes, it is also given daily but for 4 months. We have the adult preparation for rimactazid and the dosage is different to that for pedia cases.
Name: Amelyn R. Rafael,MD Home: San Fabian, Pangasinan, Philippines About Me: Family Physician, and Associate Professor (Clinical Anatomy and Medical Physiology) See my complete profile
Dear Super Dok,
My child was diagnose as having primary complex recently.
Her pediatrician prescribed rimcure 5 tabs dissolved in 15cc of water before breakfast.For days I noticed her urine to be red in color.Is this normal? I was nt told about its side effects.
Pls enlighten me on this matter.Thanks.