Definition
Salpingitis is an inflammatory disease that involves the fallopian tubes (also known as salpingi, they are two hollow organs belonging to the female genital apparatus).
Although there are different forms, salpingites can be subdivided substantially into two groups: acute salpingitis and chronic salpingitis.
Causes
Normally, the cause of salpingitis lies in the presence of bacterial infections, which can be sustained by strains of staphylococci or streptococci, chlamydia, mycoplasma, gonococcus or tubercle bacilli.
The cause causing the infection can be of different origin and nature; for example, it may be the consequence of a vaginal infection or sexually transmitted diseases that are not adequately treated, or it may derive from the incorrect use of intrauterine contraceptive devices or from the inappropriate use of internal sanitary napkins.
Symptoms
The signs and symptoms that may occur with salpingitis are different. Among these, the main ones are: fever, pelvic and abdominal pain, peritonism, mucopurulent vaginal discharge, abnormal vaginal bleeding, alterations of the cervical mucus and pus formation at the same level as the salpingi.
Salpingitis can be complicated by giving rise to a tube-ovarian abscess, a hydrosalpinge or a piosalpinge. Furthermore, if not treated properly, salpingitis can lead to infertility.
Information on Salpingitis - Medications for the Treatment of Salpingitis is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Salpingite - Salpingitis Medication.
drugs
Being a bacterial infection, the drugs used to treat salpingitis are antibiotics.
Since salpingitis can be caused by different types of microorganisms, it would be good to perform appropriate culture tests aimed at recognizing the pathogen that triggered the inflammatory disease in question. Only in this way, in fact, the doctor will be able to establish the most suitable therapy for each patient. However, broad-spectrum antibiotics can also be used.
In severe cases of salpingitis, hospitalization of the patient may be necessary. Furthermore, in case of complications, the doctor may consider it necessary to resort to surgery.
Finally, it is good to remember that antibiotic therapy must be prescribed not only to the patient suffering from salpingitis, but also to the partner, since this pathology is considered a sexually transmitted disease.
Tetracycline
Tetracyclines usually constitute the first choice drug used in the treatment of chlamydial infections; therefore, their use can be useful in the treatment of salpingitis caused by infections sustained by this pathogen.
Among the various tetracyclines that can be used in this case, we remember doxycycline (Bassado®, Miraclin®). This tetracycline is available in pharmaceutical formulations for oral administration. The dose of drug usually used is 100 mg of active principle a day, to be taken with plenty of water at least an hour before bedtime (in order to avoid the onset of any esophageal irritations).
Cephalosporins
Cephalosporins are antibiotics having a β-lactam structure and capable of exerting a bactericidal action.
The cephalosporins most used in the treatment of salpingitis are third-generation cephalosporins, which have greater activity against Gram-negative bacteria than Gram-positive bacteria. For this reason, cephalosporins are particularly effective in treating salpingitis caused by infections caused by chlamydia or gonococcus.
Among the various cephalosporins that can be used, we recall:
- Ceftriaxone (Bixon®, Ragex®, Rocefin®): this cephalosporin is available in pharmaceutical formulations suitable for intramuscular and intravenous administration. Generally, when administered intramuscularly, the recommended dose is 1 gram of ceftriaxone per day. However, the exact dosage of the medicine must be established by the doctor on an individual basis for each patient.
- Cefixime (Cefixoral®): cefixime is available in pharmaceutical formulations suitable for oral administration. Generally, it is recommended to administer 400 mg of active ingredient per day. The drug can be taken in a single dose, or in two divided doses throughout the day.
Quinolones
Quinolones can also be used to treat salpingitis. Usually, it is preferred to use the third and fourth generation quinolones, more precisely, the fluoroquinolones. Among these, we recall:
- Levofloxacin (Tavanic®, Alvand®, Aranda®): levofloxacin is available for both oral and intravenous administration. When used orally, the dose of medication usually used is 250-500 mg a day. However, the doctor will determine the dosage of medicine for each patient.
- Ciprofloxacin (Ciproxin®, Macar®, Knox®, Samper®): for the treatment of salpingitis, ciprofloxacin can be used both orally and parenterally. The dose of drug to be used must be established by the doctor on a strictly individual basis, depending on the severity of the infection that triggered the disease.
Macrolides
Among the antibiotics belonging to the class of macrolides that can be used in the treatment of salpingitis we mention azithromycin (Azitrocin®, Zitromax®, Macrozit®). This drug has a rather broad spectrum of action, but it is effective above all in combating infections caused by chlamydia. Azithromycin is available for oral administration. The dose of drug usually used is 500 mg-1 gram per day, to be taken through a single administration.
However, the doctor will determine the exact amount of drug to use.
penicillins
Also penicillins can be used in the treatment of salpingitis when the latter originates from infections sustained by bacteria sensitive to them.
Among the various active ingredients that can be used, we recall:
- Amoxicillin (Augmentin®, Clavulin®, Amox®, Zimox®): Amoxicillin is a broad-spectrum penicillin, available in pharmaceutical formulations suitable for oral and parenteral administration. When taken through the latter route, the dose usually used is 500-1, 000 mg, to be administered by intramuscular or intravenous injection, or by intravenous infusion every 8-12 hours.
However, even in this case, the doctor will determine the exact amount of drug that each patient will have to take.
