Page contents
- 1 Drug for flu - what you need to know about them
- 2 Groups of antiviral agents
- 3 Vaccines
- 4 Antiviral drugs
- 5 Drug for flu and colds of a new generation
- 6 Interferon preparations
- 7 See alsovideo: Treatment of influenza, SARS and colds: simple advice. Whether it is necessary to drink antibiotics or tablets from a flu
- 8 Reviews on the application of
With the onset of colds, the number of colds sharply increases. Residents of Russia annually spend significant sums on drugs designed to combat viral infections, and the problem of choosing the right medicine for influenza is particularly acute in the period of annual epidemics. After going to the pharmacy, many are lost in a variety of drugs, and do not know what means to give preference. We present to your attention an overview of the best means of influenza, which will help you to understand which medicine will be the best effective in fighting infection.
Today every person knows that the flu is much easier to prevent than treat. Therefore, many people get an annual vaccination against the flu, hoping that the vaccine will reliably protect them from infection. Another part of the population does not trust this method of prevention and relies on a wide range of medicines designed to fight the virus.
But at the same time forget that many drugs have serious side effects and their use can cause harm to health. Therefore, it is so important to choose a truly effective medicine that does not provoke unwanted complications.
Flu medicine - what you need to know about it
Before buying a medicine for flu and cold, you need to make sure that this is an official tool with proven effectiveness. The fact is that in recent years there have been many new, widely advertised funds for influenza, which for testing are dummy and do not have the desired therapeutic effect.
This situation is explained by the fact that the manufacturer, referring to the results of research and tests, has a huge commercial benefit from the sale of questionable drugs, allegedly with an antiviral effect. Such funds, flooded with pharmacy counters and advertised by the media, are not even medicines at all. These are various dietary supplements or low-quality generics of known medicines.
Therefore, do not trust advertising appeals, especially when it comes to the health of children. Prescribe a drug for flu or colds should the doctor. The patient must clearly follow all the recommendations and do not take any doubtful means, otherwise serious complications are possible that are not uncommon in viral infections.
Groups of antiviral agents
All drugs against influenza and ARVI with proven clinical effectiveness can be divided into several main groups:
- Vaccines are preventive drugs whose action is directed at activating the production of antibodies to the influenza virus and the formation of immunity that preventsinfection.
- Antiviral drugs. Their action is directed directly at neutralization and suppression of the virus itself.
- Immunostimulating agents. Preparations that promote the production of interferons and briefly enhance nonspecific immunity.
- Symptomatic drugs that facilitate the appearance of influenza.
Most antiviral drugs against influenza have been developed not so long ago and are used for 10-40 years. It's not such a long time that you can judge the possible long-term consequences from the use of such drugs.
But even now doctors warn of serious side effects from the use of such medications and say that they should be administered with caution, especially in elderly people who have serious co-morbidities.
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Remantadine is the most well-known, inexpensive drug for influenza, the action of which is aimed at suppressing the influenza A virus. Taking the drug helps to stop the development of inflammatory processes, alleviates the symptoms of the disease and prevents the risk of possible complications. The drug with direct antiviral effect belongs to the group of drugs with proven efficacy. With the timely start of therapy, the probability of developing bronchitis is reduced by 3 times, pneumonia - by 6 times. The medication can be used both for treatment and for the prevention of viral infections. The therapeutic composition of Rimantadine is less toxic than other drugs with a similar effect. The medicine quickly copes with the main symptoms of influenza and reduces the degree of intoxication of the body. Rimantadine is available in the form of tablets with a concentration of active ingredient of 50 and 100 mg. There is a dosage form of the drug in the form of a syrup, intended for children. The average cost of packaging the drug( 20 tablets) - from 50 to 60 rubles.
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Arbidol - actively suppresses the reproduction of viruses of influenza A and B, as well as some pathogens of ARVI, improves the functions of the immune system by stimulating the production of interferons. Arbidol can be used as part of complex therapy for rotavirus intestinal infections. The drug, available in the form of capsules, quickly eliminates the symptoms of viral diseases and prevents subsequent complications. Arbidol is recommended for different age groups and can be used in children aged 2 years. The medicine can also be used as a prophylactic in the season of influenza epidemics. At the same time, the tests of this drug in many medical centers have not been completed, so the question of the safety and effectiveness of this remedy remains open. Part of the patients treated with Arbidol, confirm its antiviral effect, and part - speaks about the uselessness of this drug. There are also information about the side effects of taking medications - these are allergic reactions, manifestations of dermatitis, pain in the epigram. The average price for Arbidol ranges from 180 to 450 rubles, depending on the number of capsules in the package.
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Tamiflu. An antiviral agent whose action is aimed at suppressing influenza A and B viruses. In ARVI this medication is not effective. This is a Swiss drug, which has been produced since 1996.The drug is quite toxic, in practice it turned out that it causes side effects similar to influenza symptoms. This is a significant disadvantage, because it complicates the course of the disease and does not interfere with serious intoxication of the body. In addition, there are many negative reviews of the side effects of taking the drug, which manifests itself as a headache, a violation of the function of the digestive system, vomiting, psychosis. For prophylactic purposes, Tamiflu is ineffective. In addition, it is very expensive. Its price on average is 1,300 rubles per package.
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Ingavirin is an antiviral and anti-influenza agent effective against strains of influenza A and B, parainfluenza, adenovirus and respiratory infections. In addition, the drug activates the synthesis of interferon and shows an immunomodulatory effect. It is produced since 2008 in the form of capsules, dissolving under the influence of gastric juice. Active components of the drug are quickly integrated into the genome of the virus and destroy it from the inside. Ingavirin has a few contraindications. This is a hypersensitivity to the active substance and age to 18 years. The use of the drug significantly reduces the severity of influenza symptoms and reduces the duration of the disease. The average price of Ingavirin is about 420 rubles.
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Cytovir 3 is a complex preparation with antiviral and immunomodulating properties. Its action is aimed at combating the influenza virus, enhancing the synthesis of interferons and enhancing the body's resistance to viral infection. Active substances - thymogen and bendazole. Among the additional components - ascorbic acid, which helps to strengthen blood vessels and reduce inflammatory reactions. Among the side effects of taking the drug is lowering blood pressure. Among the contraindications - children's age( up to 1 year), pregnancy, diabetes, stomach ulcer. The average cost of the drug is 250 to 550 rubles.
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Kagocel is a complex action drug that is aimed at destroying the virus and strengthening immunity. The most effective is if you start it within 24 hours after the appearance of the first symptoms of the flu. The drug is available in tablets, it can be used for both treatment and prevention of viral infections. Allergic reactions are noted from side effects. Kagocel is recommended for use in adults and children older than 3 years. The cost of the drug is from 180 to 280 rubles.
Regarding immunostimulating agents, it is necessary to use from out strictly on indications, since they differ in serious delayed consequences, and their administration increases the risk of autoimmune or oncological diseases in the future.
Vaccines
The best medicine for influenza, which allows you not to get sick at all, or to transfer the virus disease is much easier - it's a vaccine. A single inoculation with the influenza strain, common in this season, helps protect against infection and possible complications. Usually, in the middle of autumn, free vaccination of all comers begins in polyclinics.
Vaccination is obligatory for physicians, employees of general educational institutions, servicemen, children( preschool children and schoolchildren) after receiving consent from their parents. It is highly recommended to get a flu vaccine for students, the elderly, as well as those whose profession is associated with daily contact with people. To date, the most popular and effective influenza vaccines are:
- Influvac,
- Grippol,
- Agrippal,
- Fluvarix. Antiviral drugs