Drugs that have an immunomodulatory effect are increasingly becoming part of medicine. With their help treat colds, infectious and viral diseases. They are also used in complex therapy, in order to eliminate fungal and bacterial infections. The most harmless and simplest today are candles with interferon. Many of them are used in children. So, Ruferon candles are often used independently, without medical involvement. In order not to harm yourself, you must use the drug according to the instructions. Familiarize yourself with the features of this drug. They will be presented to your attention today.
Description of the drug: form of release, type, composition
Candles “Ruferon” are produced in spikes of 5 pieces. In one pack there are two plates. Each package contains instructions for use, which the consumer will have to familiarize themselves with before using the drug. The composition of the drug contains human interferon recombinant 2-alpha. The manufacturer uses solid fat, ascorbic acid and polysorbate as additional substances.
You can buy an immunomodulator without a special prescription. The pharmacy will offer you different dosages of interferon in one suppository: 150, 250, 500 or 1000 thousand IU. Low volumes of interferon are commonly used in children, and high volumes are for adults.
Indications for treatment specified in the instructions
"Ruferon" (suppository) instruction recommends use with reduced immunity, bacterial, viral or fungal diseases. The drug is also prescribed for prevention. If you refer to the instructions, you will find out that the medication is necessary in the following cases:
- herpes (genital or localized on other parts of the body);
- cytomegalovirus;
- ureaplasmosis or mycoplasmosis;
- trichomoniasis;
- papillomas, condylomas;
- vaginal candidiasis (in acute or chronic form).
The principle of action of the drug
When mixing the interferons included in the Ruferon suppository and human blood cells, the following occurs:
- antiviral effect (virus cells are eliminated by increasing the body's resistance);
- antitumor effect (the processes of reproduction of pathological neoplasms slow down);
- immunity increases, which indicates an immunomodulatory effect;
- antiproliferative effect is achieved.
After administration, suppositories quickly dissolve under the influence of the temperature of the human body. Isolated interferon penetrates the tissues and blood, provoking its own immune response.
Contraindications and limitations
Like any medicine, immunomodulating suppositories have their limitations in the use of:
- "Ruferon" should not be used in patients with hypersensitivity to its components. When considering this item, additional components must also be considered.
- Autoimmune hepatitis involves the rejection of the use of many immunomodulators, including the claimed drug.
- Severe renal and hepatic diseases. If you are not sure about the absence of those, then you should first consult a doctor.
- Exacerbations of chronic diseases suggest the use of the drug with extreme caution or a complete refusal to use it.
The use of the drug during pregnancy is possible, but only on the recommendation of a doctor. Preliminarily, the benefits and harms that can be obtained as a result of this therapy should be assessed. No data are reported on the possibility of using the medication during lactation. The decision to stop or continue breastfeeding should be agreed with the doctor.
Pediatric Use
As recommended for use in small patients "Ruferon" (candles) instruction? For children, the drug is prescribed for the treatment of acute viral diseases, flu, bacterial complications and intrauterine infection. The medication is prohibited for children with the following pathologies:
- congenital malformations;
- obstructive bronchitis requiring treatment with steroid drugs;
- diseases of the thyroid gland, heart, liver, or kidneys;
- HIV
- some diseases of the blood and nervous system.
Rufferon candles are introduced rectally. Dosage is determined by the age of the child and the nature of the disease. For children up to a year, including newborns, the drug is prescribed one candle with a dosage of 150 thousand IU in the morning and evening. From a year to seven years, the drug is used in a double dose: 250 thousand IU twice a day. Standard treatment lasts 5 days. As directed by a doctor, this course may be repeated after some time. The instruction warns that the use of Ruferon suppositories in children under 6 months of age has not been fully studied, therefore caution should be exercised, and the drug should be used exclusively as directed by the doctor.
Application in gynecology
In order to treat diseases of the genital organs, Ruferon suppositories of 1,000,000 IU and 5,000,000 IU are prescribed. They are also administered rectally, as in children. The course of treatment lasts 10 days, but can be repeated if necessary. In case of female diseases of an uncomplicated nature, a smaller dose of the medication is selected (candles of 500 thousand IU). In chronic diseases, as well as infections obtained through sexual contact, it is necessary to use suppositories with a dosage of 1000 thousand IU. In the latter case, treatment is carried out jointly with a partner.
It is recommended to cleanse the intestines naturally before administering the drug. Try to use the medicine at about the same time. So a certain concentration of the drug in the body will be constant.
Side effects and overdose
About the drug "Ruferon" (candles), reviews say that the medication is usually well tolerated by patients. Cases of overdose have not been recorded. However, do not use the medicine in an amount exceeding the recommended.
The manufacturer says that the drug can cause allergies in some cases. In this circumstance, it is necessary to abandon the use of an immunomodulator and consult a doctor. Typically, signs of allergies go away on their own within three days after the drug is completely discontinued.
In complex treatment
Often, doctors prescribe an immunomodulator along with other drugs for the purpose of complex treatment. Such therapy is indicated for severe infections or bacterial (fungal) complications. How safe is it to use with other drugs "Ruferon" (candles)? Instructions for use provide the following information:
- very carefully should use a medication with antidepressants, as well as sleeping pills;
- in combination with Curantil, Diazepam, Wafarin, an immunomodulator is able to increase the intensity of cardiotoxic and neurotoxic effects;
- if necessary, the use of sorbents should take a break of at least two hours between the drugs.
The immunomodulator is well combined with other antiviral agents and antibiotics. Usually you do not need to perform any special manipulations even with the simultaneous use of vaginal and rectal suppositories.
Disputed consumer opinion
It is impossible to say unequivocally about what the drug has reviews (good or bad). Most patients evaluate the drug as an effective drug that helps to cope with lowered immunity and infectious diseases. However, the opinions of patients often differ.
Consumers using the drug as prescribed by the doctor respond positively about the suppositories. Women say that the medicine helped them get rid of gynecological diseases. Even the annoying recurrent thrush after complex treatment has ceased to bother. Parents of small children also praise the medicine. They see a definite plus of the medicine is that it does not need to be taken orally. After the introduction into the intestine, the drug quickly dissolves, providing an immunostimulating effect. As a result, the child is recovering, and his digestive tract does not suffer from the use of chemical medicinal compounds.
There are negative opinions about the drug "Ruferon". Some patients say that their condition worsened during treatment. Consumers say that immediately after the introduction of the medication, body temperature increased. Doctors call this reaction normal. After all, suppositories make the body's defense system work, provoking an immune response. Therefore, such an effect is permissible, but it does not always happen. Many people are skeptical of medications based on interferon. Consumers because of ignorance believe that the drug is addictive. They fear that in the future, immunity will cease to work without such assistants. One way or another, the decision always remains with the patient. You can take the drug or refuse it at your own request.
To summarize
Today you learned about immunomodulating drugs:
- “Ruferon” for children (150,000 and 250,000 IU);
- “Ruferon” candles for adults (500,000 IU);
- "Ruferon PH" (1,000,000).
Candles for use recommends storing in the refrigerator. The optimal temperature for the drug is from 2 to 8 degrees. The shelf life of the drug is one year from the date of its release. Suppositories should not be used after this time period.
Recently, more and more people are self-medicating. These actions are explained by lack of time or unwillingness to go to hospitals. If you are one of these patients, then carefully monitor your well-being during therapy. Any deterioration should make you visit a doctor. If after five days there are no improvements, and the disease continues to progress, then consult a doctor immediately.