The drug Oscillococcinum has been gathering opponents and supporters around itself for decades. Some say that this tool does not help, while others believe in its effectiveness. Today we will find out why there are such polar opinions, what analogues of this medication exist and whether they exist at all. We also determine how to use the drug, in what doses and when.
History of the drug
In 1919, an influenza epidemic called "Spaniard" hit France. Then the famous doctor Joseph Roi began to study this problem and look for ways out of this situation in order to help patients recover more quickly and prevent the disease from taking people's lives. Then he began to conduct various studies, during which he discovered bacteria in the blood of the affected French, later called oscilloscoccus. Then he removed the extract from them and tried to make a drug that saves from many ailments, including from the "Spanish".
However, all the doctor’s attempts were unsuccessful - people continued to be ill. Then the specialist noticed that workers working on farms where they raised musky ducks did not suffer from an epidemic of this type of flu. Then Joseph Roy discovered bacteria in the liver of these birds. From that moment, the specialist went the other way - he prepared a new extract from the heart and liver of musky duck. The result was a vaccine known today as the drug Oscillococcinum. An analogue of the drug has not been developed these days, so it is unique in composition. To date, the preparation of the drug is carried out according to the method of homeopathic dilution, and the materials are all the same components - the extract of the heart and liver of musky duck.
Release form
These are small, odorless white granules defined in a special tube. They have a spherical shape and quickly dissolve in water. The blister contains 3 tubes. In a cardboard bundle there is a package of 3, 4 or 10 blisters.
Structure
The drug "Oscillococcinum" contains an extract of the liver and heart of musky duck and additional substances: sugar and lactose. This medication is a homeopathic remedy.
Indications
Oscillococcinum granules should be used only if a diagnosis of SARS or influenza is made. You need to use the drug at the first symptoms of the disease, such as:
- malaise, weakness, aches;
- sore throat, sore;
- cough;
- runny nose or mild nasal congestion;
- increase in body temperature.
Mode of application
For adults and children, the dosage of the drug is the same. You can also apply it to older people. The dosage of the medicine is as follows:
- The contents of 1 tube must be determined under the tongue until completely dissolved (with the first symptoms of the disease). If improvement after this has not occurred, then after 6 hours you can use the next portion.
- In the acute form of the disease, you need to take 1 dose twice a day.
- For the prevention of acute respiratory viral infections, influenza, you need to put 1 serving once a week under the tongue.
The duration of treatment depends on the severity of the disease, and the timing of therapy is determined by the attending physician.
Take before or after a meal?
Many people are interested in the fact when specifically to place the Oscillococcinum capsule under the tongue. How to take this homeopathic medicine: before or after a meal? The answer to these questions is as follows: the medication should be put under the tongue no later than 15 minutes before a meal or an hour after eating. If such a framework is not followed, then the effect of the drug will be zero.
Capsules for babies: is it possible to give and how?
Many young mothers are interested in the question: "How to give Oscillococcinum medicine to children?" After all, the instruction says that you need to put granules under the tongue, but the kids will not be able to understand, and even more so do what their parents will ask them. On the other hand, it’s even dangerous to give Oscillococcinum medicine to children. After all, the instruction does not notify that in fact the contents can be dissolved in breast milk (or in a mixture) and given crumbs from a bottle or watered from a spoon. Therefore, parents should take note of such advice and, if necessary, use it. Thus, the effect will be obvious, and the mother will not be afraid to give a remedy to her baby, because it will already be dissolved granules, after which the child will no longer choke, will not suffocate. Children over 2 years old can be diluted with boiled water (the required proportion is 1 tube per 70 ml of liquid).
special instructions
- If the symptoms of the disease only increase during the day after taking the medication, you need to stop taking the medication and immediately consult a doctor.
- The drug has an effective and quick effect if treatment was started immediately, with the first manifestations of the disease.
- The use of Oscillococcinum does not affect the ability to concentrate attention and the speed of psychomotor reactions when driving vehicles or working with equipment.
Contraindications
- It is forbidden to take the drug "Oscillococcinum" to people who have individual intolerance to the components.
- These granules are contraindicated for patients who have lactose intolerance or not enough of its enzyme.
What is the drug dangerous for women in position?
Oscillococcinum granules can be used by pregnant women in all trimesters. The fact is that there are no direct contraindications about taking this drug. But before you go to the pharmacy to buy medicine, you should consult a doctor about its possible use. Since the body of each person is individual, and no one knows how in a given situation he will behave in response to the medication taken. Regarding pregnant women, I want to say one thing: it is better to avoid taking the drug in the first trimester, because it is then that the internal organs are laid in the future baby. And extra medicines will only interfere with the proper development of the fetus.
Similar drugs
IN nature there are no funds similar in composition to the medicine Oscillococcinum. An analogue of this drug can be selected, however, only properties will be similar, and the active substance in each case will be different. So, the closest substitutes for the medicine “Oscillococcinum” are granules “Aconite”, “Bryonia”, drops “Apis”, “Baptisia”, “Gelzemium”, “Pulsatilla”.
The medicines listed above are also homeopathic remedies, like Oscillococcinum. An analogue of this remedy, for example, the medicine Aconit, is also prescribed for acute respiratory infections, influenza, viral diseases, for otitis media, laryngitis, tracheitis, and other diseases. The active substance of this drug is aconite - a plant belonging to the ranunculaceae family.
Another similar homeopathic medicine prescribed for the same diseases as the Oscillococcinum remedy is an analogue called Bryonia. This is a medicine in which the main active ingredient is a plant with the same name - brionium alba. Most often, doctors prescribe this medication for acute bronchitis.
Homeopathic remedy "Apis" is prescribed for chronic bronchitis, tonsillitis, swelling of the pharynx, lips, tongue. The main element of this medication is bee venom.
Drops of "Gelsemium" can easily replace the medicine "Oscillococcinum." Despite the fact that the composition of the drugs is completely different, they are similar in their effect on the body. Both are homeopathic remedies, and both are used for acute respiratory infections, headaches. The main components of the Gelsemium drops are plants such as yellow jasmine, poison suma, black cohosh.
Storage and shelf life
To preserve this medicine should be at a temperature not exceeding 25 degrees out of the reach of children, and also away from direct sunlight. The shelf life of the drug is 5 years, after which you need to get rid of the medication.
Doctors opinions
There is no unequivocal position of doctors about the effectiveness of the drug Oscillococcinum. Opponents of this homeopathic remedy explain their position by the fact that the manufacturer does not write anything about the mechanism of action of the drug, nor about its pharmacokinetics. There is no scientific evidence on how duck liver and heart extract should kill influenza viruses. Moreover, the product does not actually contain an active substance, since it is highly diluted.
Other experts say that it is possible and even necessary to give the drug "Oscillococcinum" to pregnant women. Reviews of homeopaths are naturally positive, and they explain their point of view. In their opinion, the active substance of a drug can affect water, changing its structure, which, in turn, affects the body. This results in a water memory effect. However, such a thought has never been experimented with or supported by the scientific community. Also, the drug does not contain water, it consists only of sugar. A representative of one of the French laboratories said that this homeopathic remedy is safe, because there is nothing in it. Evidence-based medicine denies the effectiveness of such a drug, proving that the therapeutic effect of it does not exceed placebo.
But, despite such polar feedback, people from all over the world use this tool, and it has become really popular. But would it become so famous if there were no effect?
Opinions of people
Knowing now about the opposing views of doctors on this drug, it is worth considering whether Oscillococcinum can be used for children. Parents' opinions on this score also diverge. Everyone who has ever acquired this homeopathic remedy speaks differently. Some write that the medication is coping with its task, the main thing is to start treatment on time, and then the child has all the symptoms of flu or a cold in 3 days. Other mothers insist that the remedy is effective only at first: indeed, the result is coming, and the baby is quickly recovering. But, they argue, with the next wave of flu, the remedy may not help. In their opinion, the child’s body simply doesn’t perceive it already, an addiction to the drug is going on. There are parents who are categorically against the use of the Oscillococcinum medication for children. Negative reviews are related to the fact that the drug did not manifest itself at all, did not help to cope with the flu in children. In addition, according to some mothers, this remedy is expensive, given the fact that the effect of it is zero. So, for 1 package, in which there are 4 blisters, you will have to pay about 500 rubles.
Be that as it may, some people really believe in the healing properties of this homeopathic remedy, while others simply do not perceive it, considering it simply a placebo effect. But still, this drug helps many people, and not only in France, but throughout the world, including in the USA and Russia.
Now you know that the medicine “Oscillococcinum” is a homeopathic remedy designed to help the patient quickly cope with the flu and SARS. He does not have analogues for the active substance, however, there are many similar drugs for similar properties. As for the use of the drug in people, there are both positive and negative reviews. Doctors also respond in different ways: some say that the remedy helps, others say that this is only a placebo effect. However, despite such different opinions, the drug is popular all over the world.