Acute viral diseases affect many people. But more often than not, young children suffer from them. So what medicines can be used to ease the condition of your baby? For example, "Anaferon" - for the prevention of children, this drug is prescribed very often. It is also used for medicinal purposes.
We will tell a little about what properties are characteristic of the mentioned tool and how to use it.
The composition of the medication, form, packaging, description
In what form is the Anaferon medication for children released? Reviews report that this product is made in the form of white lozenges. They contain antibodies (affinity-purified) to human interferon gamma (an alcohol-water mixture with an active ingredient content of not more than 10-14 ng / g).
This drug goes on sale in blister packs that are packaged in packs of cardboard.
The effect of the drug (pharmacological)
The drug "Anaferon" for children, the price of which is indicated below, is a means of activating antiviral immunity. With the therapeutic and prophylactic use of this medication, it exhibits antiviral and immunomodulating properties.
In clinical experiments, the effectiveness of the drug against parainfluenza, influenza and herpes simplex viruses, as well as other herpes viruses (for example, such as infectious mononucleosis, chicken pox), rotavirus, enteroviruses, coronavirus, tick-borne encephalitis virus, respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus and calicivirus.
How does the Anaferon drug work? Instructions for use (for children this medicine is prescribed very often) reports that this drug can reduce the concentration of the virus in tissues, as well as affect the system of endogenous interferons and cytokines associated with them, and induce the formation of gamma interferon and “early” endogenous interferons.
By stimulating cellular and humoral immunity, the medication in question increases the production of antibodies, activates the work of T-helpers and T-effectors, and also balances their ratio.
What other properties are characteristic for Anaferon? Instructions for use for children claims that this tool increases the reserve (functional) of Tx and other cells.
The drug in question is an inducer of a mixed Tx2 and Tx1-type immune response. In this regard, it increases the production of cytokines and normalizes the balance of their activities. In addition, Anaferon for children, reviews of which are presented below, enhances the natural functioning of killer cells and phagocytes, and also exhibits antimutagenic properties.
Indications for taking the baby drug (tablets)
Why is Anaferon prescribed for children? Reviews report that this tool is actively used:
- in the complex therapy of infections that were caused by herpes viruses (labial herpes, infectious mononucleosis, chickenpox, genital herpes);
- for the prevention and treatment of acute viral infections (respiratory), including influenza;
- in the complex therapy and prevention of recurrence of herpes virus infection (chronic);
- in the complex treatment of infections of bacterial origin;
- in complex therapy and for the prevention of other viral infections (acute and chronic) caused by enterovirus, tick-borne encephalitis virus, coronavirus, rotavirus or calicivirus;
- in the complex therapy of immunodeficiency states (secondary) of various origins, including for the prevention and treatment of complications of infections of bacterial and viral etiology.
Bans for the administration of absorbable tablets
The drug "Anaferon" can be given to a child older than one month of life. It should also be noted that this tool is forbidden to prescribe with increased individual sensitivity to its components.
How to give "Anaferon" to children? Instructions, dosage of the drug
The drug in question should be taken orally, long before or after a meal (that is, not during eating). At one time, there should be one tablet (keep in the oral cavity until dissolved).
This medication is prescribed for babies older than one month of life. At this age and up to three years, the drug should be given only in dissolved form (one tablet is dissolved in one large spoon of warm boiled water).
So at what dosage is prescribed Anaferon medication for children? Reviews say that it depends on the testimony. For influenza, herpes virus infections, acute respiratory viral infections, intestinal infections, and neuroinfection, treatment should be started as early as possible, that is, when the first symptoms of acute viral infection appear. With such diseases, the patient is recommended to adhere to the following scheme: in the first two hours, the medicine is taken every half hour, and then during the first day three more doses at equal intervals. From the second day and in the subsequent drug, take one tablet three times a day (until the patient recovers completely). If there are no improvements, then on the third day of treatment should consult a doctor.
In the epidemic season, for the preventive purpose, the drug is used every day, once a day, for one to three months.
In case of genital herpes, Anaferon is taken at regular intervals according to the following scheme: 1-3 days — one tablet eight times a day, and then one tablet four times a day for at least three weeks.
For the prevention of recurrence of chronic herpesvirus infection, the drug is prescribed one tablet per day. The duration of taking this tool is determined individually and can reach six months.
When prescribing medication for the prevention and treatment of immunodeficiency conditions, as well as in the complex treatment of infections of bacterial origin, the medication is prescribed one tablet per day.
If required, then the medication in question can be combined with other symptomatic and antiviral agents.
Side effects
According to the instructions, when taking the medicine "Anaferon" according to the indicated indications and at the recommended dosages, adverse reactions do not occur.
In some cases, only manifestations of individual sensitivity to the ingredients of the drug are possible.
Overdose cases
Signs of an overdose of the drug in question have not yet been reported. With the accidental use of a large amount of medicine, the patient may experience dyspeptic symptoms, which are caused by excipients that make up the medication.
Drug Interactions
To date, cases of incompatibility with other drugs in Anaferon have not been identified.
If required, the drug can be combined with other symptomatic, antibacterial and antiviral agents.
Special recommendations
Adult "Anaferon" is not allowed for children.
It is imperative to consult a doctor if, after three days of therapy, an improvement in health status has not occurred.
Due to the fact that the medicine in question contains lactose, it is forbidden to prescribe it to those who have congenital lactase deficiency, glucose malabsorption syndrome or galactosemia.
Information that the children's drug Anaferon contributes to the onset of cancer, experts refute. According to them, this statement is speculation, since clinical studies have not confirmed this theory.
Cost and patient reviews
How much does Anaferon Children's Medicine cost? According to patients, this drug has an average cost. As a rule, it varies between 210-250 rubles.
About the medicine in question, you can find a variety of reviews. Some parents claim that the pills helped their babies recover in a short time. After taking the medicine in children, all signs of a respiratory and herpes infection disappeared.
As for other consumers, they report that this drug is absolutely useless. He did not affect the well-being of the child and the symptoms of the disease. Moreover, in some cases, the Anaferon drug aggravated the patient’s already difficult condition, causing him to have a severe runny nose, dizziness, and sore throat.