ARI, SARS and influenza are seasonal diseases that affect not only adults, but also very young children. Fortunately, today there are many different medicines that can significantly alleviate the condition of the baby. One of these drugs is Anaferon (for children). Reviews Komarovsky E.O. about this medication will be presented below. We will also tell you about what features the mentioned tool has, how it should be taken, whether it has contraindications.
The composition and form of the medication, its description and packaging
In what form is the preparation Anaferon (children) made? Tablets intended for resorption are the only form of the agent in question. They have a white color and a round shape, and also include antibodies to human interferon gamma (affinity purified).
This medication goes to the shelves of pharmacies in contour cells, which are packaged in paper packaging.
The mechanism of action of the drug
The drug "Anaferon", the price of which is affordable for everyone, is a means of activating antiviral immunity. When used for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes, it exhibits pronounced immunomodulating and antiviral properties.
Clinical trials have proven that this medication is highly effective in the development of parainfluenza, herpes simplex, as well as against influenza viruses, enterovirus, rotavirus, tick-borne encephalitis virus, herpes viruses (including chicken pox, infectious mononucleosis), adenovirus, coronavirus, and calicivirus syncytial respiratory virus.
Is the Anaferon medication (for children) really effective? Reviews Komarovsky E.O. in this regard are very skeptical. As for the manufacturers of the drug, they argue that the drug in question significantly reduces the concentration of viruses in the tissues of a living organism, and also affects the system of endogenous cytokines and interferons that are associated with them.
It should be noted that this drug is able to stimulate the humoral and cellular immunity. It increases and improves the production of antibodies, balances the ratio of T-helpers and T-effectors, and also activates their work.
Features of a medical device
What is remarkable for such a children's medicine as Anaferon (if you are looking for candles, then this drug does not have such a form)? According to the instructions, this medication is able to increase the functional reserve of Tx and other cells. In addition, it is an inducer of a mixed Tx2 and Tx1-type immune response.
Thus, taking the drug in question contributes to an increase in cytokine production. He also normalizes their active balance.
Many experts claim that the antiviral (Anaferon) enhances the normal functioning of phagocytes and killer cells, exerting an antimutagenic effect.
Indications
The drug "Anaferon" helps with flu very well. This is the opinion most doctors and patients adhere to. It should also be noted that this tool is used in the presence of other diseases, such as:
- complex treatment of infections caused by herpes viruses, including herpes labial herpes, chickenpox, infectious mononucleosis, genital herpes;
- complex therapy and prevention of recurrence of herpesvirus disease (infection), which is chronic in nature;
- complex treatment of various infections with bacterial etiology;
- prevention and treatment of viral infections (acute respiratory infections), including influenza;
- prevention and comprehensive treatment of other types of viral infections (both acute and chronic) that are caused by tick-borne encephalitis virus, enterovirus, rotavirus, coronavirus or calicivirus;
- combined treatment of immunodeficiency (secondary) of various etiologies, including those complicated by an infection of a bacterial or viral origin.
Contraindications
Can Anaferon be given to young children? According to the instructions, this tool is intended for babies from one month of life.
Experts say that this drug has virtually no contraindications. It is forbidden to give people only with hypersensitivity to its components.
How to take "Anaferon"?
Absorbable tablets are taken only inside. This should not be done while eating, but long before or after the meal. A single dosage of this drug is one tablet. It must be kept in the mouth until dissolved.
As mentioned above, the drug in question should be given to children who have reached one month of life. From this period and up to 3 years, an antiviral medication is used only in dissolved form. To do this, one tablet is placed on a large spoon and a little warm boiled water is added to it.
What dosage should I take Anaferon, the price of which is presented below? According to the instructions, it depends on the course and type of disease.
In acute respiratory viral infections, herpesvirus infections, influenza, neuroinfection and intestinal infections, therapy should be carried out as soon as possible, at the first symptoms of the disease. In such pathological conditions, it is advisable for the patient to adhere to the following treatment regimen: in the first 2 hours, the medication is consumed every 30 minutes, and then during the first day another 3 times at regular intervals. From the second day onwards, the drug is prescribed 1 tablet three times a day (until the patient recovers).
In the event that after taking the medication no improvement occurs, then on the 3rd day you need to see a doctor.
How to take "Anaferon" for genital herpes? With this disease, the drug should be used at regular intervals according to the following scheme: in the first three days - 1 tablet eight times, and then for three weeks - 1 tablet four times a day.
For prevention in an epidemic (seasonal), the medication in question is taken every day for 2-3 months (once a day).
For the preventive purpose of relapses of a herpes virus disease, which is chronic, the drug is recommended to use 1 tablet once a day. The duration of such treatment is determined individually (about six months).
In the treatment of immunodeficiency conditions, as well as for their prevention, the drug is recommended to take 1 tablet per day. The same dosage must be adhered to in the complex treatment of infections of a bacterial origin.
If necessary, then this drug is allowed to be combined with other antiviral and symptomatic drugs.
Side effects
Does the medicine “Anaferon” (children) cause negative reactions? Reviews Komarovsky E.O. report that this tool never contributes to the occurrence of unwanted effects. This is also stated in the attached instructions. However, this does not mean that the medication in question can be used at your own discretion. It must be taken only according to the indications and in the doses recommended by the doctor.
In rare cases, while taking this medication in patients, manifestations of individual hypersensitivity are possible.
Overdose
Cases of overdose with this drug have not yet been recorded. When using the drug in large quantities, the patient may experience dyspeptic symptoms.
Interaction with other means
To date, cases of incompatibility of children's Anaferon with other medicines have not been identified. Moreover, if necessary, this drug can be combined with other antibacterial, symptomatic and antiviral drugs.
Special recommendations
If after three days of active treatment the patient's condition has not improved, it is necessary to consult a doctor.
Due to the presence of lactose in the composition of the drug in question, it is forbidden to give it to people with congenital lactase deficiency, glucose malabsorption syndrome or galactosemia.
The cost of the drug, analogues and reviews
How much is Anaferon? You will not find candles with this name in pharmacies. As for the tablets, their price is approximately 210-260 rubles. For most patients, this cost of the drug is quite acceptable.
The analogues of this drug include the following: "Grippferon", "Ergoferon", "Interferon" and others.
Now you know what the medicine "Anaferon" (for children) is. Reviews Komarovsky E.O. about this medicine are ambiguous. According to the opinion of this specialist, as an immunomodulatory agent, the drug in question is absolutely useless. What is the reason for this? The fact is that “Anaferon” is only “a mixture of homeopathic dilutions of antibodies to human gamma-interferon (affinity purified)”. It can not help increase immunity and produce this same interferon.
Thus, Komarovsky E.O. claims that this drug is practically inactive. The maximum that patients can expect from him is the placebo effect. On the other hand, the tool in question is absolutely safe. It poses no threat to the health of the child.