In the modern world, there is a tendency to increase the popularity of homeopathy. The method for the production of part of homeopathic medicines is called the Korsakov principle and is based on the shaking of the active substance placed in the aquatic environment. In this case, liquid atoms are included in the molecular basis of the drug. Further dilution is carried out without matter, and water molecules are distributed from memory over an imaginary grid. One of the drugs, the effect of which on the body occurs at the molecular level, is Oscillococcinum.
History of creation
Work on the creation of the drug began in the twenties of the last century by the French physician Joseph Rua, and the beginning of widespread use dates back to the fifties. The medicine gained popularity in case of flu epidemics. It was believed that it allows you to quickly extinguish the focus of the onset of the disease. Since then, studies in the field of homeopathy have only confirmed the effectiveness of the drug. In the pharmaceutical industry in France, this drug was the only one produced according to the Korsakov homeopathic principle. In America, sales are off the charts due to their high efficacy for colds. A large number of positive reviews about the Oscillococcinum are also given by domestic patients, using it as an ambulance at the first sign of a cold.
The composition of the drug
The main component of the product is an extract obtained from the extract of the organs of a musky duck, which is also called an indole. The most widespread indotka received in France. Both foie gras delicacy and medicine extract are produced from her liver.
Available in doses of one gram in granular form. In addition to the main component with a total mass of 0.01 ml, the Oscillococcinum contains additional substances: sucrose in the amount of 850 milligrams and lactose in the amount of 150 milligrams.
Form release and dispensing
In the manufacture of medicine, packaging is carried out in one dose in a tube, three tubes in a blister in several ways:
- two blisters having 6 doses;
- four blisters with 12 doses;
- ten blisters with 30 doses.
All forms of the drug are packaged in cardboard boxes, are available for sale and dispensed without a doctor’s prescription.
Indications for use
According to the instructions, "Oscillococcinum" is taken for symptoms characteristic of influenza and acute respiratory viral infections, namely: cough, sneezing, sore throat, headaches, high body temperature. The most important treatment in homeopathy is the use of these drugs in the initial stage of the disease. The early use of only one dose at times increases the effectiveness of treatment and reduces the period of the disease.
Contraindications
Since all homeopathic remedies do not have a damaging effect on the body, we can also talk about their lack of contraindications. The exceptions are the course of the disease during pregnancy or lactation, as well as the intended use of the drug Oscillococcinum for children. In this case, the medicine is used with caution, in consultation with your doctor. The only possible contraindication may be intolerance to the auxiliary substances present in the preparation: sucrose or lactose.
Mode of application
The most favorable time for the use of the drug: 20 minutes before a meal or an hour after. The dose of Oscillococcinum contained in one tube should be poured under the tongue and kept there until completely dissolved. You can not dissolve the granules, they will disperse and soak into the mucosa themselves. Drinking the medicine is not required. The active substance in one tube is sufficient for single use. The number of doses required for treatment depends on the severity of the disease and is determined as follows:
- At the early stage of the disease, 3 doses are taken with a six-hour break.
- If the start of admission occurs at the peak of the disease, then it is recommended to use 6 doses with an interval of 12 hours. The lack of improvement on the second day is the reason to stop taking the medicine and seek prescription in a medical institution.
- For preventive purposes during the period of seasonal epidemics of SARS or influenza, in accordance with the instructions, "Oscillococcinum" must be taken once a week for 1 dose.
Prescribing the drug in childhood
From what age "Oscillococcinum" can be given to children, the pediatrician decides with parents. Children of the first year of life are not recommended to use it. Since the child is still not examined enough, there is a risk of intolerance to sugars or lactose and worsen the condition of a small patient. The drug is contraindicated in children with impaired absorption of saccharides and a deficiency of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down milk sugar in the body.
For prescribing to children from the second year of life, the same dosage applies as for adults. Since the preparation is odorless, but has a sweet taste, it is not difficult for mothers to treat their children. They use the medicine by stirring Oscillococcinum granules in a liquid. Reviews about the treatment of children with a homeopathic medicine are most often positive. Indeed, thanks to the ability to give the drug to children unnoticed, parents do not allow the development of the disease in the baby, but cope with it in the early stages.
There are many analogues of Oscillococcinum, as well as traditional medicine that alleviate painful symptoms. For example, honey, milk and fat can be used in combination with a medicine. But, using this homeopathic medicine as the only savior, parents expose the child to thoughtless risk. It is difficult to determine the severity of the disease without the involvement of doctors, therefore serious consequences are possible. The medicine may not cope alone, and the baby will need a comprehensive treatment. In this case, it is important not to delay and consult a pediatrician in the early days of the disease.
Methods of using the drug in children
Specialists practice the following uses of Oscillococcinum for children of different ages:
- For very young patients, you can give the medicine in diluted form from a spoon or from a bottle through a nipple.
- For children from two years old, the granules are bred in milk or compote.
- For children of older preschool age, granules are poured under the tongue and asked, without swallowing, to wait for the drug to completely dissolve.
- School children are shown how to open the tube, and their further actions for taking the medicine are explained.
The use of the drug by pregnant and lactating women
"Oscillococcinum" during pregnancy is prescribed with caution, like any drug. An experienced doctor always compares the need for use with a risk to the fetus. The woman’s body during this period is weakened and more susceptible to infections. Since the safety of mothers and babies is equivalent, during pregnancy you need to carefully select medicines so as not to harm one or the other. Intolerance to the individual components of the drug is possible, as well as harm from their overabundance in the body:
- In the first trimester of pregnancy, the use of any means, even useful vitamins, is fraught with premature aging of the placenta. Complications from a delayed treatment of a cold can also cause irreparable harm to the development of the fetus.
- In the second trimester, the common cold is not so dangerous, because basically the child’s organs are formed. Nevertheless, there is still a threat of miscarriage, and it is necessary to treat a cold. Since separate studies of the Oscillococcinum preparation for possible consequences for the mother and child have not been carried out, treatment cannot be prescribed on its own. If you have any symptoms of the disease, you should consult a doctor.
- In the third trimester, the risk of taking the medicine is minimized. Only possible premature births are dangerous. Due to the insufficiently mature lungs of the baby, a birth that happened earlier than the term can lead to various pathologies.
In any case, it is not recommended to prescribe uncontrolled use of the drug during pregnancy.
After giving birth, a woman also needs to carefully monitor her health. After all, any infection will easily settle in the body of a still fragile baby, who spends with his mother 24 hours a day. Mom should pay special attention to the prevention of colds. There are several ways to prevent:
- Avoid contact with a lot of people.
- Prevent communication with already ill individuals.
- Follow the rules of public hygiene.
- Ventilate and wet the room regularly.
- Use medications that prevent infection and the development of the disease.
In this case, the use of Oscillococcinum by a nursing mother is permitted. If a woman does not even allow the thought of giving the baby a drug through breast milk, she needs to use the pumping method. And after taking the medicine, refrain from feeding the baby for 6 hours.
Analogues of the drug
There are no analogues of Oscillococcinum in structure and active substance in medicine. Nevertheless, a number of drugs are used to treat and eliminate symptoms.
Of the homeopathic the most famous are:
- Aflubin, which contains alcohol with extracts of gentian, brionium and aconite, is more often used for prevention.
- "Aconite", consisting only of the same plant, is used for respiratory problems.
- "Fitolyakka" relieves patients of sore throat problems.
- "Influcid" is used in severe forms of colds.
For prevention, apply:
- "Grippferon" and "Viferon" - drugs with interferons, the action of which is aimed at protecting cells and blocking them from viruses.
- "Amiksin", "Kagocel", "Ingavirin" - immunostimulants that push the body to produce its interferons.
For the treatment of colds and flu, doctors usually prescribe direct-acting antiviral drugs that directly affect the problem: Remantadine, Relenza, Arbidol.
There are a number of drugs that do not affect viruses, but only eliminate symptoms. For example, Teraflu, Coldrex, Rinzasip are most often used without a doctor’s prescription. They contain components such as paracetamol, aspirin and ascorbic acid.
Positive reviews about the "Oscillococcinum" do not cancel the treatment with other drugs. Based on the severity and duration of the disease, the attending physician can prescribe any of the above drugs.
Side effects
Given the natural composition of Oscillococcinum, no side effects from its administration were observed, with the exception of intolerance to individual components of the drug and, as a result, allergic skin reactions. Allowed to perform any action related to the need for concentration. Not noticed and the effect of the drug on drivers when driving.
Doctors reviews
The attitude of modern medicine to a homeopathic medicine is ambiguous. Some experts talk about the successful relief of diseases at an early stage when taking Oscillococcinum. Reviews of others confirm the effect of the drug at the placebo level. Still others assert that the medicine is absolutely useless and imposed on consumers by advertising. Fourth say that the cure is based on the body's ability to accumulate internal potential. Doctors of the whole world are sure of only one thing: they certainly cannot harm this drug. Therefore, in Russia he is not appointed so often. Most patients, having incomplete information about the Oscillococcinum, take the drug on the advice of friends. And here either all the body's defenses begin to work, or the drug is really good, as most patients who have sat down on it say.
In any case, do not neglect the knowledge and experience of the attending physician. It is better to consult a specialist, especially deciding to be treated with Oscillococcinum during pregnancy or giving it to your children.
Storage conditions for the drug
The drug should be stored in a dark place inaccessible to children, at a temperature of up to 25 degrees.