The production of antiviral drugs is gaining momentum. Scientists and pharmacists of advanced research centers are trying tirelessly to find new effective substances to combat insidious diseases that bring irreparable harm to our health. One of the most modern antiviral drugs is Novirin. Instructions for use, features of use, reviews of doctors and patients, as well as side effects from taking this medication, we will consider in this article.
In what form is produced and what is the composition of the medicine?
The Novirin tablet preparation is packaged in blisters of 10 pieces and placed in cardboard packages of 2 or 4 plates.
One tablet of a pharmaceutical product contains:
- The main active ingredient is inosine pranobex in an amount of 500 mg.
- Additional ingredients: potato starch, as well as magnesium stearate.
How does the drug work?
This pharmaceutical product has a direct effect against pathogenic viruses. The drug "Novirin" includes a complex complex of inosine molecules: N, N-dimethylamino-2-propanol: p-acetamidobenzoic acid in a ratio of 1: 3: 3, respectively. These substances bind to ribosomes contained in cells infected with viruses. As a result, the processes of synthesis of i-RNA, replication of RNA and DNA of pathogens slow down. In other words, viruses stop multiplying and die. The complex of active substances of the drug is called inosine pranobex. He has clinically proven his antiviral and immunomodulatory efficacy.
The drug "Novirin" reviews of doctors and patients is positive. Experts note the versatility of its action:
- the synthesis of interferon is increased;
- the activity of T-lymphocytes and the phagocytic action of macrophages increases;
- causes the release of pre-T lymphocytes;
- intensifies the proliferation of B and T lymphocytes;
- the effectiveness of T-lymphocytes in the production of lymphokines increases;
- the proportion in which T-helpers and T-suppressors are normalized is normalized;
- increased formation of 1 and 2 interleukins;
- NK cell activity is regulated;
- macrophage phagocytosis ability increases;
- growth of antibody producing cells.
Taking Novirin in case of herpes simplex virus accelerates the formation of antibodies, reduces the clinical manifestations of the disease and reduces the frequency of relapses. In infected cells, the active complex of the drug prevents a decrease in RNA synthesis, reducing the burden on the patient's body, and supports his immunity.
After Novirin (tablets) was consumed by the patient, it is absorbed fairly quickly and exhibits a high degree of bioavailability.
Within half an hour, an antiviral effect begins, which lasts up to 6 hours. Peak concentrations of the drug are detected after 60 minutes. since taking the medicine. Inosine is metabolized according to the scheme of purine nucleosides. It does not accumulate and is excreted from the human body unchanged and in the form of derivatives completely in 48 hours.
What diseases is indicated for the drug?
"Novirin" (tablets) is prescribed to patients with diseases of a viral nature, regardless of their immune status. The attending physician may prescribe the drug for the following ailments:
- Influenza and parainfluenza.
- ARVI.
- Viral bronchitis.
- Infections associated with rhinovirus and adenovirus.
- Measles.
- Endemic mumps.
- Herpes in various manifestations.
- Panencephalitis.
- Chicken pox.
- Shingles of the type of shingles.
- Epstein-Barr virus.
- Cytamegalovirus.
- Viral hepatitis B.
- Human papillomavirus.
- Chronic diseases of the respiratory and genitourinary system with relapses in people with weakened immunity.
As you can see, the list of indications is quite large, which makes this drug in demand with a fairly wide range of diseases.
How should I use the medicine?
On the question of how to take Novirin correctly, the instructions for use give the following recommendations:
- Tablets should be taken orally after a meal, washed down with water or dissolved in a small amount.
- Observe the same breaks between taking the drug.
- For maximum effectiveness, treatment with this agent should be initiated when the first symptoms of the disease are manifested.
- The duration of the course and dosage of the medicine is prescribed by the doctor, according to the condition of the patient, his age, type of infection, nature of therapy and degree of tolerance of the drug.
- The maximum allowable dosage of Novirin for adult patients is 8 tablets in 24 hours, which corresponds to 4 g of inosine pranobex.
- The drug can be taken separately or as part of a comprehensive treatment.
The course of treatment with this pharmaceutical agent is usually from 5 to 14 days. But in some cases, if necessary, the doctor recommends a second appointment after a break of 7-10 days. The acceptable duration of taking the drug "Novirin" instructions for use calls a period of 6 months in compliance with recommendations on the cycles of admission and rest between them.
As mentioned earlier, the dosage of the drug and the duration of its administration are prescribed by the doctor, taking into account the characteristics of the disease and the patient's condition. The advantage of this pharmaceutical product is the acceptability of Novirin for children over 1 year old. Patients note an excellent combination of effectiveness - harmlessness characteristic of this medicine.
Dosage and duration of course for various diseases
In cases of SARS, influenza and parainfluenza, this medicine is prescribed:
- Adults - 2 tablets three or four times in 24 hours for 5-7 days.
- Children - in a dosage of 50 mg / kg weight for 24 hours, dividing this amount into 3-4 fractional doses. The duration of the drug varies from 5 to 7 days.
Most often, the expressed symptoms of the disease subside on 3-5 days from the start of treatment with the drug, but the course should be brought to an end. If the doctor considers it necessary, then you can repeat the therapy after a break of a week.
In the treatment of viral bronchitis with the drug "Novirin", the instructions for use give the following recommendations:
- Adults should drink 2 tablets three times a day for 2-4 weeks.
- With the same disease, Novirin for children is prescribed in an amount of 50 mg / kg weight, divided into 3 or 4 doses. Treatment also lasts from 2 to 4 weeks.
In case of mumps of inosine, pranobex is prescribed in the amount of 70 mg / kg of body weight. This dosage is divided into 3-4 doses per day. Treatment lasts 7-10 days.
If the patient has measles, then Novirin is prescribed in a dosage of 100 mg / kg. The amount of the drug is divided into 3-4 portions, the reception is carried out at equal time intervals. The duration of such therapy can be from 7 to 15 days.
With aphthous stomatitis, the drug "Novirin" is also prescribed. The medicine is used according to the following recommendation:
- Children should use inosine pranobex in an amount of 70 mg / kg body weight, divided into 3 or 4 equal shares. After 6-8 days, the dosage of the drug is reduced to 50 mg / kg of body weight, which are taken three or four times a day twice a week for 49 days.
- Adults should drink 2 tablets of Novirin 4 times in 24 hours. The duration of treatment should be 6-8 days. After this period, the dosage is reduced to 2 tablets three times a day twice a week with a course of 42 days.
If the patient has a cytomegalovirus infection or mononucleosis, then he is recommended to treat with Novirin in an amount of 50 mg / kg body weight. It is proposed to divide this dosage into 3 or 4 equivalent doses in 24 hours. The duration of therapy with cetamegalovirus disease is from 25 to 30 days, with mononucleosis - 8 days.
In the treatment of herpes infection of various localization and herpes zoster, Novirin is also prescribed. Its use is recommended according to the following scheme:
- Adults should drink 2 tablets of the drug 3 or 4 times a day in a course of 10-15 days. If the patient has genital herpes, then inosine pranobex should be taken 2 tablets 3 times in 24 hours for 5-6 days with exacerbation. After this period, you should drink 2 tablets in 24 hours. Supportive treatment for this disease lasts up to 6 months.
- For children, the dosage of the drug is calculated in a ratio of 50 mg / kg weight. This amount should be taken per day, divided into 3 or 4 equal parts. The course of therapy is also from 10 to 15 days.
In case of subacute sclerosing encephalitis, the drug Novirin should be taken in a dosage of 50 to 100 mg / kg of the patient’s weight. The resulting amount is divided into 6 equal parts and taken per day at the same intervals for 8-10 days. After this period, take a break and repeat the course. According to the severity of the disease, the doctor can prescribe from 2 to 10 therapeutic periods of treatment with inosine pranobex.
If a patient has diseases associated with human papillomavirus infection, he is prescribed to drink 2 tablets of Novirin three times a day for 14-28 days. After the patient underwent CO2 laser therapy or cryodestruction, he continues to drink 2 tablets of this drug three times a day for 5 days. Usually it is recommended to conduct 3 courses, between which they take a break lasting a month.
When treating hepatitis B with the Novirin drug, adults should take 2 tablets of the drug 3 or 4 times a day for a course of 15 to 30 days. After this period, the patient is recommended to switch to 2 tablets in 24 hours. Such treatment can be continued from 3 to 7 months.
If patients with reduced immunity have chronic diseases of the genitourinary and respiratory system, the use of the drug Novirin deserves positive. Doctors in these circumstances recommend taking the drug according to the following scheme:
- Adult patients drink 3 or 4 times a day tablets in the amount of 2 pieces 2-12 weeks.
- Children drink the drug in an amount of 50 mg / kg body weight, dividing the dose into 3 or 4 doses per day. Continue treatment for 3 weeks. You can also give Novirin (tablets) to children for periods of 7-10 days, between which a rest of the same duration is arranged.
This medicine showed excellent results in the correction of weakened immunity of patients of the older and younger age groups. The best recommendations for taking the pharmaceutical product "Novirin" - reviews. This drug helps children significantly increase their resistance to viral infections. Doctors note that taking inosine pranobex lasting from 3 to 9 weeks helps to achieve a stable immunomodulating indicator in patients.
Features of the use of the drug
If elderly patients require an antiviral agent for treatment, Novirin is quite suitable for this.
In addition, dosage adjustment of the active substance is not performed. However, it is worth noting the need for careful monitoring of uric acid in the patient’s blood throughout the course of treatment.
If the doctor prescribes a long-term intake of this pharmaceutical product, then the following indicators need laboratory control:
- functional activity of the liver;
- the concentration of uric acid in biological fluids;
- peripheral blood counts;
- Kidney function.
Does Novirin have side effects?
Doctors note that the drug "Novirin" (tablets) patient reviews is positive and usually tolerated normally, even with prolonged use. However, there are some side effects that you must definitely talk about.
The most common undesirable consequence of Novirin therapy is a short-term reversible increase in uric acid in the patient’s body fluids. This effect is explained by the peculiarity of the metabolism of inosine pranobex. At the end of the course of treatment, this indicator returns to the physiological norm after a couple of days.
During clinical trials of the drug Novirin, other side effects were also detected:
- Fatigue, weakness, headache, nervousness, dizziness, sleep disturbance.
- Nausea, vomiting, stool disturbance, pain over the peritoneum, an increase in the level of digestive enzymes.
- Skin rash and itching, hives, Quincke's edema may develop.
- Increased blood urea nitrogen, polyuria, arthralgia.
If these symptoms occur, consult a doctor. Treatment with this medication should be stopped until further medical advice is obtained.
Contraindications
Before taking "Novirin", you should carefully familiarize yourself with its composition. If the patient has an increased sensitivity to the main and auxiliary components of the drug, then this should immediately be told to a medical specialist. In these cases, the drug is replaced by an analog or synonym - at the discretion of the doctor.
Among the contraindications for taking "Novirin" there are also the following positions:
- severe renal failure;
- gout;
- hyperuricemia
- age up to 1 year;
- urolithiasis disease.
With caution, Novirin should be prescribed to the following group of patients:
- Patients of advanced age.
- History of hyperuremia, renal dysfunction, gout, and urolithiasis.
If under these circumstances, treatment with inosine pranobex was still prescribed, then it should be accompanied by mandatory monitoring of the uric acid index in the patient's urine.
Can Novirin be pregnant?
A study of the effect of inosine pranobex on the body of pregnant women has not been conducted, therefore, relevant data are not available. “Novirin” is not prescribed to women during this period. Also, taking the drug during lactation is undesirable.
Does this drug interact with other medicines?
The drug Novirin is a medicine that is prescribed with caution along with xanthine oxidase inhibitors (Allopurinol). Increased attention should be exercised with joint treatment with medicines that increase the excretion of uric acid with urine. These drugs include thiazide or loop diuretics.
Can an overdose occur?
In medical practice, as well as in clinical studies of the drug "Novirin" overdose cases were not observed.
Theoretically, this phenomenon can occur when taking a medicine in a dosage exceeding the recommended one. In this case, the patient may experience an increase in the level of uric acid in biological fluids. In such cases, the patient is recommended gastric lavage and anti-intoxication therapy.
Are there any analogues?
In certain situations, when the patient has contraindications for taking the drug "Novirin", analogues can be prescribed by a doctor as an alternative.
Such medicines are pharmaceuticals with antiviral and immunomodulating therapy analogues of this pharmaceutical. These include:
- Engystol;
- Umkalor;
- "Marimer";
- "Immunal";
- "Immupret";
- "Ascocin";
- "Gaviran";
- "Lymphomyozot";
- Tamiflu
- "Acyclovir" and other drugs.
However, the question of what is best for the patient to take - "Novirin", its analogues or synonyms - should be solved only by a qualified medical specialist.
In conclusion, it should be noted that the information about the drug "Novirin" given in this article is a simplified version of the instructions. The prescription of treatment with this drug, the dosage and duration of the course is prescribed only by the attending physician.