Do you know how and at what dosage Antiflu should be taken? Instructions for using this tool will be described in detail in this article. Also from it you will learn about the form in which the medication in question is made, what is included in its composition, for what purposes it is prescribed, does it have contraindications and side effects.
Composition, release form
Manufacturers produce this drug in two forms. Consider them right now.
- Medication for adults "Antiflu" (tablets). The instructions for use state that the following substances are active components of this form: paracetamol, chlorpheniramine maleate and phenylephrine hydrochloride. The preparation also contains auxiliary elements in the form of colloidal silicon dioxide , microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and magnesium silicate. The shell of the tablets consists of mineral oil, yellow dye and polyethylene glycol.
- The drug for children "Antiflu" (powder). Instructions for use indicate that the active substances of this form are also paracetamol, chlorpheniramine maleate and phenylephrine hydrochloride, only in a lower dosage. In addition, the powder includes auxiliary components such as citric and ascorbic acids, trisubstituted calcium phosphate, tribasic sodium citrate, silicon dioxide, lemon flavor, titanium dioxide, sucrose, starch and yellow dye.
Pharmacological and pharmacokinetic properties
What is the medicine "Antiflu"? The instructions say that this is a combination medicine that acts as a vasoconstrictor, analgesic, antipyretic, anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory agent.
The features of the action of the drug in question are due to the components that are part of it.
Paracetamol is able to inhibit COX in the nervous system, affecting the center of pain and thermoregulation. Phenylephrine hydrochloride constricts blood vessels, reduces exudative manifestations, and also eliminates edema and hyperemia of the mucosa of the sinuses, nose and nasopharynx.
As for chlorpheniramine maleate, this substance is an inhibitor of H1-histamine receptors. It quite quickly and effectively blocks all the symptoms of rhinitis that was triggered by an allergy (for example, sneezing, rhinorrhea, itching of the eyes, throat and nose).
How long does Antiflu medication last? The instruction says that the effect of the drug begins to appear 25 minutes after administration. In this case, the medication is valid for 4 hours.
Indications for use
What diseases can a patient be prescribed Antiflu drug (tablets) for? Instructions for use contain the following indications:
- flu and SARS;
- colds;
- rhinorrhea, febrile and pain symptoms.
Contraindications
Does a drug such as Antiflu have contraindications? The instruction of this tool indicates the following prohibitions.
You can not prescribe a medication if the patient develops hypersensitivity to its components. It is also forbidden to take such a medicine for portal hypertension, breastfeeding, kidney failure, pregnancy, alcoholism and a lack of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.
We can not say that the drug "Antiflu" is contraindicated in children under 6 years.
Cautious prescription
What diseases should the Antiflu medication be prescribed with caution? The instruction (powder and tablets affect the patient’s body in the same way) states that such a drug must be taken under the supervision of a treating doctor for blood diseases, arterial hypertension, thyrotoxicosis, angle-closure glaucoma, bronchial asthma, congenital hyperbilirubinemia, diabetes mellitus, liver failure, severe CCC diseases, hyperplasia of the prostate gland, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and difficulty urinating due to prostate adenoma.
The drug "Antiflu": instructions for use of tablets
According to the recommendations of specialists, the medication in the form of tablets in question should be prescribed to adults and children from 12 years old. According to the indications, such a medicine should be taken every four hours (1 tablet). You can drink no more than 8 tablets per day.
As a rule, the course of treatment with such a remedy does not exceed 3 days. Doctors say this is a symptomatic drug. If after its application no improvement is observed, then you should definitely contact a specialist who is obliged to adjust the treatment regimen.
Antiflu powder: instructions for use
"Kids" is a mark on the packaging of the drug, meaning that it is intended for children.
Powder can be given to a child aged 6 to 12 years. In this case, the exact dosage should be calculated individually, based on the patient’s body weight.
Pediatricians prescribe such a drug for babies in the amount of 10-15 mg per kg of weight. It is advisable to take the medicine every 4 hours
The daily dose of the powder should not exceed 4 sachets. The drug is dissolved in a glass of warm water. The resulting solution is taken orally. The duration of treatment is no more than three days.
Overdose Signs
After taking high doses of the drug, the patient may experience a decrease in appetite, pallor, an increase in hepatic transaminase activity, nausea, hepatonecrosis, vomiting, and an increase in prothrombin time.
In the presence of such deviations, the patient is washed with a stomach, and after 8 hours, donors of SH-groups and precursors of the synthesis of glutathione-methionine are administered.
Side effects
Does Antiflu Kids have side effects? The instruction for the drug says that undesirable consequences can provoke not only the intake of powder, but also the use of tablets.
In some cases, such a medicine causes allergic reactions, agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, nausea, epigastric pain, anemia, and increased pressure.
Also, according to patients' reviews, dizziness often develops while taking the medication, increased irritability and drowsiness are possible. Sometimes the patient's intraocular pressure rises, mydriasis occurs, and paresis of accommodation, delayed urination and dry mouth are observed.
Doctors say that with prolonged treatment, especially when taking large doses, patients may experience hemolytic or aplastic anemia, pancytopenia, hepatotoxic effects, nephrotoxicity, and methemoglobinemia.
Drug interaction
Can other medications be combined with Antiflu? Powder (the instructions for using this medication have been described above) and tablets are not recommended at the same time as drugs with paracetamol and MAO inhibitors.
The combination of the drug with ethanol and sedative medications can aggravate their effect.
When taken with antiparkinsonian and antipsychotic drugs and antidepressants, the likelihood of side effects such as dry mouth, constipation and urinary retention increases.
The combination of Antiflu medication with Rifampicin, Diphenin, Carbamazepine, barbiturates, Zidovudine and other inducers of microsomal liver enzymes contributes to a negative effect on the liver.
During therapy with the indicated agent, it is forbidden to take alcohol, sleeping pills and tranquilizers.
Analogues of the drug
The Antiflu drug has quite a few structural analogues. The most popular and effective drugs are Teraflu Extratab and Anacold. However, they should be taken, especially to children, only after consultation with a doctor.
Drug Reviews
What do parents say about the Antiflu Kids medication, the instructions for which were described in this article? Both powder and tablets receive a fairly large number of reviews. Most people claim that this tool is quite effective and quickly helps to cope even with severe symptoms of colds. However, many patients take it only in extreme cases. This is due to concerns about adverse effects on the body.
Some reviews mention the occurrence of side effects such as anemia, thrombocytopenia, allergies, increased fatigue, drowsiness, dizziness, and a feeling of palpitations. Also, some patients complain that with an overdose of the drug, they experience vomiting, epigastric pain and nausea.