Drugs called Remantadin and Kagocel are designed to fight viruses that cause SARS. They increase the resistance of the human body to all kinds of infections. But people are often lost and simply do not know which is better and more effective - Remantadin or Kagocel. This article will help to deal with this issue.
"Remantadine": instruction
This is an antiviral drug that is designed to fight the flu and otolaryngological diseases. It is also used after a tick bite to prevent encephalitis. The action is based on the penetration of the virus into the DNA and the complete suppression of the pathogen. This drug is released in the form of tablets (50 milligrams each), and also in the form of capsules (100 each). The medication contains rimantadine in the role of the main substance. We learn from what "Remantadin" is more often prescribed? Indications for use are:
- Early treatment and prevention of acute respiratory viral infections and influenza.
- Body support during epidemics.
- Performing tick-borne encephalitis prophylaxis (no later than seventy-two hours after a bite).
The tool can not be used with hypersensitivity to its ingredients, in the case of hepatitis, nephritis, kidney or liver disease, toxicosis, during pregnancy and under the age of seven years. Remantadine tablets must be taken orally after meals, they are washed down with water.
Adults and children from ten years of age are prescribed 50 milligrams twice a day, when it comes to prevention. For therapeutic purposes, drink 100 milligrams twice within seven days after the onset of signs of the disease. This medicine is produced by the Russian company "Biochemist", it is dispensed without a prescription.
From what "Remantadin" helps, we told. Next, we consider in more detail the second drug.
"Kagocel": instruction
It is an antiviral and immunomodulating drug. It can cause the synthesis of interferons, which have a high antiviral property. A medication is released in the form of tablets. The role of the main component is kagocel. One pill contains 12 milligrams of this ingredient. Indications for use are:
- The implementation of the prevention and treatment of influenza and SARS at all stages of the pathology.
- Treatment in adult herpes patients.
The drug is forbidden to use in the presence of hypersensitivity to the ingredients, against a background of lactase deficiency, lactose intolerance, and, in addition, during pregnancy and at the age of less than three years. This is confirmed by the instructions for use for "Kagocel". Price and analogues will be presented at the end of the article.
For the treatment of influenza and otolaryngological pathologies, adults are prescribed two pills three times in the first two days, and one tablet three times in the next two days. In total, the course takes eighteen pieces, and the duration of treatment is four days. This medicine is produced in Russia and can be dispensed without a prescription.
Kagocel or Remantadine: Comparison
Both of these drugs belong to the same pharmacological group. They are produced in the form of tablets, but they contain different active ingredients.
The active ingredient "Remantadine" prevents the multiplication of the virus, and "Kagocel" starts the process of producing interferons in the cells that destroy pathogens, that is, the body's immune response is activated. This is the main difference in the principle of exposure.
Due to the fact that "Kagocel" affects immunity, it does not matter for him what type of virus penetrates the body. In contrast, Remantadine can only fight the type A virus that causes the flu or SARS.
So what to choose - “Remantadin” or “Kagocel”? Both medicines are intended for the treatment and prevention of influenza and otolaryngological pathologies. But the first remedy is also used to prevent tick-borne encephalitis after a bite, and the second can treat herpes.
There are some differences in contraindications. Remantadin has, I must say, more of them. This medicine is forbidden to use in case of kidney and liver ailments and in case of toxicosis. And "Kagocel" is not suitable for use with lactase deficiency and glucose malabsorption. Both drugs do not drink during pregnancy and breastfeeding. You can be treated with “Kagocel” starting from the age of three, and “Remantadine” from seven.
Which is better?
What to prefer - “Remantadin” or “Kagocel” is not easy to decide. The substance rimantadine has been used in medical practice for more than forty years, in connection with this, virus A has developed some resistance to it. According to recent studies, this pathogen showed resistance to the drug in ninety-two percent of cases. Therefore, to say with confidence that this medicine will definitely help to defeat the disease, unfortunately, is impossible. A doctor must still make a choice between Remantadin or Kagocel in a given situation.
Advantages of Kagocel
The advantage of Kagocel is that the virus is not able to develop resistance to it, since this drug does not act on it, but on human immunity. But the active component of the drug was synthesized recently, and there is no reliable information about its effectiveness. True, many patients who were treated with Kagocel claim that this drug is quite functional and really helps to recover quickly.
The kagocel substance was synthesized based on the special chemical component of gossypol. This compound has high antiviral and bactericidal properties, but can inhibit sperm production, thereby causing infertility. Until it was proved that kagocel does not break down in the body before this gossypol itself, there is therefore a danger that the substance can accumulate and poison a person with frequent use. For these reasons, doctors do not recommend treating them with children, especially adolescents, since during this period they develop the reproductive system.
The instructions for use of "Kagocel" reported that it is effective at all stages of the disease, so it can be taken no matter how much time has passed since the onset of the disease. "Remantadine" is effective only at an early stage, and you need to drink it only when the first symptoms occur.
It is also reported that Kagocel can be used in conjunction with various immunomodulatory drugs, as well as with antibiotics. But for those who have a lactose deficiency along with lactase intolerance and other metabolic diseases, “Remantadine” should be chosen, since it does not contain lactose.
What else can you compare "Remantadin" and "Kagocel"?
Price
If we compare the cost of these medicines, then I must say that twenty tablets of Kagocel will cost consumers about five hundred rubles, and the same number of Remantadin pills is one hundred and twenty. I must say that many patients choose “Remantadine” not just as cheap, but as the most proven means.
Analogs
Presented pharmaceutical preparations today have many analogues on the drugstore shelves, for example, these are preparations in the form of Anaferon, Lavomax, Ergoferon, Alpizarin, Amizon and others. All of them are effective to one degree or another, but before using them you need to consult a doctor.
We described the drugs "Remantadine" and "Kagocel." What is the difference between them, explained.