Measures to prevent influenza and acute viral infections are divided into two types - specific and non-specific. The first are aimed at neutralizing infection only with viruses. Nonspecific include general measures to prevent various respiratory diseases, not necessarily provoked by strains. The main method of combating such diseases is the use of immunomodulating drugs.
Kagocel is an immunostimulant that has antiviral activity and is also an inducer of interferon synthesis. It activates the production of one's own substance in the human body. The drug is used in therapy and as a preventive measure to prevent viral diseases.
Kagocel: composition
The drug is available in the form of tablets, they have a round shape, cream color. According to the instructions for use, it is known that the main active ingredient is the substance of the same name. In addition, the drug structure includes additional elements, which include:
- crospovidone;
- a salt of calcium and stearic acid;
- polyvinylpyrrolidone;
- lactose monohydrate;
- starch.
Tablets are packaged in blisters of ten pieces.
According to the instructions for use, it is known that the active substance promotes the production of late interferons, which have antiviral activity. After the first use of the drug, the level of interferons rises in forty-eight hours, and in the intestine its content is greatly increased within four hours.
Indications and contraindications
According to the instructions for use, Kagocel tablets for adults and children are prescribed for the treatment and prevention of viral infection, as well as for acute herpes disease in adults.
Treatment with "Kagocel" is prohibited in a number of conditions, which include:
- Lactose intolerance (a hereditary pathology of metabolism due to a decrease in the level or activity of the lactase enzyme, in which the body cannot fully absorb lactose).
- Lactase deficiency (violation of lactose cleavage due to insufficiency of the lactase enzyme of the small intestine mucosa, accompanied by clinical symptoms).
- Individual intolerance.
- Glucose-galactose malabsorption (a rare metabolic disease in which the cells that line the intestines cannot absorb two sugars, such as glucose and galactose).
- Children's age up to three years.
- Pregnancy.
- Lactation.
Before pill therapy, make sure that there are no restrictions.
How to use the drug, dosage
According to the instructions for use, it is known that tablets are taken orally as a whole, regardless of food. They are washed down with water. The regimen of taking "Kagocel" for prevention and treatment depends on the age of the patient and indications for admission.
Adult patients are prescribed two tablets three times a day in the first two days to eliminate the flu, and in the next, one tablet three times a day. In total, eighteen tablets are needed per course, the duration of therapy is four days.
How to take "Kagocel" for the prevention of acute respiratory viral infections? Such a procedure in adult patients is carried out in seven-day courses: two days - two tablets once a day, five days off, then repeat the procedure again. The duration of preventive treatment is from a week to several months.
To eliminate herpes, adult patients are prescribed two tablets three times a day for five days. In total, thirty tablets will be required for the course of therapy, the duration is five days.
Children's dosages of the drug "Kagocel" for the prevention of influenza and SARS:
- To eliminate these ailments, children from three to six years old are recommended to take the first two days, two tablets per day. In the next two days - one pill once a day. In total, six tablets are required for the course, the duration of therapy is four days.
- For the treatment of influenza and viral infections, children from six years of age are advised the first two days to take a tablet three times a day. In the next two days - one pill twice a day. In total, ten tablets are needed per course, the duration of treatment is four days.
- Disease prevention in children from three years old is carried out in seven-day cycles. Two days - one tablet once a day, five days off, then repeat the therapy. The duration of preventive treatment is from one week to a couple of months.
If there is no improvement after antiviral drug therapy or the condition worsens or new symptoms occur, you should consult a doctor. Use doses of Kagocel for prophylaxis and treatment only those indicated in the annotation.
The use of the drug later than four days from the onset of the disease may not give the proper pharmacological effect.
Adverse reactions
In general, the medication is well tolerated. The composition of the drug "Kagocel" includes such components that can provoke the development of allergic manifestations in the form of rashes on the skin, itching, urticaria. If such reactions occur, the use of an antiviral medication must be stopped.
Features of the drug
Before starting treatment, it is important to read the instructions for use with the medication and pay attention to several nuances, which include:
- To achieve a positive pharmacological effect, the use of the drug should be started no later than the fourth day from the onset of the disease.
- Tablets go well with other antiviral medications, as well as immunostimulants and antibacterial agents.
- Kagocel has no effect on the speed of psychomotor reactions and attention.
If you have questions or doubts regarding the use of the drug, you should consult a medical specialist.
Due to the lack of certain information, the medicine is forbidden to take during pregnancy and during lactation.
Kagocel and alcohol
The medication does not directly enter into a relationship with alcohol. But endogenous interferons, which are produced under the influence of "Kagocel", have a negative, inhibitory effect on the nervous system. Immune agents can cause psychological and neurological diseases. For example, prolonged depression, increased anxiety, as well as suicide attempts.
Five days should elapse between the end of Kagocel therapy and the intake of strong drinks.
Storage conditions
According to the instructions for use with Kagocel tablets for adults and children, it is known that the shelf life of the drug is 24 months. The medicine should be kept in a dry place, away from children, at a temperature of not more than twenty-five degrees of heat. In pharmacies, the drug is dispensed without a prescription from a medical specialist.
Generics
A similar therapeutic effect is possessed by:
- Anaferon.
- Amiksin.
- Cycloferon.
- Ergoferon.
- Arbidol.
- "Remantadine."
- Ingavirin.
- Tsitovir-3.
- Amizon
Before changing the drug, it is recommended to consult a doctor.
Kagocel or Ingavirin
Ingavirin is widely used in the cool season. The drug is characterized by a pronounced antiviral effect against the most common sources of acute respiratory diseases.
The spectrum of its action is based on the ability of active substances to influence the renewal of malicious viruses. In addition, the drug is credited with a powerful anti-inflammatory effect on the human body.
Undoubtedly, the medicine is effective in the conservative treatment of colds with confirmed origin of the pathogen.
The use of Ingavirin is not considered rational. “Kagocel” wins by preventive measures, as the medicine is actively used to prevent the occurrence of respiratory diseases in winter, which Ingavirin cannot boast of.
Kagocel or Arbidol
According to the instructions for use, it is known that both drugs are antiviral agents, the therapeutic expediency of use is to increase the production of their own interferon, which prevents the spread of viruses. In addition, the active substances of the medication activate cellular and humoral immunity reactions, which positively affects the body's resistance to viral diseases.
The list of side effects of Arbidol is as short as that of Kagocel, but unlike the latter, the drug is included in list B, which in itself is alarming. If a decision is made to be treated without a sick leave, then it is definitely better to choose Kagocel for prevention.
Kagocel or Amixin
The second drug is considered an effective inducer of interferon, that is, the spectrum of action is similar to Kagocel, since the drug increases the formation of an antiviral agent by intestinal cells, as well as hepatocytes, some fractions of cells of the immune system.
According to the instructions for use, it is known that the distinguishing feature of Amiksin is the rate of onset of the positive effect, a mild immunostimulating effect is observed already a day after the use of the drug.
In pediatrics, Amiksin has not gained much popularity, since the instructions prohibit the use of tablets by children under 7 years of age. Therefore, when treating young children, the preference is best given to "Kagocel", which can be used from 3 years.
Ergoferon or Kagocel
Ergoferon is a medicine with a huge spectrum of pharmacological effects, which, in addition to selective antiviral and immunostimulating effects, also has antihistamines and anti-inflammatory effects.
So, for example, the list of pathogens of respiratory diseases that are affected after the use of Ergoferon tablets is somewhat larger than that of the antiviral drug Kagocel.
Separately, it should be noted that Ergoferon can be used both in the treatment of adult patients and children, starting from 6 months. Based on these nuances, Ergoferon can be recognized better than Kagocel, but the cost of generics of this level, of course, will be slightly higher.
Opinions
The antiviral drug Kagocel is very popular among patients with pulmonary or therapeutic departments. The reason lies in the mechanism of action of the drug and, of course, in its clinical effectiveness, since for a relatively short course of therapy of seven days, the medicine helps to completely eliminate acute respiratory illness and to some extent improve the quality of life in winter.
Separately, it is necessary to note the responses of doctors about "Kagocel", since doctors recommend using these pills primarily for therapeutic and preventive measures to improve the bronchopulmonary system. Active substances contribute to the increased production of interferon several times.
Kagocel tablets are used not only by adult patients, but also by children, feedback on the drug in medical forums that focus on pediatric topics must be taken into account when it comes to this medicine.
Reviews about "Kagocel" for prevention in most cases are positive, since the medication is allowed to be used from 3 years old, so the child can safely go to an educational institution, not being afraid to get sick again.
The drug is approved by a large number of parents due to the absence of severe side effects. Conservative drug therapy is almost painless, if you do not take into account the likely allergic manifestations.