Human skin protects the body and represents a kind of barrier between the external environment and the body. Such a cover has a complex structure, and also performs many functions. The skin has its own blood supply and innervation, and therefore it is more susceptible to various diseases than other organs.
"Timogen" is a cream intended for external use, which has immunostimulating properties and improves tissue regeneration. Such a drug is often used for skin diseases. Customer reviews about the cream "Timogen" are mostly positive. Its therapeutic properties and principle of action are described below.
Composition, description, packaging of external products
"Timogen" is a cream of white or almost white color (sometimes with a yellowish tint). Designed for outdoor use only.
The active component of the drug in question is alpha-glutamyl-tryptophan sodium. The medication also includes excipients in the form of sorbitan monostearate, vaseline oil, petrolatum, stearyl alcohol, polysorbate 60, xanthan gum, glycerol, cetyl alcohol, methyl parahydroxybenzoate, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, and propyl paraben parahydroxybenzoate.
Instructions for use, including a description of Timogen cream, are contained in a pack of cardboard, where the preparation itself is placed (in 20 or 30 g of aluminum tubes or in glass jars).
The principle of the external drug
According to the instructions for use, the cream "Timogen" is an immunostimulating drug. This is a dipeptide that has a direct effect on the reactions of humoral and cellular immunity, as well as on the non-specific protection of the human body. By stimulating regeneration processes when they are inhibited, this medication helps to improve the course of the cell metabolism process.
The active substance of the drug induces expression on Thy-1 thymocytes and activates 5'-ectonucleotidases. This effect of alpha-glutamyl-tryptophan sodium indicates its direct effect on the differentiation of lymphocytes in the thymus.
Thus, by inducing the expression of differentiated receptors on lymphocytes, the Timogen cream is able to normalize not only the number, but also the ratio of the subpopulation structure of lymphocytes in people with various types of immunodeficiency states.
It should also be noted that the drug in question, when applied topically, restores the ratio and expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines (in the presence of various diseases and pathological conditions, which are accompanied by a violation of immunoreactivity).
Pharmacokinetic properties
What is the likelihood of systemic absorption of Timogen cream? According to the attached instructions, data on the pharmacokinetics of this drug is not currently available.
When is it used?
In what cases can a patient be prescribed an external drug such as Timogen (cream)? Reviews of experts report that this drug is used only as part of complex treatment, namely when:
- chronic eczema (including true and microbial);
- atopic dermatitis (including with complicated secondary bacterial infection);
- pyoderma of the chronic type (including chronic diffuse streptoderma);
The instructions also say that the mentioned medicine for external use can be prescribed in the presence of mechanical, thermal and chemical injuries of the skin.
Contraindications
Cream "Timogen" is not recommended for use during pregnancy and lactation. Also a contraindication to the use of this medication is an increased sensitivity of the patient to the components of the medication (active or auxiliary).
Dosage and duration of treatment
According to the instructions for use and reviews, the cream "Timogen" should be applied to the affected area of ​​the skin with a thin layer 1-2 times a day (for example, in the morning and evening). The recommended daily dosage of the drug in question is 2 g or 1000 micrograms of thymogen. It should be noted that one strip of cream from a tube, the diameter of which is 5 mm and the length is 4 cm, is a mass of 1 g.
After applying the drug to the skin, it is forbidden to use any dressings.
The duration of treatment with an immunostimulating drug may depend on various circumstances (more often it is used until the local manifestations of skin diseases are completely eliminated). It should be remembered that the maximum duration of a course of cream therapy is 20 days.
Side effects
Experts say that adverse reactions after the use of the cream "Timogen" are extremely rare. Sometimes, against the background of using the drug (for example, on large areas of the body), the patient may experience allergic responses to active and auxiliary components.
Overdose cases
About cases of overdose with the drug "Timogen" in the attached instructions nothing is said. At the same time, experts report that it has been experimentally proven that such a drug is non-toxic in doses that are thousands of times higher than therapeutic.
Interaction with other drugs
Is it acceptable to use Timogen cream at the same time as other medicines? The instructions on the interaction of this medicine with other drugs do not say anything. At the same time, doctors do not recommend the use of “Timogen” with other means of a similar action intended for external application.
Information about other forms of release
In addition to cream, the Timogen preparation can be purchased in the form of a spray and a solution.
Intramuscular injection is practically colorless. It goes on sale in 1 ml ampoules, which are placed in cardboard packs of 5 pieces.
Spray "Timogen" is intended for nasal use, in connection with which the dosage bottle has a specific form. The contents of the container may have a characteristic odor.
For preventive purposes, such forms of the drug can be used for:
- chemotherapy
- chlamydial, viral and bacterial infections;
- therapy with large doses of antibiotics;
- oppression of one’s own blood;
- diseases of the respiratory system;
- slowing down regenerative processes.
The choice of the dosage form of the drug in question in the treatment of a disease depends on many factors and is made only by the attending doctor.
Unlike the Timogen cream, other forms of this medicine in case of an overdose can cause various reactions. For example, a ten-fold excess of the therapeutic dose of the nasal spray contributes to the development of hay fever, as well as the appearance of mucous discharge from the nose and the appearance of the flu-like syndrome.
As for the intramuscular injection of high doses of the drug, in this case, the severity of side effects increases.
It's important to know!
Before using the cream "Timogen" for the treatment of skin diseases, you should definitely study the attached instructions. It should also be noted that numerous clinical studies of this drug confirm that it meets absolutely all the requirements for medicines for external use, which are actively used in the treatment of dermatoses (including the treatment of atopic forms of dermatitis, strobulus, pyoderma, eczema of microbial origin) in pediatric practice.
It should be remembered that the drug in question has an immunocorrective effect. Its use improves the barrier function of the skin, which is achieved by quickly eliminating dryness and restoring the integrity of the epidermis.
Similar drugs
What can replace a solution, spray or cream "Timogen"? There are no analogues in this drug for the active substance. Therefore, choosing a similar medication, you should pay attention to drugs that have the same immunomodulatory effect. For example, in certain cases (after consulting a doctor), the drug in question can be replaced by the means: “Immunoglobulin”, “Tonsilgon N”, “Cycloferon”, “Broncho-munal”, etc.
In the event that the patient requires an immunomodulator in the form of a cream, experts recommend using the following drugs: Losterin, Viferon, Panavir, etc.
The cost of "Timogen"
The price of Timogen cream in Russian pharmacies varies between 200-250 rubles. As for the spray with the same name, its cost is approximately 185 rubles. Injection is the most expensive form of this drug. Ampoules can be purchased for 270 Russian rubles.
It should be recalled that the price of Timogen may differ from the above depending on the pharmacy chain and the region of sale.
Drug Reviews
According to thematic reports that can be found on medical forums, the medication in question has established itself as an effective and reliable drug used to correct the activity of the human immune system.
Patients using "Timogen" talk about the good tolerance of the nasal and injectable forms of the drug. As for the spray, it is quite often and effectively used in pediatric practice. In children, this drug is used in the treatment of immunodeficiencies (in various age groups). Many parents claim that the spray is a very convenient dosage form, as the bottle is equipped with a dispenser.
Cream "Timogen" is also considered an effective tool. With the external use of the drug (in the treatment of skin diseases), it never causes negative reactions. Also, patients are pleased with the affordable price of this medicine in pharmacy chains.