Autumn and spring are characterized by an increase in the number of acute respiratory diseases. During the off-season in all pharmacies in the world, cold and flu medicines are best sellers. Among other medications that fight acute respiratory infections, one of the first places is taken by a series of Stada drugs under the brand name "Grippostad".
These medicines have proven themselves in the treatment of colds and are very popular throughout the world.
Dosage Forms
Drugs under the brand name "Grippostad" are available in the following dosage forms:
• The powder from which a drink is prepared for oral administration.
• “Gripostad Rino” - nasal drops for children (0.05%) and adults (0.1%).
• “Rino Flupostad” (0.1%) - nasal spray.
• "Influenza C" - capsules.
• "Herb flu" - syrup.
All these drugs have different composition, features of use, contraindications and side effects. Let us consider each of them in more detail.
Powder
This drug is very popular. "Grippostad" - a powder, the instructions for use of which are necessarily included in each package, containing the main active substance paracetamol in a dosage of 600 mg. Also in its composition there are additional components: ethyl cellulose, silicon dioxide, vitamin C, aspartame, citric acid, sucrose and citrus flavor.
How does the drug work?
"Grippostad" - a powder (instructions for use which advise dissolving it in hot water) - refers to drugs of the genus analgesics and antipyretics.
Its main active ingredient, paracetamol, is absorbed through the walls of the stomach and intestines and reaches its maximum plasma concentration after 30-60 minutes from the time of administration. It spreads to all organs and tissues and is metabolized by the liver. This drug is excreted by the kidneys within two hours. The duration of the drug is 4-6 hours. In people with impaired renal function and elderly patients, paracetamol excretion is slow. In connection with this fact, the drug should be agreed with the doctor.
An important component of this product is ascorbic acid, or vintamin C. This biologically active substance is an important link in the oxidative and regenerative processes of the human body, regulates carbohydrate metabolism, blood coagulation, promotes tissue regeneration, participates in the immune system, reduces vascular permeability, reduces the need in some vitamins and slows the elimination of paracetamol, mitigating its toxicity.
Indications and contraindications
Grippostad powder, the instructions for which describe its properties, is an analgesic and antipyretic and has a small anti-inflammatory effect. Based on this, it is shown under the following conditions:
• fever syndrome, which is associated with colds and flu;
• pain of moderate and weak nature, including with neuralgia, myalgia, menstruation;
• injuries, burns;
• headache and toothache.
The drug has its contraindications. Powder means "Grippostad", the instruction to which warns of possible side effects, should not be taken with the following diseases:
• renal failure;
• high blood pressure;
• gastric bleeding;
• deficiency of the enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.
Also, this drug is contraindicated in pregnancy, lactation and children under 6 years of age.
With increased caution, “Grippostad” should be used in the form of a powder for people with erosion and gastrointestinal ulcers, especially during exacerbations, as well as in chronic alcoholism and liver diseases.
The intake of this drug should be selected in accordance with age and weight. For adults, "Grippostad" in the form of a powder is taken 3-4 times a day for 2 sachets, but not more than 6 per day. For children, the dosage is determined according to weight. These recommendations are very important to consider when treating.
In case of an overdose, the following conditions are observed:
• nausea, vomiting;
• weakness;
• necrosis of liver cells.
In order to eliminate the toxic effect, methionine and acetylcysteine are administered to the patient, controlling the concentration of paracetamol in the blood. Therapy is continued until stable indicators are achieved.
Is it compatible with other drugs?
Not with all medications you can take "Flupostad" (the instruction warns about this). Therefore, it is very important to consider the following instructions:
• When used together with substances that enhance microsomal oxidation of liver cells, there may be a risk of severe intoxication of the body even with a small overdose of the drug. Such substances include ethanol, barbiturates, fetoin, rimfapicin, phenylbutazone, antidepressants of the tricyclic type.
• Co-administration with substances that inhibit microsomal oxidation reduces the thermal effect of paracetamol on the liver.
• When using ethanol during the treatment with Grippostad, there is a serious risk of developing acute pancreatitis.
• Joint administration with uricosureticia and the effectiveness of the latter decreases.
• When taken with propantheline, the speed of the evacuation ability of the stomach decreases, "Flupostad" is absorbed more slowly.
The drug "Metaclopramedin", on the contrary, enhances the patency of the food lump, and the
action of paracetamol is accelerated.
• Joint administration with chloramphenicol increases the toxic effect of the latter.
• When used with indirect type coagulants, their activity intensifies.
Side effects of the drug and features of its administration
Side effects may also occur from the use of the Grippostad powder preparation. Instructions for use indicate the following reactions:
• Allergic manifestations: itching, skin rashes, angioedema, and urticaria.
• Disorders in the hematopoietic system: thrombocytopenia, anemia, agranulocytosis. In the case of prolonged use in high concentration, a violation of the function of blood formation may develop.
• Violation of the digestive process, pain in the epigastric region, with prolonged use of the drug, toxic liver damage may develop.
• Neurotoxic reaction.
There are special instructions for taking the drug: “Grippostad” cannot be used, the instruction confirms this, for removing the heat for more than 3 days in a row, and as an anesthetic for longer than 5 days without medical supervision.
The vitamin C contained in the composition tends to distort the glucose and uric acid levels in the blood.
It is forbidden to use other drugs with paracetamol, NSAIDs, other analgesics, antipyretic drugs, barbiturates, Rifampicin, anti-epilepsy drugs, and Chloramphenicol without a doctor’s permission in parallel with Grippostad.
If the patient has diabetes mellitus, then he must take into account that the "Grippostad", the instructions for use of which must be read before taking, contains 3.8 g of sucrose in one package.
If the patient suffers from alcoholism, then the dosage of paracetamol is prescribed to him by the doctor individually in order to avoid toxic effects on the liver and its destruction.
"Reno Flupostad": drops and spray for the nose
This tool is a vasoconstrictor drug used in ENT practice. "Grippostad Rino", the instructions for use of which are required to read, are issued in the following forms:
• Nasal drops for children 0.05%.
• Solution-drops of 0.1%.
• Nasal spray 0.1%.
The main active ingredient is xylometazoline hydrochloride at a concentration of 500 mg in children's drops and 1000 mg in solution and spray.
Additional components: benzalkonium chloride, citric acid monohydrate, glycerol, sodium citrate dihydrate, purified water.
The drug "Grippostad Rino", the instructions to which are attached, produces a vasoconstrictive effect when applied topically. Swelling of the nasal mucosa is also markedly reduced, and mucus separation becomes easier. Relief of the patient's condition occurs already after 10-15 minutes after taking the drug.
"Influenza" - drops in the nose, the instructions to which indicate that it can be used with the following indications:
• Allergic rhinitis.
• ARI, accompanied by rhinitis.
• Pollinosis.
• Otitis media.
• Preparatory measures before the examination of the patient by an ENT doctor.
"Influenza" is a spray (instructions for it confirm its similarity in composition with drops), which is also used for the above symptoms.
This drug has contraindications for taking:
• High blood pressure.
• Tachycardia.
• Glaucoma.
• Atherosclerosis.
• Thyrotoxicosis.
• Atrophic rhinitis.
• Conditions after surgery on the lining of the brain.
• Intolerance to the components of the drug.
Caution should be used in diabetes mellitus, angina pectoris, pheochromocytosis, prostate tumors, pregnancy, lactation and in children under 2 years of age (drops) and up to 6 years of age (spray).
How to take?
What does the package of the grippostad drug contain? Instructions, drops or spray (depending on the form of release) - all this is necessarily present in the box with the medicine.
The use of Gripostad Uno cannot be continued for more than a week without the recommendation of a doctor. If crusts form in the nose, then it is worth replacing the product with a special gel.
The spray is injected into each nostril once no more than four times a day. It is important to prevent overdose. Drops are instilled in 2-3 in each nasal passage.
There are also side effects from the nasal use of the drug "Grippostad." Instructions for use describe in detail their symptoms:
• Irritation of the nasal mucosa, burning, its drying.
• Enhanced mucus separation.
• Depressive state (prolonged use of high doses).
• Rarely: mucosal edema, tachycardia and arrhythmia, hypertension, migraine, vomiting, blurred vision, and loss of sleep.
"Influenza": capsules. Instructions for use
This drug is also called tablets. It consists of the following substances:
• Paracetamol DS in an amount of 208 mg.
• Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) - 160 mg.
• Caffeine in an amount of 25 mg.
• Chlorphenaminamaleate - 2.5 mg.
Based on the name of the components of the capsules of "Influenza S", it can be concluded that this drug is an analgesic and antipyretic, that is, it helps a person cope with pain and heat.
The effect on the body of paracetamol and ascorbic acid was described earlier when we considered a powder analogue.
In addition to these two components, the Influenza C contains:
• Caffeine is a xanthine derivative in nature. Its peculiarity is that it enhances the analgesic effect of paracetamol.
• Chlorphenamine maleate serves as an antihistamine and prevents increased permeability and muscle contraction (including bronchial). It also relieves swelling of the nasal mucosa, helps to resume normal nasal breathing.
Side effects
What are the symptoms of influenza capsules? Instructions for use of this drug informs us that this drug is prescribed for fever accompanying infectious and inflammatory diseases. Along the way, this medication will help to cope with a headache, arthralgia, myalgia, nasal blockade and dry cough.
What is in the package of capsules "Grippostad"? Instructions, pills. The instructions for use must be read before taking the medicine. It is important to know the dosage and not to violate it in order to avoid severe consequences for the body.
Capsules are allowed from the age of 12, 2 pieces 3-4 times a day, but not more than 12 tablets. They should be washed down with a sufficient amount of still water. Long-term use or a change in the dosage of "Influenza C" is carried out only as directed by your doctor.
Side effects of the drug are associated with paracetamol and were listed in the description of the powder analogue of this drug.
"Influenza C" is contraindicated in the following conditions:
• Serious kidney and liver disease.
• The reaction of the body to the components of the drug.
• Enzyme deficiency: lactase.
• Children under 12 years old.
• The period of pregnancy and lactation.
Before using this drug, you should definitely pay attention to the following special instructions.
"Grippostad C" in the form of capsules should be treated with extreme caution and only on the advice of a specialist if the patient has the following diseases:
• Pathology of the liver and kidneys.
• Diseases associated with the accumulation of iron.
• Alcoholism in chronic form.
• Gastric ulcer.
• Heart arythmy.
• Angle-closure glaucoma.
• An alarm condition.
An overdose of paracetamol, its symptoms and methods of elimination have been described above.
Cough Syrup "Herpp Influenza"
This tool is effective in eliminating the symptoms of cough and colds, has an expectorant effect.
"Flupostad" - cough syrup (instructions for use attached to the bottle), which contains dry ivy extract (0.050 g) as the main active substance.
The composition also includes the following auxiliary components: maltitol solution, bitter fennel oil, potassium sorbate, liquorice liquorice extract, citric acid monohydrate, purified water.
How does the medicine work?
The drug has an expectorant and mucolytic effect, relieves spasm and promotes the separation of sputum. "Grassy grippostad" is indicated for diseases of the human respiratory system in acute and chronic form (bronchitis, tracheobronchitis, pneumonia).
The syrup is applied inside without dilution with water or in diluted form.
Syrup can be washed down with the necessary amount of liquid. Dosage depends on age:
• Children 1-5 years old - 2.5 ml three times a day.
• Children 5-12 years old - 2.5 ml four times.
• Children from 12 years old and adults - 5 ml three times a day.
When taking “Herbal Influenza”, a side effect may occur. It may be as follows:
• Digestive disorders: vomiting, diarrhea.
• Very rare: allergies in the form of dyspnea, exanthema, angioedema and urticaria.
The drug can not be taken if there is a reaction to the components of the drug, pregnancy and lactation, fructose intolerance.
"Grippostad Herbal" contains maltitol, which should be considered in patients with diabetes. Also, this substance produces an unexpressed laxative effect.
In case of drug overdose, gastroenteritis may occur.