Modern pharmacology has thousands of drugs. Some are designed to fight bacterial infections, while others are effective in viral pathologies. But there are drugs that can be prescribed in one case or another. These include Arbidol. It is not necessary to have a doctor's prescription to buy a medicine. It is sold over the counter. Today's article will tell you about what diseases this remedy helps to cope with. You will also learn how to use it.
general description
The drug "Arbidol" is available in several dosage forms. In the pharmacy you can buy dragee tablets, capsules with bulk contents and suspension. The latter type of drug has become a novelty; it has recently entered the pharmacological market. Arbidol tablets have a dosage of 50 mg of the active substance. Capsules contain 100 and 200 mg. In syrup, there is 25 mg of the main component in every 5 milliliters.
The active substance of the drug is the compound of the same name - arbidol. In addition, additional components may be detected. Their number and name depend on the form of production of the drug.
What is Arbidol from?
Many consumers consider this medicine a drug with unproven effectiveness. But this version can be challenged. Tablets and suspension effectively cope with their task. Thanks to this, the drug has gained high popularity: it is often prescribed by therapists and pediatricians. So what does Arbidol help from? What effect does it have on the body?
The medication is prescribed to correct viral and bacterial infections. It induces the synthesis of interferon. The drug has an immunomodulatory effect and has antiviral activity, confirmed by clinical studies. After oral administration, the drug stimulates cellular immunity, the phagocytic function of macrophages. The drug fights against flu and other respiratory diseases. The medicine suppresses the interaction of the virus with healthy cells, does not allow the fusion of the lipoid membrane of a pathogenic cell with a healthy membrane.
According to the instructions, the drug increases the body's resistance to various diseases. It also prevents the development of complications. The medicine reduces the duration of the disease and reduces the severity of its symptoms.
Prescribing a drug for treatment
What will Arbidol be effective for? To answer this question, you must refer to the instructions. The annotation indicates indications for its use. Among them are described the following:
- influenza A and B virus;
- acute respiratory infections;
- viral diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract;
- in combination with other agents for bacterial pneumonia, bronchitis;
- herpes virus;
- acute intestinal infection.
Most of these diseases occur with the following symptoms: fever, sore throat, cough, tickle, sneezing, headache, and poor health. Intestinal diseases are also accompanied by diarrhea, vomiting, and other symptoms. The instructions indicate that you should not use "Arbidol" for hypersensitivity and in children whose age has not reached two years.
Preventive use
Why does Arbidol help if used for prevention? Such an application is approved for use by the user . It is allowed in adults and children from two years. A medication is prescribed to avoid complications with an already existing viral pathology. It is proved that the use of the drug by 90% reduces the likelihood of pneumonia and bronchitis.
As a prophylaxis, the drug is also used to avoid viral infection. If you have contact with a sick person, then Arbidol will help protect yourself from infection. The tool is effective during epidemics, colds and colds. It is used in winter and autumn, when the likelihood of disease increases. The medicine is also prescribed to normalize the immune status. As a prophylaxis, "Arbidol" is used in surgery: it is prescribed before and after surgery.
Use of 50 mg tablets
What "Arbidol" is used for, you already know. But this is not enough. You need to find out how to take the drug. If you purchased pills, the dosage of which is 50 mg per capsule, then the instructions for their use will be as follows:
- for treatment, adults are prescribed 4 tablets every 6-7 hours for 5 days, for prevention, 4 tablets per day for two weeks;
- children from 6 to 12 years old need to take 2 tablets 4 times 5 days, for prevention - 2 tablets per day for 2 weeks.
Up to 6 years, the medication in this form is not used.
The use of capsules of 100 and 200 mg
This drug is taken orally before meals. The usage pattern is as follows:
- for adults, 2 capsules with a multiplicity of 4 times for the purpose of treatment and 2 pills once for prevention;
- children under 12 years old are prescribed 1 capsule of "Arbidol" with a break of 6 hours and only 1 tablet per day for prevention.
Treatment continues for 5 days. After this time, the frequency of use decreases, and the drug is used for another month. Preventive measures are carried out for 10-14 days. This form of medication is not prescribed for children under 6 years of age.
Arbidol Maximum
The dosage of this drug is 200 milligrams per capsule. This form is intended exclusively for adults. The medication is not used in children whose age has not reached 12 years. For therapeutic purposes, 1 capsule is prescribed 4 times a day. Therapy takes from 5 days to a week. For the purpose of prevention, take the drug 1 capsule per day for two weeks.
Suspension "Arbidol"
Can “Arbidol” in liquid form be given to children? The instruction says that this form is not used in babies under 2 years old. The drug is prescribed both for treatment and for prophylactic purposes. Take the medicine as follows:
- children under 6 years old in 2 measuring glasses (10 ml) with a multiplicity of 4 times;
- children 6-12 years of 20 ml with a break of 6 hours.
Before use, the medicine must be prepared. To do this, combine the loose substance in the bottle with water. Mix the preparation thoroughly until a homogeneous consistency is obtained. Shake the vial before each use.
Additionally
You already know how to use the drug "Arbidol". Tablets, capsules and suspension are used not only for the treatment of viral diseases and for their prevention. The medicine is prescribed in the following age dosages: adult patients - 200 mg of the drug for use, 100 mg - for children under 12 years old, for children under 6 years old - 50 mg each. Terms of use depend on the type of pathology:
- With intestinal infection: with an interval of 6 hours for 5 days.
- For the prevention of complications after surgery: 2 days before the procedure and on the 2nd and 5th day after it - one-time.
- In chronic bronchitis and recurrent pneumonia: 4 times a day for a week, and then every 2 days for a month.
- In the epidemic season: 2 times a week for 21 days.
Arbidol: price, analogues are cheap
Many consumers say that the drug is expensive. You can buy 50 mg tablets for 200 rubles. Capsules with a dosage of 100 mg will cost you 250 rubles. "Arbidol Maximum" costs 500 rubles. The indicated prices apply to packages containing 10 tablets. The suspension will cost 350 rubles.
There are inexpensive substitutes for the drug, but doctors do not recommend choosing them yourself. These are such funds as Arpetol, Arpeflu, Anaferon, Cycloferon, and so on. Some of them are unacceptable to use in young children. Before using any medicine, be sure to read the instructions.