"Viferon" is an immunomodulating medication with pronounced antiviral activity. It has several forms of release with different concentrations of the active ingredient. Used for infectious and inflammatory diseases and viral diseases. Well tolerated by patients. It can be used in children from birth. The dosage of Viferon for a child is determined by the doctor depending on the severity and type of pathology.
Description of drug release forms
The drug "Viferon" has several forms of release, these are:
- rectal suppositories;
- gel for external use;
- ointment for local use.
All forms of the drug can be used in both children and adults.
Rectal suppositories produce in different concentrations - from 150,000 IU to 3,000,000 IU. They are packaged in blister PVC blisters of 10 or 5 pieces. Packed in a cardboard box along with instructions for use.
Candles "Viferon" (dosage for children 4 years and more is prescribed in accordance with the instructions for use and the doctor's prescription) are bullet-shaped. Painted in white and yellow. They have a homogeneous consistency. A funnel-shaped depression is observed in the longitudinal section. The size of the suppository in diameter is about 10 mm.
The shelf life of rectal suppositories is two years from the date of their manufacture. After this period, the drug is prohibited to use. Candles are stored at a temperature of 2 to 8º C. The drug is dispensed from pharmacies without a doctor’s prescription.
Viferon gel is packaged in an aluminum tube of 12 g. It is produced in the form of a gel-like mass of a uniform opaque consistency. It has a white-grayish tint. The shelf life of an unopened tube is 1 year. The opened gel should be stored in the refrigerator for no more than two months at a temperature of 2-8 ° C.
Ointment, like gel, is intended for external use. It has the appearance of a thick yellowish-white substance with a pronounced smell of lanolin. The drug is packaged in an aluminum tube of 12 mg. The shelf life of unopened ointment is one year, opened - one month. The ointment is stored in the refrigerator.
Suppositories differ from ointment and gel in their systemic action. The active substance present in their composition affects the entire body. It has a generalized effect on the disease, and gel and ointment act only at the local level. To enhance the effect of treatment, doctors recommend using several forms of Viferon at the same time.
Composition of drugs
Viferon suppositories contain recombinant human interferon alpha-2b. This is the main active component of the medication. In addition to it, the composition contains: vitamins C and E, sodium ascorbate, disodium salt, polysorbate, cocoa butter, confectionery fat. The daily dosage of Viferon for a child of 5 years old is the same as for babies under seven years of age and amounts to 300,000 IU. For children from seven years old, it is equal to 1,000,000 IU.
Ointment and gel for external use contain the same active component as candles. This is interferon alfa-2b. Local preparations are distinguished by additional substances. The composition of the ointment includes tocopherol, lanolin, petroleum jelly, peach oil, purified water. The gel contains vitamin E, benzoic and citric acid, methionine, sodium tetraborate and sodium chloride, human albumin, glycerol, carmellose sodium, 95% ethanol and purified water.
The gel is water-based and does not contain fats. Viscous and soft in texture. The ointment contains oils and fats, so it is easier to absorb into the skin. Each of the drugs has its pros and cons. The dosage of Viferon external products for the child is set according to the instructions.
On the pharmacological properties of rectal suppositories
This drug belongs to the pharmacotherapeutic group of cytokines. The active substance of the drug is interferon alfa-2b. It is characterized by antiviral, antiproliferative and immunomodulating abilities. The component drowns out RNA and DNA viruses. The dosage of Viferon for a child depends on age.
The immunomodulating qualities of interferon are manifested in an increase in the phagocytic activity of macrophages. In increasing the cytotoxicity of lymphocytes directed towards target cells. This characterizes the antibacterial activity of the drug.
Vitamins C and E as part of suppositories increase the antiviral characteristics of interferon alpha-2b. Increase its immunomodulating abilities. Make the body's immune response to pathogenic microbes stronger. When using this medication, the rate of secretory immunoglobulins belonging to class A is increased. The amount of immunoglobulin E is stabilized. The work of the endogenous process of interferon alpha-2b is normalized. Vitamins C and E are powerful antioxidants. They are characterized by anti-inflammatory qualities. They have regenerating and membrane stabilizing characteristics.
When using Viferon, there are practically no negative reactions of the body. Since antibodies are not formed that eliminate the antiviral activity of interferon.
Often used in complex therapy candles "Viferon". Dosage for children 3 years of age and older is determined according to the instructions. The drug reduces the amount of hormonal and therapeutic medications during the illness, which reduces the toxicity of treatment.
Cocoa butter contains phospholipids, which replace toxic artificial emulsifiers. The content of fatty acids improves the process of introducing the drug into the anus and facilitates the dissolution of suppositories in the intestinal environment.
Indications and contraindications
Candles are used in the complex treatment of diseases, such as:
- pneumonia, influenza and SARS, accompanied by a bacterial infection;
- infectious and inflammatory pathologies of newborn babies, including sepsis, intrauterine infections, meningitis;
- diseases of the urogenital tract that are infectious and inflammatory in nature, such as chlamydia, vaginal candidiasis, ureaplasmosis, cytomegalovirus infection, trichomoniasis and others;
- herpes of the skin and mucous membranes;
- hepatitis B, C, D, which are in a chronic stage of development, this also applies to cases when the disease is complicated by cirrhosis of the liver.
The use of Viferon gel is indicated for complex therapy of acute respiratory viral infections and influenza. It is used for frequent and prolonged colds, complicated by a bacterial infection in the body. The gel is used to prevent rotavirus diseases. Involved in the complex treatment of stenosing laryngotracheobronchitis. Used in the treatment of herpes dermis and mucous membranes. The gel is allowed to be used by babies from birth.
Ointment "Viferon" is used in the treatment of the first and second type of Herpes simplex, localized on the skin and mucous membranes. The medication is used in complex treatment and for the prevention of acute respiratory viral infections, influenza, colds. Ointment is not used in babies up to a year.
The use of Viferon has practically no contraindications. An exception is hypersensitivity to substances that make up suppositories, gel and ointments.
Suppositories are allowed to be administered to pregnant women starting at 14 weeks. Ointment and gel can be used at any time during pregnancy. The use of all means of Viferon is allowed during breastfeeding.
Further, we will talk about what dosage of Viferon candles for children is suitable and safe. The amount of active substance is indicated in accordance with the age of the child and the type of pathology.
Candles for children "Viferon": dosage
Suppositories are administered rectally twice a day. In acute respiratory diseases (this includes influenza, pathologies of bacterial origin, pneumonia), the drug is involved in complex treatment. For children from seven years of age, the medicine “Viferon” is prescribed in the amount of 500,000 IU once every 12 hours. The duration of treatment is prescribed by the doctor.
A single dosage of Viferon for children 3 years old, as well as for all babies up to seven years old, is 150,000 IU. Suppositories are used every 12 hours. The duration of the use of candles is five days. If necessary, after five days, therapy can be continued.
The dosage of Viferon candles for children under one year is 450,000 IU. Enter the suppository of 150,000 IU every eight hours three times a day. The course of therapy is 5 days. After a five-day break, treatment can be continued.
With infectious and inflammatory pathologies in newborn babies, including premature babies, the treatment lasts five days, and the dosage is:
- for premature babies from 34 weeks of life: one candle 150,000 IU twice a day;
- for premature babies whose gestational age is less than 34 weeks: one suppository of 150,000 IU, applied three times a day, every eight hours.
With sepsis, children are recommended to undergo 2-3 courses of treatment with Viferon, with meningitis - 1-2 treatment courses, in the presence of herpetic infection - 2 therapeutic courses, for enterovirus infections - 1-2 courses, cytomegalovirus infection requires from 2 to 3 courses , with mycoplasmosis and candidiasis, 2-3 courses are prescribed. The interval between therapeutic courses is five days. As directed by a physician, therapy may be continued.
Suppositories are used in children in the complex treatment of viral hepatitis D, B and C. In this case, for children under six months of age, the drug is prescribed in a daily dosage of 300,000-500,000 IU. For crumbs of 6-12 months, the medication is prescribed in a daily dose of 500,000 IU.
The daily dosage of Viferon suppositories for children 2 years of age and older is 3,000,000 IU per square meter. m of the surface of the child’s body. For babies 1-2 years old, the dose is similar. In children over 7 years of age, the drug is prescribed in the amount of 5,000,000 IU per 1 sq. Km. m of the surface of the child’s body. The drug is administered every twelve hours, morning and evening. The first ten days daily. Subsequently, for 6-12 months, three days a week, every other day. The duration of use of the drug is determined by the attending physician.
The daily dosage for children is calculated by multiplying the recommended amount of the drug by the surface area of the body, which is calculated by a special nomogram. This takes into account the growth of the child and his body weight. The daily rate is divided into two applications. The result is rounded up.
If there is chronic hepatitis, there are complications associated with cirrhosis of the liver, then the dosage of Viferon suppositories for children of the 4th year of life is 150,000 IU. This amount is administered to babies twice a day, every 12 hours. This treatment regimen is recommended for all children under the age of seven. In children from seven years old, the daily norm is two candles with a dosage of 500,000 IU. The drug is administered twice in the shade, every 12 hours. Hepatitis treatment lasts two weeks.
Scheme of application of gel and ointment
And now we will talk about what dosage of Viferon for children is provided when using external funds.
Viferon gel is allowed to be used by children from birth for the treatment and prevention of influenza, acute respiratory viral infections, herpetic and other infections.
For treatment of acute respiratory viral infections, influenza, colds, adenovirus, rhinovirus and similar diseases in children, a 0.5 cm gel strip is applied to the dried and washed nasal membrane or palatine tonsils 3-5 times a day, five days.
In the treatment of stenosing laryngotracheobronchitis, a little gel is taken, about 0.5 cm, and palatine tonsils are treated with it. If the disease is acute, then the drug is used up to five times a day. The duration of treatment is one week. After the acute period of the disease, the gel continues to be applied further. For this, a strip of gel with a length of about 0.5 cm is smeared with tonsils three times a day. The treatment lasts 21 days.
For the treatment of herpes infection in childhood, a small strip of 0.5 cm gel is applied with a cotton swab to the affected surface. Apply the drug up to five times a day for 5-6 days.
Ointment "Viferon" is not used in babies up to a year. In the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections in childhood from 1 to 2 years, 2500 IU ointment is applied in the amount of one pea, the diameter of which is 0.5 cm. The agent is used three times a day for five days. Children 2-12 years old apply the ointment four times a day. The amount of the drug should not exceed a pea with a diameter of 0.5 cm. The course of treatment is 5 days. At the age of 12 to 18 years, a dosage of 5000 IU is indicated. She corresponds to one pea of an ointment with a diameter of 1 cm. The course of treatment should not last more than five days.
Side effects
The dosage of Viferon for the child should be considered so that treatment does not cause negative effects. When using the drug, an allergy sometimes occurs in the form of skin rashes and itching. Side effects are reversible and disappear within three days after the medication is withdrawn.
When using local agents (gel and ointment), no side effects were observed in any of the patients. In rare cases, redness, rash, itching, and burning are possible. After discontinuation of the drug, the negative symptoms completely disappear.
special instructions
There were no cases of overdose with the use of suppositories, ointments and gel.
Any dosage of Viferon suppositories for children is compatible with the use of other medications, including antibiotics, glucocorticosteroids, and chemotherapy drugs.
Gel on the nasal cavity is applied after thorough cleansing of the sinuses. Palatine tonsils are treated with the drug 30 minutes after eating. When applying to the tonsils, the gel should not be touched with a cotton swab. It is necessary to influence the organ only with gel.
With a herpetic infection by ointment, the surface is treated immediately at the first sign of damage. Therapy in the prodromal period will accelerate recovery and give a positive result.
Cost
The cost of Viferon suppositories (dosage for children 2 years of life should not exceed 300,000 IU per day) depends on the concentration of the active substance and is equal to:
- 10 candles of 150,000 IU - 220-300 rubles .;
- 10 suppositories of 500,000 IU each - 340-430 rubles;
- 10 candles of 1,000,000 IU - 460-600 rubles;
- 10 suppositories of 3,000,000 IU - 800-1000 rubles.
The drug is sold in pharmacies. The cost of Viferon gel and ointment is approximately the same - about 150-200 rubles.
Patient Reviews
Reviews of parents say that the drug works effectively. Helps to quickly cope with the disease and boosts immunity. It has convenient-sized candles that are easy to enter for children. The medicine turned out to be useful even when the child refused to drink medicines inside and spit them out. Suppositories help not overload the stomach with pills during the illness. Viferon is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream and gives a good result in the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections and influenza. Its well tolerated by children. The drug rarely provokes side effects. The dosage of Viferon for children 2 years and older is selected by the doctor. The method of using the drug is described in detail in the instructions, so parents usually do not have problems with dose selection.
Some parents note that suppositories do not help and do not affect the course of the disease. According to them, they are completely useless for bacterial infections, do not cope well with the treatment of herpes and do not increase immunity. They can be addictive. In some children, the drug caused an allergy in the form of rashes on the skin of the buttocks.
In addition to these shortcomings, patients also note that the course of treatment with Viferon is expensive, and recommend a closer look at cheaper analogues.