The body has a protective system that promotes the production of antibodies in response to the penetration of pathogenic microflora. In the first years of a child’s life, the immune system is not yet fully developed, so a growing body does not always manage to cope with the disease on its own. For such purposes, Anaferon is often used for children. Instructions and reviews on the drug we will consider below.
Product release form
"Anaferon" for children is available in tablets and drops. The first dosage form is for older children, and drops for the smallest patients.
Specialists most often prescribe Anaferon in tablets, which are sold in blisters for 20 or 40 pieces.
Operating principle
Instructions for the use of children's tablets "Anaferon" speaks of immunomodulating and antiviral effects.
The drug is active against the following microorganisms:
- herpes virus;
- enteroviruses;
- influenza and parainfluenza viruses;
- rotaviruses;
- tick-borne encephalitis viruses;
- coronaviruses and others.
When taking the drug, the concentration of viruses that cause the above diseases decreases, and the production of interferon increases. It strengthens the immunity of the child and copes with viruses and bacteria. The drug stimulates the immune response to the effects of pathogenic microorganisms, both cellular and humoral.
At what age is allowed to receive
The manufacturer reports the safety of the drug, even for infants. It is allowed to take, according to the instructions, "Anaferon" for children from the age of 1 month.
Indications for use
According to the instructions, Anaferon is prescribed for children in the following cases:
- In the treatment of colds, acute respiratory viral infections, for their prevention in children.
- For the treatment of labial and genital herpes in combination with other drugs, in the treatment of diseases caused by viruses (chickenpox, infectious mononucleosis).
- With the complex treatment of rotavirus, enterovirus and other diseases.
- Treatment of certain types of immunodeficiency.
"Anaferon" has a gentle effect on the child's body and is part of the complex therapy of the above diseases.
The drug is allowed to be used with weakened immunity of the child and for the prevention of bacterial infections.
How to use Anaferon
The drug is allowed to be used by children older than 1 month. Babies from 2 months to 3 years old should not be given "Interferon" in tablet form. It is best to buy it in the form of a syrup or dissolve a tablet.
As for children older than 3 years, then pediatricians recommend dissolving the pills until they are completely dissolved. The drug is not taken during meals. If the drug is prescribed for a young child, then the tablets can be dissolved in water and given the solution to the baby. To do this, take boiled water at room temperature in a volume of 25 ml and mix the crushed tablet in it.
According to the instructions, Anaferon children begin to take when the first symptoms of a cold and other viral diseases appear. The sooner therapy is started, the faster complete recovery will come.
According to the instructions for use of "Anaferon" children in drops, a single dose is 10 drops. The treatment regimen on the first day of the disease is as follows: 5 doses after 30 minutes, then 3 more doses at regular intervals until the end of the day. For 2-5 days, Anaferon is taken three times a day, 10 drops.
The drug is best drunk before meals. The optimal time is a quarter of an hour before or after meals.
According to the instructions, "Anaferon" children in tablets is taken according to the scheme, depending on the indications:
- Influenza and SARS. Therapy will be most effective if it is started when the symptoms of the disease appear: cough, sore throat and general weakness. Elevated temperature reduces the effect of the drug. In the first 2 hours, tablets are taken every half hour. In the next 2 days, take 3 tablets with a break of 8 hours. The drug is taken until all the symptoms of the disease disappear.
- With rotavirus infection, the treatment regimen is the same as with flu. However, you must understand that problems with the intestines can be caused not only by viruses. If they are provoked by bacteria, then Anaferon therapy is not practical, so before giving the baby the drug, you need to pass all the tests and get a pediatrician's advice. Remember that running intestinal infections can cause irreparable harm to the health of the child.
- For the treatment of herpes, the drug is used every 3 hours for three days. Then, for a month, 4 tablets are used per day. To prevent herpes in the future from bothering the child, Anaferon, for prophylaxis, takes 1 tablet for up to 6 months. This is determined by the doctor, taking into account the picture of the disease.
- To treat a bacterial infection, use 1 tablet of Anaferon per day. The course of therapy is determined by a specialist taking into account the severity of the patient's condition.
- According to the instructions, "Anaferon" for children for the prevention of colds is taken 1 tablet 1 time per day until the end of the epidemic.
- If the child has a weakened immune system, then it is recommended that he take the drug for 3 months.
Contraindications and side effects
According to the instructions, Anaferon is prohibited for children in the following cases:
- for the treatment of a child under the age of a month;
- with individual intolerance to the components of the drug;
- in case the child is diagnosed with lactose deficiency.
If you take the drug correctly and use it exclusively according to the instructions, then side effects are practically not observed. It is best to start giving Anaferon to a child older than 1 year because of a severe reaction with individual intolerance to the components that make up the drug. It is allowed to use it as much as the treatment or prophylaxis process requires, which cannot be said about other antiviral agents.
If the child has an individual intolerance to the ingredients of the drug, then they stop the therapy. When contacting a specialist, he selects another immunomodulating agent.
There were no cases of overdose of Anaferon in the treatment of children. According to the manufacturer, if a child accidentally takes several tablets, then this can lead to symptoms of dyspepsia, which is caused by taking the excipient as part of the drug. Exceeding the dose of the active substance does not contribute to the occurrence of a toxic effect.
Analogs
Instead of Anaferon, a specialist can prescribe such drugs to a child:
- Ergoferon. The medicine refers to homeopathic remedies, and includes antibodies to gamma interferon, supplemented with other components. In solution, the drug is given to children older than 3 years, and for resorption in the form of tablets, it can be used from six months.
- Arbidol. The tool is prescribed for babies, starting from the age of 2 years. The basis is umifenovir, which is active against influenza viruses and coronaviruses. Product release form: suspension, tablets and capsules. In solid form, it is prescribed for children over the age of 3 years.
- Viferon. Rectal suppositories that contain alpha-interferon have an effective effect in the treatment of viral hepatitis, influenza, candidiasis and other infections. They are prescribed even to premature babies. The drug is made in the form of an ointment or gel.
- "Orvirem." A drug based on rimantadine has an antiviral effect and is prescribed for influenza and other viral infections. It is available in the form of sweet syrup, which is prescribed for children older than 12 months.
- Grippferon. The basis of this drug is alpha-interferon, which has an immunomodulating effect. Dosage forms include spray and drops. With certain indications, it is used to treat babies.
- Zovirax. The drug has activity against the herpes virus, therefore, most often it is used for infection with this particular pathogen. It is available in tablets, ointments, cream, injections.
Analogs of Anaferon should be prescribed by a specialist taking into account a specific disease and as a prophylaxis.
Interaction with other drugs
According to the instructions, "Anaferon" for children in drops and tablets can be combined with any means: antibiotics, with other antiviral drugs. There are no cases of incompatibility with other drugs.
Reviews
According to many doctors, Anaferon is classified as a drug whose effectiveness has not been proven. Experts question its therapeutic effect due to the low concentration of the active substance. The use of "Anaferon" in childhood, they compare with the placebo effect.
According to reviews, according to the instructions "Anaferon", a child is prescribed for rotavirus, at a temperature during SARS and other infections. Moms' opinions about the drug are both positive and negative.
The advantages of the drug include low cost, pleasant taste, the absence of adverse reactions and the ability to take for a long time for prevention. Parents practically did not meet a negative effect on the children's body when taking Anaferon.
A separate group of parents claims that the drug did not give any positive effect on treatment. They initially abandon Anaferon in favor of other antiviral agents that act on the causative agent of the disease, and not on the child’s immune system.
Conclusion
"Anaferon" for children - an antiviral drug that improves the immunity of babies. With its proper use, the course of the disease is facilitated, its symptoms quickly disappear. Due to the absence of side effects, the drug is widely used for the treatment and prevention of acute respiratory viral infections and influenza.