Remantadin tablets belong to the category of the oldest medications indicated for acute respiratory viral infections and influenza. The drug allows you to quickly eliminate the ailment, when the usual antibiotic was ineffective. From the article you will learn the mechanism of action of the drug, its therapeutic effect, dosage. And also we will understand why the Remantadin tablets are used in modern medicine.
Description of the drug
Remantadine tablets were patented by pharmacists in the United States in 1965. Later, experts conducted special tests among volunteers, due to which they were able to prove the high effectiveness of the medication. Today, the drug belongs to the category of synthetic substances. This is one of the few derivatives of adamantane (a chemical compound that is found in nature in oil). Tablets are effective in the planned prevention and treatment of type A flu, as well as to prevent the development of the active stage of tick-borne encephalitis.
Release form and composition
To understand what the Remantadin tablets are for, you need to study all the properties of this medication. Experts have proved that the active substance of the drug is a white crystalline powder, which is highly soluble in alcohol. The final composition of auxiliary trace elements depends on the form of release. The main active substance of the drug is remantadine. The composition also includes auxiliary components:
- magnesium stearate;
- corn starch;
- silicon dioxide colloidal anhydrous;
- lactose monohydrate.
The drug comes in two forms. 100 mg capsules are sold in blister packs. 50 mg tablets are packaged in blisters of 10 pieces.
Pharmacological principle of action
If the patient wants to figure out what the Remantadin tablets are for, then you need to pay attention to the properties of this drug. The medication compares favorably with all analogues with a powerful antiviral effect, as it relates to ion channel inhibitors that are built into the shell of a dangerous virus. The active substance inhibits the disease at an early stage, and also blocks the development of painful symptoms.
Tablets are taken exclusively by mouth, the maximum effect is achieved 30 minutes after use. It is worth noting that the active substance is characterized by a slow metabolism, due to which the drug remains in the patient's blood for a long time. Taking "Remantadine" cannot replace the full prevention of dangerous encephalitis. Treatment should be comprehensive. Antiviral medication is characterized by gradual absorption, is perfectly absorbed by the intestinal mucosa. The remains of the drug are excreted in the urine.
Indications for use
Many patients are interested in why Remantadine tablets? This is a high-quality antiviral agent, the main mechanism of which is inhibition of the initial stage of virus reproduction after it enters a previously healthy cell. Due to this, the transmission of genetic material by dangerous viruses to the blood cytoplasm is blocked. The universal composition of the drug significantly reduces the risk of getting the flu.
To understand what the Remantadin tablets are from and their use by patients, several important nuances must be taken into account. Experts say that the drug is relevant in the following cases:
- In the cold season, when the epidemiological threshold rises. The medication helps to strengthen the body's immune system in order to minimize the risk of SARS.
- The drug is effective for the prevention and treatment of influenza type A.
- Doctors prescribe "Remantadine" against encephalitis of viral etiology.
The tool helps to protect a person in contact with patients with the flu.
Contraindications
The instructions for Remantadine tablets indicate that the drug may not be taken by all patients. The medication is contraindicated in the presence of the following diseases and conditions in a patient:
- thyrotoxicosis;
- lactose deficiency;
- galactosemia;
- disturbances in the glucose absorption process;
- pregnancy;
- renal failure.
In the instructions for Remantadine tablets, manufacturers indicated that it is better not to use this remedy for women during lactation. Otherwise, you need to stop feeding the baby with breast milk.
There are a number of conditional contraindications that also need to be considered:
- individual sensitivity of the body to the components of the drug;
- tachycardia;
- the presence of chronic diseases of the digestive system;
- diseases of the cardiovascular system.
Instructions for use
The method of use of tablets "Remantadine" has its own characteristics, which must be taken into account. The product is best taken on a full stomach. There are some dosage recommendations:
- The instructions for the use of Remantadine tablets by adults indicate that 300 milligrams of the drug should be consumed on the first day. The next two days, the dosage should be 200 mg. At the final stage, the patient must take 100 mg of the drug.
- Teenagers from 11 years old use the medicine 1 tablet 3 times a day.
- Children over 8 years old can be given a maximum of one tablet per day, but not more than two days.
Each patient must know what the Remantadin tablets help from. In the instructions for use of the drug, manufacturers indicated that the drug is effective during flu epidemics. For this, patients take 50 mg of the active substance for two weeks. Adults at risk are prescribed a drug of 100 milligrams 2 times a day. Treatment lasts a maximum of 15 days.
Recommendations of specialists
In the instructions for Remantadine tablets, the manufacturers indicated that the drug is taken exclusively by mouth to prevent the development of influenza. Pills are best taken after meals with a large amount of still water. The preventive course is 15 days. To fight the flu in the early stages, take 2 capsules 3 times a day for the first 24 hours. After a bite of an encephalitis tick, it is necessary to take 100 mg of the drug 2-3 times a day.
Adverse reactions
Having read the instructions for Remantadin tablets, you can understand that almost all patients tolerate the effect of the drug on the body well. But exceeding the allowable dosage is fraught with the development of side effects:
- insomnia;
- flatulence;
- Dizziness
- violation of concentration and psychomotor activity;
- acute abdominal pain;
- dry oral mucosa;
- severe nausea, vomiting;
- mild headaches;
- a significant increase in the concentration of bilirubin in blood plasma.
Allergic reactions are accompanied by profuse skin rashes, itching, burning. If at least one side effect occurs, consult your doctor. During treatment, it is better to refrain from driving, as well as carrying out work that requires a person to have increased concentration. Instructions for the use of Remantadine tablets by adults and methods for calculating the optimal dosage help to avoid the most common mistakes.
The consequences of exceeding the allowable dosage
Numerous reviews about Remantadin tablets indicate that taking an antiviral medication should be carried out in strict accordance with the individual characteristics of each patient. Exceeding the allowable dosage and frequency of administration does not increase the antitoxic effect. But fraught with the development of complications. Most often, doctors diagnose disorders in the gastrointestinal tract, pronounced allergic reactions.
Experts have not yet come up with a universal antidote to Remantadin tablets. Overdose therapy is based on gastric lavage, as well as the appointment of high-quality symptomatic agents.
Interaction with other medicines
If you combine “Remantadin” and “Paracetamol”, then the maximum concentration of antiviral substances in human blood plasma will be reduced by 11%. Experts recommend using other means to effectively fight the fever. A similar situation is observed after the patient has taken the drug “Cimetidine”, which reduces the concentration of “Remantadine” by 19%. But anabolics do not affect the intensity of the drug.
A significant decrease in the benefits of antiviral tablets is observed if the patient has taken urine modifying agents. Absorbents inhibit the absorption of the active components of Remantadine by the body. It is better not to combine an antiviral drug with antiepileptic medicines. Hemodialysis practically does not affect the intensity of the antiviral agent.
Available analogues
In modern pharmacies, each patient can purchase different types of medicines that cope well with viral infections and are used to prevent acute respiratory viral infections. The following drugs are in greatest demand:
- Arbidol.
- Algirem.
- Amiksin.
- Kagocel.
- "Rimantadine."
- Ingavirin.
- "Orvirem."
- "Remantadine-STI."
The choice of drug depends on patient tolerance of the main components and recommendations of the attending physician. At the time of purchase, it is better not to be guided by the price, the main thing is the therapeutic effect.
The use of "Remantadine" during pregnancy
To date, studies in this category of patients have not been conducted. But during an animal experiment, specialists were able to determine that the active substance of the drug quickly penetrates the placental barrier, passing into breast milk. 3 hours after the use of the tablet, the concentration of the drug in milk exceeds the levels of the active substance in blood plasma. This situation is especially dangerous for a developing baby. But a pregnant woman gets a big burden on the kidneys.
Side reactions of the body negatively affect the health and well-being of the expectant mother. After using the capsules, bloating, stool disturbance, increased gas formation, vomiting, and nausea may occur. In some cases, appetite may disappear, palpitations will increase, and insomnia will appear.
In rare cases, Remantadin tablets can provoke a severe course of gestosis, seizures of extremities in a pregnant woman, and cerebrovascular accident. Exceeding the concentration of the drug in the blood of the expectant mother is simply unacceptable. Use of "Remantadine" during pregnancy is prohibited. To combat ARVI, it is better to use high-quality interferons and homeopathic remedies.
Prevention and treatment of children
During the period of the flu epidemic and SARS, it is small patients who are most at risk of getting sick. Universal tablets "Remantadine Avexima" can increase the protective function of the immune system to prevent the further spread of the disease. The drug eliminates the symptoms of diseases as quickly as possible. The tool has a powerful antitoxic effect, improves the well-being of the child and contributes to a quick recovery.
For preschool children, manufacturers have provided for the presence of a special dosage form - syrup. The medication can be used to treat babies from 4 years old. Children from 8 years of age are prescribed tablets or capsules. The final treatment regimen and optimal dosage are determined solely by the pediatrician.
The intensity of therapy depends on the age of the patient:
- Children from 3 to 4 years on the first day are given 2 teaspoons of the drug 3 times a day. At the final stage of the therapeutic course, the child takes the medicine 1 time per day.
- From 4 to 8 years, “Remantadine” take 3 teaspoons, three times a day. On the fourth day of the disease, the drug is used once in the morning.
The medication can be used not only to fight the flu, but also for the prevention of acute respiratory viral infections.