Sore throat that occurs with infectious and inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity and pharynx is known to each of us. This unpleasant symptom worsens our general condition, does not allow us to eat, drink, speak normally. Pain in the throat, as a rule, torment for several days. To eliminate this symptom, you can take "Imudon." This medication enhances local immunity (in the mouth and throat), helps the body fight the existing disease. Let's look at the instructions for the drug "Imudon": side effects, indications and rules for using the medicine.
Features of the drug
"Imudon" has been used in Russia for more than 20 years in the treatment and prevention of infectious and inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity and pharynx. This is an immunostimulating drug. It was developed by Abbott Laboratories LLC.
"Imudon" is considered a local immunostimulant. In the mouth and throat, it activates the immune system. The active components of the drug are bacterial lysates (fragments of the cell wall of microorganisms). They are not able to cause any disease or complicate the course of an existing ailment. Bacterial lysates increase the number of phagocytes. These are the cells of the immune system that are responsible for the absorption and destruction of foreign particles. Also, lysates increase in saliva production:
- lysozyme - an enzyme that can destroy the cell walls of bacteria;
- interferon - a protein that enhances protection against viruses;
- immunoglobulin A - a specific protein molecule that protects the mucous membranes of the body from various pathogenic microorganisms.
Bacterial lysates are not the only components in Imudon. The composition of the drug also includes auxiliary components - lactose monohydrate, mannitol, glycine, sodium bicarbonate, anhydrous citric acid, povidone, peppermint flavoring, magnesium stearate, sodium saccharinate, sodium deoxycholate, thiomersal.
Release form and prices
The drug is available in the form of white or almost white lozenges. They have a minty smell. Imudon pharmacies come in carton packs containing 3 or 5 blisters of 8 tablets.
The drug can be attributed to the number of expensive medicines. Approximate prices:
- 440 rub. per pack with 24 tablets;
- 610 rub per pack with 40 tablets.
What helps "Imudon"
The drug activates local immunity, which means that the medication provides protection against bacterial, viral and fungal pathogens. This action allows you to use the drug for the treatment and prevention of infectious and inflammatory diseases of the pharynx - pharyngitis, chronic tonsillitis. "Imudon" is also recommended for use by those people who are faced with an operation to remove the tonsils. The drug is prescribed before and after surgery.
The immunostimulant has found application not only in the field of otorhinolaryngology, but also in the field of dentistry. It is effective in the treatment and prevention of infectious and inflammatory processes in the mouth:
- periodontitis;
- deep and superficial periodontal disease;
- dysbiosis;
- stomatitis;
- glossitis;
- ulcerative and erythematous gingivitis;
- infections that occur after implantation and tooth extraction;
- ulcerations appearing in people with dentures.
Age restrictions and contraindications
How many years can Imudon be used? In the instructions that came with the drug, there is an answer to this important question. The drug can be given to children starting from the age of 3. Additionally, one special indication has been established. Children aged 3 to 6 years should dissolve tablets under the supervision of adults.
The immunostimulant has several contraindications. The drug is not allowed to be included in the treatment and prevention of hypersensitivity to its components, as well as with autoimmune diseases. Also, the specialists included the period of pregnancy and lactation in the list of contraindications. This does not mean that “Imudon” harms pregnant and lactating women. There is simply no information on the use of the drug for the treatment of this category of people. No relevant experiments were performed on animals.
Some people with bronchial asthma should not be treated and treated with Imudon. The drug is contraindicated only in those cases when it causes an exacerbation of the disease, i.e., provokes asthmatic attacks.
Side effects
"Imudon", judging by the reviews, is well tolerated by people. In rare cases, unwanted effects are recorded:
- allergic reactions (skin rash, itchy pale pink blisters, angioedema);
- violation of the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract (pain in the abdomen, nausea, vomiting);
- increase in body temperature;
- the occurrence of cough;
- exacerbation of bronchial asthma.
In a separate list, you can make side effects of "Imudon", which occur very rarely. For example, in some people, the use of tablets is accompanied by a decrease in platelet count in the blood and increased bleeding, the development of hemorrhagic vasculitis, erythema nodosum.
Application features
Recommendations for the use of "Imudon" are set for 2 groups of people. The first group is adults and children over 14 years old. For treatment purposes, tablets are resorbed in 8 pieces per day at intervals of 1 to 2 hours. The duration of the course is an average of 10 days. For prevention, the daily dose of Imudon for adults and adolescents is less - 6 tablets. Moreover, the course of use is longer - 20 days. Such prevention is allowed to carry out 3 or 4 times a year.
The second group - children aged 3 to 14 years. For them, the established daily dose of 6 tablets, which must be resolved with an interval of 1-2 hours. The duration of treatment is 10 days, and the duration of prevention is 20 days.
Both adults and children are not recommended to take any drinks or food within an hour after the tablet is resorbed. If you ignore this indication, the therapeutic effectiveness of Imudon is reduced.
The manufacturer in the instructions for use draws the attention of patients to another nuance: when observing a low-salt or salt-free diet, it is important to consider that 1 tablet of the drug contains 15 mg of Na + .
Frequently Asked Questions About Imudon
1. The instructions indicate that in the treatment of diseases of the mouth and throat, adults need to dissolve 8 tablets per day, for children - 6 tablets, for prevention for adults and children - 6 tablets. Is it dangerous to take so many pills? You should not be afraid of the recommended dosage of Imudon. Such a number of tablets gives the desired effect and does not harm the human body. Overdose when using "Imudon" does not occur.
2. Can “Imudon” be combined with other medicines? This immunostimulant does not cause any unwanted effects while taking it with other medicines.
3. If a sore throat, is it possible to use only one "Imudon"? The drug during treatment is prescribed as part of complex therapy. Medicines should be selected by the attending physician taking into account the existing disease, the presence of contraindications.
4. What should I do if a side effect occurs after taking the drug? "Imudon" in such cases must be canceled and consult a doctor.
About analogues: Ismigen
"Imudon" is a unique medicine. It makes no sense to think about whether analogues exist cheaper than Imudon. There are no such medicines. Imudon is the only local immunostimulating drug for use in dentistry and ENT practice.
However, in some cases, you can still find a replacement for him. Let’s take Ismigen as an example, an immunostimulant for sublingual administration (available in tablet form). This medication can replace "Imudon" in the treatment and prevention of tonsillitis, pharyngitis. Other available indications are bronchitis, laryngitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, otitis media. "Ismigen" in its composition also contains bacterial lysates, which contribute to increased local and systemic immunity.
At first glance, the drug may seem expensive. A package with 30 tablets costs about 1,200 rubles, and a package with 10 tablets costs 410 rubles, but, despite this, it is more profitable to buy this medication than Imudon. For treatment, usually 10 tablets of Ismigen are required. Costs - 410 rubles. When treated with Imudon, an adult spends about 80 tablets. Costs - 1220 rubles. (upon purchase of 2 packages for 610 rubles).
Other drugs from the group of immunostimulating agents
Among the existing immunostimulants, Cyclovir-3 can be distinguished. It is dispensed without a prescription and is used in the prevention and treatment of influenza, acute respiratory viral infections. Active substances in the composition are alpha-glutamyl-tryptophan, ascorbic acid, bendazole hydrochloride. Dosage forms of Cyclovir-3:
- Powder for children for the preparation of a solution intended for oral administration. The product is available without flavoring, as well as cranberry, orange and strawberry flavorings. A solution prepared from powder is allowed to be used from a year old.
- Capsules for oral administration. This dosage form is designed for adults and children over 6 years of age.
You can buy Cycloferon in the form of tablets without a prescription. The active substance is meglumine acridone acetate. The drug increases the body's resistance to bacterial and viral infections, fights against some pathogens. Indications for use - treatment of influenza, acute respiratory infections, herpetic infection in adults and children over 4 years old. Also, "Cycloferon" can be used in the prevention of influenza, acute respiratory infections in children older than 4 years.
In conclusion, it is worth noting that "Imudon" is an effective tool. This is confirmed by many doctors and people who are familiar firsthand with this drug. It accelerates recovery from infectious and inflammatory diseases of the mouth and pharynx, strengthens local immunity. These are the virtues of Imudon. There are no analogs cheaper. This, unfortunately, is the negative side of the drug, because it does not suit everyone.