"Lycopid" is a drug whose components contribute to the activation of certain parts of the body's defense system. This helps to strengthen the immune system against various infectious and tumor attacks. The drug is characterized by a pronounced immunotropic effect. It increases phagocytosis, macrophage activity and the body's ability to resist oncological changes. The instruction for Likopid is very detailed.
Structure
The only form of release of the medication is oral tablets. The main active component of the drug is glucosaminyl muramyl dipeptide, abbreviated GMDP. The content of the active ingredient in one tablet may be 1 or 10 mg.
Depending on the dosage chosen, the tablet dosage regimen changes. At the same time, in a minimum dosage, the drug can be freely purchased at a pharmacy, while a maximum dosage of 10 mg will require the provision of a prescription from a doctor. Likopid tablets in a dosage of 1 mg are used for prophylactic purposes, as well as for the treatment of children from the age of three, while 10 mg are intended for the full-fledged therapy only in the adult population.
The properties
At its core, "Lycopid" is an immunomodulator, which includes an analog of peptidoglycan of artificial origin. This substance is a fragment of the bacterial cell structure. When ingested, the drug activates the immune system.
According to the instructions, "Lycopid" promotes the production of specific antibodies, and also increases the antimicrobial and cytotoxic effects of phagocytes. GMDP establishes a connection with receptors, which ensures the immunostimulating effect of the drug. The drug is low toxic. Even when taking the tablets in an increased hundredfold dosage, no toxic effects on the nervous system were detected, nor on other systems and organs.
The peak concentration of the drug in the body occurs an hour and a half after the pill is taken. Excretion is carried out with urine 4.5 hours after using the drug.
Indications for adults
"Lycopid" is widely used for both adults and children. It is included in the complex therapy in conditions characterized by immunodeficiencies of the secondary type.
As indicated by the instructions for Likopid, an adult drug with an active substance content of 1 and 10 mg is indicated in the following cases:
1. Tuberculosis of the lungs.
2. Infectious diseases of the lungs in chronic form.
3. Papillomavirus infection.
4. Hepatitis C and B of viral origin, proceeding in a chronic form.
5. Psoriasis, including arthropathic.
6. Herpetic infection, as well as ophthalmic herpes.
7. Pathologies of a purulent-inflammatory nature in acute and chronic forms, localized on the skin and soft tissues, including as a complication after surgery.
Indications for children
"Likopid" for children is prescribed in the minimum dosage for the following diseases:
1. Infectious pathology provoked by the herpes virus of any localization.
2. Hepatitis C and B of viral origin, occurring in a chronic form.
3. Purulent-inflammatory pathologies of the skin and soft tissues, proceeding in acute and chronic forms.
4. Infectious diseases of the respiratory tract - both upper and lower, proceeding in a chronic form, with exacerbation and remission.
Contraindications
In accordance with the instructions, "Likopid" is not recommended for the following conditions and diseases:
1. Individual intolerance to the substances included in the composition of the drug.
2. The period of bearing a child and breastfeeding.
3. An exacerbation of thyroiditis of an autoimmune type.
4. Pathological processes, which are characterized by a significant increase in body temperature - more than 38 degrees.
Likopid tablets in a dosage of 10 mg are contraindicated in patients under the age of 18 years. Taking pills in this dosage requires maximum caution and medical supervision, especially when used in elderly patients.
Adopt "Likopid" for adults and children according to the instructions you need sublingually or orally on an empty stomach, half an hour before meals.
Instructions for adults
Standard dosages of the drug for adult patients are as follows:
1. After the operation, for prophylaxis, the minimum dosage of the drug should be taken once in the morning with a ten-day course.
2. With purulent-septic pathologies of the skin and soft tissues, proceeding in a severe form, it is recommended to take 10 mg in the morning with a ten-day course.
3. With purulent-septic pathologies of the skin and soft tissues, characterized by moderate severity, the drug is prescribed for sublingual administration in a daily dosage of 2 mg. The duration of the course is also 10 days.
4. Pulmonary tuberculosis will require the appointment of 10 mg per day in a ten-day course.
5. Infectious diseases of the respiratory tract in the upper and lower sections, proceeding in a chronic form, are treated by taking the drug at 1-2 mg per day sublingually. The course is similar to the previous options.
6. If there is a lesion of the uterine neck with the papilloma virus, “Lycopid” is prescribed in the maximum dosage for a ten-day course.
7. In the treatment of psoriasis, the drug is taken 10-20 mg up to two times a day in a ten-day course. In the future, "Lycopid" is taken every other day for 10-20 mg. If the skin lesion is severe, the drug is taken 10 mg twice a day for 20 days.
8. How to take "Likopid" with herpes? Herpetic infection, proceeding in a mild form, involves sublingual administration of the drug at 2 mg up to two times a day for six days. A severe form will require an increase in the daily dosage to 10-20 mg. Ophthalmic herpes is treated by taking 10 mg twice a day for three days with a second course after a three-day break.
For children
with regard to this issue, Likopid for children is prescribed only in the minimum dosage:
1. Infectious disease caused by herpes: 1 mg three times a day in a ten-day course.
2. Viral hepatitis B and C in chronic form: 1 mg three times a day for 20 days.
3. Infectious diseases of the respiratory tract and skin pathologies of a purulent-inflammatory nature: 1 mg once a day in a ten-day course.
It is allowed to take the drug in newborns with a prolonged course of pathologies of infectious genesis, as well as complicated diseases. In this case, the dosage will be 0.5 mg in the morning and evening in a ten-day course.
Is the use of Lycopid always safe?
Adverse reactions
The drug in the minimum dosage can cause the following adverse reactions:
1. A passing increase in body temperature to insignificant indicators, not more than 38 degrees. In this case, you do not need to cancel the drug.
2. An increase in temperature above 38 degrees may require the use of antipyretic drugs, but do not cancel Likopid.
3. Diarrhea. Also does not require withdrawal of the drug.
At the maximum dosage, the drug can cause the following negative reactions:
1. Joint pain.
2. Muscle pain.
3. The passing increase in body temperature, not exceeding 38 degrees.
4. An increase in temperature of more than 38 degrees also requires the use of antipyretic drugs, for example, Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Paracetamol or Nimesulide.
5. Diarrhea.
As a rule, adverse reactions are observed when taking increased dosages of more than 20 mg.
Analogues of Lycopida
Likopid has no structural analogues having the same composition. The following drugs can become identical in properties that a drug has:
1. "Galavit." It is produced in the form of a powder for solution preparation and further injection, as well as in the form of suppositories and sublingual tablets. Galavit also affects the activity of phagocytes and promotes the production of endogenous type interferons. The drug can be prescribed to patients from the age of six. It helps to cope with immunodeficiency conditions caused by various pathologies of organs and systems of the body.
2. "Polyoxidonium". The release form is similar to Galavit, but the tablets are intended for oral administration. The active substances in the composition of the drug act directly on phagocytes and contribute to the production of antibodies. Children can take it from six months.
3. "Neovir." The effectiveness of this Likopid analogue is ensured by stimulating the production of high-type endogenous interferon titers. The drug has a pronounced effect against viruses and chlamydia. It is dispensed in pharmacies in the form of a solution for injection.
Thus, "Lycopid" is an effective immunostimulant, which is widely used in both adults and children.