The medicinal product “Remantadin Actitab” is an antiviral drug that is used for influenza and SARS.
This medication is made in the form of tablets having a white color, a flat-cylindrical shape, a bevel. Pills of 10 or 20 pieces are packaged in blister packs placed in cardboard boxes (1 or 2 pieces).
The drug contains the main active element - remantadine hydrochloride, as well as some auxiliary substances: lactose (milk sugar), calcium stearate, potato starch, talc.
On sale you can find Remantadin and Remantadin Actitab. What is the difference between them, we will tell below.
pharmachologic effect
According to the instructions "Remantadin Actitab" - an antiviral medication with immunomodulating and antitoxic effects. The main active substance is a derivative of adamantane and has a pronounced activity against Herpes simplex viruses (type I and II), strains of influenza A virus, tick-borne encephalitis virus Flaviviridae (Russian and Central European spring and summer arboviruses). The polymer structure of the main active element allows it to circulate in the body for a long period of time, which ensures not only a therapeutic effect, but also a preventive effect. It is an insoluble base, increases the acidity (pH) of endosomes with a membrane of vacuoles surrounding viral particles penetrating into the cells.
Due to the prevention of acidification in such vacuoles, the fusion of the viral envelope with endosome membranes and the transmission of the genetic material of viruses to the cytoplasm of the cell are blocked. In addition, remantadine inhibits the release of viral particles from cells, which interrupts the transcription of the viral genome. The prophylactic use of 200 mg of the active substance per day can reduce the likelihood of contracting influenza, and in cases of the development of this disease, it significantly reduces the severity of symptoms and serological reaction. The insignificant therapeutic effect of the drug can occur if you start taking it in the first 18 hours after the onset of the initial symptoms of influenza or tick-borne encephalitis. The clinical efficacy of this medication is higher than that of amantadine-based drugs, and toxicity is much lower.
Pharmacokinetic properties
According to the instructions for Remantadin Actitab, after oral administration, the substance is slowly and almost completely absorbed in the intestine. The maximum level of this substance in the blood is reached after approximately 1–4 hours and when a daily dose of 100 mg is taken, it is: single - 181 ng / ml; twice - 416 ng / ml. The concentration in nasal mucus is slightly higher than in blood plasma, about 50%. Binding to plasma proteins - 40% of the accepted dosage. The active component in the liver is metabolized.
The elimination half-life at the age of 4–8 years is 14–38 hours, at the age of 20–44 years is 24–30 hours, in elderly patients 71–79 years, and also with chronic liver failure — approximately 32 hours. More than 90% of the drug is excreted through the kidneys within 72 hours, mainly in the form of metabolites; excreted unchanged - about 15%. In elderly patients with renal insufficiency, the medication can accumulate until toxic concentrations are reached, therefore, for this category of patients, the dose must be adjusted. Hemodialysis does not significantly affect the clearance of remantadine.
Indications for appointment
In accordance with the instructions to Remantadin Actitab, the main indications for the use of the drug are early therapy and prevention of influenza A in people over 7 years old, in adults - the prevention of influenza during an epidemic. Also, this medicine is used in the prevention of tick-borne encephalitis of viral origin.
Contraindications
According to the instructions "Remantadin Actitab" is not appointed in the following cases:
- chronic and acute kidney disease;
- thyrotoxicosis;
- acute liver disease;
- pregnancy, lactation;
- age less than 7 years;
- intolerance to the components of the drug.
The medicine should be used with caution in case of cerebral arteriosclerosis, arterial hypertension, epilepsy (including a history), liver failure, and chronic renal failure.
Rules for admission and dosage
As indicated by the instructions for use, Remantadine Actitab tablets are taken orally, after meals, with a sufficient volume of water. In the treatment of influenza A, it is prescribed:
- adult patients: on the 1st day - once 300 mg or 100 mg 3 times, on the 2nd and 3rd day - 2 times 100 mg, on the 4th day - once 100 mg;
- from 7 to 10 years: 2 times a day, 50 mg;
- from 11 to 14 years: 3 times a day for 50 mg.
To achieve the best therapeutic effect, the use of the drug should be started in the first two days after the onset of symptoms of influenza A. The duration of treatment should be 5-7 days.
Prophylactic administration in adults should be carried out in a dosage of 50 mg of Remantadine Actitab according to the instructions 1 time per day for 10-15 days. In case of chronic kidney failure and severe liver failure, as well as in old age, the daily dosage of the drug for flu therapy is 100 mg.
Side effects
Typically, this drug is well tolerated by patients, does not cause any side effects, however, in some cases, the following reactions may develop:
- From the side of the central nervous system: feeling tired, drowsiness, cephalalgia, insomnia, irritability, dizziness, anxiety, impaired concentration, neurological reactions.
- From the digestive system: dry mouth, flatulence, epigastric pain, vomiting, nausea, anorexia.
- Other negative manifestations: skin itching, rashes, urticaria and allergic reactions, hyperbilirubinemia.
Symptoms of a drug overdose were not observed.
Special recommendations
There is a chance of developing drug-resistant viruses. The use of a medication for type B influenza virus has an antitoxic effect. In addition, the medication can provoke an exacerbation of some chronic pathologies. Elderly patients with arterial hypertension may develop hemorrhagic stroke. With combined anticonvulsant treatment, patients with epilepsy are advised to take no more than 100 mg of the drug per day, since against the background of a combination of medications, the risk of developing epileptic seizures increases.
After contact with a person infected with the flu during an epidemic, or with infections spreading in closed groups, the use of Remantadine Actitab for 10 days can be considered an effective prevention.
During the administration of this pharmacological drug, it is recommended to carefully perform work that requires an increased rate of mental and motor reactions and attention, including driving.
During pregnancy, lactation and for children
The use of the drug "Remantadine Actitab" during breastfeeding and during gestation is contraindicated.
At the age of a child under 7 years of age, no medicine is prescribed.
Drug interaction
With the combined use of the drug with antiepileptic drugs, a decrease in their therapeutic effect is observed. When taken with adsorbents, enveloping and astringent medications, the absorption of remantadine decreases. When used simultaneously with ascorbic acid, ammonium chloride and other urinary acidifying agents, urinary excretion of remantadine by the kidneys is observed, and its effectiveness decreases. When taken with preparations based on sodium bicarbonate and other urinary alkalizing agents, the effect of remantadine may increase, and its excretion may decrease. When used with cimetidine, the clearance of the drug is reduced by 18%, with acetylsalicylic acid, paracetamol - the maximum concentration of the active substance in the blood is reduced by 10-11%.
Both Remantadin and Remantadin Actitab are effective drugs. Often patients do not understand what is the difference between these funds. Let's figure it out.
“Remantadine” and “Rimantadine Actitab” - what is the difference?
There is no difference between the well-known drug “Remantadine” and the newer “Remantadine Actitab”. The main difference is only in the form of release of these medicines and the manufacturing company. Both drugs have the same active substance and identical auxiliary components.
Analogs
The list of analogues of the drug includes:
- "Remavir";
- "Remantadine Stee";
- "Kagocel";
- Algirem
- "Orvirem";
- "Arbidol";
- "Olvirem";
- "Polirem";
- Tamiflu.
A doctor should select a replacement. Self-medication is unacceptable.
The instructions for use for "Remantadin Actitab" reviews are not specified. We give them below.
Reviews
There are many positive reviews about the drug from patients who not only treated the flu, but also used this drug for prophylactic purposes. They note that their frequency of development of this pathology has significantly decreased, they have become less likely to get the flu. Those who took the medication during the period of the disease say that it relieves flu symptoms well or significantly alleviates them. The disease in these patients was faster and easier than in those who did not use this medication.
We reviewed the instructions for use with Remantadin Actitab.