Release form
Arbidol is available in the form of yellow tablets or capsules, in the middle of the capsule there are granules and powder, the color of this mixture varies from pure white to white with a cream or greenish-yellow tint. Arbidol is produced, no matter what it is prescribed for, in capsules with the active ingredient of 50 and 100 mg and in tablets with the active ingredient of 100 or 200 mg. Arbidol for children is approved for use from the age of three, since at an earlier age it is difficult for children to take drugs in tablets and capsules. Previously, Arbidol for children was used from the age of two years.
Product "Kagocel"
The drug belongs to the immunomodulating and antiviral medications.
But the main active ingredient in it is not the adamantane derivative, as in Arbidol tablets or capsules, but kagocel. According to the manufacturers, the product is capable of stimulating the formation of so-called late interferon in the body, which has increased antiviral activity. For adults, a single dose is 2 tablets, which are taken three times a day in the first 2 days of treatment. Starting from the 3rd day, it is enough to take 1 tablet three times a day.
When choosing what is better to start drinking, the drug "Arbidol" or "Kagocel", you can take into account the fact that the latter remedy is not recommended for lactose intolerance, lactase deficiency, glucose-galactose malabsorption.
pharmachologic effect
Arbidol, on which its effectiveness depends, is an antiviral drug and acts as an immunomodulator. Shows anti-influenza effect. It has a negative effect on influenza viruses type A and B, as well as the SARS virus (severe acute respiratory syndrome), suppressing them. Prevents contact and penetration of the virus into the cells of the body. Suppresses the coupling of the fatty membrane of the virus and cell membranes, strengthens the immune system, and increases the body’s resistance to viruses.
Reduces the incidence of complications after viral infections and exacerbation of chronic bacterial infections. The use of Arbidol for viral infections helps reduce intoxication and symptoms of the disease, and reduce the time of illness. The drug does not have a negative effect on the human body when taken in recommended doses.
Analogues of Arbidol for children
Many analogues cheaper than Arbidol are not suitable for treating children. Self-medication with them is strictly prohibited. Only a doctor should prescribe such drugs.
List of the main antiviral agents that can be used to treat young children:
- Anaferon is a good and inexpensive analogue of Arbidol; it enhances the immune response to a viral attack on the body at the cellular level. The children's version of the medicine can be used from the age of one month. Anaferon has practically no adverse side effects detected either during the prevention or during the treatment of viral infections;
- Ergoferon is comparable in price to Arbidol, but was created later and combines, along with antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antihistamine effects. Treats influenza, ARVI, parainfluenza, enterovirus, calicirovirus, chickenpox, tick-borne encephalitis. It has found its place in the complex therapy of such serious illnesses as pneumonia and whooping cough, pseudotuberculosis and hemorrhagic fever. The instructions allow treatment of children with ergoferon from 6 months, while Arbidol is allowed only from 3 years;
- Viferon is a more expensive analogue of Arbidol; use is possible from the first days after birth. Available in the form of rectal suppositories, gel or ointment. Its use makes it possible to reduce the dosage of potent medications, reducing their toxicity;
- Kagocel - like Arbidol, has an immunomodulatory effect due to increased interferon production. It has an average cost and a short 4-day course of use. However, it has no antiviral effect and often solves preventive problems. It also serves as an addition to the main therapy of viral infections. Release form - tablets;
- Groprinosin is a fairly expensive drug and is approved for the treatment of children over 3 years old weighing at least 15 kg. produces it only in tablets. Combines antiviral and immunomodulatory effects. It has a number of serious contraindications, including arrhythmias, urolithiasis, chronic kidney diseases;
- Aflubin is a homeopathic medicine with a low price. In the form of drops, it is allowed for children from 6 months; treatment with tablets begins at 6 years of age. Like Arbidol, it has immunomodulatory and antiviral qualities. In addition to viral-based respiratory infections, it is used in the complex treatment of inflammatory and rheumatic joints.
According to the instructions, Arbidol is effective for the following diseases:
- influenza types A and B;
- ARVI;
- SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome);
- viral infections with complications (bronchitis and pneumonia);
- repeated immunodeficiency states;
- chronic bronchitis, pneumonia and recurring herpes infection in a chronic form (in combination with other drugs);
- as a prophylactic agent to prevent infectious complications after operations.
In combination with other drugs, Arbidol for children is prescribed for intestinal infections of rotavirus nature.
"Arbidol": analogues are cheaper
Before choosing an alternative medicine, you should consult your doctor. Be sure to find out whether an analogue can be used in your case. It is not recommended to replace it yourself. Also, you should not listen to the recommendations of experienced friends and experienced pharmacists. Remember that only the attending physician can choose a truly suitable medicine. If you want to replace the drug "Arbidol", you can find a cheaper analogue. Structural substitutes include:
- "Arpeflu";
- "Arpetol";
- "ORVItol";
- "Immusstat";
- "Arpetolide".
But much more often the following drugs become substitutes for medication:
- "Remantadine";
- "Anaferon";
- "Ergoferon";
- "Tsitovir";
- "Isoprinosine";
- "Kagocel" and many others.
Let's take a closer look at what can replace Arbidol.
Use of Arbidol as a prophylaxis:
In case of contact with a sick person (flu and ARVI):
- adults and children over 12 – 200 mg/day;
- children 6-12 years old – 100 mg/day;
- children 3-6 years old – 50 mg/day.
Arbidol is taken, which is what helps, once a day, the course of treatment ranges from 10 days to two weeks.
To prevent relapse of chronic bronchitis and herpes infection during the spread of influenza and ARVI:
- adults and children over 12 years of age – 200 mg/day;
- children 6-12 years old – 100 mg/day;
- children 3-6 years old – 50 mg/day.
Arbidol must be taken 2 times a week, the course of treatment is three weeks.
To prevent SARS in direct contact with a sick person:
- adults and children over 12 years of age – 200 mg/day;
- children 6-12 years old – 100 mg/day;
The drug is taken once a day, the course of treatment is 12-14 days.
To prevent infection after surgery:
- adults and children over 12 years old – 200 mg/day;
- children 6-12 years old – 100 mg/day;
- children 3-6 years old – 50 mg/day.
In this case, Arbidol is used two days before the intended operation, on the second and fifth days after it.
Arbidol or ergoferon – which drug is more effective?
Ergoferon is a Russian-made drug, available in the form of lozenges in the amount of 20 pieces per package. The medicine contains specific antibodies to interferon and histamine, supplemented with excipients.
The price per package is approximately 260–300 rubles, so Ergoferon is not a cheap analogue of Arbidol, but it can also be called expensive.
Unlike arbidol, the drug has pronounced antihistamine and anti-inflammatory activity. Ergoferon is used from the age of six months, and arbidol only from the age of three. In this case, for children under three years of age, ergoferon tablets must be dissolved in a small amount of boiled water (about 10 ml will be needed).
The spectrum of action of ergoferon is much higher than that of arbidol. It is used for ARVI, influenza, parainfluenza, herpes, rotovirus, enterovirus, chickenpox, calicivirus, tick-borne encephalitis, and is part of complex treatment regimens for diseases such as hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, whooping cough, pneumonia, pseudotuberculosis, meningococcal meningitis and others.
Like arbidol, ergoferon is indicated for preventive and therapeutic purposes; it is also important for the drug to be prescribed at the earliest stages of the disease. Ergoferon is not used in case of individual intolerance, pregnancy and lactation, because
there are no clear data on safety during this period. The drug is prohibited for use in cases of galactosemia, fructose intolerance, glucose and galactose malabsorption syndrome
Ergoferon should be used with caution in diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance
Ergoferon is not used in case of individual intolerance, pregnancy and lactation, because there are no clear data on safety during this period. The drug is prohibited for use in cases of galactosemia, fructose intolerance, glucose and galactose malabsorption syndrome
Ergoferon should be used with caution in diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance
Unlike arbidol, ergoferon not only suppresses the viral attack, but also eliminates the symptoms of the disease: allergies, cough, snot. If ARVI proceeds without complications, a package of the drug is sufficient for the entire course of treatment.
Expert opinion on the advantages of Ergoferon and its cheap analogues.
Use of Arbidol as a treatment:
Flu and ARVI without complications:
- adults and children over 12 years of age - 200 mg 4 times a day;
- children 6-12 years old - 100 mg 4 times a day;
- children 3-6 years old - 50 mg 4 times a day.
The course of treatment is 5 days. When taking the drug four times a day, the time between doses is 6 hours.
Influenza and ARVI with complications (bronchitis, pneumonia):
- adults and children over 12 years old - 200 mg 4 times per day, 5 days, then - 200 mg 1 time (in 7 days), course 4 weeks.
- children 6-12 years old - 100 mg 4 times/day, then - 100 mg 1 time/7 days, course 4 weeks.
- children 3-6 years old - 50 mg 4 times/day, 5 days, then - 50 mg 1 time/7 days, course 4 weeks.
When taking the drug four times a day, the time between doses is 6 hours.
For the treatment of SARS:
Adults and children over 12 years old - 200 mg 2 times a day, course 8-10 days.
In combination with other drugs for the treatment of chronic bronchitis and recurrent herpetic infections:
- adults and children over 12 years old - 200 mg 4 times / day, 5-7 days, then - 200 mg 2 times / 7 days, course 4 weeks.
- children 6-12 years old - 100 mg 4 times/day, 5-7 days, then - 100 mg 2 times/7 days, course 4 weeks.
- children 3-6 years old - 50 mg 4 times/day, 5-7 days, then - 50 mg 2 times/7 days, course 4 weeks.
When taking the drug four times a day, the time between doses is 6 hours.
In combination with other drugs for acute intestinal infections of rotavirus nature:
- children over 12 years old - 200 mg 4 times a day, 5 days.
- children 6-12 years old - 100 mg 4 times a day, 5 days.
- children 3-6 years old - 50 mg 4 times a day, 5 days.
Selection rules
If you are looking for a cheap analogue of Arbidol, then you should pay attention not only to the price. It is important to read the instructions for the drug and understand what diseases it is active against. It would also be a good idea to read real reviews about the products you have chosen. You should not focus only on the price; first, calculate how many tablets or capsules you will need for the full course of treatment.
For example, the drug "Arbidol" is prescribed 8 capsules (dosage 100 mg) per day. For 5 days of treatment you will need 2 packages of this product, each of which costs about 460 rubles. And the seemingly expensive product “Ingavirin” turns out to be cheaper in the end. One package, costing 460 rubles, is enough for 7 days of treatment.
Efficiency[ | ]
Main article: Umifenovir § Efficacy studies
Arbidol has no proven effectiveness[2][3]. The drug is not included in the WHO Guidelines for the pharmacological treatment of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 and other influenza viruses due to “insufficient data on efficacy or safety, or both”[4].
Clinical studies[ | ]
As of the late 2000s, the World Health Organization calls for caution regarding the findings obtained in early Russian and Chinese clinical trials of umifenovir, since they do not meet modern requirements of evidence-based medicine[49].
Most studies on Arbidol are published in Russian, which makes it difficult for the international community to analyze their quality due to the language barrier. Judging by these publications, Arbidol has potential as a broad-spectrum antiviral agent[10].
Many phase IV clinical studies of Arbidol are sponsored by Pharmstandard (Masterlecom)[10].
Since 2012, a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, “Arbiter,” funded by Pharmstandard[50], has been conducted in Russia. The study was registered on clinicaltrials.gov and was scheduled for completion in 2020[10]. The results of the Arbiter study have not been published[51].
Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2[ | ]
Chinese manufacturers of Arbidol claim that their products are effective in inhibiting the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2[18]. In February 2020, expert of the National Health Commission of China Li Lanjuan (English) Russian. proposed the use of Arbidol in conjunction with darunavir (English) Russian, used in HIV therapy, in the treatment of COVID-19, a disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus[52]. After this, a clinical study was conducted in China according to the standards of evidence-based medicine, which demonstrated the absence of a therapeutic effect of Arbidol against COVID-19 [53] [54].
Characteristics of Arbidol
Arbidol is a drug that directly reduces the reproduction of viral particles. It can kill viruses such as H1N1, H5N1, coronaviruses, rhinoviruses, adenoviruses, PC virus, parainfluenza pathogen. Arbidol is produced in the form of tablets (50 mg), capsules (200, 100 mg), powder (25 mg per 5 ml).
Indications for the use of Arbidol:
- therapy of viral pathologies in children and adults (influenza, parainfluenza, respiratory syndrome).
- treatment of pneumonia, bronchitis caused by viral agents;
- herpetic pathology;
- prevention of infections after surgical treatment.
Arbidol can be used in powder form in patients 2 years of age and older. Capsules are indicated for patients over 12 years of age. Tablet forms of Arbidol can be prescribed for patients from 3 years of age.
Restrictions on the use of Arbidol:
- tablet forms are not used in children under 3 years of age, as well as in pregnant patients and women breastfeeding;
- capsules are not used in children under 3-6 years of age, during breastfeeding and pregnancy (1st trimester);
- the powder is used carefully in patients with SARS (treatment and prevention), not used in children under 2 years of age;
- The drug is not indicated for allergies to its components (for all forms of the drug).
The cost of Arbidol is 244–1075 rubles. The drug has a relatively high cost. The effectiveness of Arbidol is good.
The principle of action of the drug
Arbidol demonstrates effectiveness against a number of viruses, including influenza, rotavirus, rhinovirus, coronovirus and others. Its action is to stop the reproduction of viruses in the early stages of their reproduction, as well as to stop the fusion of the virus with the endosome membrane. Thus, viruses cannot infect new cells in the body and spread throughout it.
The effectiveness of the drug does not depend on the current state of the patient’s immune system at the time of administration, as well as the rate of production of interferons in the body, because interferons from the drug immediately after administration enter the systemic circulation and begin to act. However, there are some individual characteristics that may affect the production of new interferons due to their stimulation by the drug.
The drug achieves its greatest effectiveness if it is taken at the first symptoms of the disease, during the prodromal period, when the number of infectious agents in the body is still small. Then the combined action of the human immune system and the immunostimulant can suppress the disease even before its full development.
Features of application
Before using the drug, read the sections of the instructions for use about contraindications, possible side effects and other important information.
Side effects of Arbidol
Instructions for use warn about the possibility of side effects of the drug Arbidol:
- Allergic reactions may occur.
Contraindications
The use of Arbidol is contraindicated for the following diseases or conditions:
- children under 3 years of age;
- hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.
Data on use during pregnancy and breastfeeding are not provided.
Overdose
No cases of overdose have been reported.
Generics Arbidol
In 2007, the patent for Arbidol expired[30]. Thus, it became possible to produce generics of the drug. In particular, the Belarusian JLLC “Lekpharm” produces umifenovir under the brand name “Arpetol”[31], and in Ukraine, pharma (Kyiv) is produced under the brand name “Immusstat”[32]. In China, umifenovir hydrochloride is produced by various companies, including Nanjing Gemsen[33]. In the Netherlands, umifenovir is produced by Natur Produkt Europe BV under the brand name “Orvitol np”[34].
