Tsitovir and Viferon: comparison of products and which is better to take?

Amiksin

The active component of Amiksin is tilorone , a substance that can cause the production of interferons in the body. The medicine is an immunomodulator and is not an antibiotic, so you will not have to subsequently deal with dysbiosis. The drug is produced in tablet form.

As a rule, it is prescribed if there is:

Acute respiratory diseases.
Flu.
Herpes and cytomegalovirus infection.
Respiratory or urogenital chlamydia.
Hepatitis A, B and C.
Viral and allergic encephalomyelitis.
Tuberculosis.

Moreover, the drug is taken both for the treatment and prevention of diseases; it can be purchased without a doctor’s prescription . A positive factor is that so far there have been no negative effects on the body due to overdose or complex treatment with antibiotics.

The dosage of the medicine should be taken seriously : children need to take one tablet per day after meals for the first two days, after which the dose is reduced to four tablets, one every other day. Adults also need to take the drug in the same way, the only difference is that the amount of active substance in adults Amiksin is much higher than in children.

As for the treatment of hepatitis, it all depends on which group the disease belongs to (A, B or C), and whether it is acute or chronic. The instructions for use provide a detailed description of how to take the medicine in each case.

In addition, it should be borne in mind that taking the medication can lead to dyspepsia or an allergic reaction , but this occurs extremely rarely. Also remember that this drug is not recommended for pregnant women, during lactation, children under seven years of age and patients who are intolerant to the components of the medication.

Additional Information

With long-term use of Cytovir 3 syrup, regular monitoring of kidney function and blood glucose levels is necessary.

The instructions for Cytovir 3 indicate that the medicine of all forms of release should be stored in a dark, cool, dry place out of reach of children.

Dispensed from pharmacies with a doctor's prescription.

The shelf life of capsules and powder for preparing the solution is 3 years, syrup – 2 years.

Read the official instructions for use of the drug in an abbreviated version. It includes: composition, action, contraindications and indications for use, analogues and reviews. The text is provided for informational purposes only and cannot serve as a substitute for medical advice.

The drug Cytovir is an immunomodulatory drug, that is, it has a positive effect on humoral and cellular immunity in the body. Cytovir also promotes the production of interferon proteins, which prevent viruses from spreading in the body, and reduces inflammatory processes. The medicine affects the walls of blood vessels, normalizing their permeability.

Cycloferon

Cycloferon is also a means of promoting the production of interferons in the body. However, its active component is not tilorone at all, but the low-molecular inducer Meglumine acridone acetate .

Since both of these substances are necessary for the reproduction of interferon, which resists viruses, Cycloferon is also prescribed for the treatment of:

Influenza and acute respiratory viral infections.
Hepatitis A, B, C and D.
Herpes and cytomegalovirus infection.
Adenovirus infection.
An immunodeficiency condition resulting from chronic viral, bacterial or fungal diseases.
Rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Taking Cycloferon can result in an exacerbation of the symptoms of the disease, stomach pain, exacerbation of ulcers and gastritis, the appearance of flu symptoms, as well as allergic reactions in the form of rashes, dermatitis, etc.

Side effects rarely manifest themselves, but, nevertheless, doctors do not recommend exceeding the dose of the drug. Among the contraindications, in addition to the period of pregnancy and lactation, as well as intolerance to the drug, it should also be noted that Cycloferon should not be taken by children under four years of age and by patients with a decompensated stage of liver cirrhosis. Despite the seriousness of the side effects, this remedy is available without a prescription.

The medication is available in the form of tablets, ointments and injection solutions. The dosage is determined according to diagnosis, age, individual characteristics of the body, etc.

Typically, the course of treatment takes about ten days when taking the medicine 3-4 tablets once a day . Children are supposed to reduce the dosage depending on age: one tablet at the age of 4-6 years, and three tablets from 7 to 12 years. However, in the presence of hepatitis, injections are usually prescribed. The course and dosage are prescribed and strictly controlled by the attending physician.

Another important point worth highlighting is that Cycloferon is not a medicine that suppresses the virus, it just stimulates the production of interferons and speeds up the healing process, which is why it is prescribed as part of a complex treatment.

In addition, starting to take the medicine may be accompanied by lethargy, fever, and muscle aches, but this is a natural reaction when taking this drug.

Tsitovir

Cytovir is a complex antiviral drug that is used to boost immunity for children from 1 year of age and adults. The medicine is taken orally and is produced in the form of powder, syrup and capsules. For small children and allergy sufferers, it is recommended to use the powder, because... it is hypoallergenic and contains fructose instead of sucrose. The powder is mixed with clean water and then stored for no more than 10 days.

Take the medication three times a day 30 minutes before meals . The duration of the course is 4 days. If necessary, re-appointment is possible after 3-4 weeks.

The main active ingredients of Tsitovir are tryptophan , dibazole and ascorbic acid . Dibazole and tryptophan stimulate the production of natural interferon and increase the body's defenses. Ascorbic acid reduces inflammation and has an antioxidant effect.

Common features of Amiksin and Cycloferon

Of course, first of all, it is worth noting that both of these immunomodulators are indispensable assistants during the onset or exacerbation of colds, as well as in the treatment of acute and chronic hepatitis and herpes.

Both medications are available in tablet form, although Cycloferon can also be found in the form of an ointment or injection. Their negative impact on the body occurs quite rarely, which increases the level of safety for the body. In addition, taking these drugs does not lead to disruption of the intestines or deterioration of the microflora, which also characterizes the drugs on the good side.

Ingavirin

"Ingavirin" is an anti-inflammatory and antiviral drug intended for the treatment of influenza and respiratory infectious diseases. Contains vitaglutam. Available in capsule form.

The product effectively treats diseases such as influenza types A (including swine) and B, adenoviral infection, respiratory syncytial infection, parainfluenza. It has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, increases the body's resistance to viral infections. Destroys many viral organisms and their metabolic products, suppresses the toxic effects of pathogens, and prevents the development of complications. The therapeutic effect is to improve the patient's condition, lower the temperature, eliminate headaches, weakness, dizziness and other symptoms.

The drug is not prescribed for individual intolerance to components, allergies to lactose, lactase deficiency in the body, children under 18 years of age, and pregnant women. Breastfeeding women can use the drug, but during therapy it is necessary to stop feeding the baby breast milk.

It is not recommended to combine this medicine with other antiviral drugs.

Produced in Russia. Available without a prescription.

Differences between medications

Despite the fact that these two tools have many similar features, there are much more differences between them. For example, both drugs may not always be suitable for a child: Amiksin can be taken from the age of seven, Cycloferon – from the age of four. However, the first medicine is also found in a separate form for children. This cannot be said about the second, but on the other hand, its dosage should be adjusted in accordance with the age of the child.

If Amiksin is practically harmless, then taking Cycloferon must be taken very seriously for the reasons that:

In addition to the limitations that both drugs have, Cycloferon contraindications include patients with liver pathologies.
The possible negative effects caused by this medicine can cause very serious damage to the body.
It is included in complex treatment, since Cycloferon alone will be ineffective.
Taking this drug may be accompanied by unpleasant sensations, while treatment with Amiksin goes smoothly and without problems.

List of cheap analogues

remantadine (tablets No. 20) – 80 rubles;
aflubin (Table No. 12) – 200 rubles;
anaferon (Table No. 20) – 200 rubles;
antigrippin (20 grams, homeopathic grains) – 100 rubles;
ergoferon (Table No. 20) – 320 rubles;
Kagocel (Table No. 10) – 250 rubles;
Amizon (Table No. 10) – 210 rubles;
arbidol (Table No. 10) – 220 rubles;
cycloferon (Table No. 10) – 180 rubles;
Viferon (candles 10 pieces) – 230 rubles.

Such drugs as amixin, Tamiflu, ingavirin, isoprinosine are also considered worthy substitutes for cytovir-3, but their prices are, unfortunately, more expensive.

Cytovir analogues are found not only in tablets, but also in syrup. These include:

orvirem (100 ml) – 330 rubles;
immunoflazide (50 ml) – price and availability need to be clarified.

Which medicine should I choose?

If you are guided by the presence of diseases or the desire to carry out prevention for the body, then both remedies are equally effective.

Patients leave mostly positive reviews; the only downsides are that Amiksin does not help everyone, and Cycloferon has a confusing administration system, and the price of both medications in different regions can vary greatly.

We should not forget that Cycloferon has more negative characteristics. The ideal solution here would be to consult a doctor who will help you choose the right medicine and adjust the required dosage and course of administration.

Indications for use of drugs

The medicine “Tsitovir”, its analogues, cheap and expensive substitutes are prescribed for viral diseases. Most often it is the flu, upper respiratory tract infection, or viral pneumonia. The compositions also help cope with diseases such as chickenpox, herpes, and viral hepatitis. However, these situations are described less frequently in testimony.

The original remedy and its cheap substitutes are also used to prevent all the diseases described above. In this case, a separate scheme for the use of funds is prescribed. Do not forget to pay attention to contraindications and possible side effects.

Arbidol or cytovir-3 – what do we choose?

The composition of the drugs is different.
Unlike cytovir-3, arbidol is a mono-drug that contains the active substance umifenovir. Arbidol is produced in tablets, capsules and powder for preparing a suspension. Arbidol has a pronounced antiviral effect and is classified as a fusion inhibitor. Arbidol's immunomodulating properties are moderate, but despite this it has an excellent effect on all parts of the immune system. The toxicity of arbidol is lower than that of cytovir-3.

The indications for use of arbidol are broader: acute respiratory viral infections, influenza, immunodeficiencies after illness, SARS. The drug is also prescribed in complex treatment regimens for herpes, intestinal infections and diseases of the lower respiratory system.

Arbidol tablets and capsules are indicated from three years of age (for Cytovir, from 6 years of age). Arbidol suspension can be taken after two years (arbidol syrup from one year).

Arbidol has practically no side effects; their occurrence is associated only with individual intolerance.

As for the price, the issue is controversial. A package of arbidol (10 tablets) costs 220 rubles. A course of treatment with arbidol requires at least 20 tablets (440 rubles). ARVI can be cured with one package of Cytovir (12 tablets = 400 rubles). At first glance, Arbidol is cheaper if you compare prices only on the boxes, but as a result we get a completely different picture.

The right to choose a drug always remains with the doctor, of course, taking into account all the wishes of the patient.

We also recommend that you familiarize yourself with the list of Arbidol analogues.

Instructions for use

I have been taking one capsule three times a day since I was 6 years old. Take approximately half an hour before meals. Treatment and prevention according to the scheme of application are identical.

The course of treatment or prevention is on average 4 days, but the doctor can change these periods depending on the indications.

The syrup or solution is used in children in the same dosages three times a day:

From 1 to 3 years - 2 ml;
3-6 years 4 ml;
6-10 years – 8ml;
Over 10 years – 12 ml.

Contraindications

The following are considered contraindications for use:

Pregnancy;
Hypersensitivity;
Lactation;
Diabetes mellitus (for syrup);
Age up to 6 years (for capsule form);
Age up to 1 year (for solution).

The drug and its components easily penetrate not only into the blood, but also into breast milk and through the placental barrier. Since it has not been tested on pregnant and breastfeeding women, it is not prescribed for this category of patients.

In case of lactation, if necessary, the issue of abandoning breastfeeding for the period of treatment is considered.

Anaferon or Cytovir-3 – which is better?

Let's start right away with the composition of these funds.
Cytovir-3 is a combination of three chemicals. Anaferon is a homeopathic medicine based on antibodies to interferon gamma. Anaferon has more indications for use. In addition to acute viral infections and influenza, anaferon is effective against herpes, tick-borne encephalitis, rotavirus, infectious mononucleosis and other infections.

Like cytovir, anaferon has adult and pediatric forms. Tablets are prescribed only from the age of 18, and drops are used from the age of one month. No side effects were observed while taking Anaferon.

The price for Anaferon is much lower, and is 200 rubles for 20 tablets. Tsitovir-3 (24 tablets) costs about 600 rubles. The difference is undoubtedly significant.