Treatment of a runny nose Medicines
Active prevention of cold viral diseases is a necessary component for maintaining health and increasing immunity. Indeed, with each case of invasion of viral microflora, huge reserves are spent to fight it; as a result of such losses, the body can completely eliminate its natural immune defense. The antiviral drug "Remantadine" can be used both for the prevention and treatment of various pathologies caused by the introduction of viral microflora.
The drug has been used for quite a long time, as a result of which extensive practical experience has been accumulated in its use, and reliable information has been obtained about possible side effects. You can find out how to take Remantadine tablets and what they help with on this page, which presents the chemical composition, pharmacological properties, dosages and many other useful information.
Relationship with other drugs
- When using the drug, you should keep in mind that it can reduce the effectiveness of drugs prescribed against epilepsy.
- Any absorbents (Polysorb or activated carbon) can worsen the absorption process of the drug, as they have astringent and enveloping properties.
- Drugs such as Acetazolamide, Sodium Bicarbonate increase the effectiveness of the drug: they stop its excretion by the kidneys, and the drug lasts longer.
- Paracetamol and aspirin, on the contrary, can reduce the concentration of Remantadine in the blood by 11%.
- The drug Cimedin also affects the effect, reducing the effectiveness by 18%.
Do not forget: like any medicine, drinking Remantadine with alcohol is unacceptable.
Any drinks containing alcohol (even the “lightest” wine or beer) can cause a reaction from the human nervous system. And such an “explosive mixture” is strictly prohibited for anyone who drives a car. Aspirin can reduce the concentration of Remantadine in the blood by 11%
Combination of Remantadine with other drugs
Although the drug is considered absolutely safe, other medications should be used with extreme caution during Rimantadine therapy.
Medicines for epilepsy attacks lose their effectiveness if they are taken during the period of treatment with Remantadine. Antiviral drug absorption is impaired by antipyretic tablets.
The effectiveness of the drug is significantly reduced by drugs with the properties of enveloping the gastrointestinal mucosa. The healing process is slowed down with the simultaneous use of Remantadine and drugs that affect the acidity of urine.
The dose of caffeine consumed must be reduced during treatment with an antiviral drug. Otherwise, the nervous system may become more excited. Cimetidine promotes the duration of the drug's effect and slows down the process of removing it from the body.
Remantadine - contraindications and side effects
Like many medications, the antiviral drug Remantadine has qualities that may cause contraindications or cause unwanted side effects
The drug should not be used by people whose activities involve increased attentiveness and caution - it can reduce the reaction rate and cause a distracted, drowsy state. The effectiveness of Remantadine can be reduced by some drugs; it is not recommended to be taken together with:
- Aspirin;
- Paracetamol;
- Panadol;
- Efferalgan;
- Cimetidine;
- Cardiomagnetic;
- vitamin C;
- activated carbon;
- Almagel;
- Diacarb.
Remantadine - contraindications
Sometimes a patient has a question: is it possible to use Remantadine for various chronic diseases?
This caution is not unfounded, since Remantatin has contraindications. The first is kidney and liver diseases, due to which metabolic products are poorly excreted and accumulate in the body.
This can be dangerous when taking Remantadine. List of contraindications to the drug Remantadine:
- allergic reaction to the drug;
- epilepsy;
- thyrotoxicosis;
- pregnancy;
- arterial hypertension;
- cerebral sclerosis;
- cerebral atherosclerosis;
- lactose intolerance;
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver and kidneys;
- childhood.
Remantadine - side effects
During the period of taking the antiviral drug Remantadine, negative reactions from various systems and organs may occur. Remantadine - side effects:
- vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, heartburn, dry mouth, flatulence;
- headaches, dizziness, gait disturbances, tremors, convulsions, sleep disturbances, excitability, irritability, absent-mindedness;
- hypertension, arrhythmia, cerebrovascular disorders, heart failure;
- bronchospasm, cough;
- tinnitus, distortion of taste perception;
- allergic manifestations - itching, rash on the skin.
Remantadine - what happens in case of overdose
In case of serious overdose, the drug Remantadine can cause serious disorders that can lead to resuscitation. In elderly patients with a tendency to increase blood pressure, a large dose of Remantadine can cause a hypertensive crisis, which will cause myocardial infarction or stroke. Overdose symptoms:
- signs of intoxication - fever, chills, pale skin, perspiration, headache, dizziness, loss of strength;
- nausea, vomiting, flatulence, diarrhea;
- skin rash;
- arrhythmia;
- difficulty breathing, shortness of breath;
- noise in ears;
- muscle contractions, cramps;
- drowsiness;
- depression or severe excitability;
- unsteady gait;
- panic attack, anxiety, feeling of fear;
- absent-mindedness.
If symptoms of overdose appear, you must:
- Call emergency assistance.
- To empty the stomach of any remaining medication, drink 1-1.5 liters of water and induce vomiting by pressing on the root of the tongue.
- Take an adsorbent - activated carbon, Polyphepan, Smecta, Eterosgel or another.
- Drink more fluids - mineral water, tea with lemon, fruit juice.
- Take a drug that enhances bowel function to quickly remove toxic substances - Motilium, Passazhix, Domperidone, Motilax.
- If necessary, take an antihistamine - Tavegil, Cetrin, Suprastin, Loratadine, Zodak.
Indications and contraindications
Remantadine is indicated for the treatment of influenza at an early stage, when a maximum of two days have passed from the moment of illness, as well as for the prevention of acute influenza during periods of mass morbidity.
If you have high blood pressure or atherosclerosis, Remantadine should be taken with caution. It is necessary to consult a doctor, since the medicine can aggravate the disease and lead to hemorrhagic stroke.
For epilepsy, cerebral circulatory disorders and diabetes mellitus, Remantadine can only be taken with the permission of a doctor.
Contraindications of the drug:
- Individual intolerance to any component.
- Kidney and liver diseases.
- Hyperfunction of the thyroid gland.
- Pregnancy.
- Age up to seven years.
- Epilepsy.
- Cerebral sclerosis.
How to take pills during pregnancy
The instructions for use indicate that the medicine is not recommended for women during pregnancy, as well as during breastfeeding. It is recommended to replace Remantadine with safer natural preparations containing human interferons.
Animal studies have shown that the drug can cross the placenta and be excreted in breast milk. After taking Remantadine, three hours later, the concentration of the drug in milk is significantly higher than in the blood. With increased load on the kidneys during pregnancy and high concentrations of the drug in the blood, there is a negative effect on the fetus. Find out if pregnant women can get a flu vaccine.
Instructions for use in young children with colds
The drug Remantadine in tablet form should not be taken by children under seven years of age. In this case, it is better to use a medicine in the form of a syrup called Orvirem for treatment.
The syrup can be given to children from one year of age.
Average cost 300 rub.
The syrup form of Remantadine has a gentler effect on the body, unlike tablets, since the drug is delivered in small portions.
Is it possible during pregnancy?
Recognition of evidence-based medicine and good recommendations on the cost/effectiveness ratio from foreign medical structures distinguishes the medicine favorably from many expensive analogues. Therefore, the question of the possibility of its use during gestation is by no means idle.
The fly in the ointment of the advantages of Remantadine, as well as all adamantane derivatives, include:
- There are a slightly greater number of side effects that occur when using them than when taking more expensive antiviral drugs.
- Pregnancy is a direct contraindication.
Rimantadine is not recommended by doctors during pregnancy. Like all drugs based on adamantane, it is classified as C-category. Contraindications are based on the fact that preclinical tests on animals revealed negative effects: embryotoxic and teratogenic.
Studies were not carried out on humans during pregnancy and lactation, because in tests involving animals it turned out that the described drug:
- Penetrates the placenta.
- Secreted into milk.
Therefore, the answer to the question whether the product can be taken by pregnant women is negative. In medical practice, only a few cases of treatment of variable women in late gestational age with this drug are officially reported. The need for treatment is caused by a severe form of the disease in the pregnant woman.
However, according to a number of researchers, in the product of the mammary glands, the drug will be contained in greater quantities 3 hours after administration than in the blood plasma of a nursing mother. This can lead to a negative reaction in the baby's body.
A side effect of taking the described drug is not only an allergy, which is possible with any medical treatment, but also gastralgia. For a child, especially in the first months of life, when he is bothered by intestinal colic, this can become a serious challenge.
How to take the antiviral medicine "Remantadine" for prevention against a tick bite?
The antiviral drug "Remantadine" has positively proven itself as a prophylactic against tick-borne encephalitis, borreliosis and Lyme disease, if timely and correct use of the tablets was started
It is very important to do a laboratory analysis of the bitten tick before carrying out therapy. If the insect is a carrier of a viral pathogenic microflora, then prevention may include the introduction of specific immunoglobulins and the concomitant use of this drug
Prevention with Remantadine in cases of bites by infected ticks gives a positive result only if you start taking the tablets in the first three days after the incident. A late appointment is absolutely useless. How to take the product can be seen in the table above. If all rules are followed, there is a complete absence of clinical signs of tick-borne encephalitis and the development of long-term negative consequences of this type of infection. In some cases, the disease occurs in the form of a respiratory syndrome with aches in large joints and muscles, headache, runny nose and an increase in body temperature to subfebrile parameters.
Remantadine - indications for use
The antiviral drug Remantadine has a complex polymer structure, due to which it remains in the body for a long time and therefore can be used for preventive purposes. Remantadine - indications:
- initial stage of influenza A;
- tick-borne encephalitis caused by arboviruses;
- herpes type 1 or 2;
- Parkinson's disease (registered as a reserve drug).
In response to the question of how to take Remantadine, many doctors talk about its complete ineffectiveness, which is not entirely true. This drug is effective against strains of group A, but does not act on strains B and C. In addition, the ineffectiveness of Remantadine was first identified in a hospital setting, where the hospital form, resistant to any antiseptics and drugs, often predominates, so it is not possible to draw conclusions based on such studies too correct. Clinical trials have confirmed the resistance of Remantadine only to H1N1 and H3N2 strains.
Remantadine: reviews from doctors and patients
Regarding the doctors’ reviews, they are unambiguous. The drug is good, but it is effective only against influenza A or some other viruses. Unfortunately, during epidemics, viral mutations occur. Accordingly, Remantadine will be ineffective. Therefore, to treat an unknown virus, it is worth using drugs with a wider spectrum of action.
Remantadine is a cheap and fairly effective antiviral drug. With its help, you can avoid illness during epidemics of ARVI and FLU.
Every woman, while carrying a child, tries to carefully monitor what she eats, the quality of life she leads, and, of course, the question arises of the safety of taking certain medications. Thus, the drug "Remantadine" during pregnancy has become a very important topic of discussion among expectant mothers.
Remantadine has a number of side effects
In conclusion, I would like to draw your attention to one important point. Remantadine, like probably all medications, has certain side effects
However, it should be immediately emphasized that they appear very rarely. In particular, the negative consequences of taking this drug may include negative changes affecting the central nervous system, such as impaired concentration, sleep, dizziness and headaches.
In addition, side effects of Remantadine also include nausea, sometimes even turning into vomiting, loss of appetite, a feeling of dry mouth, bloating and unpleasant pain in this area. The drug can also provoke an allergic reaction - hives, rash or itching. Therefore, before you start taking Remantadine, it is better to consult your doctor, especially if we are talking about very young patients. Thus, you will significantly reduce the risk of various kinds of negative reactions.
Remantadine analogues and price
Remantadine is sold in pharmacies without prescriptions. The price of a domestically produced drug ranges from 40 to 70 rubles. The price of medicine from foreign manufacturers ranges from 150 to 180 rubles. The therapeutic effect is absolutely identical.
Analogues that can replace Remantadine are the following:
- Actitab.
- Kagocel.
- Olvirem.
- Tamiflu.
- Arbidol.
- Polyrem.
- Remavir.
- Flumadin.
- Algirem.
The price of analogs can vary from 30 rubles to 250 rubles. It depends on the manufacturer and the number of tablets or capsules in the package.
What is better: taking Remantadine or its analogues? This depends on the patient’s tolerance to the constituent components and the doctor’s recommendations. When choosing a drug, there is no need to focus on its price; the main thing is the therapeutic effect.
Mechanism of action of the drug
The main component of the drug is a derivative of admantan, a substance that has the ability to suppress the replication of viral components in the early stages. This process begins as soon as the virus enters the cells of the human body, but before its ribonucleic acid begins the process of spreading throughout the cell structure.
The maximum effectiveness of the action of Remantadine is observed when a person begins to use the drug as soon as the first catarrhal signs of the development of an acute viral infection appear. A particularly high therapeutic effect occurs in response to the penetration of influenza viruses (types A and B) into the body, as well as viruses that provoke the development of tick-borne encephalitis.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=mePD3GUpSSI
Clinical studies have shown that patients infected with influenza A virus, who started taking the drug in a timely manner, received the following effect:
- reduction in the intensity of headache, joint, and muscle pain;
- normalization of body temperature to physiological norm;
- relief from other catarrhal symptoms (nasal congestion, coughing, sneezing, lacrimation);
- accelerating the healing process;
- minimizing the risk of developing bacterial complications.
Laboratory studies have confirmed the fact that the use of tablets or syrup causes a decrease in the severity of the serological reaction. This is due to a decrease in the number of antibodies, because the antiviral agent begins its active work.
Oral administration of the drug leads to slow absorption of the active substance into the bloodstream through the walls of the gastrointestinal tract. After this, the component is evenly distributed throughout all tissues and physiological fluids.
Metabolic processes take place through the work of the liver, where inactive breakdown products are formed, which are removed outside the body by the work of the kidneys. The time for incomplete removal of the active component ranges from a day to 36 hours. If a person suffers from impaired liver function, then this period may be extended.
Contraindications
Despite all the effectiveness of Remantadine, its use is harmful and even dangerous for several categories of patients:
- pregnant women;
- nursing mothers;
- children under seven years of age;
- old people;
- patients suffering from thyrotoxicosis, chronic or acute kidney and liver diseases.
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Clinical studies of the safety of this drug during pregnancy have not been conducted, but laboratory experiments on animals revealed its embryotoxicity and teratogenic properties. During lactation, treatment with it is possible only if the woman completely refuses to feed and transfers the child to artificial feeding.
In old age, the active substance can cause increased blood pressure or hemorrhagic stroke.
This remedy should be used with caution to treat people suffering from hypertension, diseases of the digestive system, cerebral atherosclerosis, and liver failure. For epilepsy, the use of the drug should be accompanied by anticonvulsant therapy to avoid epileptic seizures. This drug reduces the effectiveness of concomitantly taken drugs aimed at treating epilepsy.
The medicine is contraindicated for people who have previously experienced allergic reactions to the main active ingredient or other components of capsules and tablets.
Considering the possible adverse reaction from the nervous system, during treatment it is not recommended to drive a car or perform any other work that requires increased concentration and quick reaction.
Not all doctors rate rimantadine hydrochloride positively. Some of them believe that this drug has lost its effectiveness because it has been used for a long time, and during this time the number of viral strains resistant to it has increased. But most domestic doctors still consider it effective and recommend it to patients as a treatment, as well as for prevention during seasonal influenza epidemics.
Many patients who have taken this drug when suffering from influenza note its positive effects:
- decrease in temperature on the second day;
- improvement of general well-being;
- relief of runny nose, cough and other symptoms of respiratory viral infection;
- fast recovery;
- no complications.
The drug remains popular due to its relatively low price.
Patients note a decrease in body weight while taking Remantadine. This effect is explained by a decrease in appetite as a side effect. This property encourages patients to use the drug to lose excess weight. This cannot be done; the substance is not designed to combat obesity. Uncontrolled use of the drug for other purposes than intended jeopardizes health and leads to an increase in the number of viral strains resistant to it. It should not be used for bacterial infections; it is not an antibiotic.
Experts attribute some cases where antiviral therapy did not bring results to late initiation of treatment. If you start taking pills not immediately after the first symptoms appear, but after a day and a half, the therapy may not have an effect on the course of the disease. Due to the complexity of the dosage regimen, patients sometimes forget to take capsules or tablets on time. The total amount of active substance decreases, which also negatively affects the results.
Like other antiviral drugs, rimantadine should be taken as prescribed by a doctor, strictly observing the prescribed dosage and timing, avoiding self-medication.
Remantadine should be taken correctly
The effectiveness of a particular drug depends on many factors. One of them is the correct intake, since different remedies may have their own characteristics, for example, before meals or after meals. Remantadine also has them.
This medicine, in particular, should be taken with plenty of liquid. It should be borne in mind that Remantadine is available in tablets of 50 and 100 milligrams, depending on the manufacturer. This is a very important point. The thing is that on the first day of illness you should drink 300 milligrams of the drug - it is advisable to divide its intake into 3 times. However, a single dose of such a dose is also allowed, although this is not a very desirable option. Depending on the manufacturer, the number of tablets taken during the day may vary - from 3 to 6.
Further, the dosage should be reduced. In particular, on the second and third days it is already 200 milligrams. Accordingly, the number of techniques can also be reduced to two. On the fourth day, we reduce the dosage again - this time to 100 milligrams.
It is especially worth paying your attention to how to give Remantadine to children. The instructions clearly state that the drug in tablets can only be used from the age of 7
These are not all the features affecting young patients. The dosage of the medicine directly depends on the age of the patient. In particular, in the period from 7 to 10 years, children are given 100 milligrams of medication per day. It is recommended to divide the dose into 2 doses.
For older children - from 11 to 14 years - the daily dosage is increased to 150 milligrams. In this case, the optimal number of techniques is 3 times. In both cases, the course of treatment is 5 days. However, in accordance with the doctor’s recommendations, slight progress in one direction or another is possible.
For children under 7 years of age, an analogue of Remantadine is available in syrup form, called Orvirem. It can be given to babies starting from 1 year old. The thing is that the syrup does not act as aggressively on the body as tablets, because the active substance of the medicine enters the bloodstream gradually, in small doses. Thanks to this, the possibility of any negative consequences for the child’s body is completely excluded. Also, this form of release increases the duration of the drug.
The dosage of syrup also depends on the age of the patient. In particular, children from 1 to 3 years old should be given 20 milligrams of medication 3 times a day on the first day of illness. Further, as in the case of tablets, the dosage is reduced. On the second and third days, they give 40 milligrams of the medicine, dividing this volume into 2 doses. After this, the dosage will need to be reduced again. On the fourth day, the baby should be given 20 milligrams of the drug - best at one time.
For children aged 3 to 7 years, a slightly larger dosage is provided. In particular, in the first three days they should be given 90 milligrams of the medicine in 3 doses. Next, the algorithm of actions is the same, that is, the dosage must be gradually reduced. On the second and third days - 60 milligrams of the medicine. It is recommended to reduce the number of doses to 2. Accordingly, on the fourth day the dosage will be even lower - 30 milligrams. The baby can drink this amount of medicine at one time.
How to treat a cold on the tongue
How to take Remantadine for adults and children: before meals or after meals?
The syrup can be given to babies from 1 year of age. The tableted drug is intended for children over 7 years of age and for adults.
For colds, children are prescribed the drug in the form of syrup. Below is an approximate dosage.
Instructions and doses:
- 1-3 years. On the first day of illness, give 60 ml, which is divided into three parts. That is, 20 ml. On the second day, give 40 ml, divided into two doses. On days 3-5, 20 ml once.
- 3-7 years. On the first day, 90 ml, divided into three doses. On the second and third days, give 60 ml, dividing them into two doses.
- 7-11 years old. 1 tablet twice a day.
- 11-14 years old. 1 tablet three times a day.
The drug is prescribed after meals. It should be washed down with plenty of water. Children are also given syrup after meals. In addition, the drug should be taken with water.
"Remantadine" for children can be used as a therapeutic and prophylactic agent after the child reaches the age of 7 years. An earlier period is a categorical contraindication for taking this drug due to its ability to negatively affect the process of leukocyte production.
It must be taken into account that Remantadine can be given to children only taking into account the age-specific dosage. Adult treatment regimens are not used. In some cases, for example, with retarded physical development, lack of body weight, individual adjustment of the daily, single and course dose is necessary.
The answer to the question of whether it is possible to drink Remantadine during pregnancy is given by the manufacturer of the drug and it is quite clear. Detailed use of a pharmacological agent is contraindicated even in the presence of serious indications. These tablets cannot be used during breastfeeding, since the active substance actively penetrates into milk and can harm the baby’s immune system.
How to take for a cold
Paracetamol for influenza, acute respiratory viral infections, acute respiratory infections is prescribed to adults and children starting from 12 years of age. The child must weigh more than 40 kilograms, otherwise it will be difficult to find the correct dosage. It is imperative to follow the dosage of the product, otherwise health problems may arise.
It is worth noting!
Your doctor should tell you at your appointment how to take Paracetamol correctly for a cold. You also need to take into account that the product is available in different forms - in the form of a suspension, syrup, tablets and rectal suppositories. This makes it much easier to use.
The following methods of using Paracetamol for colds with fever are distinguished, depending on the form of release:
- Paracetamol in the form of suspensions
can be used for young children under 1 year of age. The product is hypoallergenic and does not contain additional components. How to drink when you have a cold Paracetamol in the form of a suspension should be determined by a doctor; he calculates the dosage depending on the severity of the disease. - The medicine in the form of syrup
is intended for children from one year old; it can be taken until the child is able to swallow tablets on his own. It comes in strawberry and banana flavors, so children take it with pleasure. You are allowed to drink up to 4 servings per day. The period of admission is no more than 3 days. - The tablets
are intended for adults and children over 12 years of age. How to take Paracetamol for the flu in this form is determined by the doctor, he takes into account the complexity of the disease and symptoms. If there is a strong increase in temperature, it is recommended to alternate the medicine with Aspirin; this combination can quickly reduce the fever. - Rectal suppositories
are recommended for use at night. They are administered once a day when there is an exacerbation of cold symptoms and a strong increase in temperature.
The maximum single dose of medication for an adult should be 1 gram. It is allowed to take up to 4 times a day. The interval between doses should be approximately 5 hours. The course of treatment should not exceed 7 days.
For children, the dosage of the medicine should be calculated depending on weight. For 1 kilogram of weight, the maximum dose taken is 15 mg at a time and 60 mg per day. It is recommended to take the medicine with plenty of liquid. Children should take Paracetamol for flu 2 hours before meals.
Remantadine tablets composition and release forms
The effectiveness of the drug is explained by its unique composition:
- Rimantadine hydrochloride is a component whose action is similar to adamantine. It copes well with virus strains A and B, thanks to its pronounced antiviral properties. Rimantadine contains 50 mg per tablet.
- Ascorbic acid significantly enhances the immune system, which contributes to the body's resistance to a variety of pathogens.
- Additional ingredients in the drug include stearic acid, starch, lactose monohydrate, silicon dioxide, sodium alginate, povidone.
The drug is produced in capsule and tablet form. The capsules are gelatin-coated and contain 100 mg of rimantidine each. The tablets are white in color and sold in blisters of 10 pieces.
Remantadine tablets are also available in the form of a suspension and syrup. Powdered medicine is diluted with warm water and is used to treat adults and children. The syrup contains sucrose and flavorings.
Designed for preschool children. It causes side effects in rare cases, because it contains much fewer active ingredients. More complete composition and features are contained in the instructions.
Remantadine tablets pharmacological properties
The medicine works at the cellular level. The fusion of the membrane of a healthy cell and the virus is blocked by rimantadine hydrochloride. After entering the intestines, rimantadine begins its action. Effective in the treatment of encephalitis virus, influenza groups A and B.
The use of the drug increases the production of interferon in the body and enhances the activity of lymphocytes. Absorbed completely and quickly, but the absorption process occurs slowly. This provides a prolonging effect.
During the first two days, the highest activity of the drug is observed, so at the first symptoms of the disease you should immediately take Remantadine tablets.
Antiviral agents
Several groups of drugs are intended to combat viruses:
- Antiviral, suppressing the activity of the virus;
- Immunostimulants to strengthen the immune system;
- Vaccines that stimulate the formation of antibodies to viruses.
The most effective treatments for ARVI include substances such as Tamiflu, Acyclovir, Remantadine and Arbidol. All of them are often prescribed as part of antiviral therapy.
If we talk about the safety of the drug and better tolerability, then Acyclovir is the leader here. But if the viral nature of the disease is not associated with herpes, then it is better to take Remantadine instead of Acyclovir.
Remantadine is one of the popular drugs. Treatment with this drug helps to cope with the virus. But a good result is directly related to how quickly after infection the pill was taken. In this regard, it is indicated for use during an influenza epidemic, even if the diagnosis is not confirmed.
Important! Taking medications must be carried out in accordance with the instructions
Can taking pills help an adult?
Remantadine is one of the most effective remedies for treating colds. Its effectiveness is due to the fact that it is able to stop the reproduction of viruses that are not yet at the initial stage of development of pathology.
This is one of the effective antiviral drugs that can be used to successfully treat colds and flu.
The active components of the drug are able to penetrate into the cell membrane of the pathogen, resulting in its death.
In addition, with the help of an antiviral agent it is possible to eliminate arboviruses. And, as is known, they lead to the development of encephalitis.
You can find a list of antibiotics for colds in children here.
Benefit and action
The positive effect of taking Remantadine is due to the fact that it covers the cells of its host and thereby prevents the virus from penetrating inside. In this way, it is possible to slow down the spread of the infectious process. The action of Remantadine is aimed at releasing the viral DNA of the cell, while the virus itself will be inside. Then the development of the disease stops.
The drug in question is effective for colds, as it will help provide the following effects:
- immunomodulatory;
- antitoxic;
- stimulates interferon synthesis;
- increases cell activity.
The structure of the drug is cyclic, due to which its active components are able to move throughout the body for a long time. Thanks to this property of the medicine, it can be used not only for the treatment, but also for the prevention of colds.
With the help of Remantadine, you can prevent its development even at the early stages of influenza
But it is important to do this provided that no more than 2 days have passed since the beginning of development. The drug is effective for the prevention of acute respiratory viral infections and influenza during an epidemic
It is extremely important for people who suffer from epileptic seizures and diabetes to obtain a doctor’s permission to take Remantadine. On video how to take remantadine for a cold:
On video how to take remantadine for a cold:
The drug also has the following contraindications for use:
- Hypersensitivity to a certain component.
- Pathologies of the kidneys and liver.
- Active functioning of the thyroid gland.
- Pregnancy.
- Age up to seven years.
- Epileptic seizures
- Cerebral sclerosis.
After the active components penetrate the body, after 5 hours they begin to fight pathogenic microorganisms. And a day after the first use, the patient feels much better, as he manages to cope with the following symptoms:
- the temperature drops;
- the inflammatory process in the ENT organs goes away;
- no headache;
- nasal breathing becomes easier;
- swelling of the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx decreases;
- muscle pain and weakness goes away.
This article will help you understand what pills to take for a cold without fever, and how to choose the right medications.
Viferon
Viferon is one of the best antiviral drugs, which has a highly effective effect against ARVI and influenza. The presented medicine has a double spectrum of influence:
- blocks and completely destroys the development of pathogenic microflora and their metabolic products
- stimulates the immune system
Viferon is available in the format of ointment, gel and rectal suppositories.
Basically, the use of Viferon is advisable only during the period of acute manifestations of symptoms of influenza and ARVI. For preventive purposes, the drug will be ineffective. It is recommended to continue drug therapy for at least 14 days. Viferon is very individual and directly depends on the clinical picture. To correctly prescribe the type of drug, determine the exact dosage and duration of therapy, you should consult a general practitioner.
Viferon can also be actively included in the treatment plan not only for children, infants, pregnant women, but also for nursing mothers. Suppositories are considered the most suitable in this situation. Due to excellent absorption into the blood, suppositories will provide an intense, but safe for the body, antiviral effect.
Viferon, as a rule, does not have any restrictions on use, side effects and is absolutely harmless to health. Only in some cases can you see a slight rash on the skin. This reaction is usually typical for allergy sufferers. In case of individual intolerance, it is recommended to replace Viferon with alternative medications with similar specific effects (Remantadine, Anaferon).
Antiviral drugs for acute respiratory infections and influenza are the most effective means of therapy. It is important to remember that only the attending physician can prescribe the medicine and its dosage. Self-therapy in this case can not only lead to side effects, but also provoke the development of unwanted complications.
Composition of the drug
The synthetic compound rimantadine hydrochloride is used as the main substance responsible for the effect of the drug. The auxiliary components are starch, lactose, stearic acid, povidone and silicon dioxide - all this needs to be taken into account by people planning to take Remantadine tablets. However, there are other forms of release that will appeal to young patients.
Syrup for children Remantadine contains a reduced concentration of the active substance and is a reddish liquid with a thick consistency.
The basis of the drug is water in which sugar, sodium alginate and natural dye are dissolved. Manufacturers from different countries vary the composition of Remantadine, but this only applies to auxiliary components: for example, they include flavoring additives or change the amount of sugar.
Choosing between Acyclovir and Remantadine
Both of these drugs are quite popular and are often prescribed to patients with viral diseases. In order to figure out which one is better suited, let's compare Acyclovir and Remantadine.
Remantadine
This medicine has a history of use of more than half a century. It is designed to fight viruses.
Effect on the body:
- preventing the proliferation of virus cells;
- strengthening the immune system.
All these factors lead to a speedy recovery. The main active substance has the ability to accumulate in body tissues. In addition to therapy, the medicine can be used to prevent influenza virus diseases during an epidemic.
Remantadine is indicated for the following diseases:
- tick-borne viral encephalitis;
- flu;
- herpes type 1 and 2.
The drug can be used by children aged 7 years and older.
Acyclovir
The main purpose of the drug is the treatment of herpes and antiviral therapy. By integrating into the DNA structure of viruses, Acyclovir prevents them from multiplying and developing. In terms of its structure, Acyclovir is a synthetic nucleoside that has a fairly short half-life. If necessary, the medicine can be prescribed to children.
For your information! Acyclovir should not be taken with Remantadine, since both of these drugs have similar effects.
Pharmacological action and group, composition
As mentioned earlier, Remantadine belongs to the group of synthetic drugs. It effectively fights various strains of the virus, herpes virus and tick-borne encephalitis virus
. If you use Remantadine for prophylactic purposes, its action will be aimed at preventing the virus from entering the cell. The drug has an antitoxic effect, which speeds up the healing process. Types of flu vaccinations are discussed according to.
Remantadine is a good prophylactic drug because it has a long half-life, which allows it to remain in the body for a long time. If a person is sick, this medicine prevents the viral DNA from leaving the cell, as a result the virus remains locked inside. This leads to a decrease in the number of viral particles in the body.
Remantadine also has immunomodulatory and antitoxic effects. It stimulates the production of interferons and increases the activity of lymphocytes.
The drug is absorbed in the intestine and excreted mainly through the liver. In chronic renal failure, it can accumulate in the kidneys to toxic levels. In this case, it is necessary to adjust the dosage. To prevent colds, Remantadine can be used by both adults and children over the age of seven, one or two tablets once a day for four weeks.
Prevention of encephalitis: two tablets once a day for five days. When treating influenza, you need to take three tablets of Remantadine on the first day, on the second and third days, two tablets twice a day, and on the fourth and fifth, two tablets once in a day.
Children can take one tablet twice a day.
Treatment lasts five days.
Remantadine for children
As a rule, in the autumn-winter period, a peak in colds is observed in children's groups. The modern pharmaceutical market presents a wide range of drugs that successfully fight viral diseases. One of the representatives of antiviral drugs for children is rimantadine, which is successfully used not only to treat type A influenza viruses, but also herpes and tick-borne encephalitis.
Remantadine for children: indications for use in children
The most effective use of rimantadine is at the very beginning of the disease, since in the first two days of illness it is able to prevent the proliferation of harmful bacteria and mobilize the body's defenses.
The remedy is successfully used not only to treat influenza that has already begun, but also to prevent acute respiratory diseases during exacerbation.
How should children take rimantadine?
The full course of treatment for children of any age category is five days. It is available in syrup form for children over one year of age and in tablet form for older children. Regardless of the form of release, rimantadine is administered orally after meals, with plenty of water.
Remantadine syrup (orvirem) for children
The syrup is given to children over one year of age in the following dosage:
- children 1-3 years old: on the first day, two teaspoons (20 mg) three times a day, on days 2 and 3, two teaspoons twice a day, on day 4, two teaspoons once a day;
- children 3-7 years old: on the first day three teaspoons (30 mg) 3 times a day, 2 and 3 days - 3 teaspoons twice a day, 4 day - three teaspoons 1 time a day.
Children under one year of age are not recommended to use this drug due to poor kidney function. As a result, there may be an accumulation of dangerous metabolites in the baby’s body, which have a detrimental effect on kidney function.
Remantadine tablets for children
Remantadine tablets can be given to children over seven years of age. If the doctor has prescribed rimantadine, the dosage for children is as follows:
- children 7-10 years old: 1 tablet twice a day;
- children 11-14 years old: 1 tablet 3 times a day.
After 7 years of age, rimantadine can be used as a prophylactic against influenza at a dosage of 1 tablet per day for two weeks.
Remantadine: contraindications and side effects
Like any medicine, rimantadine has contraindications for use in treating children:
- hypersensitivity to the components of the drug;
- children's age one year;
- history of liver and kidney dysfunction;
- increased thyroid function (hyperthyroidism);
- epilepsy.
Side effects in a child may include:
- nausea;
- in some cases, vomiting;
- drowsiness;
- dizziness;
- headache;
- dry mouth;
- abdominal pain;
- allergic reactions: itching of the skin, urticaria;
- decreased concentration, which can affect the child’s educational process at school;
- in especially severe cases, tremors of the limbs are noted.
In the child's blood tests, when using rimantadine, a slight increase in bilirubin is noted.
In case of adverse reactions, the dosage should be reduced or the drug should be stopped. After this, you need to consult a doctor for advice to select the optimal antiviral drug.
If a doctor prescribes rimantadine, parents wonder whether it can be given to children as a prophylactic, whether this will be an invasion of the body when the child’s immune system is trying to fight the virus on its own. Any medicine used to prevent disease interferes with the child's immune system. However, children under three years of age still have imperfect immunity, as a result of which the body is more open to the influence of all kinds of viruses. Therefore, children under three years old often get sick. The use of rimantadine as a preventive treatment can reduce the risk of a child contracting colds and flu during the period of exacerbation of the virus, since it helps strengthen the immune system.
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How to take the antiviral drug "Remantadine": use and administration of tablets, dosage
Before taking Remantadine, you must consult your doctor. The question of the appropriateness of such therapy, dosage, and exclusion of possible contraindications is being resolved. Self-administration of Remantadine is contraindicated due to the complexity of the individual dosage regimen and the determination of the strain of influenza or ARVI virus currently circulating in the population.
There are strictly limited indications for the use of this pharmacological agent, they include:
- influenza caused by strains of serotype A2;
- ARVI and acute respiratory infections caused by respiratory strains;
- prevention after a tick bite that is laboratory determined to be infected;
- prevention of influenza virus infection during the period of epidemiological activity.
The use of Remantadine tablets in old age requires special attention, since the patient’s condition may worsen if he has a malignant form of hypertension, severe atherosclerosis of the coronary and cerebral vessels, or Parkinson’s disease. In practice, there are not uncommon cases of the development of hemorrhagic cerebrovascular accidents with a very unfavorable prognosis in the category of people over 50 years of age during treatment with this drug. Also, it should not be used for treatment in patients with a history of epileptic seizures and migraines.
The antiviral drug "Remantadine" does not have a negative effect on influenza viruses belonging to serotypes B, however, the positive dynamics of such cases during therapy with this drug due to the reduction of toxic tension has been practically proven.
The following table shows the standard dosage of Remantadine, recommended by the manufacturer and intended for an adult and a child over 7 years of age:
Single, course and daily doses | |
Treatment of influenza in adults | The first day, 2 tablets 3 times a day, then 2 days, 2 tablets 2 times a day, from the 4th to the 6th day, 2 tablets 1 time a day. |
Treatment of influenza in children over 7 years of age | 1 tablet (50 mg) 2 times a day for 5 days. |
Prevention of influenza in children and adults | 50 mg 1 time per day in the morning for 7 days. |
Prevention of tick-borne encephalitis | In the first 3 days after a tick bite, 2 tablets 2 times a day (3 days). |