Viferon in the treatment and prevention of acute respiratory viral infections

Children more often than other patients suffer from infectious pathologies. This is due to the fact that their immune system has not yet been formed. The therapeutic regimen includes universal medications. The most popular are Viferon and Viburkol. These drugs belong to different pharmacological groups.

Viferon is an immunomodulatory drug characterized by antiviral and antiproliferative properties. Viferon is based on human recombinant interferon alpha-2b. This component prevents the replication of the pathogenic virus and accelerates the regeneration of damaged cells. The medication is characterized by the absence of age restrictions. It is allowed to be given even to newborns and infants. This is due to the relative safety of this drug.

Viburkol is an effective medicine of natural origin. It has a positive effect on the patient's body. The drug consists of plant extracts.

It is used for nasal congestion, ARVI, teething, hyperthermia. The safety profile of Viburkol has been fully studied. The medication has immunostimulating, antitumor, antiviral and antiherpetic effects.

Indications for use

Viburkol is used to cleanse the body of toxic substances and stimulate active immunity. These suppositories, like Viferon, are characterized by analgesic properties.

These medications help improve the functioning of the central nervous system. Viburkol is used as an antipyretic for infectious pathologies. The drug quickly eliminates:

• catarrhal phenomena;
• cramps in the stomach;
• sleep problems;
• unreasonable anxiety;
• fever;
• intestinal colic.

Viburkol is often included in the therapeutic regimen for influenza, mumps and chickenpox.

Viferon is prescribed if the child has a history of the following diseases:

1. Acute viral infections.
2. Infectious and inflammatory pathologies of the excretory system.
3. Meningitis, intrauterine infection, blood poisoning.

General characteristics

There are the following similarities between Viferon and Viburkol:

1. Both medications can be purchased without a doctor's prescription .
2. The drugs do not slow down the reaction rate , so they can be used by drivers and patients working in potentially hazardous industries without any restrictions.
3. To date, there have been no cases of overdose with these medications.
4. Both drugs cannot be used if their composition is intolerant, in which case they can cause allergies. If signs of an allergic reaction appear, you should interrupt therapy and consult a doctor.
5. Viferon and Viburkol can be used in combination with other medications .
6. Both drugs were well tolerated.

Contraindications

Viburcol is strictly prohibited for use if you are hypersensitive to the ingredients of the medicinal composition. During pregnancy, the drug is not recommended for use without doctor's prescription. The same goes for women who are breastfeeding. Viburkol is allowed to be taken together with other antiviral medications. The risk of negative consequences is minimal.

In this respect, Viferon differs significantly from Viburkol. It can provoke the development of negative clinical manifestations. The medication should be avoided by patients suffering from the following pathologies:

• hypersensitivity;
• chronic hepatitis;
• cardiovascular diseases;
• disruptions in the functioning of the nervous system;
• partial dysfunction of the kidneys and liver;
• epilepsy.

Taking Viferon is contraindicated for minors, pregnant women, and nursing mothers. The drug should not be included in the drug regimen together with immunosuppressants.

Are antipyretic drugs safe?

In the middle of the last century, large-scale studies were conducted regarding the safety of drugs that lower body temperature in adults and children. Based on the results of these studies, scientists made a number of recommendations according to which some groups of patients needed to stop taking drugs containing metamizole (analgin), amidopyrine, phenacetin, butadione and indomethacin in order to avoid the development of diseases of the hematopoietic system, gastrointestinal diseases and excretory system.

Nowadays, the most commonly used medications to reduce fever are those containing ibuprofen, paracetamol and acetylsalicylic acid. They are recommended to be used after consultation with a doctor, because... they have a number of contraindications.

Self-medication and taking medications without consulting a doctor can lead to stomach diseases and kidney problems, as well as cause liver damage. Particular attention should be paid to drawing up a treatment plan for children, because the children's body is very sensitive to medications.

The use of any antipyretic drug and its dosage regimen must be agreed with a specialist. If the use of the drug is ineffective or if adverse reactions occur, expressed in a sharp deterioration in the general condition, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Reference and information material

Author of the article

Gerasimenko Igor Olegovich

General doctor

Sources:

1. Nesterova I.V. “Interferon drugs in clinical practice: when and how,” “Attending Physician,” September 2022.

Sources:

i https://cyberleninka.ru/

ii https://www.rmj.ru/

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The main differences between the drugs

Medicines are characterized by a similar spectrum of action. The difference between Viburkol and Viferon lies in the composition, list of side effects and release forms. Viburkol is sold only in the form of rectal suppositories, while Viferon can be purchased in several varieties. The choice is made based on the nature of the pathological changes.

Suppositories are available in white, may have a yellowish tint and have a torpid shape. The diameter of the candle does not exceed 10 mm. The ointment is most often used topically. It is characterized by a homogeneous structure and a rather specific aroma. Viferon gel has a uniform and opaque concentration, as well as a grayish tint.

Viburkol is classified as a complex type of homeopathic medicine, and Viferon is classified as an immunomodulatory medicine of synthetic origin. Such drugs reduce the load on the liver. Viburkol gradually reduces body temperature without affecting the process of interferon activation, thanks to its antispasmodic and sedative properties.

Differences

Viferon and Viburkol have the following differences:

Which drug to choose

The medication is chosen taking into account the diagnosis, stage and individual characteristics of the patient. The selection of the drug should be carried out by the attending physician. Interferon alpha-2b, which is part of Viferon, is obtained by hybridizing the genome of white blood cells and bacterial plasmids. Protein compounds are characterized by high solubility.

The reasons for using Viburkol are:

• complex treatment of ARVI;
• nervous overexcitation;
• uncomplicated infections;
• inflammatory process in the ENT organs;
• pathologies of the excretory or reproductive systems.

If side effects occur, you should immediately consult a doctor.

He will reduce the daily dose of the medication or replace it with an analogue. The procedure depends on the intensity of clinical manifestations.

Viferon

recombinant α-2b human interferon as an active substance . The drug relieves inflammation, improves immunity, has antiproliferative and antibacterial properties, and disrupts the replication of RNA and DNA viruses.

The drug enhances the phagocytic activity of macrophages and increases the specific cytotoxicity of lymphocytes to target cells.

The auxiliary components included in the drug enhance the antiviral effect of interferon and increase the patient’s immune response to pathogens.

During treatment with the drug, the content of immunoglobulin class A increases and the concentration of immunoglobulin E normalizes.

Vitamins C and E , which are included in the medicine as auxiliary components, are natural antioxidants; they stop the inflammatory process and accelerate the healing of damaged tissues.

The use of Viferon in combination with other medications allows you to reduce the dosage of antibiotics and hormones, as well as reduce the toxic effects of them.

Regardless of the form of release, the drug is prescribed for herpes, and in combination with other drugs it is prescribed for ARVI, including influenza.

Suppositories are prescribed for the treatment of the following diseases:

• Inflammation of the lungs caused by viruses, bacteria or chlamydia.
• Infections of newborns, including premature babies, such as viral and bacterial meningitis, blood poisoning, intrauterine infections of various etiologies.
• Chronic viral hepatitis B, C, D, including those complicated by cirrhosis.
• Infections of the genitourinary canal.

The gel can be used in combination with other drugs for the treatment of stenosing laryngotracheobronchitis, and it can also be used to prevent this disease.

In addition, the gel is prescribed for the prevention of acute respiratory viral infections.

Active Ingredients

Viburkol is a homeopathic remedy. It contains extracts of the following plants:

• pharmaceutical chamomile;
• meadow lumbago;
• belladonna;
• plantain;
• nightshade.

Healing extracts are combined with solid fat and calcium carbonate. All of these components are characterized by relative safety.

Viferon contains recombinant alpha-2b. This component is the main one, it is supplemented with auxiliary ingredients. Suppositories include fat, cocoa butter, ascorbic acid, polysorbate 80, sodium ascorbate.

The external gel also contains alpha-tocopherol acetate. In addition to this, the following is added to the drug:

• purified water;
• ethanol;
• benzoic acid;
• citric acid monohydrate;
• distilled glycerin;
• sodium tetraborate decahydrate;
• sodium chloride.

The main ingredient is characterized by a wide spectrum of action and the ability to suppress the replication of DNA and RNA viruses. Thanks to interferon, it increases the cytotoxicity of white blood cells and activates antibacterial protection.

Alpha-tocopherol acetate and vitamin C have antioxidant, restorative, membrane-stabilizing and anti-inflammatory effects. Cocoa butter, which together with confectionery fat provides structure, contains phospholipids and polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Suppositories NUROFEN, VIFERON and other drugs that are used for viral diseases

The drug NUROFEN containing ibuprofen has an analgesic and antipyretic effect, and also fights inflammation. It is used for various pathologies, including fever and pain of various origins. Adults most often take this medicine in tablets, while children are offered a suspension or suppositories. If necessary, you can take NUROFEN and VIFERON at the same time.

Medicines containing acetylsalicylic and ascorbic acid, paracetamol, caffeine, codeine, thiamine, naproxen, salicylamide are also used as antipyretic drugs.

Antiviral drugs are divided into the following groups:

• drugs that act on extracellular forms of the virus;
• drugs that prevent viruses from entering cells;
• drugs that fight viruses inside the cell;
• drugs that prevent viruses from leaving the cell and further infection.

Preparations containing interferon help prevent the virus from penetrating into healthy cells, as well as blocking its reproduction inside already infected cells.

Principles of application

Viburkol is a homeopathic medicine and is quite popular among the population. They do not cause dependence, withdrawal symptoms or addiction. Suppositories normalize the functioning of the digestive system, eliminate spasms and problems with gas formation. The course of treatment can last for 10 days, including when treating newborns. It is recommended to take the suppositories at night, this will enhance the positive effects. The drug can be used to relieve unpleasant symptoms after immunization. The dosage and order of administration are determined by the doctor. It is strictly prohibited to prescribe a therapeutic regimen on your own.

Viferon ointment is approved for use to eliminate herpetic lesions and catarrhal symptoms in children over 1 year old. The gel is prescribed for preventive and therapeutic purposes. Suppositories are used as an aid in the treatment of infectious pathologies, generalized myeloma, hairy cell leukemia and bladder cancer. Basal cell carcinoma, condylomatosis acuminata, meningeal form of tick-borne encephalitis, and Sézary syndrome are added to this list. The therapeutic course is carried out in full accordance with the doctor’s instructions. The treatment regimen is selected taking into account the nature of the clinical manifestations, general well-being and individual characteristics of the patient.

Ointment "Viferon": instructions for use

The ointment is used only for external use. The instructions are simple - apply to the affected area of ​​the skin or mucous membrane and gently smear with your fingers. The quantity should be small, the number of doses should be 3-4 per day. Therapy lasts 5-7 days; if necessary, the course can be continued, but only after consulting a doctor.

The gel is used for the prevention of acute respiratory viral infections and stenosing laryngitis in childhood. For these purposes, the composition is applied to a tampon and then transferred to the child’s tonsils 2 times a day. The course lasts no more than a week and can be repeated twice a year.

The gel can also be used to prevent ARVI in children during the first 2 years of life. In this case, the composition is also applied to a tampon, and then the mucous membrane of each nasal passage is coated (blow your nose and dry it first). The procedure is repeated up to 3 times a day for a week.

The gel is also used to treat herpes in adult patients. It is best to use it during periods of low flow, when rashes appear quite rarely. The composition is applied only to the affected areas, and the number of doses is from 5 to 7 in one day. Therapy is continued for 3-5 days, after which they take a break and, if necessary, repeat the cycle.

Side effects

If Viburkol is used incorrectly, the clinical picture may include symptoms such as itching, rashes on the skin, and increased body temperature. These signs may be caused by individual intolerance to the drug composition. The risk of unpleasant manifestations is quite small. Despite its relative safety, the drug is not recommended to be taken without consulting a doctor. Viferon can provoke the development of an allergic reaction. Its symptoms disappear 3 days after stopping the use of the medication. It combines well with other medications.

If the patient has contraindications to the use of Viburkol, the doctor may prescribe the following analogues:

• Ibuprofen;
• Calpol;
• Rapidol;
• Cefekon;
• Nurofen;
• Paracetamol.

Viferon is replaced by Interferon, Laferobion, Laferomax, Jenferon and Nazoferon. Each of these medications has its own positive and negative properties, so an analogue must be selected by a doctor.

What to choose?

It is not very correct to compare Viferon and Viburkol, since the medications have different compositions and areas of application . Therefore, which remedy is best for a particular patient should be decided by the doctor, depending on the diagnosis , the age of the patient, the presence of contraindications to the start of therapy and its tolerability.

If necessary, the doctor can prescribe these medications in combination, since their actions complement each other.

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