Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics
Pharmacodynamics
The active ingredient of the drug is obtained from the herb kopeck. It has antiviral activity against DNA-containing viruses, pathogens of herpes simplex , and, to a lesser extent, human immunodeficiency virus and CMV . It has a slight bacteriostatic effect against Mycobacterium tuberculosis , bacteria and protozoa.
The mechanism of action is based on the suppression of bacterial nuclease, while there is no pronounced inhibitory effect on viral neuraminidase. The drug stimulates cellular and humoral immunity, promotes the production of interferon gamma .
Alpizarin does not have a mutagenic, allergenic, irritating or teratogenic effect.
Pharmacokinetics
Alpizarin is quickly and well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Bound 70–90% by blood proteins. In the blood plasma, the active substance is determined within 0.5–5 hours after administration, and its maximum concentration is observed after 1 hour. Urinary excretion is insignificant (0.1%).
Side effects of Alpizarin
According to numerous reviews from patients who were treated with Alpizarin, this drug is in the vast majority of cases well tolerated and, if the dosages recommended by the doctor are followed, does not have any side effects. This is explained by the fact that Alpizarin is a drug of plant origin, its active substance is obtained from the herb alpine kopeck. , yellow pennyweed, legumes or from mangiferin, extracted from mango leaves.
In isolated cases, there are complaints about the development of allergic reactions, which is caused by hypersensitivity or intolerance to one or another component of the medication, which the patient was not previously aware of. When taking the tablet form of Alpizarin, headache, nausea, fatigue, diarrhea, and vomiting are also possible.
No cases of drug overdose have been reported to date.
Indications for use
Alpizarin is indicated for the treatment of primary infections and secondary infections of the mucous membranes and skin with herpes viruses (causative agents of simple and genital herpes ), treatment of herpes zoster ; CMV infections , Kaposi's eczema ; genital warts and warts ; lichen planus and chickenpox .
Composition and release form
The active ingredient of the drug is tetrahydroxyglucopyranosylxanthene (commercial name - Alpizarin ®). Its content in one tablet is 0.1 g. Auxiliary components are lactose, calcium stearate, potato starch.
Alpizarin is packaged in blister packs made of aluminum foil or polyvinyl chloride. The package may contain 10, 20 or 30 tablets. Instructions and two packages No. 10 or one package No. 20 or No. 30 are placed in a consumer cardboard box.
In addition to tablets, Alpizarin ointment is also available for topical use. It is available in adult and children's versions. In the first case, a 10 ml tube contains 500 mg of the active substance, in the second - 200 mg of Alpizarin.
Alpizarin, instructions for use (Method and dosage)
Alpizarin tablets - adults and adolescents take 1-2 tablets three times a day without reference to meals; children 1–6 years old - 0.5–1 tablet three times a day, 6–12 years old — one tablet three times a day.
Alpizarin ointment - apply topically to the affected area 5% ointment for adults and 2% ointment for children 5-6 times a day; Apply only 2% ointment to the mucous membranes. For single rashes of various forms of herpes simplex outside the genital localization, the ointment is applied to the affected area for 4-5 days; in the presence of fever , profuse rashes, lymphadenopathy - apply ointment and take pills at the same time for 1-2 weeks. For genital herpes , the ointment is applied to areas of the affected mucous membrane or skin for a week 4-6 times a day. In case of relapse, take additional tablets for 1-2 weeks.
For diseases of viral etiology of the oral mucosa, take tablets at the same time and apply 2% ointment to the mucous membrane for 1-2 weeks, for lichen planus of the oral mucosa - for 15-30 days. For herpes zoster - tablets and ointment on the affected area for 1-3 weeks. In case of relapses, repeat the course of treatment.
Contraindications
According to the annotation for the drug, the use of Alpizarin is contraindicated:
- If you have hypersensitivity to tetrahydroxyglucopyranosylxanthene or any of the auxiliary components;
- Children under 1 year old - in the form of ointment, up to 3 years old - in tablets (due to the lack of data on the effectiveness and safety of use);
- For lactose intolerance, lactase deficiency, glucose-galactose deficiency.
The drug is prohibited for use in the first trimester of pregnancy; the decision on the advisability of its use in the second and third trimesters is made by the attending physician.
During lactation, according to strict indications, the prescription of Alpizarin is possible, but under constant medical supervision, since there is no data on the release of tetrahydroxyglucopyranosylxanthene into breast milk. If possible, it is still recommended to temporarily stop breastfeeding.
Alpizarin's analogues
Level 4 ATC code matches: Aldara
Viru-Merz Serol
Zovirax Duo-Active
Acyclovir
Fenistil Pencivir
Bonafton
Zovirax
Atsik
Herpferon
Epigen Intim
Lysozyme
Gerpevir
Kondilin
Virolex
Gevisosh
According to the mechanism of action and belonging to the same pharmacological group, analogues of Alpizarin are: Giporamin , Allokin-alpha , Ingavirin , Viracept , Nikavir , Kagocel , Fuzeon , Tiloron , Ergoferon , Celsentri and others.
Mode of application
Due to the relative toxicity of the drug, its use is only possible as prescribed by a doctor. Tablets are taken regardless of food intake in the following dosage:
- children 3 – 6 years old – half a tablet 2 – 3 times a day;
- children 6 – 12 years old – 1 tablet 2 – 3 times a day;
- children over 12 years of age and adults - 1 - 2 tablets 3 - 4 times a day, depending on the diagnosis and severity of the disease.
Treatment should begin at the first signs of a herpes infection, especially if it is not primary herpes, but a relapse. The earlier treatment is started, the more effective it is and the less harmful the effect of the drug and the virus on the body.
The duration of treatment depends on the location of the infection and the type of pathogen.
For herpes simplex of genital and extragenital manifestations, the drug is taken for 5 to 7 days. If the infection is accompanied by fever and enlargement of local lymph nodes, the treatment period can be extended to two weeks.
For Kaposi's herpetic eczema and CMV infection, therapy is carried out for 5 to 21 days. Chickenpox and other diseases caused by the Zoster virus also require treatment for 5 to 21 days. Stomatitis and gingivitis are treated for up to 15 days.
The disappearance of local symptoms does not mean a complete cure for the infection; the doctor must stop taking the drug, including based on the results of a biochemical blood test.
To prevent relapses, a month after treatment, a second course is administered with the same or smaller amounts of the drug for 10 to 14 days.
The maximum daily dose for adults should not exceed 800 mg - that is, 8 tablets. Children under 12 years of age should not receive more than three tablets per day. The drug is not prescribed to children under 3 years of age, although no obvious contraindications have been identified.
Alpizarin ointment is applied to the affected areas 3 to 5 times a day. In case of large areas of damage, you can apply a bandage at night, having previously treated the skin with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.
Contraindications
The main contraindications are individual hypersensitivity to the active substance, congenital lactase deficiency, pregnancy at any stage. Use with caution in case of liver and kidney diseases. The ointment does not cause systemic absorption, but may cause local allergic reactions.
special instructions
The drug does not affect the reaction rate and does not interfere with the control of vehicles and complex machines and mechanisms.
Release from pharmacies
The antiviral drug Alpizarin must be dispensed with a doctor's prescription, but in most pharmacies this rule is not observed.
Storage
Alpizarin tablets should be stored in a place protected from light, out of reach of children, at a temperature not exceeding +25°C. Shelf life – five years.
Alpizarin ointment should be stored in the refrigerator for no more than two years from the date of release. The cap must be tightly closed.
Manufacturer
In Russia, the owner of the Alpizarin trademark is the manufacturer of the drug, CJSC Pharmcenter VILAR, 117216, Russia, Moscow, st. Grina, 7. You can consult on the use of the drug or make a claim by calling +7 (495) 388-47-00.
Prices
The most popular form No. 20 costs from 178 to 204 rubles in Russian pharmacies.
Alpizarin ointment costs 74 - 90 rubles.
Alizarin price, where to buy
The price of Alpizarin in tablets No. 20 varies from 132 to 231 rubles per pack. Ointments - from 60 to 92 rubles per package. You can purchase Alpizarin tablets and ointment in most pharmacies in Moscow and other cities.
- Online pharmacies in RussiaRussia
ZdravCity
- Alpizarin tablets 100 mg 20 pcs. JSC Pharmcenter VILAR
189 rub. order
special instructions
It is recommended to use Alpizarin immediately after the first signs of the disease appear; the sooner, the more pronounced its therapeutic effect will be.
If the disease for which Alpizarin was prescribed is accompanied by lymphadenopathy, fever, widespread rashes and other general symptoms of the body, patients are prescribed the simultaneous use of both tablets and Alpizarin ointment.
When prescribing the drug to children, you should keep in mind: one tablet contains 0.1 g of lactose (milk sugar) and 0.0475 g of potato starch, which corresponds to 0.01 XE (bread units). Thus, for children 3-12 years old, the maximum daily dose contains 0.03 XE, for children over 12 years old and adults - 0.08 XE.
The drug does not have a negative effect on the speed of psychomotor reactions and visual acuity.
Reviews of the drug Alpizarin
- A good drug for those who have frequent relapses of herpes, because... there is no getting used to it. I have been being treated for herpes for 8 years, I am already allergic to all modern antiviral drugs (Acyclovir, Valtrex, Famvir), Alpizarin is the only thing that saves me. An excellent product - both ointment and tablets.
- They prescribed it to our grandmother for herpes zoster, she was suffering, nothing helped, but Alpizarin helped very well - both quickly enough and without side effects. The drug is really superb. I also tried Valtrex, Famvir, Virumerz, Zovirax - more expensive and worse. Thank you for Alpizarin!!!!!! ))))) I didn’t notice any side effects. I have been saving myself with Alpizarin for more than 2 years.
- I contracted herpes from a friend when I was at school. Since then, unpleasant rashes began to appear on my lips periodically. How disappointed I was when I found out that there is no 100% relapse prevention! And herpes was difficult to treat. Many drugs showed very low effectiveness! I learned about Alpizarin ointment purely by accident. And I don’t regret it at all, because the product is very good. It doesn’t have an unpleasant odor, doesn’t cause peeling, and really works! The price is more than satisfactory for me.
- They cured herpes. After five years of exacerbations and torment, I came across this medicine. I read about it on the Internet, it turned out to be inexpensive, but effective. I took pills and used ointment every day. As soon as I started taking it, I immediately stopped itching, and then the blisters also gradually disappeared. Only the scabs remained, and where it was combed, there were round scars, now I don’t know how to remove them (Kontratubeks did not help).
- It helps a lot with fever on the lips! For relapses I use ointment + tablets, I don’t remember about herpes at all, it kills the virus very effectively.
- Literally one tablet of Alpizarin helped me, especially if I drank it at the first sign of herpes.
- My main focus is on collecting herbs, and Alpizarin is such a life-saving pill for me when I’m on the go - car, bus, plane.
It is difficult to agree with the latter opinion, since Alpizarin is intended not for one-time use, but for course use. However, there are significantly more positive reviews about the drug than negative ones, which proves its effectiveness and the absence of obvious niche competitors.
