Arbidol for COVID-19? The first publications regarding the effectiveness of Arbidol against coronavirus began to appear in the Chinese media in early February. On the 6th, a team of virologists from Zhejiang University, led by Professor Li Lanjuan, completed another study. Its essence was to determine the effectiveness of the combination of antiviral drugs Arbidol and Darunavir (a drug for the treatment of HIV) in the treatment of COVID-19. Upon completion of the work, the professor called for Arbidol to be added to the list of drugs recommended to combat SARS-CoV-2, which was done on February 18.
The Bell was the first Russian media outlet to draw attention to this, although the fact that the drug was called Abidol was a little alarming. It later turned out that this was due to the use of online translators, which, when translating from Chinese into English, lost one letter from the name.
Studies of the antiviral drug Arbidol did not confirm scientists’ hypothesis about its effectiveness against a new type of coronavirus
At the same time, Insider wrote that the Chinese authorities plan to test Arbidol in order to assess whether it will help with coronavirus, as well as to determine how best to take the drug and other possible nuances. At the same time, this medicine has already been recommended for use by patients with COVID-19, since a specific remedy for the pathogen has not yet been created.
Pharmacology
The instructions say that Arbidol belongs to the category of antiviral drugs. Once in the human body, it destroys influenza and coronavirus viruses.
The medication reduces the incidence of complications that can be caused by viruses, and also reduces the incidence of exacerbation of bacterial diseases that occur in a chronic form.
The use of the drug can reduce the duration of the disease. Intended for internal use and has virtually no toxic effects. If you adhere to the specified dosage, then no negative reactions will occur.
Once the active component enters the body, it is quickly absorbed from the digestive system. The maximum content is reached after 1.5 hours. Actively disperses throughout organs and tissues.
Metabolism occurs in the liver. The half-life is approximately 18-20 hours. About 45% of the constituent substances are excreted in their original form, most of them with bile, a small amount through the kidneys. In the first 24 hours, about 85% of the received dose of medication leaves the body.
Reviews
Svetlana, 56 years old: I got a cold, and after my temperature rose, I called a doctor to my house. She listened to me and prescribed Paracetamol and Arbidol. I took pills for a whole week and didn’t notice any improvements, although Arbidol used to help with colds. Vyacheslav, 62 years old: When a cough appeared and the temperature rose, I thought that I had caught a new coronavirus. I read a lot on the Internet about Arbidol, that it helps, so I called a doctor to my house and asked her if maybe I should drink it. I was surprised when the doctor began to dissuade me and prescribed only cough and fever pills. She explained to me that Arbidol does not act on all types of viruses, so there is no chance that it will help. Marina, 48 years old: This is the third day I’ve been taking Arbidol for ARVI, it seems to be getting better, although the temperature still persists, but the cough seems to have become slightly worse. a bit less. The doctor says I need to continue taking the pills and get tested.
Why take Arbidol
The main indication for use of the product is the treatment of viral diseases. Also used for preventive purposes.
The product is effective for the following diseases:
- ARVI;
- flu;
- bronchitis and pneumonia (as part of complex therapy);
- respiratory syndrome in severe acute form.
The product can also be used to prevent possible complications associated with the appearance and spread of infection after surgery, to stabilize the patient’s immunity.
Composition, release form and description
Arbidol for children is available in the form of tablets and suspensions. The first ones have a dosage of 50, 100 and 200 mg. The color of the tablets is white or cream.
Sold in blister plates, packed in a cardboard box. Arbidol tablets are intended for children over 3 years old.
The product for preparing the suspension in its original form is a granular powder of cream or white color. The composition has a pleasant fruity smell.
The powder is placed in a dark glass container marked 100 ml and packaged in a cardboard box along with an annotation and a measuring spoon.
Manufacturers also took care of safety : the cap located on the bottle is unscrewed by pressing and then twisting clockwise.
After preparation, the suspension becomes yellowish-white with a cherry or banana odor.
The active component of the drug is umifenovir.
Excipients contained in tablets:
- croscarmellose sodium;
- hypromellose;
- titanium dioxide;
- potato starch;
- microcrystalline cellulose;
- polysorbate 80;
- calcium stearate;
- macrogol 4000.
Additional components contained in the suspension:
- sodium benzoate;
- sodium chloride;
- maltodextrin;
- titanium dioxide;
- sucrose;
- colloidal silicon dioxide;
- starch;
- sucralose;
- banana and cherry flavors.
Contraindications
Particular caution should be exercised by those parents who plan to give Arbidol to a diabetic, since in this case they should not take medications that contain sugar. The same applies to those children who have fructose intolerance. The following pathologies are direct contraindications to treatment with Arbidol:
- Kidney diseases.
- Liver disease.
- Heart problems.
- Problems with blood vessels.
Regardless of existing contraindications, Arbidol for children is one of the best effective medications aimed at combating viral infection. When compared with similar drugs, it has a small list of side effects and does not cause addiction.
Based on numerous reviews of children's "Arbidol", we can conclude that this product really has excellent tolerability. Doctors say that Arbidol very rarely affects the occurrence of an allergic reaction, and is also an excellent solution for the treatment and prevention of numerous diseases.
Dosage regimen, special instructions
Patients with diabetes mellitus should be careful when taking Arbidol, since it contains sucrose.
If for some reason a dose is missed, you need to take the medicine as quickly as possible.
The drug is taken 15-25 minutes before meals with a glass of water.
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Indications for use
According to the information provided by the manufacturer in the instructions, this medicine can only be given to children over 2 years of age. After 14 years of age, doctors can prescribe Arbidol Maximum, suitable only for adults. This medicine should be used in the following cases:
- For the prevention of influenza and ARVI during an epidemic.
- For the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections, influenza and other diseases that were caused by infection.
- In the presence of respiratory tract lesions.
- treatment of diseases caused by infection of the stomach or intestines.
- In the complex treatment of diseases affecting the ENT organs.
- In case of relapse of viral diseases.
- For the treatment of bronchitis.
Most often, this drug is used to treat ARVI, acute respiratory infections and influenza. Prescribe children's "Arbidol" with rotavirus and adenovirus. In any case, you must first get your doctor's approval before giving this medicine to children. Often, treatment pills will not be enough to cure the disease in the shortest possible time and additional treatment will be required. The doctor will not only give you a prescription for this medicine, but will also create a treatment plan for your child.
Therapeutic effect
This remedy is one of the most favorite among most pediatricians in the country. That is why it is most often prescribed to children during an epidemic or manifestation of a viral infection. Almost always, taking Arbidol does not cause side effects. It is also non-addictive. Because of this, it can be used to prevent many diseases.
The active substances contained in the drug suppress pathogenic microorganisms and also help destroy their protective membrane. This stops the spread of the virus in the body and helps speed up recovery. Doctors advise giving children arbidol because of the following clear advantages over similar medications:
- The drug reduces the duration of any infectious disease.
- Reduces unpleasant symptoms of the disease.
- Activates the body's protective functions.
- Helps you recover quickly.
- Reduces the occurrence of complications after a serious illness.
- It is easily tolerated by the child's body and has a convenient release form for children in the form of a suspension.
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Dosage at different ages
How to take medicine for children with a cold, how to drink for prevention, and at what age can children’s Arbidol be given to a baby?
The drug is prescribed for treatment:
- from 12 years – 200 mg 4 times a day;
- from 6 to 12 years – 100 mg 4 times a day;
- from 3 to 6 – 50 mg 4 times a day.
This scheme must be followed for 5 days. After this, the use of the drug is reduced to 1 tablet once a day. Duration of therapy is up to 28 days.
For prevention, Arbidol tablets are prescribed once a day.
During epidemics of colds, it is recommended to take the drug 1 tablet 2 times a day. The dosage should be observed according to age.
The suspension should be prepared as follows: 30 ml of warm boiled water is added to the bottle with the powder. The container is tightly sealed with a lid and shaken until a homogeneous consistency is obtained.
Then add water to the 100 ml mark and shake again. Shake the suspension before each use.
A single dosage of the drug is:
- children from 2 to 6 years old – 10 ml;
- from 6 to 12 years – 20 ml;
- from 12 years – 40 ml.
The required dose is measured using the included measuring spoon.
During the epidemic, the medicine is taken 2 times a week for 20 days. When in contact with a sick person – once a day, 2 weeks.
For the treatment of ARVI, rotavirus infection and influenza - 4 times a day, 5 days.
How and after what time does the drug work?
Arbidol has antiviral, anti-intoxication, antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects.
The antiviral effect is characterized by the ability of the drug to combine with the hemagglutinin protein in the virus envelope.
It is thanks to hemagglutinin that the virus combines with tissues, organs and causes the development of inflammatory and infectious processes.
The entry of viruses into the body's systems causes unpleasant symptoms - runny nose, headache, otitis media, sore throat, body aches, weakness, chills and increased body temperature.
Arbidol blocks the protein, causing the virus to stop reproducing and die. The drug counteracts the development of infectious and inflammatory processes , instantly blocking viruses that have penetrated even the mucous membranes.
Arbidol is also able to relieve cold symptoms within a few hours after the first dose and alleviate the course of the disease.
The immunomodulatory effect of the drug is characterized by the activation of phagocytes and the destruction of viruses, an increase in the release of interferons, which are responsible for the response of the immune system to viral penetration.
The drug is also capable of:
- reduce the risk of developing diseases during seasonal epidemics (influenza, ARVI);
- reduce the frequency of exacerbations of colds;
- make the course of the disease mild and practically asymptomatic;
- reduce the risk of complications;
- cure rotavirus infections in children.
The anti-intoxication effect of Arbidol is to weaken the symptoms of intoxication - weakness, dizziness, headache, chills, etc.
Side effects
This drug is well tolerated, but this occurs only if the dosage does not exceed the required norm. Because of this, you should not neglect a trip to the doctor. If you do not follow the instructions for children "Arbidol", the following side effects may occur:
- Headache.
- Severe nausea.
- Insomnia.
- Vomit.
- Lethargy and apathy.
In addition to the above-mentioned side effects, allergies from Arbidol may also occur. That is why the most important thing is to monitor the child after he uses Arbidol. If side effects occur, use should be stopped immediately.
The most important thing is that parents do not forget that, despite the safe composition of children's Arbidol, it is strictly forbidden to give it to children under 2 years of age. The suspension prepared from powder and tablets should be taken only from the indicated age. It should be borne in mind that the child must swallow whole tablets well. Do not crush or chew tablets.
