Nowadays, it is difficult to find mothers of children under 12 years old who have not heard about the drug “Bronchomunal” - from friends, conversations in clinics, in transport, pharmacies, on parent forums on the Internet - most mothers have heard at least one mention of this drug. Some parents learned about bronchomunal from doctors: some were advised, others were prescribed a course of treatment. And very few parents have sufficient knowledge about this drug, which is why questions constantly arise: is it a medicine or a vaccine, what does it do, what does it treat and what does it affect, when to give, what is the effectiveness. So, let's try to answer these questions.
What does the drug “Bronchomunal” help with, and what is its composition and active ingredient?
Bronchomunal treats colds
Bronchomunal is a new drug containing the main active ingredient:
- Particles of bacterial cells of staphylococci, streptococci, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella, moxarella (total 8 bacteria, up to 7 mg), contained in 1 capsule
Additional substances are:
- Propyl galate
- Mannitol
- Sodium glutamate
- Magnesium stearate
- Corn starch
The above bacteria most often cause infections in the respiratory tract. The medicine is based on fragmented, no longer capable, bacterial cells.
Pharmacological properties
Pharmacodynamics
Broncho-munal P exhibits an immunostimulating effect, helping to increase immunity against respiratory tract infections.
After oral administration of the capsule, the bacterial lysate contained in it accumulates in group (generalized) lymphoid nodules or Peyer's patches of the gastrointestinal mucosa (GIT), localized primarily in the mucous membrane of the ileal wall. Activated by bacterial lysate, antigen-presenting cells in Peyer's patches further stimulate B-lymphocytes, the cells responsible for a specific immune response. The number of circulating B lymphocytes increases, which causes an increase in the production of polyclonal antibodies, mainly serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin A (IgA), produced by the salivary glands and the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract.
Broncho-munal P also stimulates most leukocytes, which is expressed in an increase in the number of cells of the lymphoid and myeloid series, and a selective increase in the expression of receptors located on the surface.
When using the drug to fight against viruses and bacteria, the body’s natural defense mechanisms are activated, leading to increased resistance to infections of the respiratory system. The drug reduces the frequency and duration of acute respiratory tract infections, and also reduces the risk of exacerbations of chronic bronchitis. This reduces the need to use other medications, including antibiotics.
Bronchomunal: release form, indications for use
The drug "Bronchomunal"
Accumulating in the digestive tract, Bronchomunal prevents the penetration of capable harmful microorganisms into the body, fights them, prevents severe complications, and improves the immune system.
By prescribing Bronchomunal for the treatment of colds, especially in children, the doctor can reduce antibiotic treatment to a minimum, and recovery occurs faster.
Bronchomunal is produced in hard gelatin capsules, coated with a shell consisting of indigotine and titanium dioxide, blue-white in color. Inside the capsule, the active substance is light beige in color.
Bronchomunal is prescribed to children and adults for the purpose of:
- Treatment of acute and chronic diseases of the upper respiratory tract
- For prophylactic purposes to prevent illness during an influenza epidemic
- To prevent complications of the disease, adults and children with weak immune systems
Treatment during pregnancy
The instructions for use of Bronchomunal do not recommend it during pregnancy and lactation. This is due to the lack of studies on the effects of the drug during this period.
As prescribed by a doctor, it can be taken in the second and third trimester, if the body is unable to cope with the infection on its own. Sometimes doctors prescribe the drug to pregnant women during a flu epidemic to prevent possible illness. But each organism is individual, there is no guarantee that the drug will be 100% suitable.
Reviews about “Bronchomunal” from pregnant women are only positive, characterizing the drug as safe and highly effective. The effect of the medication on the development of the fetus has not been identified, but there is definitely a benefit from taking it during the illness of the expectant mother. A quick recovery without antibiotic treatment or with minimal use of antibiotics prevents complications and infection of the child.
Bronchomunal - at what age can it be given to children?
The drug "Bronchomunal" can be taken by children from 6 months of age.
Bronchomunal for adults can be given to children from 12 years of age, and for young children they produce a more gentle Bronchomunal P, which is allowed to be given from 6 months of age .
Attention . The drug cannot be given to a child from birth to 6 months due to the immaturity of his immune system.
special instructions
To avoid the possible risk of overdose, children aged 6 months to 12 years should not use Broncho-munal 7 mg capsules intended for the treatment of adults.
During drug therapy, hypersensitivity reactions to its components may occur. In case of persistent symptoms of individual intolerance to any components of Broncho-munal P, including skin reactions, gastrointestinal disorders, undesirable effects from the respiratory system, you should immediately stop treatment and consult a specialist.
Impact on the ability to drive vehicles and complex mechanisms
The drug does not have a negative effect on the performance of potentially hazardous activities that require increased concentration and high speed of psychomotor reactions.
Bronchomunal capsules: abstract, instructions for use and dosage for adults
The drug "Bronchomunal" treats colds.
Before starting a course of treatment with Bronchomunal capsules, they are vaccinated by administering a live vaccine orally to create immunity to the bacteria contained in the medicine. At least 4 weeks must pass after vaccination , and then treatment can begin.
In combination with other antiviral drugs, the course of treatment for Bronchomunal is as follows: take on an empty stomach, 1 capsule per day, 10 days in a row, 1 month, then a break - the rest of the month, the next month - the same, and so on for 3 months a year.
If an exacerbation of the disease is observed, then the course of treatment is extended until the symptoms of the disease disappear. If you forgot to take a Bronchomunal capsule in the morning, then you need to take it at any time; you cannot skip treatment.
If you were prescribed antibiotics along with Bronchomunal, treatment should be started together.
How to take Bronchomunal for cough for adults and children: before meals or after meals?
The drug "Bronchomunal" should be taken in the morning on an empty stomach.
Bronchomunal is taken in the morning, before meals. If the child is small and cannot swallow the capsule, you can open it, pour the powder from the capsule into water, juice or milk, mix, and give it to the child to drink.
If you forget to give your child medicine one day, then you can skip that day and remember to give it the next morning.
Bronchomunal capsules: duration of use, how many courses can be repeated per year?
The drug "Bronchomunal" for adults and children, take 1 capsule.
For adults and children, the course of treatment with Bronchomunal is 10 doses of the drug once a day, in the morning, on an empty stomach , then you need to take a break for 20 days, and then start the 2nd course of treatment with Bronchomunal. Then, at the same interval, the 3rd course .
Attention . It should be noted that Bronchomunal for adults is not suitable for children. Bronchomunal P is available for children.
Bronchomunal - a brief description of the drug
Bronchomunal belongs to the class of drugs of bacterial origin, as well as to the class of immunomodulator drugs.
However, it has some fundamental differences from most drugs of this kind. Firstly, it contains only natural ingredients and not synthetic substances. Secondly, it stimulates mainly specific immunity, aimed at specific pathogens, and not non-specific, unlike other immunomodulators.
This allows the body's immune forces to be used more effectively.
To a large extent, the effect of the drug is similar to the effect of vaccines; in principle, it can be classified as an oral vaccine. But its purpose is not to fight viruses, like most vaccines, but to fight bacteria responsible for infectious and inflammatory processes in the human respiratory tract.
Bronchomunal is an immunomodulatory agent of bacterial origin that has the ability to modulate the body’s immune response and stimulate the production of cellular and humoral immune cells.
Taking Bronchomunal allows you to increase the amount of IgA, IgG, IgM antibodies in blood serum, saliva, stomach secretions, lungs and bronchi, thereby making the body more resistant to viruses and bacteria.
The use of the drug can reduce the frequency and severity of infections, prevent the risk of all kinds of complications, thereby reducing the need for taking antibiotics. The drug is available in the form of capsules of 7 mg for adults and 3.
5 mg for children. Children from 6 months to 12 years old need to use Bronchomunal P in a dose of 3.
5 mg. Before 6 months, taking the drug is contraindicated.
In addition, if parents decide to give their child this drug, they need to study the drug dosage regimen and under no circumstances violate it.
Is it possible to take Bronchomunal with antibiotics and Viferon at the same time?
The drug “Bronchomunal” can be taken together with antibiotics and Viferon.
Doctors, including Dr. Komarovsky, advise starting treatment with antibiotics and other medications if, while taking a course of Bronchomunal, you “caught” an infection and fell ill with colds.
As for Viferon, it is created on the basis of interferon (a number of proteins in the human body), it is produced in the form of suppositories, and is used by injecting it into the human anus. This way the medicine works faster than in tablets or capsules.
Viferon helps reduce the duration of treatment with Bronchomunal and antibiotics.
Adverse reactions
Bronchomunal cough syrup does not exist. The drug is produced only in capsules. The medication is generally well tolerated by people; negative reactions have been reported rarely. But according to studies and reviews of Bronchomunal, the following side effects may occur when using capsules:
- Irritation of the gastric mucosa, which is accompanied by pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
- Temperature increase.
- Itchy skin.
- Urticaria is a skin disease, dermatitis, predominantly of allergic origin, characterized by the rapid appearance of severely itchy blisters.
- Erythema is redness of the skin caused by dilation of capillaries.
- Shortness of breath is one of the body functions that manifests itself in a change in the rhythm and depth of breathing, often accompanied by a feeling of lack of air.
- Cough.
If side effects are mild, then therapy may not be discontinued. If severe negative reactions occur, you should immediately stop using the capsules and contact a medical institution for advice. According to reviews, none of the consumers have seen Bronchomunal syrup; there are only tablets of different dosages.
Bronchomunal and alcohol: compatibility
It is not advisable to take the drug "Bronchomunal" with alcohol.
Bronchomunal is compatible with alcohol, but it should be remembered that drinking alcoholic beverages, even in small quantities, can greatly worsen the condition of the immune system , and then the previously spent effort and money on completed courses of treatment with Bronchomunal will be simply destroyed.
Indications
According to the instructions for use, taking Bronchomunal is recommended in the following cases:
- to prevent the development of exacerbations and relapses in chronic diseases manifested in the form of lesions of the respiratory system (pharyngitis, laryngitis, tonsillitis, bronchitis, rhinitis);
- to strengthen the immune system and prevent the formation of complications during viral infectious processes;
- as a medicine included in complex therapy in the form of an immunomodulatory agent, as well as for infections that occur in the respiratory tract (chronic and acute forms).
Polyoxidonium or Bronchomunal: which is better?
In some cases, Polyoxidonium is better than Bronchomunal
Polyoxidonium is a synthetic drug that has an immunostimulating effect in the body. Available in solution for injection, for adults and children from 6 months of age. Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers are strictly prohibited from taking the drug.
In combination with other medications, Polyoxidonium treats:
- Chronic viral and bacterial inflammatory diseases (meningitis, encephalitis, sepsis, gynecological diseases)
- Tuberculosis
- Allergic diseases in acute and chronic form (bronchial asthma, hay fever, dermatitis)
- Malignant tumors together with chemotherapy
- Dysbacteriosis
- Complications after operations (purulent wounds), burns, fractures
- To boost immunity in places with unfavorable environmental conditions, and after ineffective long-term treatment with other medications
As you can see, Polyoxidonium has a wider range of treatment for diseases, but it is a chemical drug, while Bronchomunal is natural, its treatment is more limited.
Bronchomunal is used if for some reason it is impossible to take drugs of synthetic origin.
Composition of the drug
Bronchomunal is a drug with immunomodulatory action.
It contains bacteria that are among the causative agents of viral infections among children. The bacteria are in a killed and dried state. Once in the child’s body, they stimulate the immune system, causing it to produce the appropriate antibodies. The lyophilized lysate, also known as powder, which is in capsules, contains eight types of bacteria:
- Staphylococcus aureus is a bacterium that causes more than a hundred types of diseases. It can affect any organ. For a long time, Staphylococcus aureus can remain inside the body without making itself known, and when the immune system is weakened, they cause various complications;
- Pneumococcus is a bacterium that causes community-acquired pneumonia, which is often severe with extensive damage to lung tissue;
- Viridans streptococcus - usually located in the mouth and nasopharynx, when immunity decreases it causes bronchitis, laryngitis and other diseases of the ENT organs;
- Haemophilus influenzae - also called Pfeiffer's bacillus. Can cause meningitis and severe forms of pneumonia;
- Friedlander's bacillus - it is classified as a causative agent of pneumonia, and can cause purulent processes in other organs. The bacterium does not form spores and is a gram-negative coccobacilli;
- Klebsiella are gram-negative anaerobic bacteria, nonmotile, but form capsules. This makes them difficult to be vulnerable to. Cause chronic diseases of the respiratory system and severe pneumonia;
- Moraxella species catarrhalis are one of the causative agents of inflammatory processes in the body. In children it often causes sinusitis or otitis. Can also lead to conjunctivitis and complications of bronchitis;
- Beta-hemolytic streptococci are numerous species of bacteria from the genus Streptococcus. They are a ball, adjacent to each other, similar to a chain of beads. They cause infectious diseases of the ENT organs (sore throat, tonsillitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis), and can also lead to scarlet fever.
How can you replace Bronchomunal: analogues
An analogue of the drug "Bronchomunal"
Ribomunil is a drug of bacterial origin, with fewer types of bacteria than Bronchomunal. Available in tablets. Prescribed for inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract (otitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia).
Drugs of bacterial origin similar to Bronchomunal , belonging to the group of immunomodulators:
- Actinolysate
- Bactisporin
- Bronchovax
- IRS-19
- Imudon
- Lycopid
- Sporobacterin
In addition to immunomodulators of bacterial origin, doctors prescribe other natural drugs :
- Anaferon - based on homeopathic substances
- Ergoferon - also based on homeopathic substances
- Rhinital – homeopathic medicine
- Vilozen – based on the extract of the thymus gland of large domestic mammals
- Thymalin – based on the thymus gland of large domestic animals
- Stimfort - based on an extract from snake tissue
- Echinacea Extract (plant)
- Immunal – based on echinacea juice
- Echinocor – based on echinacea herb, birch leaves, licorice roots, rose hips
Cheaper analogues of broncho-munal
When there is a question about replacing bronchomunal, patients try to find cheaper analogues by studying the list of possible substitute drugs. First, let's define it. Looking for a drug just because it is cheaper is not always true, because... There are a number of positions for which the product may not be suitable. Therefore, we don’t go to the pharmacy to get an analogue, but to a doctor, who will determine which drug is right for us.
There is practically no choice among structural substitutes. Bacterial lysates can only be found in the preparations bronchovaxom or ismigen. The price for them is almost the same as the broncho-munal.
Other analogues are similar only in their therapeutic effect; here is a list of them:
- Immunal (20 tablets) - 320 rubles;
- engistol (50 tablets) - 420 rubles;
- galavit (20 tablets) - 470 rubles;
- ribomunil (4 tablets) - 420 rubles;
- imudon or its analogues (24 tablets) - 500 rubles;
- polyoxidonium (10 tablets) - 720 rubles;
- IRS-19 (spray) - 500 rubles;
- other.
From the presented list it is clear that we did not find any cheap substitutes. Now, let's look at the analogues of broncho-munal and determine why they are better or worse than the remedy in question.
Bronchomunal: contraindications, side effects
The drug "Bronchomunal" should not be taken by women who are breastfeeding.
Contraindications of the drug for adults and children:
- Sensitivity to the components included in the composition may cause skin rashes, swelling, itching, swelling of the face, cough, nausea.
- Children up to 6 months old.
- Women who are breastfeeding.
Take with caution:
- Pregnant women, in the 1st trimester , when the main organs of the child are forming, are absolutely not allowed , in the 2nd and 3rd - if necessary (if the benefits of the medicine are greater than the side effects for the child).
- People who experience frequent stool disorders.
- Patients with dysbacteriosis.
Possible side effects while taking the drug
During a course of taking the immunomodulator "Bronchomunal", you need to carefully monitor the child's condition. If unusual symptoms appear or the condition worsens, you should immediately stop treatment and contact the doctor who prescribed the drug or any pediatrician
Possible side effects when taking Bronchomunal, which you should definitely pay attention to:
- abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, nausea or vomiting,
- increased intensity of cold symptoms,
- the appearance of a rash or other sign of an allergy,
- increase in body temperature.
It is important to understand that the product contains viral bacteria. And even the fact that their vital functions and activity are weakened artificially does not exclude their negative impact on the child’s body
If the baby is severely weakened, then the risk of developing side effects is quite high. This should be taken into account not only by the doctor, but also by the parents when describing the child’s condition at an appointment with the pediatrician.
Even taken for preventive purposes in a completely healthy child can cause a response to the drug. That is why pediatricians recommend starting the course on weekends in order to monitor the manifestation of side effects and exclude the development of infection while taking the immunomodulator "Bronchomunal".
Bronchomunal: reviews from doctors, Komarovsky
Dr. Komarovsky has an ambiguous attitude towards the drug “Bronchomunal”.
Many doctors now, for colds, for the treatment of the respiratory tract and prevention, prescribe drugs of bacterial origin to children, which include Bronchomunal. Mothers of children are ambiguous: some believe that the drug helps, while others do not.
Oksana . My child is already 8 years old. They got sick often. Several years ago, the doctor prescribed us Bronchomunal P. We began to get sick rarely. But every fall we continue to undergo 3 courses of treatment with this drug.
Tatiana . My son is 4 years old. Previously, they were constantly sick, even in intensive care with pneumonia. For several years now, in the autumn and winter, we have been drinking Bronchomunal P, and the illnesses have stopped. In kindergarten, many children get sick, but we don’t.
Dr. Komarovsky has his own opinion. He believes that if Bronchomunal and medications of this type are taken more often than doctors recommend (3 courses per year), then along with stimulation of immune cells, the division of abnormal cells in the body may increase, and then the medicine causes harm. Therefore, you cannot self-medicate, the medicine must be prescribed by a doctor, and the parents’ task is to take it strictly according to the prescription.
For preventive purposes, according to Dr. Komarovsky , and many other doctors, Bronchomunal should be taken even before the onset of the flu epidemic, in the summer, since the maximum effect of the medicine occurs if 3 courses of Bronchomunal are taken without getting sick.
So, now we know what Bronchomunal is and how to treat it.
Vaccine (inoculation) or medicine?
Practically both. Bronchomunal stimulates the body to better fight pathogens. Thus, the effect of bronchomunal is similar to the effect of a vaccination, but is milder than vaccination, since it does not create immunity, but stimulates the immune system. Bronchomunal is one of a number of immunotropic drugs of bacterial origin. The mechanism of action of these drugs is similar to vaccines, which is why they are sometimes even called “therapeutic” vaccines.
Unlike vaccines that contain live weakened bacteria, bronchomunal contains only lyophilized lysates of a complex of 8 bacteria that most often cause respiratory tract infections: streptococci (Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae), viridans and aureus staphylococci (Staphylococcus viridans, Staphylococcus aureus) , Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella ozaenae, Moraxella catarrhalis. Also, the drug contains auxiliary components: propyl gallate, monosodium glutamate (anhydrous), mannitol, magnesium stearate, maize starch.
The action of Bronchomunal is quite narrowly focused - stimulating the body's own defense mechanisms in the fight against respiratory tract infections (upper and lower), causing infectious diseases such as acute respiratory infections, acute respiratory viral infections, bronchitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, rhinitis, laryngitis, sinusitis, otitis. The drug also activates the general immune response to exposure to these pathogens. Thanks to this “stimulation” of one’s own immunity, the frequency, duration and severity of diseases are reduced, and, consequently, the need for the use of antibiotics and other drugs. An important advantage of the drug is that you need to drink it once a day - before sending the child to kindergarten - “swallowed” and that’s it.
