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- Is it possible to give immunization to children?
It has long been proven that in children almost all acute infectious diseases develop due to respiratory viruses.
Such diseases are especially relevant for young children, which is explained by the serious prevalence of this type of illness in children's society and the increased risk of dangerous complications. Respiratory diseases can be caused, as a rule, by influenza viruses, adenoviruses, syncytial and respiratory viruses, parainfluenza viruses and various infections.
Any doctor will tell you that in order to carry out effective therapy in this case and restrain the development of pathogen strains, you need to use medications that have an etiotropic effect. At the same time, pathogenetic drugs, the main task of which is to correct an insufficient immune response, are now prescribed by doctors much more often. This is explained by the inability of many modern etiotropic drugs to effectively influence the developing infectious process.
At the same time, the use of highly active immunotropic drugs is not always justified. In this connection, immunomodulators of plant origin are often chosen, which do not cause harm with prolonged use and are quite effective. They also cause a nonspecific response to different respiratory viruses.
Composition of the medicine
The medicine contains an active substance – extract of the herb Echinacea purpurea. To make it, juice is taken from the flowering parts and roots of the plant. The juice's ingredients are polysaccharides, alkamides and caffeic acid. These substances enhance the protective reaction of the human body. The drug is saturated with vitamins C, A and B. The composition contains organic acids, trace elements, and essential oils.
“Immunal” for children, depending on the form of release, may contain the following substances: sorbitol, lactose, tincture of ethyl alcohol, colloidal silicon dioxide, sodium saccharinate, magnesium stearate, vanillin (tablet form); flavors, potassium sorbate, ascorbic acid, purified water, sodium hydroxide (as syrup).
About the drug
Immunal is a herbal medicine. It increases the natural protective abilities of the human body and also helps strengthen the immune system.
During production, an extract from fresh plant juice is used. This method of preparing the drug has a beneficial effect on the benefits, because most of the beneficial substances of the plant are preserved.
But this does not affect the properties and quality of the hood.
Release forms
The pharmaceutical company that produces this drug produces two types of drug: solution and tablets. Tablet drugs are sold in blisters of 10 or 20 pieces. One pack contains from one to four packages. These are light brown, round, flat tablets. They may contain inclusions. When you open the package, you can smell the aroma of vanilla.
The liquid solution can be of two types: Immunal syrup and drops. The syrup tastes more pleasant and is recommended for children. The solution is produced in dark glass bottles of 50 ml. It can be transparent, cloudy or with a brown tint. The presence of sediment in the bottle is normal. For convenience, the set includes a pipette.
general information
Registration number
P N013458/01
Tradename
Immunal®
Dosage form
Oral solution
Description
Transparent to cloudy brown solution. During storage, the formation of flaky sediment is acceptable.
Compound
1 ml of oral solution contains the active substance: Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench juice - 0.80 ml; excipients: ethanol, sorbitol.
Release form
Oral solution, 50 ml of the drug in a dark glass bottle, 1 bottle complete with a dosage pipette and instructions for medical use in a cardboard box.
Storage conditions
At a temperature not exceeding 25° C. Keep out of the reach of children.
best before date
2 years. Do not use the drug after the expiration date.
Conditions for dispensing from pharmacies
Over the counter.
Manufacturer
Sandoz d.d. Verovškova 57, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Produced by: Lek d.d. Verovškova 57, 1526, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Consumer complaints should be sent to Sandoz CJSC:
125315, Moscow, Leningradsky Prospekt, 72, bldg. 3; Tel. Fax (495) 660-75-10
Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic features
The active components of Immunal stimulate the activity of the immune system. Thanks to polysaccharides, white blood cells increase in the blood, and the process of protecting the body's cells against the influence of pathogenic microbes is activated. The complex of vitamins and minerals in combination with the active ingredients of the product has the following effect: fights bacteria; promotes the removal of toxic substances from the body; prevents the occurrence of allergic reactions; brings the little patient’s well-being back to normal. During epidemics, thanks to the timely use of the drug, the child is protected from viral attacks. At the first signs of ARVI and influenza, children's "Immunal" helps destroy pathogens of infectious diseases. The drug adapts well in the body and is excreted through the kidneys. Does not cause changes in the functioning of internal organs.
Indications for use
For children, "Immunal" can be used as a prophylactic agent during seasonal ARVI. It can help a child not get sick when someone close to him has already caught a cold. If the immune system still cannot resist the infection, taking the medicine will reduce the likelihood of complications.
"Immunal" for children is suitable for children who are exposed to frequent colds. When using tablets or syrup during the treatment course, the child’s immune system is stimulated and the body’s defenses are activated. The medicine, created from plant substances, is effective in the complex treatment of viral diseases, including herpes and influenza. It is often recommended to patients who suffer from inflammatory diseases.
At what age children can be given Immunal is interesting to many.
The drug helps fight pyelonephritis, rheumatism, arthritis, bronchitis, etc. Prolonged psycho-emotional stress can also suppress the immune system, and in order to avoid serious consequences, specialists can prescribe “Immunal”.
In some cases, the drug is prescribed to those who have undergone a chemotherapy course or received a large radiation dose. The body's immunity can be increased during intoxication, severe poisoning, or after prolonged use of antibiotics in large quantities.
We will consider the dosage of “Immunal” for children below.
What changes is it subject to?
With the removal of any central or peripheral organ of the immune system, problems arise with the body's protective response to attacks by pathogens. To restore the protective function, a person needs to drink vitamins in large quantities or take medications, for example “Immunal”, reviews of which are in most cases positive.
Our immune system is designed in such a remarkable way that it can distinguish “our” cells from “foreign” ones. But sometimes the elements of the body’s protective structure are too zealous in their work, and instead of protecting it, killer cells, on the contrary, attack. As a result, malfunctions occur that provoke allergic reactions and other diseases.
There is active and passive acquired immunity. The body quickly acquires protection from the effects of microbes if it has recently suffered an infection or received a dose of antigens as a result of vaccination. The introduction of passive protection is also possible, but here antibodies to the occurrence of diseases are directly introduced into the body.
Contraindications
The drug is allowed to be used by children under 12 years of age only after medical consultation. Children under one year old are not allowed to give the solution; tablets are not allowed to be used until they are four years old. “Immunal” is contraindicated for children in the following situations: intolerance to substances in the medication; the presence of leukemia, tuberculosis; when infected with HIV infection; processes of inflammation of connective tissues; autoimmune diseases; history of allergic reactions (bronchial asthma, urticaria).
Instructions for use of "Immunal" for children
Before starting treatment, it is necessary to consult with a specialist about which form of medication is best for a particular child. If children are under four years of age, it is not recommended to give tablets. Their body does not accept this form of the drug well. Doctors advise treating children with syrup or drops. The duration of treatment is approximately two weeks.
- "Immunal" in tablets. Tablet forms of the drug are prescribed to children over 12 years of age 3-4 times a day, one at a time. From 6 to 12 years – 1-3 times a day, one piece. The dosage for children under six years of age is the same; the drug is taken 1-2 times per day.
Small children who have difficulty swallowing tablets should be given crushed tablets. To do this, the crushed drug is mixed with boiled water (one teaspoon).
How to give “Immunal” to children over 2 years old?
- Drops.
Children from one year of age to six or seven years old should be given drops. Measure the dose with a pipette located in the package. Before taking the drug orally, the drops can be diluted in a small volume of water. Children under six years old – one drop three times a day (1 milliliter). Patients from 6 to 12 years old - 1.5 milliliters with the same frequency. From 12 years old you need to take 2.5 milliliters three times a day during the day. If there is sediment in a bottle of Immunal syrup, the bottle should be shaken.
Special instructions for use
If a sediment forms in a bottle with a solution for internal use, the product can be used, since this will not affect its medicinal properties in any way. Before collecting the required volume of liquid, the container must be shaken thoroughly. For children over 2 years old, “Immunal” in drops is diluted with water, the tablets are washed down with liquid in sufficient quantities.
The dosage of the medicine and duration of administration are determined by the attending physician. “Immunal” is usually recommended to be taken for 1-2 weeks, but treatment is often delayed for eight weeks. The immunomodulatory drug should not be used for longer than two months.
The instructions for use contain a paragraph about how Immunal interacts with other medications. You should also familiarize yourself with this information, since ethyl alcohol in drops can cause side symptoms when used simultaneously with certain drugs. For example, the medication cannot be used with cephalosporin antibiotics.
It is important to find out in advance how to give Immunal to children.
Interaction with other drugs
Manufacturers did not conduct long-term tests of Immunal for drug interactions. And the manufacturers did not create any special instructions on this matter.
But still, interactions between certain groups of drugs were discovered. The cephalosporin derivatives were especially distinguished:
cefamondol, cefoperazone, cefmenaxime, cefotetan, moxalactam. The subject's reaction is described as follows: severe redness of the face, vomiting, profuse sweating, rhythmic headache, rapid heart rate.
Suspected Side Effects
The drug, according to numerous reviews, is well tolerated by young patients. It has certain contraindications; taking the medicine is sometimes accompanied by undesirable effects. So, children may experience:
- skin rashes;
- itching;
- gagging;
- dizziness;
- nausea;
- decrease in blood pressure values.
If a child exhibits at least one of the symptoms listed above, the drug should be discontinued. If side effects occur, they should be reported to your doctor immediately.
How to take “Immunal” for prevention for children?
Features of taking medication to prevent viral infections
The therapeutic effect of using the medicine is not immediately noticeable. The human body gradually activates its immune forces. Knowing the approximate time frame for the spread of the epidemic during the season, it is necessary to start taking an immunostimulant in advance (at least a week in advance).
Doctors believe that “Immunal” can help during the cold season even when its first signs have already appeared. In this case, a double dosage of the drug is taken, then its use in the recommended amount is continued for another two days.
In the first two days, the medication should be taken with a two-hour break, however, such a regimen is allowed only after the approval of a specialist.
In order to avoid ending up in an infectious diseases clinic during the peak of the disease, “Immunal” must be taken for at least a week. As a preventative measure, children need to take syrup (solution) and tablets for a maximum of 10 days twice a year. The break between doses should be at least two weeks.
Analogues of "Immunal" for children
If this product is not commercially available or is not suitable for some reason, you can select a drug with a similar effect. Before you start taking an analogue drug, you should consult a specialist. Similar means include:
- "Doctor Theiss." It contains echinacea and other natural substances that strengthen the child's immunity. It is produced in the form of lozenges, tinctures and tablets.
- "Herbion Echinacea". It has the same properties as children's "Immunal".
- "Immunorm." The composition is similar to the above-mentioned drugs. Strengthens the child’s body’s defenses and helps him fight infections.
- Among the cheapest analogues of the drug “Immunal” is a tincture based on echinacea. The drug received excellent reviews from experts. The composition of the solution is very simple. This is an alcohol infusion of the flowers and roots of the plant. It does not contain special additives or flavorings, so it has an unpleasant taste. The concentration of alcohol does not affect the child's body, since it is insignificant.
What is the immune system?
The immune system is not located in any specific organ, is not carried by the bloodstream into capillaries, or is not converted in the lungs. This is a collection of special cells with their own periphery. The immune structure of our body includes the following elements:
- Immunocompetent cells (T-, B-lymphocytes; precursors of immunocompetent cells; cytotoxic cells).
- Organs of the peripheral system (spleen; skin; thymus; bone marrow; lymphoid accumulations of the gastrointestinal tract; appendix; lymph nodes).
The body’s protection is carried out not only by organs and cells, but also at the molecular level by elements such as mediators of immune reactions, hormones, and growth factors.
All components of this system are very important for humans. Certain metabolic processes take place in peripheral organs to form protective responses of the body. The cells of the system differentiate in the process of the main human organs, everything works to ensure that the person feels great and resists the microbes that attack the body every moment.
Starting from the 12th week of intrauterine development of a child, his bone marrow is formed. Why is he so important to us? The thing is that it is the basis for the production of stem cells. They, in turn, are the basis for the development of lymphoid tissue cells. In other words, bone marrow and stem cells are vital elements for the functioning of the body, since the child’s entire immunity depends on them.
The critical moment is the appearance of a baby into this world, since he immediately encounters a huge number of bacteria and microbes, against which he is absolutely defenseless. Therefore, some experts insist not to immediately cut the baby’s umbilical cord, but to allow the stem cells to pass through it to him within 2 hours after birth. After all, the baby’s immunity depends on it!
Reviews
Reviews about the use of Immunal for children are most often positive. Some parents constantly give it to their children during seasonal colds, as a result the number of diseases is reduced and recovery is faster.
This is a good product with natural ingredients, there are no side effects, it is less aggressive compared to other immunostimulating agents.
Some reviews indicate that “Immunal” is a good means of prevention and can help with colds only at the initial stage; in an advanced situation, the drug is powerless.
There are also negative reviews, which indicate that the effect is either absent or insignificant. In addition, patients are advised to take regular Echinacea tincture, which costs half as much, and therefore it is not worth overpaying for Immunal.
Immunal as a means of pathogenetic therapy for infectious diseases
Now Immunal can be purchased at the pharmacy in the form of tablets and solution. In its production, Echinacea juice is used, which ensures an increased content of the active substance in the medicine. In addition, the drug also contains polysaccharides. They provide an excellent immunocorrective effect due to the activation of special factors of the immune system, polymorphonuclear cells, macrophages, and also enhance the activity of T-lymphocytes and the formation of antibodies.
It is equally important that before using Immunal for children, according to the manufacturer, it is not necessary to assess the child’s immune status, or additionally consult a doctor. The use of the medicine is allowed only for children over 1 year of age (in the case of a solution). In the form of tablets, Immunal can be given to children from 4 years of age.
Due to the fact that the effect of using the drug usually develops only 5-7 days after administration, treatment before epidemiological and seasonal diseases is best carried out in advance.
