Likopid 1 mg tablets – adults and children over 3 years of age

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Author of the article

Evgeniy Nikolaevich Konoplev

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New generation immunomodulators make it possible to fight diseases comprehensively and strengthen the immune system. These include Lykopid. It is used for secondary forms of immunodeficiency resulting from infectious and inflammatory phenomena and chronic diseases.

Composition and release form

Likopid is produced in the form of tablets intended for oral administration. The concentration of the active substance is 1 or 10 mg. This criterion is important because it directly affects the course of the disease and the likelihood of recovery. Also, Likopid 1 mg is sold without a prescription, while Likopid 10 mg can only be purchased with a doctor's prescription. The former are used for preventive purposes and treatment of mild forms of the disease in adults and children. Medications with higher concentrations are used only by adults.

The active ingredient of the product is glucosaminylmuramyl dipeptide. The additional elements are:

• potato starch;
• methylcellulose;
• sucrose;
• calcium stearate;
• lactose monohydrate.

Likopid tablets are white, flat-cylindrical in shape. They have a special chamfer for dividing into 2 or 4 parts for ease of dosing.

Pharmacological properties

Lykopid enhances the bactericidal activity of blood cells and affects the structure of microorganisms from the inside. The active substance is aimed at activating:

• B- and T-lymphocytes;
• neutrophils;
• macrophages.

The medicine contains fragments that are present on the shell of the microbe. When ingested, they are recognized as foreign inclusions. This effect ensures the activation of the protective barrier, which is why the drug is considered effective for treating diseases:

• fungal;
• viral;
• bacterial.

Immunity is increased, thereby avoiding relapses of the disease. The effect produced by this medication is similar to a vaccination, where weak or non-living bacteria are introduced into the body to build immunity to a specific infectious disease.

However, the drug has a broader effect, as it provides immunity to a wide range of infectious diseases that arise after pathogens enter the human body. Likopid promotes the development of immunity of various antibodies, and also normalizes the content of T-helper cells.

The immunomodulator has a low degree of toxicity. Even if you exceed the permissible standards indicated in the annotation by 100 times, there will be no negative effect on the nervous and cardiovascular systems.

The medicine fights inflammatory processes. When administered orally, its maximum plasma concentration is observed after 1.5 hours. Active compounds are excreted in the urine. After 4.5 hours, the concentration of the active substance decreases by 2 times. To experience the positive results of therapy, you should complete the course of treatment. If you interrupt it, you may experience problems with your immune system. The duration of therapy is determined by the attending physician.

The remedy cannot be prescribed to yourself. Before taking it, you must contact a therapist or immunologist. The sooner you can take action, the more lasting the result will be.

How to replace Lykopid

If we talk about analogues of the drug Lykopid, then in terms of the content of glucosaminylmuramyl dipeptide (GMDP), there are no similar immunomodulators in either Russian or foreign pharmacy. Other drugs contain other active substances and have an individual mechanism of influence on the body.

If the doctor prescribes Lykopid, then you should not look for a replacement on your own. In most cases, such a desire arises in patients when prescribing a dosage of 10 mg, which is expensive and not always available to the patient. It is better to consult an immunologist about an analogue who knows the problem and understands how to eliminate it.

In the absence of individual intolerance, diabetes and other contraindications, you should not replace Likopid with an analogue if you want to achieve a positive result.

Indications

Likopid tablets are prescribed for secondary immunodeficiencies. It is used in combination with other drugs. The following medications are used to treat:

1. In adult patients: papillomavirus, herpes, lung tissue infections, hepatitis B and C, psoriasis.
2. In children: lower respiratory tract infections, hepatitis, herpes, purulent diseases.

Doctors advise using the drug as a barrier against viral infections in children. The active components of the product help produce antibodies to almost all known diseases. You can stop taking it completely after some time, when the immune system is able to cope with fungus, viruses and bacteria on its own.

Immunomodulators can be used before children enter kindergarten or school. As you know, in such institutions there are large groups, and therefore viral epidemics are possible. Likopid eliminates the possibility of acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections. The dosage is prescribed individually for each patient. The product is gentle in action, but can only be taken with a doctor's prescription.

Why is a consultation with an immunologist required?

Despite the positive mechanism of action of Lykopid on the body, any immunomodulator should be prescribed by an immunologist who understands whether the body needs such stimulation or whether it is able to work in the desired mode without drug intervention.

Some people, having heard a lot of reviews from friends or people in the corridors of the clinic about the help of Lykopid, run to the pharmacy and start taking the medicine, not understanding which dosage regimen is effective and whether such therapy is needed. The result in some cases is disappointing, especially considering that any drug has contraindications. For example, for Lykopid, autoimmune diseases are a limitation.

If therapists and pediatricians prescribe antiviral drugs at the first signs of infection in order to speed up recovery and eliminate complications, then Likopid cannot be taken for this purpose unless there is a recommendation from an immunologist.

In most cases, the training of the immune system is precisely the disease. If the reaction is good, then the body copes with viruses and bacteria and acquires antibodies to them. Only the presence of frequent diseases with various forms of complications is a reason to contact a specialist in order to select the correct treatment regimen and strengthen the protective barrier.

Instructions for use, dosage

Depending on the concentration of the active component, there are different recommendations for the use of the drug. It is best to take the tablets sublingually and hold until completely dissolved. A child can crush the tablet and mix it with milk or fruit puree - this does not reduce the effectiveness of Lykopid.

The medication is prescribed as an immunomodulator, taking into account the disease and age of the patient. For 1 mg tablets, the following recommendations exist:

1. Children from birth to three years: half a tablet 2 times a day for 7 days.
2. Children from 4 to 10 years: one tablet per day for herpes, the course of treatment is 10 days. For infectious diseases of the upper respiratory tract - 1 tablet sublingually for a week. For skin inflammation, take a tablet sublingually for one and a half weeks.
3. Teenagers and adults: for herpes, 2 tablets a day three times a day, course of treatment - 10 days. For suppuration of the skin - 2 tablets 3 times a day for 10 days. For damage to the bronchi and lungs - 2 tablets for 10 days. For preventive purposes – 1 tablet 3 times a day for 10 days.

To ensure the desired result, dosage recommendations should be followed. Otherwise, there is no point in expecting effectiveness from the treatment.

10 mg tablets are prescribed exclusively for adults. For older people, a single dose of no more than ½ tablet is recommended. If there are no adverse reactions, you can increase the dose in consultation with an immunologist. The amount of medicine prescribed at one time also depends on what disease is planned to be treated:

1. HPV or STI - one tablet per day for 7 days, depending on the severity of the disease.
2. Psoriasis - one tablet daily for 7 days. Then they switch to taking 5 tablets at intervals of 24 hours. If the disease has progressed to an advanced form, increase the dosage to 2 tablets twice a day for 20 days.
3. For herpes, take one tablet a day for one week. Several courses are carried out at once, with a break of several days between them.
4. For tuberculosis, take one tablet for a week.
5. Foci of suppuration and inflammation in soft tissues and on the skin - one tablet for 2 weeks.

The higher the dosage, the greater the risk of adverse reactions. If they appear, the drug is discontinued, and consultation with a specialist is also necessary. Typically, the immunologist prescribes symptomatic treatment and discontinues immunomodulators. After some time, the doctor prescribes an analogue.

Side effects and contraindications

Undesirable consequences when taking an immunomodulator can be expressed in different ways. Among them are:

• short-term low-grade fever;
• muscle and joint pain;
• intestinal problems.

Side effects develop if a single dose exceeds 20 mg or if longer treatment was carried out. If adverse reactions occur, symptomatic treatment is prescribed. In any case, they go away on their own and do not bother the patient for long.

The drug is not recommended for use if you are allergic to the substances contained in the tablets. The same applies to metabolic dysfunctions and autoimmune thyroiditis.

Likopid should not be prescribed to people with weakened bodies. The production of antibodies will lead to additional stress, which will not bring anything good. It is better to focus your energy on fighting the underlying disease.

Possibility of overdose and drug interactions

No cases of overdose have been identified so far, but in theory this is possible. Thus, a short-term increase in temperature and gastrointestinal disturbances may be observed. Symptoms of overdose can be eliminated with the help of antipyretics (Ibuprofen, Paracetamol, etc.). To normalize intestinal function, enterosorbents are taken (Polifepan, Smecta, etc.).

Symptomatic treatment can be carried out for dysfunction of various systems and organs, if necessary. The drug is not toxic to the liver, so the use of hepatoprotectors is not required.

It is recommended to use the immunomodulator together with other drugs as part of complex therapy. Likopid is able to increase the intensity of the action of antifungal, antiviral agents, and antibiotics. Simultaneous use of antacids and sorbents reduces the absorption of Lykopid. Therefore, if there is a need to take these medications, it is better to take them at intervals of an hour or more. When using glucocorticosteroids, the effect of using Lykopid is reduced. This applies to the drugs Dexamethasone and Prednisolone.

General characteristics of Lykopid

The drug is a strong immunomodulator, the task of which is based on the activation of natural immunity if it is weakened and does not cope with the body’s defense function in full. There are many reasons for the weakening of the protective reaction, sometimes the condition is caused by chronic diseases, the presence of pathogenic microflora or decay products that interfere with the immune system and create conditions for new penetration of viruses and microbes into the body.

The active ingredient in Lykopid is glucosaminylmuramyl dipeptide (GMDP). It is available only in the form of tablets that are taken orally, under the tongue, or swallowed whole. The dosage of Lykopid has two options - 1 and 10 mg of active substance per pill. But this is not a criterion for dividing the drug into children's and adults. The choice of dosage determines not only age, but also the type of disease, the general well-being of the patient and the duration of chronic ailments. Likopid is most often prescribed at a dosage of 1 mg; larger amounts of GMDP are prescribed for use as part of complex therapy in adults for certain diseases, which will be discussed below.

In addition to the active ingredient GMDP, Likopid contains the following ingredients:

1. Potato starch;
2. Sucrose;
3. Lactose;
4. Calcium stearate;
5. Methyl glucose.

Potato starch

Lactose

Methyl glucose

Calcium stearate
It is important to pay attention to the composition for diabetics who have problems with the absorption of sugars, because with Lykopid therapy there is a risk of increasing these indicators and the benefit in this case is questionable. Intolerance (allergy) to the listed substances is a reason to refuse treatment with an immunomodulator and, with your doctor, choose another remedy, if there is an indication.

1 mg tablets can be freely purchased at any pharmacy chain. The 10 mg dosage is sold only with a doctor’s prescription on a special form and requires consultation not only with a therapist, but also with an immunologist.

Alcohol compatibility and special instructions

The instructions for use of Licopid 10 mg and 1 mg do not contain information about compatibility with alcohol. The immunomodulator is not prescribed to healthy people; it is prescribed to patients with immunodeficiency. In such conditions, drinking alcoholic beverages is unacceptable. The immunomodulatory effect will disappear due to exposure to ethyl alcohol.

It is necessary to follow certain instructions when using an immunomodulator. So, older people need to take the drug with caution. Physician supervision is required throughout the entire treatment period.

The effect on driving has not been established, since the drug does not slow down the reaction rate. The tablets contain lactose and sucrose, so it should not be used by persons with hypersensitivity to the components of the composition. At the beginning of treatment, when drugs with a dosage of 10 mg are used, chronic or latent diseases may worsen.

Lykopid for pregnant, lactating women and children under 3 years of age

The listed categories of persons are among the prohibited patients for taking the immunomodulator. This is due to the immature immunity of the embryo, infant and children under 3 years of age. The influence of the drug can cause serious complications and lead to the body’s defense reaction being weakened or unexpected processes occurring in babies.

Lykopid is contraindicated for pregnant women due to the penetration of substances into the placenta and the possibility of harm to the embryo.

During breastfeeding, if the mother has indications for prescribing Likopid, the baby should be switched to an artificial diet to eliminate the risks of complications.

The manufacturer's instructions indicate that Likopid is approved for use in children from 3 years of age and cannot be prescribed to a child under this age, although there are reviews on the forums from mothers whose children have reached 10 months and 2 years of age. What this is connected with is not known. But in the recommendations this age is prohibited. If one doctor prescribes Likopid to a child, it is worth contacting several specialists to confirm the validity and safety of such treatment. Not all doctors have complete information about medications and prescribe them by analogy with other patients, without taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient.

Likopid 1 mg is approved only for children aged 3 years and older, as well as for adults with an uncomplicated form of pathology. Likopid 10 mg is approved only for adults if the course of the disease, according to the doctor’s decision, requires such a lethal dose of the active substance.

Cost and analogues

You can purchase the drug in pharmacies or online stores. If the purchase is made via the Internet, you should use only official sources - this way you will be able to protect yourself from buying counterfeit goods.

Approximate price of Lykopid in Russia:

• 10 mg - 2000 rub.;
• 1 mg - 300 rub.

Most patients who have used this drug speak positively about it on the forums. They consider it ideal in terms of price-quality ratio. Feedback from immunologists about Likopid is also positive.

Analogues of Lykopid: drugs Viferon, Anaferon, Estifan, Immunorm, Ismigen. The cheapest medications are Echinacea tincture and Immunal. Experts differ in their opinions as to which of these remedies is preferable. There is an opinion that these immunomodulators differ in their mechanism of action, so in no case should you choose a replacement yourself. This is fraught with a decrease in the effectiveness of the treatment and exacerbation of diseases.

Cost of Lykopid

The price of an immunomodulator depends only on the dosage of the active substance and the policy of the pharmacy chain selling these products.

The price is indicated for a package of 10 tablets. Sometimes a course of treatment requires more than one package, in which case the cost will be significantly higher.

Efficacy for prostatitis

To understand how effective the remedy is for chronic prostatitis, clinical trials were conducted. The purpose of the study was to eliminate fertility problems. It turned out that the drug can affect innate immunity and special receptors. 38 men aged 20 to 45 years old diagnosed with prostatitis and infertility took part in this experiment. During the study, a spermogram and analysis of the MNC phenotype using flow cytometry were prescribed.

Several groups were formed, and one of them was prescribed Likopid 10 mg per day. In total, they were to receive 100 mg for 10 days. The remaining 14 people managed without this drug. The therapy was classical in nature. As a result, the immunity of the subjects changed

In 16 patients, an improvement in the immune system was detected. Systemic immunosuppression with impaired MNC activation was found in 22% of patients. Likopid managed to reduce the activity of chronic prostatitis and ensure the normalization of spermograms.

Likopid for HPV

Likopid is used for immunocorrection for HPV. It helps increase the production of lymphocytes, stimulates cells of the immune system and protects tissues from bacteria and viruses. It also ensures the production of antibodies to papillomavirus.

HPV 16 and other types that affect women should be treated comprehensively. To get rid of growths, they begin taking immunomodulators. A week after destruction, it is combined with local antiviral drugs.

If papillomavirus provokes dysplasia, condylomas are treated in several stages. First, therapy is carried out for 7 days, while Likopid is taken at a dose of 10 mg per day. Between courses they take a break of 2 weeks, after which the described scheme is restored. For therapy to be as effective as possible, it should be carried out under strict medical supervision.

Reception is carried out the same way every day. If the patient misses a dose and less than 12 hours have passed since the scheduled time, you can take another tablet and continue treatment according to the regimen. If this period is more than 12 hours, it is better to wait until the next time of administration, because there is a possibility of overdose.

Acceptable body reactions to the use of Lykopid

The instructions for the drug contain a section “adverse reactions”, which cannot be considered a reason to discontinue the drug:

• Increase in temperature on the first day of admission to 37.9;
• Body temperature 38.9 degrees.

This is a normal response of the immune system to the introduction of a pathogenic agent. In the first case, no action is required because the temperature is not dangerous and even with a normal illness does not require lowering.

An increase to 38.9 degrees suggests taking antipyretic drugs. In most cases, such reactions appear in the first two days of taking Likopid and do not cause discomfort to the patient. If these symptoms persist for more than 2 days, you should no longer take the pills and you should inform your doctor. This may be a signal of the presence of an autoimmune disease that has not been previously diagnosed.

A 10 mg dosage of Lykopid causes additional symptoms in the joints and muscles, which also disappear after a few days of taking the drug.

Action for colds

The latest generation bacterial immunomodulator is very effective against viral and bacterial infections that occur as a result of hypothermia, as well as those transmitted during an epidemic. By the nature of the action, the drug is as close as possible to the mechanism of natural regulation of immunity.

Lykopid is able to stimulate all parts of the body's defense system. But first of all, it activates phagocytosis, when blood cells detect and destroy any foreign agents, including fungi and bacteria. It also stimulates the production of protective antibodies by lymphocytes and promotes the formation of new leukocytes necessary for phagocytosis. Anti-infective protection is also provided.

In the cold season, when the frequency of colds increases, Likopid can be taken by adults and children. It is prescribed for prolonged bronchitis, herpes of the mucous membranes, boils, injuries and non-healing wounds. Usually, for such conditions, doctors prescribe antibiotics, but it is more effective to combine them with an immunomodulator.

Due to the imperfection of the immune system, children do not have enhanced protective barriers to infection. In addition, adaptation diseases are identified when a child begins to go to kindergarten or school, which leads to endless illnesses. Likopid, which is prescribed once a day, 1 tablet, can solve the problem. The course of treatment is 10 days.

It is noteworthy that if the disease is already in an active stage, there is no point in taking the medicine to the child. To prevent seasonal colds, take the drug sublingually for 10 days, 30 minutes before meals, 3 times a day. The dosage is 1 mg.

If the patient feels slightly unwell, it is necessary to immediately begin taking an immunomodulator. In this case, the disease will stop further development. Its duration will be no more than 1-2 days, and it will proceed without complications and in a mild form.

Treatment of herpes

To date, approximately 8 types of herpes virus have been identified, differing in clinical manifestations. Herpes simplex causes a disease that is popularly called cold sores. These are types 1 and 2 viruses. They also provoke the development of pathology in the genitals. These microorganisms are the cause of chickenpox, which in adulthood can lead to rashes along the intercostal nerves, as well as shingles. Chickenpox and shingles are caused by a third type of virus.

The catalyst for immunodeficiency is type 5. It is also called cytomegalovirus. Even chronic fatigue syndrome, which occurs in some people, can be caused by this microorganism.

The disease begins like a common cold. Once the virus enters the body, it remains there forever. It can remain dormant and sometimes become active. This can be provoked by being in the sun for a long time, allowing hypothermia or a sharp change in climatic conditions. Predisposing factors are:

• hormonal disbalance;
• infectious and viral diseases;
• psycho-emotional stress;
• strict diets and lack of nutrition.

Together with the drug Likopid, you can defeat this disease and achieve rare relapses, strengthen the immune system. To prevent herpes, a dosage of 1 mg is usually prescribed, which is also effective in case of relapse. The medication is prescribed in a course of 10 days, 2 tablets 3 times a day sublingually.

Consumer opinion about Lykopid

Studying the reviews of people who used Likopid to treat various diseases in acute or chronic form, positive statements predominate. There are also negative reviews and they refer to the fact that the drug was not effective. Of course, an immunomodulator cannot provide absolute protection against viruses and bacteria entering the body. But the recovery period and the risks of complications are much less than in patients who have not been treated with this drug.

There are also neutral reviews about Likopid, in which consumers state that they cannot say with certainty that a positive result was obtained from this particular remedy, given that other remedies were also taken at the same time.

Lykopid for skin

Furunculosis is especially common during the beach season. They are localized on the back, nose and forehead. These formations rarely go away on their own, so medical attention is required. Sometimes you even have to resort to surgery.

Constant relapses of such skin diseases are provoked by staphylococcal infection. Especially dangerous in this regard is Staphylococcus aureus, which resists the effects of many antibiotics.

Weakness of phagocytes is one of the factors leading to furunculosis. Drugs with immunomodulatory effects come to the rescue. Lykopid in a dosage of 1 mg helps restore protection against bacteria and cope with exacerbation of furunculosis. It stimulates the cells of the immune system, so it is included in the complex treatment of furunculosis.