Antiviral drugs: list of effective and inexpensive ones

Everyone knows that viral diseases are very dangerous, they cause a general weakening of the immune system and contribute to the development of other ailments.

Such diseases occur very often, especially in winter, when the diet of most people becomes poor in various vitamins and minerals. All this contributes to the fact that viral diseases spread quickly and turn into entire epidemics.

Treatment of viral diseases is a very important medical task, which is why we can purchase many different drugs in pharmacies. Every person should understand that it is best not to treat a disease, but to prevent it. This is why antiviral drugs exist.

The price range and quality of such medicines varies greatly.

The buyer is faced with the difficult task of buying inexpensive but at the same time effective products. Our list will help you make the right choice of medications.

How to distinguish a cold from the flu

A common seasonal ARVI is, as they say, an everyday matter: doctors believe that a healthy child with normal immunity can suffer up to 6 colds a year, and an adult - up to 4. While the flu is a serious disease, fraught with complications, the most dangerous of which is viral pneumonia and respiratory failure. And if in case of ARVI you can wait 2-3 days to visit a doctor, although colleagues and fellow travelers on public transport are unlikely to thank you for this, then if you suspect the flu you need to see a specialist as soon as possible.

We present to your attention a table that allows you to guess what you are dealing with this time.

Some of the drugs mentioned later in the rating are effective exclusively against influenza; we have included these in a separate group.

Note!

Any antiviral medications are only effective if you start taking them within the first 48 hours of the onset of cold symptoms.

Whenever possible, we tried to indicate the name of the active substance (the international name of the drug), and only after it the trade (brand) names, so that our readers could choose between analogues based on their own economic capabilities.

Possible complications

ARVI is characterized as catarrhal inflammation of the upper respiratory tract caused by pneumotropic viruses. In some cases, a disease of viral etiology is complicated by a bacterial infection.

With severe influenza or ARVI, the likelihood of developing complications increases:

• radiculoneuritis;
• inflammation of the middle ear;
• meningoencephalitis;
• neuritis;
• rhinitis;
• sinusitis;
• pharyngitis;
• tonsillitis;
• pulmonary inflammation.

Each of the above diseases requires separate treatment.

Rating of the best antiviral agents

In which online store can you find antiviral drugs?

A special pride of the Vasha No. 1 pharmacy chain is its 24-hour online store with competent online consultants. They will always answer any question the client may have about the composition of the antiviral drug and its mechanism of action. It is very useful to create a personal account on the website by entering your first, last name, email address or telephone number for feedback in the appropriate fields. Why is it needed:

• storing information about deferred and liked products;
• saving and viewing order history;
• accelerated search for drugs and medical products.

After placing an order, all the necessary antiviral drugs will be waiting for their buyer at the nearest pharmacy “Your No. 1”. Finding it is not difficult at all, based on the map of Moscow and the region posted on the official website. It is enough to indicate her address once in your personal account in order to pick up the goods at a convenient time without delaying treatment. Pharmacies open early in the morning and close only at midnight. There are also medical institutions with round-the-clock operation.

The best antiviral drugs for children

As for antiviral drugs for children, the situation is paradoxical: they get sick much more often than adults, and there are practically no effective drugs for children under two years of age (we repeat, we are not talking about homeopathy). This is partly due to the fact that such small children need a special form of release: they can choke with the tablet, and the spray can provoke laryngospasm (croup). In any case, if a child under two years old gets a cold or flu, do not self-medicate, consult a doctor!

Umifenovir

Rating: 4.9

Trade names: Arbidol, Arpeflu, Orvitol, Afludol

Arbidol has a rather controversial reputation - at the dawn of its appearance, there was insufficient evidence of effectiveness, and rumors about the administrative resource used for promotion did not contribute to a positive attitude from specialists. But in recent years, the number of studies conducted has been growing, and doctors not only in the post-Soviet space, but also experts from other countries (China, USA) are interested in the drug. The collected statistics confirm the effectiveness of umifenovir against influenza viruses, causative agents of seasonal colds and enteroviruses (“intestinal flu”, manifested by a runny nose and fever in combination with diarrhea and abdominal pain).

The drug blocks a special molecule in the virus shell called hemagglutinin. It is this molecule that “drags” the virus through membranes into the cells of the body. The virus itself, unlike bacteria, is not capable of reproducing; to do this, it needs to enter a living cell and insert its genes so that the cell begins to produce viral particles. Until this happens, there is no infection.

According to research, umifenovir helps reduce the duration of the disease by 1.7 - 2.65 days, and reduces the likelihood of complications by 4 times.

You can take umifenovir starting from the age of two; for children of this age, the antiviral drug Arbidol in powder for preparing a suspension. For other ages, tablets of 50 mg, capsules with a dosage of 100 mg and 200 mg are provided. You need to take the product 4 times a day:

1. from 2 to 6 years – 50 mg (or 10 ml of suspension);
2. from 6 to 12 years – 100 mg;
3. over 12 years old and adults – 200 mg.

Here is a table that can tell you what dosage to choose for treating a child or adult:

The antiviral drug is contraindicated during pregnancy and in cases of reliably known intolerance.

Adverse effects include possible allergic reactions.

Advantages

• wide spectrum of antiviral action,
• minimum contraindications,
• no side effects.

Flaws

• cannot be used in children under two years of age.

Viferon

Rating: 4.6

This product contains human interferon, which has both direct antiviral properties and the ability to stimulate the immune system. An antiviral drug is dispensed with a doctor's prescription.

Viferon can be used from birth, for the treatment of colds and flu - one suppository every 12 hours.

For children from birth to 7 years old, Viferon is used in a dosage of 150,000 IU. For children over 7 years of age and adults, suppositories of 500,000 IU are recommended.

The antiviral drug can be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Among the undesirable effects, allergic reactions are possible. Contraindicated in cases of known intolerance.

Advantages

• can be used from birth,
• minimum side effects.

Flaws

• since when using suppositories there is no talk about the direct antiviral effect of interferon (after all, the flu affects the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, not the rectum), the effectiveness of the drug will depend on the reaction of the immune system, which is individual in each case.

Kagocel

Rating: 4.3

Kagocel does not have a direct antiviral effect, but promotes the production of interferons, which, in turn, stimulate the immune response. It can be used to treat influenza and other acute viral respiratory tract infections in children from the age of three.

The product is available in 12 mg tablets.

The duration of the course of treatment is 4 days, the regimen depends on the age and day of the disease:

1. children from 3 to 6 years: in the first 2 days, a tablet twice a day, the next 2 days - once a day, a full course of 6 tablets;
2. children from 6 years old: in the first 2 days, a tablet three times a day, the next 2 days - twice a day, a full course of 10 tablets,
3. adults: in the first 2 days, 2 tablets three times a day, the next 2 days - one tablet three times a day. A total of 18 tablets per course of treatment.

Possible adverse events include allergic reactions.

The antiviral drug is contraindicated in children under 3 years of age, pregnant and lactating women.

Advantages

• minimal range of side effects.

Flaws

• complex application scheme,
• there is no direct antiviral effect, effectiveness depends on the state of the immune system.

Where can you buy antiviral drugs in Moscow and Odintsovo

There are many pharmacies in Moscow and Odintsovo, but none of them can boast such a wide range of antiviral drugs as Vasha No. 1. In this largest network you will be able to quickly find the rarest product on sale at a price affordable for everyone. Vasha No. 1 pharmacies are located close to metro stations and bus stops. It’s easy to get to them, as well as to purchase everything you need to treat viral infections. There is no need to visit other pharmacies, wasting precious time. Not a single customer leaves “Your No. 1” without a medicine that is extremely important for him.

There are plans to expand the pharmacy network. Now residents of other populated areas of the country will not have problems finding antiviral drugs. In “Vasha No. 1” you can immediately buy means to eliminate symptoms - nasal drops, sprays for irrigating the throat, tablets for obsessive cough.

The best antivirals for adults

We have included in this section antiviral drugs that can be used not only in adults, but also in school-age children. Such children can already be given the same dosage forms (tablets, capsules) as adults; only the dosage of the medicine differs.

Tiloron

Rating: 4.5

Trade names: Amiksin, Lavomax.

This is another interferon inducer - a substance that does not act directly on viruses, but stimulates the immune response. However, it is prescribed specifically as an antiviral.

Available in tablets of 60 mg for children and 125 mg for adults (over 18 years of age).

Note!

Lavomax is available only in 125 mg tablets and is approved for use from 18 years of age.

The antiviral drug is taken once a day, on days 1, 2 and 4 of treatment.

Side effects include dyspepsia (abdominal pain, nausea, stool disturbances), and transient chills. Allergic reactions are possible.

Tiloron is contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Advantages

• taken 1 time per day.

Flaws

• no direct antiviral effect.

Ingavirin

Rating: 4.4

The antiviral agent acts in several directions: on the one hand, it stimulates the production of special proteins in infected cells that inhibit the reproduction of the virus. On the other hand, it increases the sensitivity of virus-affected cells to the effects of interferons. The product has a weak anti-inflammatory effect.

According to research results, it helps reduce the duration of the disease by an average of 1 day.

Available in capsules of 60 mg for children over 7 years of age and 90 mg for adults. Take 1 capsule per day for 5 – 7 days.

Undesirable effects include allergic reactions.

The use of the drug during pregnancy and lactation is not directly prohibited in the instructions, but it is noted that the safety of its use during these periods has not been studied. Obviously, experimenting on yourself in such a state is not a very smart idea.

Advantages

• no contraindications,
• Convenient use – once a day.

Flaws

• relatively long course of treatment.

Medicines with antiherpetic properties

The most common is type 1 of the herpes virus, which manifests itself on the skin, oral mucosa, in the esophagus, and in the membranes of the brain.

Type 2 herpes causes pathological problems most often in the genital area, buttocks and rectum.

The very first drug of this group was Vidarabine, obtained in 1977. However, along with its effectiveness, it had serious side effects and contraindications. Therefore, its use was justified only in very severe cases and was used for health reasons.

In the early 80s, Acyclovir appeared. The main effect of this drug is to suppress the synthesis of viral DNA by incorporating acyclovirtiphosphate into the pathological DNA, which stops the growth of the virus. Valacyclovir works in a similar way . However, herpes viruses often develop resistance to these drugs.

When used internally, acyclovir penetrates well into all tissues of the body. The medication is usually well tolerated, but intestinal disorders with vomiting and diarrhea may occur. Sometimes headaches and disturbances of consciousness appear. Cases of the development of renal failure have been described.

It is used both internally and externally in the form of ointments.

Much less frequently, resistance to herpes viruses develops with the use of Famciclovir and Penciclovir. The mechanism of action on viruses for these drugs is similar to that of Acyclovir. Side effects are the same as with Acyclovir.

Ganciclovir is also similar in action to Acyclovir. Used to treat all types of herpes virus.

Please note: Ganciclovir is a specific drug for the treatment of cytomegalovirus.

Important : when using the drug, constant monitoring of blood tests is necessary, since this drug can cause inhibition of hematopoietic function and cause damage to the central nervous system. Use during pregnancy is prohibited due to the damaging effects on the fetus.

Valacyclovir is indicated for herpes zoster.

The mechanism of the antiviral action of Idoxuridine is under study. This drug is used topically to treat herpetic eruptions. But, in addition to its antiviral effectiveness, it produces frequent side effects in the form of pain, itching and swelling.

The best flu remedies

This section of our rating includes drugs that WHO recommends for the treatment of influenza. At the same time, they are ineffective against acute respiratory viral infections and therefore it is pointless to use them for ordinary seasonal colds. Both drugs are prescription drugs, meaning they must be prescribed by a doctor. Their use during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not formally prohibited, but since no one has conducted safety studies on humans for obvious reasons, all possible risks remain at the discretion of the doctor who prescribed the drug and the patient herself.

Zanamivir

Rating: 4.8

Trade names: Relenza.

The drug blocks a special substance on the virus shell – neuraminidase. This is an enzyme that destroys receptors for the virus on the cells of the host body, allowing the virus to penetrate the cell membranes. By blocking neuraminidase, oseltamivir inhibits not only the spread, but also the reproduction of the virus, because no virus is able to reproduce on its own.

Zanamivir helps reduce the duration of the disease by an average of 1.5 days and reduces the likelihood of complications by about a third. In addition, it reduces the release of the virus into the environment, that is, relatives of the patient taking zanamivir have less opportunity to become infected.

Available in inhalation form: the bottle contains 5 rotadisks with the drug, which must be inserted into a special device - a disk haller, which comes complete with the drug. One rotadisk is enough for 4 inhalations.

The antiviral drug Zanamivir can be used to treat children from 5 years of age. The method of administration and dosage are the same for all ages: 2 inhalations 2 times a day for 5 days. That is, one package is designed just for a course of treatment.

The drug should not be taken by people with a known intolerance to zanamivir. The product should be used with caution by people prone to bronchospasm (children who have already suffered from croup, adults and children with bronchial asthma).

Do not try to put the drug into the nebulizer contrary to the instructions - the lactose contained in the composition may damage the device.

The product is sold by prescription.

Advantages

• Available in the form of inhalations: practically not absorbed into the blood and does not affect internal organs,
• ease of use.

Flaws

• may provoke bronchospasm in people with an individual predisposition.

Oseltamivir

Rating: 4.7

Trade names: Tamiflu, Nomides, Oseltamivir phosphate

The mechanism of action is the same as that of the previous drug. Helps reduce the duration of illness by an average of 2 days. It can be used to treat influenza in both adults and children over 1 year of age.

For children from one to 8 years old, it is better to use a suspension to prepare a solution. It should be used twice a day, and the amount will depend on the child’s weight:

1. < 15 kg – 30 mg,
2. > 15 – 23 kg – 45 mg,
3. > 23 – 40 kg – 60 mg.

To measure the required amount, the kit for preparing the suspension includes a syringe with marks corresponding to 30, 45 and 60 mg of the active substance.

Children over 8 years old, if they weigh more than 40 kg, can be given 75 mg capsules, otherwise it is better to use a suspension.

Adolescents over 12 years of age and adults are recommended to take oseltamivir 75 mg 2 times a day.

Possible side effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness,

The drug is contraindicated in case of renal failure and individual intolerance to the active substance.

The product is sold by prescription.

Advantages

• proven effective against the influenza virus,
• can be used in children from one year of age.

Flaws

• high price.

All antiviral agents mentioned in the rating can be used both for treatment and for the prevention of colds. We deliberately did not indicate the recommended dosages in such cases, as this would turn an already voluminous review into an endless one. You can find out all the necessary information by referring to the instructions for use of medicines.

Characteristics of viruses

Just 10-15 years ago, not a single pharmacy could boast of a wide range of antiviral drugs. Despite the fact that there were plenty of antibacterial and antifungal drugs in it. It's all about the viruses themselves, which, in fact, are not representatives of living nature. To destroy them, it is necessary to carefully study the characteristics of the growth and reproduction of infectious agents. And over time, many such nuances were discovered:

• There are no cells in the structure of viruses, so they are considered a special form of life;
• a virus is a set of genetic material protected by a capsid, or a strong protein shell;
• Viruses are much smaller than bacteria, so they easily overcome all biological barriers.

These are obligate parasites that are unable to reproduce outside of foreign cells. Before they are introduced into them, viruses appear to be a completely inert biopolymer. But after penetration into the human body, they actively use the resources of the host cell to form multiple copies of themselves. Moreover, assembly occurs inside the cell until it is completely exhausted and destroyed.

What to do for colds and flu: first aid without drugs

1. Before running to the pharmacy, put the patient to bed. Take away the gadgets, computer and TV: let him sleep at least for the first few days. You can listen to music.
2. If possible, allocate a separate room for the sick person. Open the windows: a constant flow of cool air will reduce the concentration of the virus in the room. Of course, the patient and everyone else present in the room must be dressed appropriately for the temperature, which ideally should not be higher than 16 - 18 degrees.
3. If you have a humidifier in your home, turn it on. If not, hang the batteries with wet terry towels and change them as they dry. In winter, the air is too dry, and this has a bad effect on the protective functions of the mucous membranes. Immunoglobulins, interferons and other substances that our body secretes to fight viruses only work in a humid environment. Actually, this is why the mucous membranes are covered with mucus, and when they dry out, it is not possible to effectively fight the disease.
4. Place at least two liters of any drink next to the patient (except alcohol, of course) so that he can drink at any time he wants. Drinking plenty of fluids helps remove toxins from the body. This can help relieve headaches and muscle pain.
5. If the patient has cold hands and feet, put socks on him (or mittens) and cover him with a blanket. If he is hot, do not try to wrap him up on purpose; on the contrary, let him undress to a comfortable level. Wipe it with cool water (just water, no vodka or vinegar). This will help bring down the temperature faster.
6. Western doctors recommend bringing down the temperature not only by wiping with cool water, but also by placing the patient briefly (up to 10 minutes) in a cool bath. Our compatriots consider this to be an overly radical method.
7. If the patient suffers from a dry cough, do not force him to breathe over potatoes, this not only risks burns, but also helps the infection spread through the respiratory tract. Put boiling water in the bathroom, closing the doors, wait 5-15 minutes until the room is filled with steam, and let the patient into it (not into the boiling water, but into the room!). But it’s easier to give a nebulizer with plain water or alkaline (bicarbonate) mineral water, from which the bubbles have previously been released.
8. If the patient is a child and he categorically refuses to eat, do not force him. He'll make up for it when he recovers. For now, let him drink milk (not hot and without soda), yoghurts, juices.
9. If the patient does not feel better within 2–3 days, and you still have not consulted a doctor, do so immediately!

Principles of treatment

You can get rid of the alarming symptoms of the flu faster by adhering to some rules.

For such patients the following is provided:

• compliance with bed rest;
• ensuring peace, especially in the midst of illness;
• drink plenty of fluids, herbal tea, compotes, still mineral water are suitable;
• maintaining cleanliness in the room, maintaining the temperature and required air humidity;
• daily rinsing of the nose with saline solutions and rinsing the mouth with anti-inflammatory drugs and decoctions;
• carrying out antiviral symptomatic therapy aimed at fighting infection and restoring the body's defenses;
• taking enough vitamins.

During treatment, it is advisable for patients to adjust their diet. It is recommended to include more fruits and vegetables in the daily menu and limit the consumption of indigestible foods. It is imperative to eat onions, garlic, drink berry compotes and fruit drinks, as well as vitamin teas with honey and lemon. Raspberry, cranberry and lingonberry jam will be useful for the flu. It is recommended to make meals in fractions. It is important not to overeat during treatment, so that all the body’s reserves are aimed at fighting the disease.

As for antibiotics, it is not advisable to take them for influenza and ARVI, since these drugs do not have antiviral activity.

Diseases that occur in a mild form can be cured at home. It is recommended that the patient be allocated a separate room, isolating him from other family members.

Conditions of the Bonus program

To make purchases in our network of online pharmacies, you can apply for bonus cards. To receive them, just fill out the form that is given at the checkout. Now you don’t have to carry a bonus card with you all the time: you just need to “link” it to your phone number. And when making a purchase, you just need to provide your mobile phone number to earn bonus points.

You can pay with bonuses up to 50% of the total purchase amount. There are three cardholder statuses, the minimum charge is 3% of the total purchase amount, the maximum is 5%. Place an order at our pharmacy, purchase a bonus card and make purchases on even more favorable terms.

Can I take antibiotics?

When treating colds, they are prescribed only in extreme cases. It is not recommended to take them on your own because it may cause side effects. The most common of them is a violation of the intestinal microflora.

There is no antibiotic to fight ARVI or influenza. It is chosen by the doctor taking into account the symptoms. In the case of colds, these medications are prescribed only when a bacterial infection is added. The doctor will be able to determine only after taking tests.

These include:

• pneumonia;
• otitis;
• sore throat of bacterial origin;
• bronchitis;
• sinusitis.

To treat these diseases, the doctor prescribes other medications. Therefore, antibiotics must be selected taking into account their compatibility with other medications.

Prevention

Any disease, including colds, is easier to prevent than to treat. First of all, patients should observe household hygiene, regularly do wet cleaning, ventilate rooms, and maintain the necessary humidity in the room.

Every time after going outside, you should thoroughly wash your hands with soap, and during an epidemic, also rinse your nasal passages.

In addition, it is recommended to eat a balanced diet, eat fresh vegetables and fruits, especially citrus fruits, drink plenty of fluids and vitamin teas with honey.

The development of the disease can be prevented with the help of immunomodulatory drugs. Immunal, Arbidol, Amizon have a good effect.

Vaccination

An effective preventive measure against influenza is routine vaccination. Vaccinations are primarily indicated for people over 65 years of age, including heart patients, patients suffering from kidney disease, cancer patients and those who are often treated in a hospital.

Even in the summer, scientists make a forecast about the likely strain of influenza that will begin to spread in Russia in the winter, based on cases of disease in other countries. Before the fall, a vaccine against a specific type of influenza virus is created and vaccination begins, from the moment of which at least 1 month must pass until the onset of the epidemic.

Vaccination helps to avoid contracting an influenza infection, and if the body is infected with a virus, it helps to transfer the disease more easily and without complications.

The most common vaccines are:

• Flu;
• Begrivak;
• Fluarix;
• Agrippal.

What can help you cope with a sore throat?

A sore throat is one of the symptoms of ARVI or flu. The reason for its appearance is bacteria that cause inflammation. To eliminate this symptom, you need to use medications with antibacterial effects:

• "Strepsils" are effective tablets for sore throat. They have a large number of different tastes;
• Faringosept is also highly effective;
• "Tantum Verde" is a medicine in the form of a spray. Fast-acting, eliminates all pathogenic bacteria and has a gentle effect on the throat.

After taking tablets and spray for a sore throat, it is not advisable to eat or drink for some time. It is necessary that the remedies become more active and help cope with a sore throat.