The main factor influencing human health is the immune system. It includes organs responsible for protecting the entire body from internal and external adverse influences. It also helps our body resist diseases. It is very important to help the immune system and support it in order to avoid external harmful influences.
Medical reference books and dictionaries characterize the immune system as a collection of organs, cells and tissues that make up it. Together they create a barrier against diseases and destroy harmful elements that have entered the body.
Why are immunomodulators needed?
To restore and maintain the immune properties of the body, pharmaceuticals began to develop special drugs, so-called immunomodulators. One of the very effective is, according to immunologists, “Timogen”. It affects cellular and humoral immunity, and also increases the body’s non-specific resistance.
It belongs to the dipeptide group of drugs and is not hormonal. The main indication of such drugs is the treatment of conditions of insufficient immunity of an unexpressed nature. This is indicated in the instructions for use of Thymogen. Reviews about the product are positive.
Compound
The drug is available in three forms: injection solution, spray and cream for topical use. The main active ingredient is alpha-glumatyl tryptophan.
Injections include 1000 mg. alpha-glumatyl-tryptophan and excipients: water for injection and sodium chloride.
One dose of the spray contains 25 mcg of alpha-glumathyl tryptophan and additional substances such as water, sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide and non-alkonium chloride.
One gram of cream contains 500 mcg of alpha-glumatyl tryptophan and excipients: water, glycerol, petroleum jelly, xanthan gum, sorbitan monostearate and others.
Release form and composition
Thymogen is available in three dosage forms:
- solution for intramuscular administration: a clear, colorless and odorless liquid (1 ml in colorless glass ampoules, 5 ampoules in a cardboard box or 5 ampoules in blister packs, one or two packages in a cardboard box);
- dosed nasal spray: a clear, colorless liquid with a characteristic odor of benzalkonium chloride (3, 5 or 10 ml in bottles with a dispenser, one bottle in a cardboard box);
- cream for external use: a homogeneous mass of white or white with a yellowish tint (20 g or 30 g in aluminum tubes or glass jars, one tube or one jar in a cardboard pack).
Composition per 1 ml solution for injection:
- active ingredient: thymogen (alpha-glutamyl-tryptophan sodium) – 100 mcg;
- auxiliary components: NaCl (sodium chloride), water for injection.
Composition for 1 dose of nasal spray:
- active ingredient: thymogen (alpha-glutamyl-tryptophan sodium) – 25 mcg;
- auxiliary components: NaCl (sodium chloride), benzalkonium chloride, purified water, sodium hydroxide 1M (up to pH 6.5–7.5).
Composition per 1 g of cream:
- active ingredient: thymogen (alpha-glutamyl-tryptophan sodium) – 500 mcg;
- auxiliary components: glycerol, stearyl alcohol, nipagin, nipazole, petrolatum, sorbitan monostearate, xanthan gum, vaseline oil, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, polysorbate 60, cetyl alcohol, purified water.
Indications
"Timogen" is prescribed as part of complex therapy for the treatment of infectious diseases of various etymologies, which reduce the immune properties of the body at the cellular level. The drug is prescribed in the following cases:
- Necrosis of soft tissues.
- Necrotic process.
- Restoration of the skin after injury, when the regeneration process slows down.
- As a preventive measure for the development of complications after surgical interventions.
For preventive purposes, “Timogen,” according to immunologists, is effective when taken in the following cases:
- Infectious diseases of bacterial, viral and chlamydial types.
- Decreased function of the circulatory system.
- Slow regeneration processes.
- When undergoing a course of chemotherapy.
- During therapy with antibacterial drugs.
- For pathologies of the respiratory system.
In the form of a cream, the drug is prescribed for such skin diseases as:
- Eczema of different etymologies.
- Dermatitis of all types, including atopic.
- Skin lesions due to trauma.
- Pyoderma.
Indications for use
Thymogen in the form of a solution for intramuscular administration is used in the complex treatment of chronic and acute bacterial and viral infections accompanied by immunosuppression:
- chronic and acute pneumonia, chronic bronchitis;
- viral hepatitis;
- severe diffuse forms of atopic dermatitis;
- furunculosis, pyoderma, erysipelas and other diseases of the subcutaneous tissue and skin;
- surgical and wound infection, including purulent-septic complications in the postoperative period.
In addition, a solution for intramuscular administration is prescribed as part of complex therapy for severe mechanical, radiation, chemical and thermal injuries, during preparation for planned surgical interventions for preventive purposes and to stimulate reparative processes, as well as after long-term antibacterial treatment in high doses, chemotherapy - and radiation therapy.
Thymogen in the form of a nasal spray is used for the prevention and complex treatment of chronic and acute infectious and inflammatory diseases, including bacterial and viral infections of the upper respiratory tract, accompanied by decreased immunity. The drug is prescribed to prevent suppression of hematopoiesis, immunity and regeneration processes after surgery and injuries. To correct secondary immunodeficiency, Thymogen spray is used in complex adjuvant treatment with antibiotic therapy, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Cream for external use is prescribed as part of complex treatment for the following diseases and conditions:
- chronic eczema (both microbial and true);
- atopic dermatitis (including dermatitis with secondary bacterial infection);
- chronic pyoderma;
- chemical, thermal and mechanical injuries to the skin.
Contraindications
There are also conditions whose presence does not require the use of this drug. "Timogen" is prohibited from use in the following situations:
- Pregnancy and lactation.
- Individual intolerance to the components of the drug.
There are no other contraindications for taking this medicine.
As for interactions with other drugs, taking Thymogen together with radiation and cytostatic therapy significantly increases the effectiveness of treatment. There is no data on the interaction of the drug in the form of a cream with other drugs.
Drug interactions
When Thymogen is used externally in the form of a cream, no drug interactions have been observed.
When administered nasally and parenterally (spray and solution for intramuscular administration) simultaneously with antibacterial and cytostatic agents, their effectiveness increases. Thymogen also enhances the effect of radiation therapy.
The drug is not recommended for use in combination with high doses of glucocorticosteroids, since their immunosuppressive effect neutralizes the immunostimulating effect of thymogen.
Side effects
According to immunologists, Timogen has virtually no side effects. The only pathology that can occur while taking it is an allergic reaction. If during the use of the drug you notice a rash, itching or other manifestations of allergies, stop taking it and consult a doctor.
Symptoms of a possible overdose depend on the form of the drug. The spray can cause the following reactions in the body if the dosage prescribed in the instructions is significantly exceeded:
- Increased mucus production.
- Hay fever.
- Symptoms similar to the onset of influenza.
Exceeding the dosage of the injection solution may worsen the side effects of using the drug. Reviews of Thymogen injections confirm this.
An overdose of the drug in the form of a cream is excluded. Scientific studies have shown that even with an abnormal excess of the dosage, the toxic qualities of Thymogen do not increase. We'll look at the reviews below.
How to use the spray
The spray is used intranasally. Available in bottles from 3 to 10 ml. One dose of spray contains 25 mcg of active substance. Costs on average up to 200 rubles.
For therapeutic purposes, the spray should not be used for more than 10 days. As a preventative measure, the duration of administration is five days. The dosage is prescribed depending on the patient’s age:
- Adults: 1 dose in each nostril twice a day.
- Children from one year to 14 years: 1 dose in each nostril once a day.
One dose of Thymogen spray (according to reviews, this is a sufficient amount) is a single press on the bottle cap. The course of therapy can be repeated after a break of at least one month.
Directions for use and dosage
Thymogen in the form of a solution is administered intramuscularly once a day in the following doses:
- children aged 0.5–1 year – 10 mcg;
- children aged 1–3 years – from 10 to 20 mcg;
- children aged 4–6 years – from 20 to 30 mcg;
- children aged 7–14 years – 50 mcg;
- adolescents over 14 years of age and adults – 100 mcg.
The course duration ranges from 3–10 days. A repeated therapeutic course is carried out no earlier than one month after the end of the previous one. During the year you can conduct 4 courses.
Thymogen in the form of a spray is intended for local (intranasal) use once or twice a day in the following doses:
- children aged 1–6 years – 1 dose of spray in one nostril once a day;
- children aged 7–14 years – 1 dose in each nostril once a day;
- adolescents over 14 years of age and adults - 1 dose in each nostril twice a day.
For the purpose of prevention, the spray is used from 3 to 5 days, for medicinal purposes - up to 10 days. A repeated therapeutic course is carried out no earlier than one month after the end of the previous one.
Thymogen in cream form is intended for external use. It is applied to the affected areas in a thin layer 1 or 2 times a day. The total daily dose is 2 g (equivalent to 1000 mcg of thymogen). The area of skin treated with cream is left open. The use of occlusive dressings is prohibited.
To determine the daily dose of the drug, it should be taken into account that a strip of cream from a tube 4 cm long and 5 mm in diameter has a mass of 1 g.
The cream is used until local signs of the disease disappear, but not more than 20 days.
Application of cream and solution
The cream is produced both in glass containers and in aluminum tubes. The volume of one package of cream is 30 grams. Per 100 grams of cream there are 50 mg of the Active Ingredient. The drug costs an average of 200 rubles.
The maximum permissible daily dose of cream is 2 grams, which is approximately a strip 8 cm long.
The product is applied to the damaged surface in a thin layer. It is not recommended to use the cream more than twice a day. There is no need to apply a bandage to the treated surface. Therapy should be continued until symptoms disappear completely, but the duration of the course should not exceed 20 days.
In the form of a solution, "Timogen" is available in ampoules of 1 ml. Each ampoule contains 100 mcg of active substance. This version of the drug costs about 250 rubles.
Ampoules can be used in two ways: for intramuscular administration and intranasal administration. Treatment must be carried out in a course. The duration of treatment should not exceed ten days and depends on the degree of impairment of the patient’s immunity. The effect is noticeable from the first days of taking the drug, as noted in reviews of “Timogen”. For children it must be used very carefully.
For preventive purposes, the drug is prescribed in the following dosages:
- Adults: 1 ampoule intramuscularly or intranasally.
- Children ½ ampoule per day.
The duration of use for prophylaxis should not exceed five days.
Ampoules and cream should be stored in the refrigerator. The spray can be stored in a dark place at temperatures up to 25 degrees. The solution has the longest shelf life - 36 months, the spray has 30, and the cream has 24.
Description:
Colorless, transparent, odorless solution.
Pharmacotherapeutic group:
Immunostimulating agent.
Pharmachologic effect.
Pharmacodynamics: Has a regulatory effect on the reactions of cellular, humoral immunity and nonspecific resistance of the body. Stimulates regeneration processes in case of their inhibition. Improves the course of cellular metabolic processes. Enhances the expression of differentiation receptors on lymphocytes, normalizes the number of T-helpers, cytotoxic T-lymphocytes and their ratio in patients with various immunodeficiency conditions.
Pharmacokinetics: The drug quickly enters the systemic circulation after parenteral administration. Sodium alpha-glutamyl-tryptophan, under the influence of peptidases, is broken down into L-glutamic acid and L-tryptophan, which are used by the body in peptide synthesis.
Indications for use:
In the complex therapy of acute and chronic viral and bacterial diseases accompanied by decreased immunity:
- viral hepatitis;
- acute and chronic nonspecific lung diseases (CNPD): chronic bronchitis, acute and chronic pneumonia;
- diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (pyoderma, furunculosis, erysipelas);
- in complex therapy of severe diffuse forms of atopic dermatitis;
- in complex therapy of severe mechanical, chemical, radiation and thermal injuries (burn disease);
- complex treatment of wound and surgical infections, including purulent-septic complications in the postoperative period;
- during the period of preoperative preparation for planned surgical operations in order to prevent infectious complications and stimulate regeneration processes.
- after radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and long-term antibiotic therapy in high doses.
Contraindications for use:
Hypersensitivity to the components of the drug. Children's age up to 6 months.
Method of administration and dose. Dosage regimen, route of administration, duration of treatment:
Intramuscularly 1 time per day. Adults and children from 14 years old: 100 mcg (300-1000 mcg per course), children from 6 months to 1 year - 10 mcg, from 1 year to 3 years - 10-20 mcg, from 4 to 6 years - 20-30 mcg, from 7 to 14 years - 50 mcg. The duration of treatment is from 3 to 10 days. A repeat course is possible no earlier than after 1 month. It is possible to conduct 4 courses during the year.
Precautions for use:
Not required.
Indication of the peculiarities of the action of the drug upon first administration or upon its withdrawal, the actions of the doctor and the patient:
The drug has no peculiarities of action when first taken and when discontinued.
Possible side effects when using the drug:
Allergic reactions.
Symptoms of overdose and measures to help in case of overdose:
Overdose symptoms are not described.
Interaction with other drugs:
Not found.
Indication of the possibility and features of medical use of the drug by pregnant women, women during breastfeeding, children, adults with chronic diseases:
For safety reasons, due to insufficient data, the use of the drug during pregnancy and breastfeeding is possible only if the expected benefit to the mother outweighs the potential risk to the fetus or child. There are no particularities in the use of the drug by children and adults with chronic diseases.
Information about the possible effect of a medicinal product for medical use on the ability to drive vehicles and machinery:
The drug does not affect the ability to drive vehicles or engage in other potentially hazardous activities that require increased concentration and speed of psychomotor reactions.
Release form:
solution for intramuscular administration 100 mcg/ml, 1 ml in colorless glass ampoules with a pinch and a break ring, or with a pinch, a notch and a dot. 5 ampoules per blister pack made of polyvinyl chloride film and aluminum foil or without foil. 1 or 2 blister packs (with or without foil) along with instructions for use in a cardboard pack. 5 ampoules along with instructions for use in a cardboard pack.
Storage conditions:
At temperatures from 0 oC to 10 oC.
Expiration date and indication of the prohibition of use of the medicinal product after the expiration date:
3 years. Do not use after the expiration date stated on the packaging.
Indication of the need to store the medicinal product in places inaccessible to children:
Keep out of the reach of children.
Vacation conditions:
on prescription.
Manufacturer/owner of the registration certificate/organization receiving complaints regarding the quality of the drug: JSC Medical-Biological Research and Production Complex Cytomed. Address : Russia 191023, St. Petersburg, Muchnoy lane, 2, tel/fax, www.cytomed.ru. Address of the place of production: 199178, St. Petersburg, Vasilyevsky Island, Maly Prospekt, 57, bldg. 4, lit. AND.
General Director A.N. Khromov JSC Medical-Biological Research and Production Complex Cytomed
special instructions
You can find data proving that Timogen, according to reviews, is effective as a means of restoring immunity in patients suffering from tuberculosis, hepatitis, influenza, papillomatosis and sepsis. Data from clinical studies make it clear that the drug helps improve the general condition of patients with amebiasis, typhus, dysentery, erysipelas, brucellosis, and hemorrhagic fever. It is able to quickly normalize immunological and biochemical parameters.
Carrying out a course of therapy reduces the frequency of recurrent protracted diseases. This is confirmed by reviews of immunologists about Timogen injections. Use in the treatment of infectious-inflammatory and allergic diseases of the bronchi and lungs shortens the duration of the disease, restores the body's immune characteristics and prevents or significantly reduces the risk of complications.
Based on data from clinical studies, it can be argued that the drug effectively helps as part of complex therapy in the treatment of viral, fungal and bacterial skin diseases of infectious origin. In addition, the drug is active against atopic dermatitis. This is noted in the instructions for “Timogen” and reviews also confirm the positive results.
There are cases registered in medical practice when it was successfully used as part of complex therapy for patients with peritonitis, acute pancreatitis, long-term compartment syndrome, for the rehabilitation and treatment of people after major abdominal operations.
Do not take the drug with glucocorticosteroids in significant doses. Research makes it clear that the drug in cream form is suitable for treating children with various forms of dermatitis. It relieves swelling and inflammation, promotes rapid skin regeneration. Improves the protective functions of the skin, eliminating dryness.
Analogs
Pharmaceutical companies produce many products that can replace Thymogen. Among them are the following drugs:
- "Immunoglobulin". This drug is active against most bacteria and viruses. It is part of complex therapy and is used for acute deficiency of natural antibodies. Available in the form of a solution for intramuscular administration and a powder for infusion. The advantages of “Immunoglobulin” include its speed and effectiveness, as well as the possibility of administration even to small children. The disadvantages are the very high price (from 3,000 rubles) and a large number of side effects.
- "Cycloferon". Used for the treatment of secondary immunodeficiency as part of complex therapy. It also promotes rapid recovery from herpes, acute intestinal infections, acute respiratory viral infections and influenza. The drug is available in the form of a solution for intramuscular injection, tablets and liniment. The advantages of Cycloferon are the virtual absence of side effects and contraindications and rapid action. Disadvantages usually include the inability to use the drug in children under 4 years of age, as well as the pain of injections.
- "Tsitovir 3" is a structural analogue of "Thymogen". The cost of this drug is about 300 rubles. Can be used in children from one year of age. It is effective and safe, reviews on the Internet confirm this.
- In addition to structural analogues, there are also other effective immunomodulators, such as Anaferon, Viferon, Grippferon, Bronchomunal, Derinat, Immunal, etc.
"Timogen": reviews from immunologists
The drug is used in situations where the immune system is either already weakened or there is a risk of weakening it. Reviews about the drug can be found on websites of a wide variety of topics. On one of the forums where antiparasitic drugs are discussed, there is a topic dedicated to the problem of promoting health for successful treatment. Some participants mentioned using injections as a preventative measure to maintain immunity. The drug saved many from recurrent herpes on the lips.
According to immunologists, it is more effective for children to take the “Timogen” spray in the autumn-winter period for prevention, especially for those who are in groups: in kindergartens and schools. Side effects are not mentioned in the reviews, however, in the case of chronic diseases, its effectiveness decreases.
There are always two opposing opinions regarding immune stimulation. Some believe that the body’s defense system needs to be supported in different ways. Others have expressed the opinion that the immune system should not be invaded, as this can cause irreparable harm to the body's defense circuits. Before interfering with the subtle mechanisms of our immunity, you should consult with your doctor about whether additional drug stimulation is needed or whether the body is able to cope with the problem on its own.
