Arbiol for children is an antiviral and immunostimulating long-acting drug. This tool has a wide range of actions, it allows you to deal with complications after late treatment of diseases.
Proceeding from the fact that Arbidol has a minimum of contraindications, it can be used to treat infectious diseases even in the smallest.
Main characteristics
Arbidol for children is available in the form of tablets, capsules and suspensions. Suspension can be used if it is impossible for a child to take the capsules. Tablets have a dosage of 50, 100 or 200 mg.
Tablets or capsules can be white or cream. The drug in tablets is designed for adults and children over 3 years.
The substance from which the suspension is to be prepared is sold in a dark glass container. In its initial form, the suspension is a granular powder, which is diluted with warm water.
The powder may be cream or white. A measuring spoon is attached to the powder bottle. After preparation, the drug acquires a yellowish-white color, has a cherry or banana smell.
Composition
The active ingredient in this tool is umifenovir. In addition to the main, the tool contains many auxiliary ingredients, including:
- potato starch;
- microcrystalline cellulose (MCC);
- aerosil (colloidal silicon dioxide - sorbent);
- collidone or povidone;
- calcium searate.
The main components of the gelatin capsule are gelatin and food coloring.
Therapeutic effect
Arbiol performs several therapeutic actions:
- Antiviral.
The active ingredient of Arbidol allows you to block a protein that is a shell of the virus. With this protein, the virus easily attaches to the cells of various tissues.
The substance envelops the virus and prevents its further spread throughout the body. As a result, "blocked" viruses circulate with the blood through the body until they die.
Such an action can not only alleviate the symptoms of the disease, but also prevent the spread of infection throughout the body. It is worth noting that Arbidol is often taken as a preventive measure.
This drug effectively counteracts the development of an acute respiratory illness or flu. Thanks to all these qualities, after taking the pills in the early stages of the development of the disease, its symptoms will be almost imperceptible, and the infection will be eradicated faster.
- Immunostimulating action.
Arbidol stimulates phagocytosis (destruction by phagocytes (leukocytes) of cells damaged by the virus), and also accelerates the production of interferon (a substance that is involved in the flow of immune reactions that are aimed at the destruction of viruses).
- Detoxification action.
When a virus enters the body, it gradually begins to poison it with toxins.
Due to the fact that the active substance blocks the spread of viruses, it also slows the release of toxins. Thus, the health of the patient improves.
- Antioxidant action.
As for the clinical picture, the adoption of Arbidol is accompanied by many positive effects:
- reduces the risk of disease in acute respiratory viral infections during seasonal epidemics;
- prevents the occurrence of complications after viral infections;
- allows to facilitate the course of the disease;
- prevents the exacerbation of chronic infections, for example, herpes, bronchitis or pneumonia;
- allows you to accelerate recovery from rotavirus infection (intestinal flu) in children.
Indications and contraindications
The indications for the use of tablets, both for children and for adults, are the same. This is justified by the fact that the mechanism of action of both children's Arbidol and the drug for adults is the same. As for contraindications, they may differ slightly.
Given that the child’s body is weaker, the risk of developing various diseases increases. At the same time, the sensitivity of the child’s body to various drugs is higher. Based on this, children need to take Arbidol only after consulting a pediatrician.
Indications for use of the drug for children are:
- Prevention and treatment of influenza species A and B, as well as the treatment of their complications (bronchitis, pneumonia).
- Preventive actions and treatment of ARVI and ARI.
- Treatment of secondary immunodeficiencies, chronic and acute respiratory diseases, intestinal infections.
- Treatment of SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and the prevention of the development of this syndrome.
- The note! SARS occurs in severe flu-like illness. Manifested in the form of various complications and a long recovery period.
Contraindications for children are:
- allergic reactions to the active substance or components of the drug;
- age of the child up to 3 years;
- disorders of the cardiovascular system;
- adoption of a drug incompatible with Arbidol.
Instructions for use for children
Manufacturers recommend the use of the drug for the treatment of children older than 3 years, but in some cases, Arbidol can appoint a child from 2 years. For children under 12 years of age, the use of Arbidol in capsules is strictly prohibited; physicians may prescribe a drug in the form of tablets or suspensions.
Children from 2 to 6 years, doctors prescribe tablets with a dosage of 50 mg. From 6 years the dosage of 100 mg of Arbidol is allowed. Maximum can be taken for children from 12 years.
Arbidol in capsules is used before meals without damaging it and was washed down with a small amount of non-carbonated water. A single dosage of the drug for adolescents over 12 years old is 200 mg.
As for children up to 12 years, the use of capsules may be prescribed in exceptional cases. In all other cases, the doctor prescribes tablets or a suspension of a specific dosage.
How long does the drug work?
The mechanism of action of the drug was described a little higher, but the question of the speed of action of the drug was not mentioned yet. Each of the main actions of the drug begins to occur after a certain time after the use of the drug.
The active ingredient of the drug is rapidly distributed throughout the body. The effect of the drug lasts from 17 to 21 hours. During this period, viruses are enveloped in the active substance, acceleration of immune reactions, etc.
On the first day after taking the drug, 90% of the substances are eliminated from the dose.
Overdose and side effects
The most common side effect is an allergic reaction to the constituent components of the drug. An overdose of medication can cause many unpleasant symptoms, for example:
- nausea;
- vomiting;
- headache;
- dizziness;
- high blood pressure;
- increased heart rate and sweating;
- upset digestive tract.
Children can take Arbidol only after consulting a pediatrician, despite the fact that it is sold in pharmacies without a prescription.
The note! Taking the drug by children for several days or after any vaccination is strictly prohibited.
This is due to the fact that umifenovir may not be combined with the active ingredients of the vaccine. To take the drug as a prophylactic during this period is highly undesirable.
It is also worth paying attention to the fact that drug overdose can lead to hyperactivity of the child, which also affects the state of his health.
Special instructions and interaction with other drugs
Specific instructions regarding the treatment of a child with this drug can only be prescribed by the attending physician. This may be due to other drugs that will be taken simultaneously with Arbidol, as well as the health features of the child.
Arbidol is strictly prohibited for the treatment of children with cardiovascular pathologies, as well as renal or hepatic insufficiency.
It is recommended to take the drug only after consulting a doctor. This is due to the fact that the instructions for use of the drug does not take into account the general health of the child.
Thus, the drug can only aggravate the situation. Improper treatment of the drug can be fatal.
Price and analogues
There are many cheap Arbidol analogues on the drug market that perform the same actions on the body. These drugs include Anaferon (for adults or children) and Kagocel, as well as many other domestic drugs (Immunal), which have the same actions, but are much cheaper.
As for Anaferona, this medicine has established itself as one of the best. Comparing Anaferon and Arbidol, it can be determined that the first drug has much less side effects and is cheaper.
As for the price of children's Arbidol, it varies depending on the form of release and quantity.
| Release form and quantity | Cost, rub. |
|---|---|
| 1. Tablets for children 50 mg, 10 pcs. | 135-280 |
| 2. Powder for suspension | 250-290 |
| 3. Capsules 50 mg, 10 pcs. | 135-160 |
Thus, Arbidol is a drug that has good actions, but requires mandatory consultation with a doctor. For children, it is used in certain forms and with the dosage prescribed by the doctor.
Reviews
I got acquainted with Arbidol a long time ago, 5 years ago. The child was 7 years old, with permanent ARVI and OORZ not only in the son, but in the whole family. I consulted a doctor, advised me to take Arbidol. As an anti-influenza drug, it does not relieve symptoms well enough, the effect is noticeable only for 2-3 days, but as a stimulant of the immune system, we take it with the whole family.
Anastasia, 34 years old, Moscow
From birth, the child had poor immunity. After 3 years, when I went to kindergarten, it became harder to fight ARVI epidemics, my daughter was sick often. Take Arbidol suggested a doctor. Now the drug is used for the treatment of influenza and as a prophylactic agent for the whole family. Action satisfied. Before use, be sure to consult a doctor, as the dosage in the instructions is a bit high.
Katerina, 29 years old, Tula
And a little more information about the drug Arbidol - in the next video.
