Grippferon is a well-known antiviral agent that is a member of the interferon group. The drug is used during the treatment of many colds caused by viral infection.
Composition and pharmacological properties
Grippferon is successfully used to treat influenza and adenoviral infections of the upper respiratory tract. Drops or spray injected into the sinuses, it is where there are clusters of respiratory viruses and pathogens. The active substance begins to affect the infection, which contributes to the speedy improvement of the patient.
The drug is convenient to use and is considered completely safe for human health. Drug addiction does not develop.
There is also no need to use additional medicines like Panadol, Aspirin or vasoconstrictor nasal drops. Grippferon absorbs watery discharge and dries the nasal mucosa.
If the medicine is applied in the very first hours of the development of the disease, then its action reduces the duration of the illness several times.
The discharge from the nose is reduced, the headache is gone, the body temperature is normalized, the mucous membrane in the sinuses is restored.
The drug has established itself as a good prophylactic against acute respiratory diseases during a flu epidemic. Within a few days after the start of treatment, the number of viral antigens in the nasopharynx significantly decreases. This prevents further spread of the infection.
Gel Grippferon in combination with Loratadine has immunomodulatory and antihistamine properties. Loratadin blocks histamine receptors, prevents the occurrence of edema of the mucous membrane in the nasal cavity.
Manufacturers produce Grippferon in such forms as spray, drops, gel, rectal candles. They all contain Interferon Alfa-2b as an active substance.
In the form of tablets, capsules and suspensions the drug is not produced. For the treatment of young children use only rectal suppositories.
The average cost of the drug on the pharmaceutical market
The cost of Gripperon can vary depending on the form in which it is produced. In the Russian market of pharmaceutical products offer the drug at the following prices, prices are indicated in rubles:
- Nasal drops - 224.00;
- Nasal spray - 278.00;
- Spray with a special dispenser - 326.00;
- Gel - 196.00;
- Rectal suppositories - 282.00.
The medicine can be purchased at any pharmacy without a prescription.
Indications and contraindications
Grippferon is indicated for use when the following symptoms appear:
- runny nose, accompanied by frequent sneezing and coughing;
- high body temperature followed by fever;
- general malaise, weakness, aching muscles.
Minimum doses are also prescribed to healthy people for prophylaxis, especially if there have been frequent and direct contacts with people with the flu. Sharp overcooling in the winter is also a good reason for urgent preventive treatment.
Only Grippferon gel has contraindications. It should be used with great care for women in position and nursing mothers. So, if you do not follow the instructions for use, it can cause side effects in the form of constipation, diarrhea, severe headache and dizziness, neurosis, loss of motor coordination, worsening of the circulatory system.
Children under the age of 18 use of drops for the nose, spray and gel of Grippferon is contraindicated. The only possible form of the drug allowed for the treatment of children is rectal suppositories. And they can be used from birth.
Instructions for use of Grippferon for children and adults
The standard course of treatment is an average of 5 days. It can be extended by the attending physician, based on the individual characteristics of the patient and the severity of his condition. Drops must be instilled into each nasal passage 3-6 times a day.
According to the instructions, the recommended dose of drops for the nose is as follows:
- From birth to one year - 1 drop;
- From one to three years - 2;
- From 3 years to 14 - 2;
- From 14 and older - 3.
Rectal suppositories for small children are allowed to apply from birth to the 1st year. It is recommended to introduce one suppository 2 times a day.
On average, treatment lasts 5 days. For children from 3 years old and above, 3 rectal suppositories are administered per day, every 8 hours. A more accurate dosage is determined by the attending physician based on the physiological data of the child.
The period of pregnancy and lactation - features of use
Pregnant and lactating women are allowed to be treated with Grippferon only in the form of drops and nasal spray. The use of gel with loratadinom is strictly prohibited.
This is due to the fact that Loratadin is able to adversely affect the normal development of the fetus, as it perceives it as a foreign body. If a woman is breastfeeding, the drug can dramatically cause a decrease in the amount of milk.
The dosage and frequency of use is determined only by the attending physician. Before starting a cold or flu treatment, it is especially important for pregnant women to read the official instructions for use, which is supplied with the original packaging of the medicine. Treatment should take place only under the supervision of a physician.
Is overdose and side effects possible?
Side effects are practically absent, it makes the drug as safe as possible for the human body. The active substance is not able to freely penetrate human blood.
The only possible side effect is an allergy to some components of the drug. But it depends on the individual patient.
Allergies can manifest as frequent sneezing with watery nasal discharge. Skin rash appears in very rare cases.
When using Grippferon gel with Loratadine, side effects never develop, as the antihistamine supplement suppresses any allergic reactions.
Data overdose is not available. However, clinical studies show that the amount of interferon contained in Grippferon is too small compared with other special drugs used to treat cancer.
Therefore, even the largest, once taken dose of Grippferon, is not capable of causing significant damage to the human body.
Grippferon and other drugs
Negative interaction of Grippferon with other drugs during clinical trials was not identified. Doctors do not recommend using only nasal drops and a Grippferon spray at the same time as other vasoconstrictor drops (Galazolin, Naphthyzin).
They are able to dry the mucous membranes even more, leading to microtraumas and swelling of the nasopharynx. It is important to remember that vasoconstrictor nasal drugs often cause drug addiction.
Learn more about antiviral drugs from this video.
