Immunal for children: instructions for use

Drugs that have a positive effect on immunity are especially in demand in cold weather, when the incidence increases and I want to support the body in the fight against viral attacks and harmful bacteria. Among them, the greatest demand are herbal remedies, for example, on the basis of echinacea. One of these tools is Immunal. This drug is often prescribed to strengthen the immune system and adults, and young patients.

Immunal is one of the products of the Slovenian pharmaceutical company LEK, which belongs to the Sandoz brand. The drug is presented in two dosage forms:

• Solution. This variant of Immunal is sold in glass bottles containing 50 ml of medication and supplemented with a graduated syringe with graduations from 0.5 to 2.5 ml, which helps to accurately measure the correct dose. The drug itself is a brown liquid, sometimes called a syrup. It is both transparent and slightly turbid or with sediment.

• Pills. They are packaged in blisters of 10 or 20 pieces and sold for 20 tablets per pack. The form of such "Immunal" is flat-cylindrical, the color is light brown with visible dark patches. The tablets taste sweetish and smell of vanilla.

The main component of both forms of Immunal is represented by juice, which is obtained from Echinacea purpurea grass. In the composition of the solution, such juice remains liquid and makes up 80% of the total volume (one ml of the drug contains 0.8 ml of juice), and in the tablet form it is dried and presented at a dosage of 80 mg per tablet.

Additionally, in the liquid Immunal there is ethyl alcohol (96%) and sorbitol solution (70%). Auxiliary components of the tablets are magnesium stearate and milk sugar. In addition, the solid form of the drug is cherry flavoring, sodium saccharinate, silicon dioxide and vanillin.

The active substances that are present in Echinacea, are able to strengthen the defenses of the human body and act as an immune stimulator. Under the influence of such substances, the number of leukocytes in the blood increases and the activity of phagocytosis increases, which helps in the fight against infection.

In addition, Echinacea has some antiviral and antibacterial action. Active compounds that are in such grass can suppress the reproduction of pathogens, which additionally contributes to their destruction.

Immunal is prescribed for children in such situations:

• if the child is already ill with ARVI or another infection (but without complications) and his recovery should be accelerated;
• if a small patient has a predisposition to frequent acute respiratory infections and catarrhal diseases and it is necessary to reduce the frequency of respiratory diseases;
• if parents want to protect the body of a daughter or son during the rise of the incidence of influenza and other viral infections;
• if the child takes antibiotics for a long time;
• if a small patient has been diagnosed with a chronic infection, which has reduced immunity.

Both forms of medication are contraindicated for infants. "Immunal" in the form of a solution is allowed from 1 year, and the drug in tablets can be given to patients older than four years.

"Immunal" should not be used in patients with intolerance to echinacea or other ingredients of the drug, as well as allergies to other hardwood plants. The medicine should also not be given to children with tuberculosis, systemic diseases, leukemia, HIV infection, or autoimmune pathologies. If the patient has asthma or any allergic diseases, the use of Immunal requires caution.

In some children, the drug can cause allergic reactions, such as hives, bronchospasm or angioedema. In this situation, the use of "Immunal" immediately stop and seek medical help.

Diet at the time of taking the medicine is not affected. Before giving the liquid "Immunal" to the child, the medicine must be shaken up. In addition, it is recommended to dilute it with water, taking it in a small volume. The dosage of the solution is determined by the patient's age. At one time usually prescribed:

• 1 ml of the drug for a child aged 1-6 years;
• 1.5 ml solution, if the child is from 6 to 12 years old;
• 2.5 ml, if the medication was prescribed to a teenager over 12 years old.

In these single doses, Immunal is taken three times a day.

Tablets are recommended to swallow and drink with water, but for small children, grinding into powder and mixing with tea, water or juice is permissible. A single dose of the solid form of "Immunal" is one tablet, but the frequency of administration for patients of different ages is different:

• if a child is 4-6 years old, the medication is taken once a day, less often - twice a day;
• if the patient is 6-12 years old, he is given a tablet preparation from one to three times a day;
• Adolescents over 12 years old should take this medicine 3-4 times a day.

According to the manufacturer, excess dosage does not cause intoxication, but in case of an overdose, it is still worthwhile to show the child to the doctor.

Since ethyl alcohol is present in the liquid Immunal, taking such medication may affect the treatment with other medicines, including cephalosporins and other antibiotics. Both forms of medication are not prescribed when taking immunosuppressants, as their action will weaken.

Both forms of Immunal are sold without a prescription, but if the product is purchased for a child under 12 years of age, consultation with a specialist is required. The price of one bottle of solution in different pharmacies ranges from 200 to 360 rubles, and for 20 tablets you need to pay about 300-350 rubles.

Shelf life of liquid "Immunal" - 2 years, tablets medicine - 3 years. During storage of the solution, a precipitate may appear in the form of flakes or turbidity, but this does not affect the therapeutic effect of the drug and is associated with its plant origin (the presence of polysaccharides). It is recommended to keep both versions of the medicine at home in a place hidden from the kids, where the temperature does not exceed +25 degrees Celsius.

There are many good reviews from parents and doctors (including Komarovsky, who have a positive attitude towards phyto-immunomodulators) about the use of Immunal to strengthen the immunity in children. One of the main advantages of the drug is its natural basis. According to moms, the drug accelerated the cure of ARVI and getting rid of cough, weakness, rhinitis, and other symptoms. When taking for prophylaxis, most reviews confirm that children have become ill less often.

Liquid form is praised for its ease of use and the possibility of use in children older than a year, but many parents do not like the presence of alcohol in such an Immunal.The advantages of tablets include a pleasant taste and the possibility of grinding for preschoolers. The disadvantages of both forms of the drug is the risk of allergy and high cost. In addition, there are reviews, which mention the lack of therapeutic effect after the course "Immunal".

In addition to the usual "Immunal", in pharmacies you can find a drug called "Immunal plus C". It is also produced by Sandoz, but is represented by only one dosage form — a solution that needs to be drunk. This solution is sold in glass bottles of 50 ml with a dosing syringe. Like Immunal, the medicine itself is brown and has a peculiar smell. Such a liquid is also clear or turbid with a small residue.

The main difference is the composition of such a drug. Echinacea juice contained in Immunal Plus C is dried, and its dosage is 46.5 mg per 1 milliliter. The drug also has a second active ingredient, which is ascorbic acid. Each milliliter of solution contains 20 mg of such a vitamin. Auxiliary ingredients also differ from the usual “Immunal” composition and are represented by orange flavoring, edetate disodium, maltitol, purified water, sodium hydroxide and potassium sorbate.

According to its effect on the human body, this medicine is also referred to as immunostimulants, and vitamin C present in it is a strong antioxidant and is able to protect cells from destruction due to inflammation. In addition, thanks to ascorbic acid, the response of the immune system will be further enhanced, and the concentration of antibodies in the blood will increase.

The drug is prescribed to children older than a year with the same indications, and the possible side effects and contraindications of him and the usual "Immunal" are the same. As for the treatment regimen, the medication is also taken three times a day, but single doses differ:

• babies 1-4 years old give 1 ml;
• patients 4-12 years old - 1 or 2 ml;
• children over 12 years old - 2 or 3 ml.

At the same time, Immunal Plus C is usually prescribed in courses of 7-10 days. The product is sold without a prescription and costs from 300 to 400 rubles per bottle. Its shelf life is 2 years, and storage conditions are the same as recommendations for storage of the Immunal solution.

Cheaper analogue of "Immunal" is "Echinacea tincture", which is often used to strengthen the immune system in adults. It is also made from the herb Echinacea, which insists on alcohol, and dispense in drops.

If you need to replace “Immunal” for a younger child, the doctor may prescribe another medicine from the group of immunomodulators, for example, “Isoprinosine», «Lycopid», «Broncho-munal P" or "Tsitovir-3". However, all these medicines have their own characteristics of use, therefore, it is undesirable to give their children without consulting a doctor.

More information about the drug "Immunal" for children, see the following video.