Drops "Grippferon" in the nose for children

As cold and flu season approaches, many mothers think about protecting their son or daughter from viral infections. With the preventive purpose, as well as for the treatment of ARVI, various immunomodulating drugs are used, a representative of which can be called Grippferon in the form of nose drops. Is it allowed to treat children with such a drug and in what dosage the drug is used for prophylaxis?

Grippferon in the form of nasal drops is represented by a clear solution poured into plastic bottles of 5 or 10 ml. This liquid is usually colorless, but may have a light yellow color. On the bottle there is a dropper, which helps to accurately measure a single dose of the drug.

The main component of the drug is recombinant interferon alpha-2b. It is contained in every milliliter of drops in a dose of at least 10,000 IU. Povidone, sodium chloride, purified water and macrogol 4000 are added to it. Also, potassium dihydrophosphate, sodium dodecahydrate hydrogen phosphate, sodium disodium edetate and edetate disodium are the auxiliary substances of Grippferon.

Grippferon drops are referred to as immunomodulatory agents that have antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects. After instillation into the nose, the drug penetrates into the blood in a very small amount, which is not even determined by tests, therefore, the effect of this medication is only local.

The main reason drip Grippferon in the nose of a child or an adult is the treatment of influenza and other viral lesions of the upper respiratory tract. In addition, this medicine is in demand for prevention.

The drug is considered harmless to the child's body, so it can be prescribed even for children up to a year. In this case, consultation with a doctor before using this medicine in a child is still desirable.

Drops are not prescribed to children with intolerance to interferon or any other component of the drug. Also, it should not be treated with this tool in young patients with severe allergies.

And now Dr. Komarovsky will tell us about children's antiviral drugs.

Some children react to the use of an allergy medication. Other side effects from such drops are not recorded.

Grippferon is advised to start dripping immediately, as the first symptoms of a viral infection appeared. The duration of use of the drug - 5 days. The dosage and frequency of instillation depend on the age of the child:

• For children of the first year of life, the medicine is administered in 1 drop (1000 IU) into each nostril 5 times a day, that is, the daily dosage is 5,000 IU.
• A child of 1-3 years old drops 2 drops of the drug in each nasal passage, and the frequency of the procedure - 3 or 4 times a day. At one time, the baby receives 2000 IU of interferon, and from 6000 to 8000 IU per day.
• A single dosage between the ages of 3 years and 14 years is also 2 drops, but the frequency of use increases up to 4-5 times, so from 8000 to 10,000 IU of interferon are released per day.
• Children over 14 years old inject 3 drops of Grippferon into each nostril, which corresponds to 3000 IU of the active substance.Manipulation is carried out 5 or 6 times a day, so the patient receives a total of 15,000 to 18,000 IU of the active ingredient per day.

The drug can be used in the season of viral infections, instilled in the morning every day or every other day in a single dosage, which is recommended during treatment. If the child has contact with the patient or he is overcooled, the frequency of instillation changes - it is recommended to drip the agent in an age-old dose twice a day every day.

The manufacturer does not provide data on the negative effects of too large doses of Grippferon.

You should not use both Grippferon and intranasal drugs with a vasoconstrictor effect, since such a combination of medicines will overdry the mucous membrane.

To buy a Grippferon to a child at a pharmacy, you are not required to present a prescription from a pediatrician. The average price of a bottle of drops is 250 rubles.

If the bottle has not yet been opened, it can be kept at home for the entire shelf life (2 years) in the refrigerator, since the recommended storage temperature is between +2 and +8 degrees. After the first use of the drug from the printed bottle it is permissible to store no longer than 30 days. If after a month the drug is still consumed, it should still be poured out, and it is unacceptable to bury the child in the nose.

Drops of Grippferon receive a lot of good reviews from their parents. The drug is praised for a convenient bottle, the ability to use from birth, the absence of bitter taste and effective action. Many mothers confirm that the use of drops made it possible to avoid infection with the flu virus or contributed to a more rapid recovery from ARVI.

The downside of medication, some parents consider the high cost and small volume of the bottle, as well as a short shelf life after opening. In addition, there are reviews that mention the lack of effect of treatment with Grippferon.

Instead of Grippferon, the doctor may recommend drugs with a similar composition and therapeutic effect, for example:

• Viferon. This medicine also contains interferon alpha and is often prescribed for children with viral diseases, candidiasis and other diseases. It comes in the form of candles that are allowed to be used at any age, including premature babies. The drug is also represented by gel (appointed from birth) and ointment (allowed from 1 year).
• Genferon Light. As part of this medication, taurine was added to the interferon. It is produced in several forms - suppositories, nasal drops and nasal spray. In drops and candles, the drug is used from birth, and a spray form is used in the treatment of adolescents over 14 years old.