Tablets "Cycloferon" for children: instructions for use

In winter and spring, the frequency of acute respiratory diseases that viruses cause increases. This is especially worrisome for parents, because babies often have complications, and the spread of infections in children's groups is fast.

In order to prevent infection or to help the body cope with the pathogen that has got into the airways, drugs are used that have antiviral and immunomodulating effects. One of them is "Cycloferon". Such tablets can be administered to children over 4 years old, but have their own characteristics of use, which are important to know before the start of the course of treatment.

The solid form of "Cycloferon" is a round pill in which the convex shape of the two sides and the enteric shell of a yellow color. If you cut such a pill, then inside there will be a yellow core. The drug is placed in blisters of 10 or 20 pieces, and in one package of this "Cycloferon" can be 10, 20 or 50 tablets.

In addition to the tablet form, there is also a "cycloferon" in the injections and in the form of liniment. The injection drug, like “Cycloferon” in pills, is used from 4 years of age, and liniment is contraindicated in patients under 18 years of age, since its effect on the children's body has not been studied.

The main component of the drug is called acridone acetic acid, but it is contained in tablets in the form of megridine acridone acetate. The dosage of the active compound in one tablet is 150 mg. In order for the drug to be dense and not dissolved in the stomach, but only after entering the intestine, hypromellose, a copolymer of ethacrylate and methacrylic acid, as well as calcium stearate, propylene glycol, polysorbate 80 and povidone are added to the drug.

"Cycloferon" is a group of immunostimulating drugs, as its main component relates to interferon inducers, that is, it is able to activate the production of interferon in the human body. This causes the therapeutic effects of pills such as anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and antiviral.

In addition to the fact that Cycloferon helps to improve non-specific immunity, increasing the body's resistance to attacks of bacteria and viruses, it also has a direct antiviral effect. It is the ability to suppress the reproduction of viral particles in the early days of the disease.

In addition, the drug reduces the virulence of the pathogen, due to which defective viral particles are formed. This contributes to a more rapid disposal of malicious agents, reducing the duration of the disease or its severity. The "Cycloferon" note the effectiveness against herpes, influenza and other viruses that provoke acute respiratory infections.

At children's age "Cycloferon" is usually used in such cases:

• prescribed to children who have the flu;
• include in the complex treatment with SARS;
• prescribed together with other drugs to combat herpes infection;
• give to prevent infection with influenza viruses or other respiratory viruses in the season of increasing the incidence of SARS.

In addition, the drug can be used for viral intestinal infections, hepatitis B or C, Lyme disease, cytomegalovirus infection and other diseases that are provoked by viruses. With such pathologies, “Cycloferon” is often included in the course of treatment to help the immune system cope faster with the pathogen.

Tablets do not apply if:

• the child is under four years old;
• the patient is 4 years old, but he has problems with swallowing (the solid preparation is replaced by injections);
• the child had an individual intolerance to Cycloferon;
• the patient was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver, which passed into the stage of decompensation.

If a child has worsened any disease of the digestive tract or any allergic reactions have been noted previously, the medication should be used under the supervision of a physician. For diseases of the thyroid gland before starting treatment with Cycloferon, consultation with an endocrinologist is required.

The body of some young patients react to Cycloferon with an allergic reaction. It may appear after the first pill or several days after the start of therapy. Such a reaction is itchy skin, rashes or other manifestations of allergies.

Tablets "Cycloferon" is recommended to take half an hour before meals. The drug should not be chewed so that its shell is not damaged. After swallowing a pill, it is washed down with water in a volume of about half a glass. The frequency of medication is once a day, and a single dosage is determined by the child's age:

• if a small patient is from 4 to 6 years old, then he should take “Cycloferon” one tablet at a time;
• if the child is between 7 and 11 years old, then he is given two or three pills at one time (for these children, the dose should be checked with your doctor);
• if the patient is over 12 years old, he should swallow 3-4 tablets at once.

The treatment regimen for SARS or flu provides for 5-10 receptions of "Cycloferon". The duration of therapy is affected by the severity of the child’s condition and the severity of the symptoms of the disease. The medicine should not be drunk daily, but on the days indicated in the instructions. The drug intake falls on the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th days with a mild course (such a scheme can be seen in the form of a table on the package), and if you need to give the pills longer, the medication is taken additionally on the 11th, 14th, 17th, 20th and 23rd days.

For the prevention of influenza or acute respiratory infections during an epidemic or after contact of a child with a sick person, use the same regimen. If a child has been diagnosed with an infection that is provoked by the herpes viruses, usually 7 "Cycloferon" methods are prescribed - on the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 11th and 14th days. If you need to re-use the medication (for example, for the prevention of influenza), then the second course is prescribed 2-3 weeks after the completion of the first.

If you accidentally skip the next dose of Cycloferon, you need to take the pills as soon as a dose skip was detected. In this case, the drug is drunk in the usual dose (not doubled), and then continue the course according to the regimen prescribed by the doctor.

"Cycloferon" can be combined with other drugs that are prescribed for influenza and other viral diseases, for example, with antipyretic drugs, interferon drugs, cough medicine, vitamins and so on. At the same time, the tablets have noted the properties of enhancing the effect of drugs that are attributed to nucleoside analogues or interferons.

To buy "Cycloferon" in a pharmacy, a prescription from the doctor is not needed, but when used in children, prior consultation with a doctor is recommended. The average price of 10 tablets is 180-190 rubles, and for a package of 20 tablets you need to pay about 340-360 rubles.

In order for the tablets not to lose their medicinal properties, they must lie in a dry place where the temperature will not exceed the mark of +25 degrees. Like all other medications, Cycloferon should be kept out of the reach of children. The shelf life of this form of the drug is 2 years. Before starting treatment, it should be clarified on the box, and if the date has expired, it is unacceptable to give tablets to children.

In about 70-80% of reviews of "Cycloferon" in pills, this medicine is called effective, noting that it helped prevent infection after a child came in contact with people with the flu, and as the disease progressed, taking the medication contributed to easier flow and fast recovery. According to parents, the drug is well tolerated and even in children with allergies provokes negative side symptoms very rarely.

However, some mothers consider the medication intake to be difficult, which is why it is possible to skip the next dose. Also, there are negative reviews, which say that "Cycloferon" did not have a positive effect on the immune system and the child still got sick or the flu was of moderate severity. When using tablets in adolescents, they also note the high cost of one course.

Drugs with the same active ingredient are not released, so if necessary, replace "Cycloferon" with another medication The doctor may recommend products with a similar effect on the immune system, for example:

• «Kagocel». This medication is represented only by tablets that act due to the active substance of the same name. He also represents a group of interferon inductors, as well as "Cycloferon." It can be given to children older than three years.

• "Amixin". Such a medicine based on tilorone affects various viruses, and therefore is often used for influenza and other acute respiratory viral infections. At children's age it is appointed from 7 years.

• «Orvirem». This antiviral drug is produced in the form of a syrup and is prescribed to children older than a year. It includes rimantadine, therefore, is effective against viruses that provoke influenza and other acute respiratory infections.

• "Viferon". Such medicine in the form of rectal suppositories contains alpha-interferon, so it directly affects the immune system and helps in the fight against viruses and bacteria. It is safe for children and can even be used in premature babies. In addition to suppositories, "Viferon" is represented by a gel, which is also used from birth, as well as an ointment approved for young patients from 1 year.

• «Tsitovir-3». Such a drug with antiviral and immunostimulating activity includes at once three components that comprehensively affect the children's body and help fight or prevent the flu. In the form of a syrup or solution made from a powder form, this medication is allowed from 1 year, and Tsitovir-3 capsules are given to children over six years old.

• «Acyclovir». This medicine can replace "Cycloferon" when infected with the herpes virus. It is produced in powder, tablets, ointments and other forms. Children such a tool can be assigned from birth.

For more information about the drug "Cycloferon", see the following video.