There are many antiviral drugs on the market, one of the most popular is Arbidol. But increasingly, patients are trying to find substitutes - someone is not happy with the price, others do not notice the proper effect. Therefore, it is important to choose the most suitable analogue of Arbidol.
Material Content:
Release forms and composition (active substance)
Previously, in pharmacies it was impossible to find a drug called Arbidol, but there was another drug that repeated the composition of a modern medicine, Umifenovir. The main component is umifenovir hydrochloride in the form of a monohydrate, which actually has an ester formula, whose effectiveness against viral diseases has not been proventhat does not prevent Arbidol from being the same popular remedy.
Available in two forms - tablets and capsules. Each species is presented as a preparation containing 50 or 100 mg of the active ingredient.
The tablets also contain titanium dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, cellulose, polysorbate, macrogol, starch, hypromellose, calcium stearate, colidone 30. White tablets, sometimes with a slight yellow tint, are convex on both sides.
The following additional elements are included in the capsule composition: calcium stearate, povidone, yellow dyes, silicon dioxide, starch, cellulose. Shell color is yellow. Inside is a granular white mixture.
For children, a separate release form is provided - suspension. Color - white or yellowish, pronounced fruity odor.Among the additional components: sodium benzoate, silicon dioxide, starch, sugar, sodium chloride, cherry and banana flavor, titanium dioxide. Initially, the product is presented as a powder, which, when diluted with water in the indicated proportions, becomes ready-to-use syrup.
Cheap Russian analogues of Arbidol
The principle of action of Arbidol, according to the manufacturer, is to stimulate the production of interferon, which contributes to the activation of macrophages. This significantly increases the body's resistance to various viral diseases.
Arbidol has a relatively low price - 200-250 rubles, but you can find funds at a lower price with similar properties.
For children
The most famous and proven analog of Arbidol for children is Anaferon. There is both a version of the drug for adults and a children's one, which is prescribed from the first month of life. The tablets are based on human gamma interferon. It increases the body's resistance to influenza and parainfluenza viruses, as well as herpes, coronavirus, enteroviruses, etc. Of the side effects, only allergic reactions were noticed.
Another substitute is Cycloferon. The main substance is acridonoacetic acid. The drug is prescribed for children from 4 years. It is used mainly for the treatment of more complex diseases - hepatitis, HIV, tick-borne encephalitis, enteroviruses, intestinal viral diseases.
Orvir is appointed from 1 year. Medication is a structural analogue of the Latvian Remantadine, which is based on the same active substance. Indications are the same as those listed above. The main difference is that the product is released only in the form of a suspension. It is well tolerated by children, side effects, including mild dyspeptic disorders, were extremely rare.
Kagocel is another medicine that stimulates the production of interferons in the human body. Based on the same substance. It is used mainly for the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections and influenza, is prescribed for children from 3 years. Practical does not accumulate in the body, the probability of detecting side effects is low.
Ergoferon, based on gamma-interferon antibodies, like Anaferon, is a more expensive drug, but it is considered relatively affordable for consumers. The tool is less popular, but is effective due to the content and other antibodies. Suitable for children from 6 months.
Below is a comparative table of prices of all these drugs produced in Russia.
| A drug | Price (rubles) |
|---|---|
| Anaferon for children | 210 |
| Cycloferon | 165 |
| Orvire | 210 |
| Kagocel | 250 |
| Ergoferon | 360 |
It is not recommended to independently select Arbidol analogues for the child. Only a doctor can make such a decision. And it is also important to accurately calculate the dosage, which depends on the patient's age, disease and body weight.
For adults
For older patients, a direct analogue of Arbidol may be suitable, which differs only in its trade name - Arpefl.
Another cheap domestic analogue of Arbidol is Ribavirin, which is based on a substance of the same name. The drug, unlike many similar drugs, is not an immunomodulator - it does not activate the protective function of the body, but is aimed at destroying the virus in the cells, therefore it is contraindicated in children due to possible toxicity.
The complex immunomodulator Tsitovir-3 contains vitamin C, sodium thymogen and bendazole. It is sometimes used to treat children from 6 years old, but it is recommended for adults because of the possible negative effects on the heart, especially in the presence of vegetative-vascular dystonia.
Ingavirin is more expensive than Arbidol tablets, based on vitaglutam, which has a more complex chemical name and the ability to influence the process of virus reproduction. Additionally, it has anti-inflammatory and antitumor effects. Not prescribed for children under 14 years of age.
Alpizarin is available as a tablet or ointment.The active ingredient - magniferin - is mainly used to treat skin diseases or viral lesions of the mucous membranes. The drug is relatively easily perceived by the body, therefore it is sometimes prescribed for children from 6 years old.
The list of cheaper analogues of Arbidol also includes the medicines already described above, which are prescribed for both adults and children:
- Kagocel;
- Anaferon;
- Ergoferon;
- Orvirem
- Cycloferon.
A comparative table of all the funds listed below.
| A drug | Price (rubles) |
|---|---|
| Arpiflu | 250 |
| Anaferon | 210 |
| Cycloferon | 165 |
| Ingavirin | 240 |
| Alpizarin | 180 |
| Orvire | 210 |
| Kagocel | 250 |
| Tsitovir-3 | 350 |
| Ergoferon | 360 |
Budget generics imported
It is believed that imported drugs are better perceived by the body, although many of them contain the same substances as domestic products. The main difference is the additional components. Some of them are really practically non-toxic. It’s easy to find such medicines that do not hit the pocketbook so much.
Pills
The famous Latvian antiviral agent Remantadine is produced in tablets. It is not an immunomodulator, therefore, it can cause undesirable reactions in the form of weakness, dizziness and some disturbances in the digestive tract. Very popular because of its effectiveness and applicability for children from 6 years.
The Austrian Aflubin produces tablets of 12, 24 and 48 pcs., It belongs to homeopathic remedies with a complex effect. The composition includes aconite, iron phosphate, gentian, lactic acid. It has an immunostimulating, antipyretic and directed antiviral effect. It is well perceived by the body, today there are no cases of side effects. Allowed for children from 1 month of age.
The well-known Swiss medication, which also has an antiviral effect, but is more suitable for symptomatic treatment, is TeraFlu. Not indicated for children under 12 years. It is used to quickly get rid of the main signs of colds and flu. It has an antipyretic effect, is not suitable for other viral diseases.
Similar drugs also include:
- Rinza (India);
- Antigrippin (Poland);
- Coldrex (UK);
- Uppsarin Upps (France).
Compare the prices of drugs using the table below.
| A drug | Price (rubles) |
|---|---|
| Remantadine | 175 |
| Aflubin | 300 |
| TeraFlu | 152 |
| Rinza | 160 |
| Antigrippin | 295 |
| Coldrex | 200 |
| Uppsarin Upps | 170 |
Capsules
Abroad, antiviral medications are not often available in capsule form, but there are several unpopular Arbidol analogues available in pharmacies.
Influcein is made on the basis of oseltamivir, which inhibits the influenza A and B viruses. Side effects are rare and affect only the digestive system. But the tool is not recommended for children under 18 years.
Nurofen, acting like TeraFlu, eliminates the main symptoms, but is not a direct antiviral drug. Actively prescribed for acute respiratory viral infections, uncomplicated flu. It has an antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effect, a strong analgesic.
Ribavirin, which is produced in Cuba, is necessary for the treatment of hepatitis C. It is not intended for the treatment of children under 16 years of age.
Hippostad is a means to eliminate the symptoms of common German-made viral lesions. Not indicated for patients under 15 years of age.
The prices of imported substitutes for Arbidol are listed below.
| Means | Price (rubles) |
|---|---|
| Influcein | 640 |
| Ribavirin | 450 |
| Nurofen | 250 |
| Grippostad | 115 |
Suspension
Arbidol suspension can be replaced with such imported medicines:
- Groprinosin-Richter (Germany);
- Normomed (Italy / Russia);
- Isoprinosine (Portugal);
- Groprinosin (Poland).
The first remedy is based on inosine pranobex. Allowed for admission to children from 1 year. Dosage is calculated depending on body weight.
Normomed, Isoprinosine and Groprinosin differ only in name. In fact, these are direct analogues of the drug described above. Various excipients and manufacturing countries are responsible for the prices of the products.
Symptomatic treatment is possible with suspensions based on paracetamol or ibuprofen:
- Efferalgan (France);
- Panadol (Great Britain).
The cost of imported drugs can be found in the table below.
| Medicine | Cost (rubles) |
|---|---|
| Groprinosin Richter | 350 |
| Normomed | 320 |
| Isoprinosine | 800 |
| Groprinosin | 600 |
| Efferalgan | 100 |
| Panadol |
Expensive antiviral substitutes
With severe infections or with individual intolerance to some of the components included in the composition of cheaper drugs, patients choose expensive analogues of Arbidol.
The most famous and used drugs are described in the table.
| Title | Active component | Indications | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tamiflu | Oseltamivir | Flu treatment and prevention | 1200 rub. |
| Rebetol | Ribavirin | Hepatitis C | 5000 rub. |
| Ribavirin | 1500 rub. | ||
| Baraclude | Entecavir | Hepatitis B | 7000 rub. |
| Valvir | Valacyclovir | • Infections of the skin and mucous membranes; • diseases caused by the herpes virus; • cytomegalovirus infection. | 1900 rub. |
| Amixin | Tiloron | • Hepatitis A, B, C; • SARS, flu; • chlamydia; • cytomegalovirus infection; • encephalomyelitis; •tuberculosis; • herpes virus infection. | 1000 rub |
| Entecavir | Entecavir | Hepatitis B | 6000 rub. |
| Panavir | Potato shoot extract | • Viral dermatosis; • herpes (including complicated species); •encephalitis; • papillomovirus infection. | 3500 rub. |
Some expensive drugs have a very narrow effect, which explains their price. Do not self-medicate, especially in the case of severe viral lesions, and also look for a cheap analogue of the prescribed drug.
Instructions for use and dosage for children and adults
Therapy with capsules or tablets of Arbidol provides different dosages for different groups of patients and various diseases.
| Indications | Patient age | Single dose (mg) | The number of receptions per day | Course Duration (days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SARS, influenza (including with complications) | 3-6 years old | 50 | 4 (during the first 5 days), then - 1 | 28–30 |
| 7-12 years old | 100 | |||
| 13 and more years | 200 | |||
| Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) | From 12 years | 200 | 2 | 8–10 |
| Herpetic infection | 3-6 years old | 50 | 4 (during the first 5-7 days), then a single dose 2 times a week | 28–30 |
| 7-12 years old | 100 | |||
| 13 and more years | 200 | |||
| Intestinal infections of viral origin | 3-6 years old | 50 | 4 | 6 |
| 7-12 years old | 100 | |||
| 13 and more years | 200 | |||
| Prevention of viral diseases after contact with the patient or during epidemics | 3-6 years old | 50 | 1 | 10–14 |
| 7-12 years old | 100 | |||
| 13 and more years | 200 | |||
| SARS Prevention | 6-12 years old | 100 | 1 | 12–14 |
| From 12 years | 200 |
Take before meals with plenty of water.
To make the substance suitable for use, pour 30 ml of cool liquid into a vial of powder for the preparation of syrup. Shake well until a homogeneous liquid forms, then add some more water so that the suspension fills the vial to the mark. Shake the vessel until a homogeneous mixture is obtained again.
The necessary single dose is easy to measure with the measuring spoon that comes with the kit.
Dosage for different age groups:
- 2-6 years - 10 ml;
- 7-12 years old - 20 ml;
- 13 years or more - 40 ml.
Typically, the drug is prescribed 4 times a day for acute respiratory viral infections, influenza and other infections, 1 time for prevention.
Contraindications, side effects and overdose
Arbidol is characterized by a small number of contraindications and adverse reactions.
Patients should not take the drug:
- up to 2 years;
- individual sensitivity to umifenovir, fructose;
- lack of sucrose.
Of the possible negative manifestations, only an allergy was recorded in the form of skin itching, redness, anaphylactic shock is extremely rare.
Cases of overdose have not been noticed, but if they appear, it is recommended to thoroughly rinse the stomach, take activated charcoal and consult a doctor.
Arbidol is a well-known Russian drug used as an immunomodulator for viral diseases. In the market you can also find other products from different price segments.It is not recommended to choose a medication substitute yourself, it is advisable to consult a doctor first.
