The fight against viral infection involves the appointment of specialized medications that eliminate pathogens inside the cells, since antibiotics can not cope with viral agents. Antiviral pills are used to eliminate the infection, and a number of drugs are suitable in a preventive situation.

Groups of drugs against viruses

The group of antiviral drugs is divided into a number of categories. This is dictated by the heterogeneity of the methods of preparation and focus on specific groups of pathogenic microorganisms, which makes drugs non-interchangeablebut effective in clinical practice for the treatment of severe pathologies.

By specialization, actions distinguish:

  1. Anti-influenza and ARVI drugs are common in therapy and cover a wide range of viral strains that infect humans with respiratory diseases. These include inexpensive and effective cold pills.
  2. Preparations for the fight against cytomegalovirus - common in the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.
  3. Means for the elimination of herpes virus are active against the Herpes Simplex breed of both varieties, against the Herpes Zoster culture, which belongs to the third type of herpes virus.
  4. Drugs for the treatment of retrovirus infected. They are used as the primary component of the treatment of patients with HIV and AIDS.
  5. Hepatitis Aids.
  6. Extended-release medicines.They are relevant both against the influenza virus, and against papillomavirus, herpes and others. The universal category also includes some inexpensive and effective cold pills.

Viruses are represented by many strains. To combat each variety, a specific type of medication or a combination of drugs is intended. At the same time, the virus genome is able to mutate and adapt to drugs, because the disease requires a mandatory visit to a doctor and a professional treatment plan.

Budget interferons and their inducers

Interferons in structure are cells with high immunological ability and are produced by various structures in a living organism. By converting passive macrophages into protective cells, interferons regulate the potential of the immune system by activating a protective reaction against microbes, viruses, destructive proliferation and the effects of radiation.

Pharmacology supplies drugs based on interferons for additional administration into the body with a lack of resistance or the need for urgent stimulation of the immune system.

Means are applicable for the early prevention of influenza and viral pathologies.

The active component of interferon medicines:

  • alpha interferon;
  • interferon beta, also betaferon;
  • interferon alfa-2 beta.

Interferon-based drugs:

  • Grippferon. Immunomodulator and anti-inflammatory agent with the use of interferon alpha-2 beta;
  • Viferon based on alpha-2 beta interferon. The combination of ascorbic acid and tocopherol in the composition gives an antioxidant effect and stabilizes cell membranes, which will triple the effect of the key component;
  • Human leukocyte interferon from donor blood. It is delivered in ampoules, bottles, in tablet and powder forms.

The second category is interferon inducers. They are synthetic immunotherapeutic drugs that adjust resistance.

Antiviral tablets for colds based on immunomodulators:

  1. Cycloferon. It is characterized by increased absorption into the bloodstream, without damage, overcomes the blood-brain barrier. It develops a cumulative effect inside the cells, activates the synthesis of interferon due to DNA intercalation.
  2. Amixin. Activates the synthesis of interferon in the blood cells. It is taken in a dosage of one tablet in seven days, the course is four to five weeks.
  3. Dibazole It is characterized by an immunomodulatory effect. For prophylactic purposes, it is taken in the amount of one tablet per daily interval.
  4. Anaferon. Increases the synthesis of interferon, has an anti-inflammatory effect.
  5. Mefenamic acid. Interferon inducer with analgesic and antipyretic properties. It activates T-cells and counteracts inflammatory manifestations. Not recommended for patients with disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and diseases on hemorrhagic soil.
  6. Ridostin. A plant-based product, synthesized from a yeast fungus. It activates the organic production of glucocorticosteroid hormones that contribute to the elimination of systemic infections. Stimulates the activity of macrophages and neutrophils, enhancing immunity.

Interferon inducers force the protective immune response, their own production of interferons by cellular structures, stimulation of macrophages, and activation of epithelial cells. They are effective as a prophylactic during epidemics.

Virus attacking drugs

Viral pathogens are characterized by the ability to penetrate the membrane of a living cell, the life cycle of the virus takes place inside.

Based on this, antiviral medications attack the cellular structures affected by the infection, without which it is impossible to eliminate the root cause of the disease and prevent the spread of the harmful agent.

Viral infections are eliminated in the following ways:

  1. Blockade of viral DNA synthesis.
  2. Attack of pathogenic microorganisms at the stage of their division.

Medicines are divided into the following types:

  • drugs from the adamantane core blocking the channels of M2 receptors in the epithelial structures of the respiratory system. Violate the process of viral replication in cells. In particular, not effective against influenza B virus;
  • neuraminidase inhibitors. Belong to the second generation after M2 blockers and have lost some of the side effects. Inhibit the systemic effects of the disease, block enzyme compounds in the envelope of the virus. The pathogen loses its ability to invade cells and is destroyed by the body's natural immune response;
  • cyclic amines. They counteract the toxic effects of viruses and block the reproductive ability of pathogens, attacking viruses at the time of reproduction. Anti-influenza activity is manifested in relation to pathogens of both varieties A and B. On the market there remains a single remedy from the category - Remantadine, aka Rimantadine.
  • drugs based on imidazolylethanamide pentanedioic acid. Active against type A and B flu, respiratory infections and parainfluenza. They have an immunomodulatory effect, interferon synthesis is involved.

Each drug has contraindications and side effects indicated in the instructions.

Taking the medicine implies a preliminary discussion with the attending physician or the direct appointment of a physician with the specification of the dosage regimen and dosage.

For pregnant and lactating patients, the decision on antiviral drug therapy is made only by a doctor. A visit to the pediatrician is mandatory for child patients. Self-medication means at least delaying the healing process, and as a maximum, the risk of death.

Herbal Pills

Pharmacology also provides antiviral tablets for non-synthetic colds - phytopreparations that differ in the natural origin of the active substance and sparing effect on the body. The composition of drugs is formed by extracts and extracts from plants that differ in antiseptic and immunostimulating properties.

Cheap antiviral tablets based on natural ingredients:

  1. Alpizarin. The active core of the drug is based on a combination of extracts of two varieties of penny and extract of the deciduous part of the mango. The therapeutic effect develops due to inhibition of the reproductive ability of the pathogen in the primary stage.
  2. Immunoflazid, Proteflazid - plant immunity stimulants, the composition includes elixirs of such plants as turfy pike and terrestrial reed. It activates the immune system by increasing the synthesis of lactoferrin in the epithelial cells of the respiratory system.
  3. Altabor. It contains in composition extracts of alder from varieties (gray and sticky) containing phenolic acids, which give the drug an antiseptic and antiviral effect.
  4. Ridostin. A naturally-based interferon inducer is described above.
  5. Imupret. Combines extract of oak bark with horsetail extracts of field and walnut foliage.
  6. AGRI. A complex combination of natural ingredients, plant extracts. The composition includes aconite, brionium, toxodendron and lakonos. Two sets of tablets are taken alternately.
  7. Flavoside. It is created on the basis of extracts from Amur velvet. It contains phytoflavonoids that inhibit the release of intrinsic RNA by viruses and block pathogens neuraminidase. The tool stimulates the protective reaction of the body and inhibits the pathological activity of viruses.
  8. Gossypol. The medicine is based on a pigmented cotton product, characterized by inductive properties in relation to the production of interferon.

Herbal remedies for influencing living cells are characterized by less aggressiveness, in comparison with synthetic medicines.Natural medicines do not have most of the side effects and contraindications for standard antiviral drugs, are more acceptable for regular use for preventive purposes.

Inexpensive and effective viral infections drugs for children

Tablet formulations are indicated for patients after two years. Taking tablets is difficult for younger children due to physiological reasons in the form of difficulty swallowing.

Antiviral tablets for children:

  • Anaferon Detsky is an immunomodulatory agent based on gamma-interferon antibodies. Acceptable in the treatment of respiratory and intestinal diseases of viral etiology, influenza, herpes;
  • Arbidol Children's. The basic component is umifenovir, an interferon inducer. Inhibits the negative symptoms of viral intoxication. Suitable for influenza, respiratory infections, is part of the treatment against intestinal infections and herpes;
  • Acyclovir. An antiviral drug is prescribed for chickenpox, infection with cytomegalovirus, mononucleosis, lichen lesion. Distributed as pills for herpes;
  • Tsitovir-3. Interferon inducer, combines ascorbic acid with bendazole and thymogen. It is prescribed for infection with influenza virus A and B-varieties, respiratory infections. Assign from the age of six;
  • Amiksin Children's. Immunomodulator with antiviral effect. It is used for respiratory and herpetic inflammation, flu, chickenpox, enterovirus diseases. Appointed from the age of seven.

Children under one year of age are prescribed drugs and structural analogues in the form of drops or suppositories.

Antiviral drugs are characterized by aggressive effects on organic cells and toxicity, therefore, are prescribed to children in case of emergency. It is necessary to take into account the risk of anaphylactic shock.

Antiviral tablets for adults

Medications are prescribed to the patient at the maximum possible early stages of the development of pathology. The term of admission is from three days or longer, depending on the type of virus and the course of the disease.

Antiviral drugs for adults:

  • Ribavirin The drug is an extended spectrum of activity, is active against influenza, herpes virus, smallpox virus, adenoviruses. Not recommended for patients with cardiac, hepatic and nephro-pathologies;
  • Kagocel. Interferon inducer, stimulates the immune system, counteracts microbial and viral infections;
  • Cycloferon. Similar to the previous one. It is used in the treatment of influenza, chlamydia, herpetic infections, papilloma virus;
  • Acyclovir;
  • Amixin. Analogs - Lavomax, Tiloron. An immunomodulator is prescribed for influenza infections, is part of hepatitis therapy with viral etiology, treatment of patients with cytomegalovirus and herpes;
  • Ingavirin - an immunomodulator based on imidazolylethanamide pentanedioic acid with an antiviral effect, counteracts intoxication and inflammation. It is prescribed for the treatment of parainfluenza, adenovirus, influenza and respiratory syncytial infections;
  • Rimantadine. Belongs to the adamantane generation, is active in suppressing the virus by inhibiting the reproductive ability of the pathogen at the initial stage. It is used for the treatment of influenza and against viral encephalitis. Not recommended for pregnant women and children, patients with hepatic and renal dysfunctions.

The onset of the disease is indicated by an increase in body temperature, hyperemia lasts from one to three days, which coincides with the peak activity of pathogens. With the introduction of antiviral drugs at this stage, the cause of the disease is more effectively eliminated and the further spread of viruses is prevented, which eliminates the risk of complications.

What is allowed to drink during pregnancy

Patients at the stage of pregnancy should avoid the use of antiviral agents for preventive purposes.When prescribing the drug by a doctor, it is required to strictly follow the prescribed regimen and adhere to the dosage.

Medicines for flu and colds for pregnant women:

  • Arbidol. It blocks the life cycle of pathogens, restores and strengthens the body's defenses, develops an immunomodulating effect by stimulating interferon synthesis;
  • AGRI. Naturopathic drug has no contraindications, except for allergies;
  • Anaferon;
  • Viferon. Similarly, the previous one is allowed from the 2nd trimester.

The use of an anti-virus remedy by a nursing mother usually requires temporary suspension of breastfeeding to avoid getting the drug into the body of the child.

Antiviral drugs specialize in action and activity against various pathogens, are able to fight the flu, SARS and dangerous viral infections. Some drugs directly suppress pathogens, while other drugs affect the body's immune barrier. The correct selection of the drug determines a positive result of therapy.