Interferon or Viferon - which drug is better?

October 30, 2018
Other drugs
Natalia Bardo

Viferon suppositories are, according to experts in the field of medicine and, in particular, pediatrics, one of the few means that helps cope with viral infections that overcome the child’s body. What features do they have and how are they assigned? Let's consider all this further in more detail.

Indications

Many parents are concerned about the question of what Viferon suppositories (for children) can help with and in what cases they are prescribed. It should be noted that the drug in question is prescribed to children who suffer from viral infections. As practice shows, it is most often used in the form of intrarectal suppositories, which are included in complex treatment.

Their main effect is aimed at significantly increasing the body's resistance to the effects of various pathogens, as well as stimulating those processes in the body that provoke the production of antibodies and have a bacteriostatic effect in the fight against viruses.

Viferon suppositories for children are usually used to treat a whole range of diseases. They are quite often prescribed for the treatment of similar diseases in adult patients, as well as in pregnant women. Let us further consider the main directions in which the candles in question are capable of having a positive effect.

Viferon suppositories for children are very often prescribed when inflammatory processes occur in the child’s body, the cause of which is an infection. The peculiarity of this product is that it can be used even by patients in the first days of life, including for premature babies. According to the recommendations of a specialist in the field of pediatrics, “Viferon” can be used during teething in a baby, as well as for hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver. In the last two cases, the drug in question is prescribed in combination with physiotherapeutic type therapy - this is the only way it has a beneficial effect on the body and allows you to quickly achieve the desired result.

Often, antiviral suppositories “Viferon” (for children) are used to treat urogenital diseases in both children and adults of any gender.

Suppositories, gel and ointment containing interferon

One of the drugs that contains interferon is the complex antiviral immunomodulatory drug VIFERON with a broad spectrum of action for children and adults. It helps block the virus and restore immunity. The original formula of the drug is a combination of interferon alpha-2b and highly active antioxidants. It has a universal effect against a wide range of viruses and other pathogens. The drug, which is produced in the form of suppositories, gel and ointment, was developed as a result of fundamental research in the field of immunology, which proved that in the presence of antioxidants (vitamins C, E and others), the antiviral effect of interferon is enhanced. The composition of the drug VIFERON includes recombinant IFN, which is produced without the use of human blood components.

In 2020, when summing up the results of the annual Russian Pharma Awards, conducted based on the results of a survey of Russian doctors (more than 500,000 people participated in the survey), the drug VIFERON won in the category “The most prescribed drug for ARVI for children from the first days of life.”

Indications for use of the drug VIFERON:

acute respiratory viral infections, including influenza, including those complicated by bacterial infection, pneumonia;
infectious and inflammatory diseases of newborns, including premature babies;
infectious and inflammatory diseases of the urogenital tract;
primary or recurrent herpetic infection of the skin and mucous membranes;
chronic viral hepatitis B, C, D in children and adults as part of complex therapy.

Reference and information material

Author of the article Gerasimenko Igor Olegovich

General doctor

Nesterova I.V. “Interferon drugs in clinical practice: when and how,” “Attending Physician,” September 2020.

Sources:

https://theoncologist.alphamedpress.org
[ii] https://interferons.ru
[iii] https://www.lvrach.ru
[iv]
[v] https://www.lvrach.ru
[vi] https://www.gamaleya.org
[vii] https://cyberleninka.ru

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Compound

The structure of the product in question includes those components that will be completely harmless even for newborn babies. Their dosage is also observed quite strictly. The main active component in it is interferon, which, in essence, is a recombinant Alpha-2, which is found in the human body and consists entirely of protein. It is a kind of analogue of interferon, the action of which is aimed at attacking harmful bacteria that enter the human body, as well as protecting the body’s cells from them.

In addition to artificially created interferon, Viferon suppositories for children contain a number of vitamins, including E, as well as ascorbic acid. These substances are basic.

In addition to the main ingredients, Viferon candles also contain auxiliary ones. Their action is aimed at enhancing the effect of the main components. Of these, tocopherol acetate has a particularly effective effect.

A detailed indication of the main and auxiliary components of Viferon children's suppositories is in the instructions for use of the drug attached to it.

Release form

The product in question is available in the form of rectal suppositories. Depending on the content of the main components in the dosage, they are divided into three types: 3,000,000 IU, 1,000,000 IU, 500,000 IU and 150,000 IU - in each case, a pediatric specialist must prescribe the most appropriate dosage. As practice shows, for small patients a product with a minimum dosage is suitable, and for adults, on the contrary, with a higher dosage.

The product is sold in blisters and presented in the form of bullet-shaped tablets. They are light in color and uneven in color. There is a small depression in the middle of each candle. The diameter of one candle is about 10 mm.

Antiviral suppositories "Viferon"

This product has been produced since 1998 by Feron LLC.

The suppositories contain, in addition to recombinant interferon alpha-2b, vitamins C and E, which stabilize cell membranes and enhance the effects of interferon. The base of the candle is cocoa butter (which can cause allergic reactions), as well as confectionery fat. The drug is available in the form of rectal suppositories (150,000, 500,000, 1,000,000, 3,000,000 units), as a gel and ointment. Suppositories are administered exclusively rectally. If the patient has genitourinary infections, then it is best to use Viferon in the form of a gel for insertion into the cervix or vagina.

The drug is approved for use from birth to treat children.

How to use

Many parents are interested in how to put Viferon candles on their children and how often it needs to be done. It should be noted that the exact dosage of the drug and the frequency of use of suppositories must be determined by the doctor. This information is also specified in the instructions for use for Viferon children's suppositories.

Practice shows that to treat infectious diseases in a child, one suppository should be inserted twice a day. This is only possible if the child is newborn and full-term. If the baby is premature and was born before 34 weeks, then for its treatment one should also use one suppository per day, but increasing the frequency to three times a day.

If a child suffers from hepatitis, then the treatment regimen directly depends on age. So, if the child is under six months old, then two suppositories (150,000 IU) should be used per day. From six months to a year, 500,000 IU should be used, from 1 to 7 years - 3,000,000 IU, and from 7 to 12 years, treatment should be carried out at a dosage of 5,000,000 IU.

The duration of such treatment should be at least 10 days. The decision to carry out further treatment should be made only by the pediatrician, based on the observations made and the conclusions drawn.

Can Viferon suppositories be given to children to prevent ARVI? Yes, experts note that this product is ideal for this. They recommend placing one candle per day for five days in a row. This helps to significantly improve the condition of the immune system and overcome pathogenic bacteria and microbes.

If during the treatment the child begins to develop an allergy to any component of the drug, expressed by itching or redness, then the treatment should simply be stopped - all manifestations should go away after 72 hours, when the medicine is removed from the child’s body naturally.

What are Viferon baby suppositories used for?

Viferon suppositories are prescribed to children when diagnosing the following diseases.

Acute respiratory viral infections . Most often they manifest themselves in the form of enterovirus infection and influenza. Children endure the disease quite hard, but complications cause even more harm to the fragile body. The diseases are accompanied by fever, muscle pain, headaches, and photophobia.
Pneumonia. It occurs when an infection enters the upper respiratory tract, which, without proper treatment, quickly descends downwards, reaching the lungs. Pneumonia is not always easy to recognize; the disease disguises itself as various pathologies. Common in children of preschool and primary school age. Often the disease causes complications in the heart.
Meningitis. Damage to the meninges by a virus, bacteria, fungi or protozoa. The disease is especially severe in children - vomiting begins, the temperature rises, photophobia, fever, and sometimes swelling of the extremities appear. Meningitis threatens with its consequences - mental retardation, toxic shock, and if not treated in a timely manner, death is possible.
Sepsis. Blood poisoning, in which the pathogen enters the blood and spreads throughout the body. The pathology is very difficult, with an increase in temperature and disruption of the circulatory, respiratory and nervous systems. Septic damage to the body is one of the leading causes of death in children.
Herpes. A viral infection of the body in which the child’s body becomes covered with a herpetic rash. The disease indicates weak immunity. Herpes cannot be cured because the child is a carrier of the virus.
Chlamydia . Appears in a child from a sick mother and is transmitted during childbirth. Children with strong immunity cope with the disease, but for sick children, chlamydia develops into pneumonia, purulent conjunctivitis, and rhinitis. Children become irritable, suffer from insomnia and seizures.
Cytomegalovirus. A disease similar to chlamydia. The main manifestations are muscle pain, lethargy, and increased body temperature.

Among the indications for the use of Viferon in children, the instructions indicate liver cirrhosis due to hepatitis, however, the prognosis for the incidence of congenital cirrhosis in children is unfavorable, therefore in this case Viferon provides only symptomatic treatment.

In addition to the treatment of infectious diseases, Viferon suppositories can be used for prevention. This is especially true for influenza and colds, which children so often suffer from in the winter and spring, when the body’s defenses begin to weaken.

How long does it take for it to start working?

How long do the main components of the candles in question take to power? Practice shows that the main active component of Viferon, artificial interferon, reacts with natural interferon within literally 15-20 minutes. Medical experts note that this indicator is quite good. Until the remedy begins to show reactions in the body, you cannot make any bodily movements - at this time it is better for the child to just lie down. In order to significantly facilitate this stage of the procedure for young children, it is best to carry it out before bedtime.

Optimal dosage

It should be noted that the dosage of the drug should be prescribed only by a doctor, and only after examining the patient. However, the instructions for use of the product indicate some dosages that are considered classic for certain age categories of patients.

At what age can Viferon suppositories be used for children? As experts in the field of medicine note, this drug is not harmful even to newborns, therefore the drug in question has no age restrictions.

Speaking about the dosage of Viferon suppositories for children under one year of age, it should be noted that for the youngest patients only a drug containing 150,000 IU is prescribed. In rare cases, a specialist may prescribe a remedy with an indicator of 500,000 IU.

If the product is used to neutralize the temperature caused by the teething process, its dosage must be determined by the doctor. As a rule, a specialist determines the following regimen for taking the drug: 1 suppository every 12 or 8 hours (for ages up to six months and from 6 months to a year, respectively). In the case of treatment of viral or chronic hepatitis, pediatricians advise using a product with a higher IU content. As a rule, the course of treatment in such a situation is about 10 days, after which it continues according to a different scheme: suppositories are used for another week, one at a time, every other day. Experts also note that if a pediatrician prescribes a dosage of 500,000 IU, then its use should be divided into two times.

How should dosage be determined for older children? When answering this question, medical experts are guided by the total surface area of the child’s body, which is calculated using a nomogram based on his weight and height. As for the standard dosage of the drug, children aged 1 to 7 years are prescribed a drug with an indicator of 3,000,000 IU/m2 of body area, and for those older than 7 years, the suppositories in question can be prescribed at a rate of 5,000,000 IU/m2. Experts assure that treatment with the drug in question in the indicated dosage helps even with complicated viral infections.

Instructions for use and dosage

Viferon suppositories are inserted into the anus for children, the gel and ointment are used topically (in the nose) or externally, applied to the affected areas of the skin and mucous membrane.

How to use suppositories for treatment purposes

The dosage of Viferon suppositories for children depends on the diagnosis and age of the minor.

For ARVI, the medication is prescribed according to the following regimens:

Viferon 150,000 IU for premature babies under 34 weeks of age is prescribed 1 suppository three times a day, at equal time intervals.
Viferon 1: Children over 34 weeks of age but under 7 years old are prescribed 1 suppository twice a day. The medicine must be administered to the child at regular intervals.
Viferon 500000 according to the instructions for use, children over 7 years old are prescribed 1 suppository twice a day.

The duration of treatment for ARVI is 5 days, but the pediatrician can extend the course of therapy.

For infections of newborns, Viferon 150,000 IU is prescribed in the following dosages:

for premature babies under 34 weeks it is inserted 1 piece 3 times a day;
For infants older than 34 weeks, the frequency of drug administration is reduced to 2 times a day.

The course of treatment is 5 days. How often Viferon suppositories can be given to children depends on the diagnosis:

for blood poisoning, cytomegalovirus infection, thrush, mycoplasmosis, the drug is prescribed up to 3 courses;
for meningitis, enterovirus infection, 1-2 courses;
for infections caused by herpes viruses, 2 courses are carried out.

For chronic hepatitis, the medication is prescribed in the following dosages:

For babies under six months old, the drug is administered in a daily dose of 300 thousand IU to 500 thousand IU;
for infants, the daily dosage is 500 thousand IU;
For patients aged 1-7 years, the medicine is prescribed in a daily dose of 3 million IU per 1 m2;
For patients over 7 years of age, the medication is prescribed in a daily dose of 5 million IU per 1 m2.

In the first 10 days, the medicine is administered twice a day every day, then 3 times a week, every other day, for six months to a year. The duration of therapy is determined by the doctor depending on the test results and the severity of the clinical picture.

The daily dosage of Viferon for each child is calculated individually by multiplying the dosage for that age by the surface area of the body, calculated using a special nomogram. The daily dose is divided by 2 times and rounded up.

Viferon ointment: how to use for children

For Viferon ointment, the instructions for use for children read:

If signs of herpes appear, lubricate the affected areas up to 4 times a day for a week.
For ARVI, the ointment is placed in the nasal cavity of children aged 1-2 years, 1 ball 5 mm in size three times a day, for patients aged 2-12 years in the same dosages, but 4 times a day. For patients aged 12-18 years, the medicine should be administered 1 10 mm ball 4 times a day. The course lasts up to 5 days.

How to use the gel for treatment purposes

According to the instructions for use of Viferon gel for children:

for ARVI, you need to apply a maximum of 0.5 cm to the nasal mucosa or tonsils, the frequency of application can vary from 3 to 5 times a day, the duration of therapy is from 5 days;
for false croup, the drug is applied to the tonsils in the acute phase 5 times a day for 5-7 days, then the frequency of application is reduced to 3 times a day, and therapy continues for 21 days;
for herpes, lubricate the affected areas 3 to 5 times a day for a week.

The following rules must be observed when using the gel:

The drug is applied to the nasal mucosa after clearing it of mucus.
You can lubricate the tonsils with gel half an hour after eating, but you should not touch them with a cotton swab, but only with the medicine, which should drain from them on its own.
Lubricating the lesions on the skin and mucous membranes with the drug, after 30-40 minutes a thin film is formed, onto which the drug is reapplied. Before lubricating the lesions again, it can be removed. It washes off easily.

How to use Viferon for children for prevention

For prevention, Viferon is prescribed to children in the form of a gel:

During the cold season, the medication is applied to the nasal mucosa or tonsils twice a day for 15 to 30 days.
In order to prevent exacerbation of false croup, the gel is applied to the tonsils twice a day, the course of therapy can vary from 21 to 28 days, it should be carried out every six months.

Contraindications

Having considered the indications for Viferon suppositories (for children), it is necessary to note the only case when the use of this product is strictly prohibited - allergies. It manifests itself in the form of redness and the presence of itching sensations. If there are any signs of allergy to Viferon suppositories (in a child) or to one of the components included in the product, its use should be stopped immediately. Practice shows that all symptoms are eliminated almost immediately.

Medical experts say that cases of allergies in children to the components of the drug are quite rare. They also note that this phenomenon cannot in any way be related to an overdose of the drug - its cases are simply not observed.

The use of "Viferon" is possible in combination with most other drugs, which can be considered one of the advantages of the drug

Price

Many medical experts recommend this particular remedy for treatment because it is very effective and, at the same time, quite cheap. Its cost directly depends on the dosage of the main component of the drug - interferon. So, “Viferon” 150,000 IU will cost about 280 rubles, and the price of 500,000 IU is from 400 rubles for a blister consisting of 10 candles.

It is worth noting that the pricing policy of analogues of this product fluctuates around the same indicator, and Viferon’s quality indicators do not apply to them. That is why, before purchasing a product, you should clearly decide which drug you need to take to eliminate the problem: the original or its analogue.

Reviews of Viferon candles

Both doctors and patients themselves express a lot of positive feedback about Viferon suppositories for children. They note that this product has a fairly fast-acting effect. Experts in the field of medicine note that even with prolonged use of this drug, the child’s body does not produce antibodies, due to which the drug continues to have the necessary effect without causing addiction.

The drug in question is especially valued for the fact that it can be used to treat very young children. Moreover, it is ideal for consumption by newborn babies and expectant mothers. This is due to the fact that the product contains no substances harmful to the body. With fever, Viferon suppositories for children help quite quickly - according to comments left by parents of young patients, after a few hours significant improvements become noticeable and the temperature subsides.

The advantage of Viferon suppositories is that this drug has a fairly affordable pricing policy and is also very convenient to use.

According to pediatricians, this drug should be used only on the recommendation of a medical specialist. As they note in their comments, many parents, knowing that the drug is harmless, prefer to treat their baby with it after every sneeze. As a result of this, it may happen that the body loses the habit of fighting infections on its own, with the result that after a few years the teenager will have such a weak immune system that the disease can overcome him with the onset of the first cold snap. In this regard, a question arises regarding Viferon suppositories - how often can children be given this remedy? Experts cannot answer this question unequivocally, drawing the attention of patients and their parents to the fact that each situation is individual and the frequency of taking the drug must be determined by the doctor based on the data obtained from the analysis.

Analogs

How to replace Viferon candles for a child? Modern pharmaceutical companies manufacture and produce a lot of worthy analogues of the candles in question, some of which have the same composition, but are cheaper. Certain products contain slightly modified dosages of components. Let us next consider several worthy analogues of the remedy in question, which can be used to relieve inflammation resulting from the entry of pathogenic microorganisms into the body.

"Genferon." Medical experts recognize this product as one of the best analogues of Viferon. Both of these medications have almost identical composition, as well as indications for use. If there is a problem in treating a child, then it is best for parents to use a lightweight product labeled “Light” - it contains a reduced concentration of the main active ingredient. This remedy is also presented in the form of suppositories (rectal suppositories). The minimum con is 150,000 IU. In Russian pharmacies, the cost of this drug is about 200-300 rubles per package, which the majority of the population considers an acceptable figure.
"Kipferon". Another worthy analogue of Viferon candles for children is Kipferon. These suppositories, intended for rectal administration, also do not have any age restrictions - the product can even be used to treat newborn children and pregnant women. "Kipferon" has a higher pricing policy than "Viferon", but not a single specialist in the field of medicine doubts its effectiveness (the cost of "Kipferon" in Russian pharmacies is about 600 rubles per pack).
"Anaferon". “Anaferon” is another wonderful analogue of “Viferon” suppositories for children, which, according to medical experts, is absolutely safe for children at any age. The medicine is presented in the form of sublingual tablets packaged in blisters. The cost of one such plate in Russian pharmacies is about 200 rubles, which, according to most, is quite acceptable. In addition, many parents of young patients note the effectiveness of the product. The use of Anaferon is allowed only for those children who have reached 1 year of age.

"Laferobion". This drug, made in the form of intrarectal suppositories, can be used without any age restrictions and even by pregnant girls, as well as nursing mothers. In addition to the main components contained in Viferon, Leferobion contains auxiliary components that allow substances to better penetrate the body - solid fat and an oil solution. The product also receives a lot of positive comments about its ease of use, as well as the quick action of the main ingredients. “Laferobion” is a remedy that not only kills viruses that have entered the body, but also strengthens the child’s immune system.
"Giaferon". This analogue of “Viferon” is also endowed with excellent properties, which are expressed in providing anti-inflammatory, as well as immunomodulating effects on the body. The main components of this product are the same artificial interferon, as well as sodium hyaluronate. Experts in the field of pediatrics strongly recommend using this drug to treat viruses in the body of a child under 7 years of age; Giaferon is not contraindicated for representatives of other age groups. Reviews of candles with this name mention that it copes well with the symptoms of ARVI. If desired, it can be used in the form of a nasal spray. The pricing policy for candles is around 300 rubles per package.

Varieties of Viferon

The main active ingredient of the drug in question is human recombinant alpha-2b interferon. This protein is produced by our body. With insufficient interferon, viruses, the causative agents of the disease, begin to actively multiply. To help the body, the substance is introduced externally as part of Viferon.

Based on the amount of the main component, there are several types of medication:

Viferon-1. Its packaging is marked with a blue stripe. The suppository contains 150 thousand units of interferon. This type of medication is prescribed to patients under 7 years of age and is used for preventive measures aimed at reducing the level of infectious diseases in pregnant women.
Viferon-2. There are already 500 thousand units of the main substance in the candle. The pack has a green stripe. The drug is prescribed to schoolchildren and pregnant women.
Viferon-3. There is 1 million interferon in it. The medicine pack has a purple stripe. It is used in the treatment of older children, as well as adults.
Viferon-4. Each suppository is loaded with 3 million units of immune-stimulating protein. The medicine is suitable for patients aged 13 years and older.

The first of these options is used in the treatment of viral and other infectious diseases in premature newborns.

There are different forms of release of Viferon. Candles are common. An alternative is ointment and gel. They are suitable for eliminating infections of the mucous membranes.