Ingavirin or Kagocel - which better helps to cope with a cold? Everyone chooses the most suitable option for themselves, taking into account not only the composition and number of contraindications available, but also the price aspect.
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What is better for the prevention and treatment of acute respiratory viral infections
Answering the question of which is more effective, Kagocel or Ingavirin, you need to understand how the drug acts on the body.
Ingavirin has a virucidal effect, actively fights against rhino- and adenovirus, influenza B and A, parainfluenza. The drug does not allow the pathogenic virus to multiply due to the destruction of its nucleoprotein, it has immunomodulating activity.
Kagocel stimulates the production of natural interferons, which the human immune system itself can produce to fight viruses. The drug does not have the ability to destroy pathogenic cells and prevent an infectious disease, but significantly reduces the severity of its course. Therefore, Kagocel is considered an immunostimulating agent that shows its effectiveness with timely treatment.
Comparative characteristics of Ingavirin and Kagocel
Ingavirin and Kagocel - the development of domestic pharmaceutical companies. They are part of the antiviral group. Ingavirin is presented in capsule form - each capsule is 30 mg, 60 mg and 90 mg. Kagocel is released in the form of tablets in one dosage - 12 mg.
Ingvarine's main component is dicarbamine, which may also be called pentanedioic imidazolylethanamide or vitaglutam. The basis of this substance is the biogenic amine histamine, which is important for the human body.
Histamine contributes to:
- decrease in pressure in the arteries;
- muscle contraction of the bronchus;
- improving the throughput of the vascular walls;
- strengthening immunity;
- an increase in the amount of juice secreted by the stomach.
Important. The dicarbamine included in the drug has the property of stimulating the entry into the blood of leukocytes, which are involved in a nonspecific immune response. This factor allows the drug to be used by patients who have undergone chemotherapy to restore immunity.
The main value of Kagocel is its plant origin. It contains gossypol, secreted from the roots, stems and seeds of cotton, which has antiviral and antimicrobial properties.
Composition (active substance)
To understand the principle of action of drugs, it is worth carefully studying the composition.
Ingavirin (one capsule):
- Vitaglutam - 90 mg (active substance).
- Potato apparatusin, lactose, cellulose glycolic acid, magnesium stearate, polysorb (additional substances).
- Quinoline yellow azorubine, titanium dioxide, gelatin, ponso 4R or crimson dye (capsule shell).
Kagocel (one tablet):
- Kagocel - 12 mg (active pharmaceutical substance).
- Stearic acid, calcium salt, potato apparatusin, povidone, lactose monohydrate (additional substances).
The composition of both drugs does not contain hazardous components.
Indications, contraindications and side effects
The spectrum of appointment of Ingavirin and Kagocel is similar.
Kagocel shown:
- for the prevention and treatment of acute respiratory viral infections and influenza in children from 6 years old and adults;
- for the treatment of herpes infection in adults.
Application restrictions include:
- bearing a child;
- breast-feeding;
- individual increased susceptibility;
- lactose deficiency;
- glucose galactose malabsorption;
- hypolactasia;
- children under 6 years old.
Negative effects:
- vomiting
- nausea;
- allergic reactions;
- heaviness and pain in the stomach;
- diarrhea.
Kagocel can be taken together with antibiotics and other drugs of its own group and immunomodulators. With the right dosage and adherence to the dosage regimen, negative effects are rare, and the components of the drug do not accumulate in the blood.
Ingavirin - indications:
- the prevention and treatment of influenza B and bird flu;
- treatment and prevention of anthroponous, adenovirus and paramyxovirus infections.
Application Restrictions:
- bearing a child;
- breast-feeding;
- individual intolerance to the components of the drug;
- patient's age is up to 18 years.
Negative impact:
- allergic reaction;
- itching
- nausea.
Combining Ingavirin with other agents from the same line is not recommended. And it is not worth using Ingavirin for young children without the advice of a doctor.
Important. Both drugs did not pass a comprehensive study on pregnant and lactating women. Therefore, if it becomes necessary to take Kagocel or Ingavirin in this period, it is worth consulting with a specialist, and if possible, refuse breastfeeding for a while.
Price Comparison
No less important when choosing a particular drug is its cost.
Kagocel can be bought for about 240 rubles. There are 10 tablets in a pack, while a course of treatment will require at least 20 pieces. Therefore, for the period of the disease, you will need to purchase 2 packs, which will cost 450-500 rubles.
The cost of Ingavirin is approximately 450 rubles. Ingavirin 90 mg tablets are packaged in a box of 7 pieces. The full course of treatment will require exactly this number of capsules.
Therefore, there is no significant difference in the cost of full treatment.The amounts spent on Kagocel 12 mg and Ingavirin tablets are almost the same.
Performance comparison
Only the trial method will help answer the question of what is best with ARVI. According to studies, it has been proven that both drugs can be equally effective if taken correctly, following the general recommendations for treatment:
- Drugs should be drunk in the first few hours after the onset of cold symptoms.
- Tablets or capsules are best consumed at the same time.
- During treatment, you need to drink plenty of fluids.
- If possible, observe bed rest.
Regarding the prevention of disease, Kagocel is the most acceptable, since it significantly activates the immune system. But in any case, it is impossible to completely protect the body from the effects of viruses, you can only weaken the severity of the course of the disease.
Ingavirin and Kagocel can have a different effect on the well-being of a person, and therefore they can give an uneven effect. If Kagocel was prescribed at the first visit to the doctor, but it caused some adverse reactions, then the same specialist can replace it with Ingavirin.
Can I take drugs during pregnancy?
Each drug has a number of factors that prevent it from taking the medicine to absolutely all categories of citizens. These include the period of bearing a child. Some doctors take responsibility and prescribe funds for their patients in the position of the funds, in the annotations to which it is written that they are contraindicated during pregnancy. In this case, the specialist assesses the possible risks and calculates a special dosage suitable for the woman.
Kagocel is contraindicated in pregnant and lactating women in the same way as Ingavirin. These drugs have not been fully studied in this direction, so their administration is possible only after consulting a doctor. It is worth considering that gossypol, which is part of Kagocel, although it is “purified” and safe for humans, will become a strong toxin during certain chemical reactions (may occur when taking certain drugs). In this case, the woman’s body will begin to reject the fetus, which is extremely dangerous throughout pregnancy.
Note. In Western countries, gossypol has been actively used for several centuries as a contraceptive that even men could take.
Analogues of medicines
There are no foreign analogues of Ingavirin and Kagocel. Among Russian drugs, analogues of Ingavirin are considered such drugs as:
- Ribavirin - is available in capsule and tablet forms. The smallest pack of tablets costs about 130 rubles.
- Remantadine - the package contains 20 tablets. The cost is from 100 rubles.
- Anaferon - for 20 tablets you will have to pay about 250 rubles.
The analogues of Kagocel include:
- Arpeflu - also treats viral diseases, will cost about 250 rubles for 20 tablets.
- Alpizarin - does not help against flu, but is used to treat herpes, chickenpox, and pityriasis versicolor. The cost is about 200 rubles.
- Arbidol - is made in three forms - tablets, capsules and suspension. The smallest pack of tablets in 10 pieces will cost about 170 rubles.
- Ergoferon - 20 tablets will cost about 350 rubles.
It’s quite difficult to say which of the drugs in question works best with viruses. They have their own specific advantages and some disadvantages. When choosing an antiviral agent, you need to rely on the recommendations of doctors. What is not always suitable for a friend is an ideal choice for you. If you focus on the cost, then the drugs (for the full course of treatment) have the same price. Ingavirin is a little easier to take than Kagocel, just drink one capsule per day at the same time.
Despite the popularity of antiviral drugs among doctors and patients, it is wise to approach the use of these funds.Stimulating immunity from the outside can lead to the fact that the body itself will begin to “be lazy,” and antiviral drugs will be required more and more often. Doctors consider it permissible to conduct no more than 4 courses of treatment in a year with such means, so as not to “kill” their own immune system.
