With the advent of autumn, and even more so winter, the number of manifestations of the common cold, respiratory diseases and cases of flu increases. To avoid spending time in bed with a high fever and a lot of unpleasant symptoms, you should turn to medications, among which Kagocel is very popular.
Material Content:
- 1 Release form, composition and packaging
- 2 Pharmacological action, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics
- 3 In what cases is Kagocel prescribed
- 4 Instructions for use for children and adults
- 5 During pregnancy and breastfeeding
- 6 Drug Interactions with Other Drugs
- 7 Contraindications, side effects and overdose
- 8 Analogues of the drug
Release form, composition and packaging
The antiviral drug in pharmacies is presented in packs, in which, as a rule, a plate with 10 tablets of 100 mg and an instruction for use are enclosed. Depending on the manufacturer, the number of records can vary from 1 to 3 pieces. Kagocel tablets are released freely; a doctor’s prescription is not required.
The composition of the drug includes the same active substance kagocel (12 mg), as well as related components:
- 10 mg potato starch;
- 0.65 mg calcium stearate;
- the amount of lactose monohydrate, povidone and crospovidone needed to produce a 100 mg tablet.
Pharmacological action, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics
Due to the content of the active substance kagocel in tablets, the body's response to infection, characteristic of ARVI disease, improves. A chemical compound acts on the immune system in such a way that interferons of types alpha and beta are subsequently formed.The latter are designed to quickly neutralize the viruses that enter inside. This feature has determined the place of Kagocel in the list of antiviral drugs that stimulate the formation of interferons.
Important! Do not confuse drugs like Kagotsel with medicines that directly affect the pathogens.
After ingestion of one dose of the drug, an increase in the titer of interferons is noted in the body. The maximum value of the latter in blood serum is fixed after a two-day period. The response of interferons to the ingestion of the active substance into the body can be characterized as a prolonged circulation of the former in the bloodstream. Given the dynamics of their accumulation, the maximum effect of this medication is achieved on the 5th day.
"Kagocel" is usually prescribed as a therapeutic agent.
Among the advantages:
- non toxicity;
- lack of mutagenicity and teratogenicity.
To achieve the maximum effectiveness of therapy, a course of treatment should be started within 4 days after infection, no later than.
If the drug is used to prevent viral diseases, then the terms are not strictly indicated - it is possible to take it even immediately after contact with an infected person.
In general, the accumulation of the drug occurs in the liver after a day after administration. A lesser degree is concentrated in the lungs, thymus, spleen, kidneys, lymph nodes, heart. If we talk about blood plasma, then in this environment the drug is concentrated bound. When the introduction of an antiviral drug is repeated, the distribution has a wide range in all of the above organs. When taking Kagocel, 20% of the total volume appears in the bloodstream, the remaining amount is more associated with proteins and lipids, and only 16% remains unbound.
The withdrawal route is through the intestines. After a week after taking the medication, 88% of the accepted volume is excreted. The presence of the active substance in the air during exhalation is not fixed.
In what cases is Kagocel prescribed
The pharmaceutical product under discussion is prescribed for various purposes:
- as a prophylactic or drug against influenza and SARS;
- As a treatment tool, “Kagocel” is prescribed for adults against herpes.
Important! If Kagocel is prescribed for children, then it is worth considering age requirements. The tool is used in pediatric practice to treat patients older than 3 years.
Instructions for use for children and adults
The drug is taken orally. Time does not depend on food intake, since the absorption of the active substance in the gastrointestinal tract does not require the presence of food in it. The tablets are swallowed whole, to facilitate this procedure, it is better to drink a certain amount of water.
The scheme of prevention and therapy depends on the patient's return group and indications:
| Indication | Children | Adults |
|---|---|---|
| In the treatment of influenza and SARS | Children under 6 years of age are prescribed a therapeutic course lasting 4 days, when the first two patients should take 2 tablets twice, and in the subsequent - 1 tablet once. If the child overcame the age threshold of 6 years, then the treatment is carried out in a similar period of time, but in the first 2 days, three tablets are taken 1 tablet, and then 1 tablet twice. | The course of therapy is 4 days, of which in the first two doses it is carried out at the rate of 2 tablets three times a day, and in the following three times, but 1 tablet each. |
| In the prevention of the above diseases | The daily norm is 1 tablet once. The course is a cyclic treatment according to Scheme 2 through 5. The duration of the procedure as a whole depends on the effectiveness and can range from 7 to 60 days. | The daily norm is 2 tablets once. The course is conducted during the weekly period.Then there is a five-day break, after which, if necessary, the prophylactic administration of the medicine is repeated. |
| In the treatment of herpes | – | The duration of the course is 5 days, during which the patient takes 2 tablets daily 3 times. |
During pregnancy and breastfeeding
Despite the fact that the antiviral drug has been available on the pharmaceutical market for a long time and in large numbers, there is very little information about the results of its clinical trials. Therefore, it is impossible to say unequivocally about its safety.
The instructions for the drug indicate that at all trimesters of gestation and during breastfeeding, Kagocel should not be taken.
Drug Interactions with Other Drugs
You can take Kagocel in combination with other antiviral drugs, as well as with immunomodulators and antibiotics with an additive effect. The discussed tool enhances the impact of the above funds. But with an integrated approach, it is better to consult a doctor who will select the most effective treatment regimen with the inclusion or exclusion of additional drugs.
Contraindications, side effects and overdose
Tolerance of the drug "Kagocel" by patients is characterized as good, since the drug is non-toxic and does not accumulate in the patient's body. It is not carcinogenic.
But despite all the advantages, as a result of taking the medicine, they may note:
- nausea
- heaviness in the stomach;
- skin rashes against a background of allergies;
- systemic allergic reactions.
According to the manufacturer’s instructions, there are instructions on restricting the use of the drug to lactating women and those in position, as well as people with poor lactose tolerance and children until they reach the age of four.
During the use of the medicine, there are sometimes cases of overdoses, when nausea, vomiting and pain in the epigastric region can occur. In this situation, symptomatic therapy using sorbents or gastric lavage is performed.
On a note! About the facts of the negative effect of the drug on psychomotor reactions and concentration, which are especially important when driving vehicles, no information has been received for the entire time Kagocel has been on the pharmaceutical market.
Analogues of the drug
Among the analogues of "Kagocel", which are represented in the pharmacy kiosks quite a large number, stand out:
- Amizon. The drug, which is intended to treat not only the flu and acute viral infections, but also for the treatment of measles and rubella.
- Amiksin. A drug with a similar mechanism of action, which consists in stimulating the formation of interferons.
- Arbidol. An effective drug that combats manifestations of influenza, acute respiratory viral infections, as well as complications after pneumonia, bronchitis, recurrent herpetic infections.
- Hyporamine. The tool, in addition to the treatment of influenza, has proven itself in the treatment of angina, proceeding against the background of an acute respiratory viral disease.
- Ingavirin. A distinctive feature of the drug is the direct effect of the active substance on influenza pathogens and other acute respiratory infections.
- Oxolinic ointment. A widely used product intended for application to mucous membranes in order to counteract diseases due to the virucidal effect on the infection.
- "Panavir". The drug is an analogue of “Kagocel” only in terms of blocking the spread of herpetic infection, representing a purified extract of plant shoots.
- Ergoferon. Unlike other medicines, this one refers to homeopathic remedies that are used in the complex treatment of acute respiratory diseases and various types of flu.
So, if the first symptoms of influenza or SARS appear, then it is worth immediately starting treatment. Due to the non-toxicity of the drug and the lack of the need for a prescription, Kagocel treatment can be started from the first days. It is such a regimen that will increase the effectiveness of therapy and prevent complications.
