The cold season, which is often accompanied by precipitation, lasts quite a long time in our latitude. And as you know, in conditions of high humidity, viruses multiply and spread well. Usually, all colds (ARVI or flu) begin with a simple runny nose. In no case should this symptom be ignored so that complications do not arise in the future. This means that special attention should be paid to the source of infection, which at the very beginning is localized, as a rule, in the nasopharynx.
According to WHO statistics, viral diseases are the most common on the planet. They affect people of all ages. In the treatment, antiviral agents are used in the nose.
Varieties and principle of action of drugs of this type
There are several types of medicines against viruses in the form of drops, ointments and sprays. by the mostcommon are drops based on human interferon - a polypeptide that has an immunomodulatory and antiviral effect. In addition, interferon inducers act as active components - substances that actively stimulate the production of natural interferon in the body.
When a virus enters the nasal passages, it binds to the surface of the host cell, and then penetrates in its entirety (endocytosis) or introduces its nucleic acid into the cell using special mechanisms. Antiviral medicines act at various stages of the spread of viruses. Some destroy its particles, while others stop their synthesis and distribution.
To fight microbial and viral infection in the body, there are special substances - interferons (protein molecules). They arrive at the site of introduction of an infectious agent and reduce the susceptibility of tissues to its negative effects. Interferon inductors help to increase its production to suppress subsequent infection and fight the pathological process.
Indications for the use of medications
Antiviral agents in the nose are used for the treatment and prevention of diseases of the ARVI group and influenza. There are few contraindications to the use of such drugs, and the main one is hypersensitivity to the composition of the drug.
Most drugs are made on the basis of interferon, which has a protein base, which can cause allergic reactions. Therefore, such products should be used with caution in people who have intolerance to chicken eggs.
Rules for the use of drugs
It is advisable not to use antiviral drugs in the nose more than 2 times a year. This is due to the fact that they can adversely affect the state of immunity, especially in a child. Frequent use of such drugs reduces the level of its own interferon, which makes the body susceptible to bacterial and viral infections.
In addition, antiviral drugs in the nose are not used in conjunction with vasoconstrictor drugs, as this can cause excessive dryness of the mucous membrane. The main rule for the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections is that solutions of interferon and other antiviral drugs should not be the main means of treatment, they should only be used in combination (most often with oral medications for systemic action). Before instillation into the nose, it is recommended to heat the bottle in your hands. With a severe runny nose and nasal congestion, you must first clear the nasal passages of mucus by washing with saline.
For the best effect, antiviral drugs in the nose should be used as early as possible the onset of pathological symptoms, since the body begins to produce interferons on its own only on the 3rd day from the onset of the disease.
Overview of popular tools
All medicines in this category are designed to fight viral infections and have almost the same mechanismeffects, but they are far from uniform. Different medicines have different properties. The most popular among them are:
- Grippferon;
- "Nazoferon";
- "Derinat";
- "Ingaron";
- "Viferon" (ointment);
- Genferon Light.
Grippferon
These are colorless antiviral nose drops for children, bottled in 10 or 5 ml bottles, Russian-made. The shelf life of this medication is 2 years, but the opened vial should be stored no longer than 1 month. The active substance of this drug is human recombinant interferon alfa-2b. The medicinal product has an intense immunomodulatory, antiviral and anti-inflammatory effect and is prescribed for the treatment of catarrhal pathologies, as well as for their prevention.
This antiviral medicine in the nose is allowed to be taken by pregnant women and children from birth. Contraindications for use are the tendency to develop allergic reactions and individual intolerance to interferon. Therapy lasts 5 days.
For preventive purposes, after contact with a sick person or hypothermia, it is recommended to use these inexpensive antiviral nasal drops twice a day. One click on the vial is equal to 1 dose of medicine.
It is undesirable to use vasoconstrictor drops and sprays at the same time to avoid drying out of the mucous membrane. As a side effect, the manufacturer indicates allergicreactions, which is also confirmed by patient reviews (appearance of rashes on the skin). In general, this medication is characterized positively and is one of the safest and most effective. When using it, there is a reduction in the recovery time, good tolerance and no complications.
Nazoferon
This is a Ukrainian-made antiviral nose for adults and children. It comes in two forms:
- nasal drops: transparent, colorless, 5 ml each in glass bottles with droppers;
- nasal spray: transparent, colorless, 5 ml in glass bottles with a dosing pump.
The drug "Nazoferon" has antimicrobial, antiviral, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. Interferon - the active component of this drug - an immune mediator, which has a pronounced tissue specificity, contributes to protection against pathogens of infectious diseases.
The main effects of the drug "Nazoferon":
- Inhibition of virus replication (adenovirus, influenza virus) due to the overwhelming effect on the processes of translation and transcription.
- Inhibition of the processes of reproduction of cells infected with viruses (antiproliferative effect).
- Initiating the production of protein kinase, a specific enzyme that prevents translation due to phosphorylation of one of the initiating factors of this process.
- Activation of a specific ribonuclease that damages the viral matrixRNA.
- Induction of specific enzyme production.
- Stimulation of the synthesis of other cytokines.
- Inhibition of cell proliferation.
- Immunomodulation (increases the phagocytic activity of macrophages).
Drops and spray are prescribed for the prevention and treatment of SARS and colds in people of all ages. The drug is used for prolonged and frequent diseases of the respiratory tract, as well as after contact with patients, after hypothermia, with a seasonal increase in the incidence in adults and children's groups. The drug "Nazoferon" is contraindicated at the age of up to 1 month (for drops) or 1 year (for spray), during pregnancy, lactation and allergic diseases.
Derinat
What other antiviral nose drops can adults and children use? "Derinat" is a Russian medicine for external and local use: transparent, colorless, 10 or 20 ml is poured into glass bottles or 10 ml into dropper bottles or into bottles with a spray nozzle. The active ingredient of this antiviral agent in the nose is sodium deoxyribonucleate (0.25%).
The medicine "Derinat" activates the processes of the cellular and humoral immune system. Its immunomodulatory effect is provided by the stimulation of B-lymphocytes and T-helpers. The drug activates the body's nonspecific resistance, reduces inflammatory reactions, increases the immune response to fungal, viral and bacterial antigens, stimulates reparative and regenerative processes, increasesresistance of the organism to the action of infections, contributes to the regulation of hematopoiesis (normalization of the number of leukocytes, lymphocytes, platelets, granulocytes, phagocytes).
Due to the pronounced lymphotropism, the use of Derinat stimulates the drainage and detoxification functions of the lymphatic system. The drug significantly reduces the sensitivity of cells to the effects of radiation therapy and does not have embryotoxic, teratogenic and carcinogenic effects.
This medicine in the nose has only one contraindication - sensitivity to the components of the composition, and its use is allowed for children from the 1st day of life.
Ingaron
This medicine is antiviral in the nose for children and adults. It can be used as a primary treatment or as part of a combination therapy.
The drug "Ingaron" is produced in a single form - a lyophilizate for making a solution for intramuscular, subcutaneous or intranasal administration. Therapeutic effects are provided by interferon gamma, the active component of the drug. This substance is normally produced in the body by cells of the immune system and performs a number of functions. The composition of the drug contains recombinant interferon gamma obtained through genetic engineering technologies.
These inexpensive, but effective antiviral nose drops have an immunomodulatory and antiviral effect, stimulate the activity of the immune system, so that it quickly detects and suppresses viruses and cells damaged by them. Antiviral actionThis medication is due to indirect and direct effects on viruses. The direct effect is that interferon gamma blocks the production of viral proteins, DNA and RNA. The indirect effect of the drug is to stimulate the cells of the immune system to produce more substances that have a detrimental effect on the infection. The medication is prescribed at any age.
Viferon
This antiviral agent is produced in Russia in the form of an ointment for local and external use, yellowish-white in color with a specific odor. The composition of the drug contains recombinant interferon alfa-2b. The agent is an antiviral, immunomodulatory drug that is applied to the inner surface of the nasal passages. This antiviral nasal ointment for children and adults also has anti-proliferative properties.
Contraindication to its use is age under 1 year and sensitivity to the drug.
Genferon Light
This medical product is produced by a domestic pharmaceutical company and has two forms: an antiviral nasal spray and drops. This tool, when instilled into the nose, has an immunomodulatory and antiviral effect, stimulates the functions of the immune system, so that it quickly detects and suppresses viruses and cells damaged by them.
The antiviral effect of this medication is due to indirect and direct effects on viruses. The direct effect is that the active substance blocksviral proteins and inhibits the reproduction of viruses. The indirect effect of the drug is to stimulate the cells of the immune system, which produce more active substances that have a detrimental effect on viruses. Taurine, present in the composition of this drug, is a strong antioxidant that has membrane-stabilizing and immunomodulatory properties. It normalizes metabolic processes and restores tissues. Effectively preserves the bioactivity of interferon, which increases the therapeutic effect of Genferon Light.
This nasal antiviral agent is contraindicated in drops for children under 1 month, and in the form of a spray - up to 14 years. The medicine is also not used in case of high sensitivity to its components.
Conclusion
Antiviral drugs in the nose are very popular today. Patients characterize them as safe, inexpensive medicines to increase immune defenses and successfully fight infections. "Grippferon" drops are recognized as the most effective antiviral nose drops, due to their low price and the possibility of use in infants. A fairly well-known and proven drug from this series is also Viferon ointment.
