When any ailment occurs, you want to get rid of it as soon as possible, so the search for a drug that can help in this situation as soon as possible takes an important place in the selection of treatment methods. One of the remedies that begin to immediately exert their effect after administration for acute respiratory infections and influenza is the drug "Genferon Light" (spray), effective both for the treatment and prevention of viral colds. This is due to the correct choice of the method of administration, due to which the drug is delivered directly to the place where the pathogen enters the body (the gate of infection), as well as the composition of the drug, which includes interferon and taurine.
Pharmacological group
This drug belongs to the group of immunomodulators. It consists of recombinant human interferon alfa-2b, obtained using a strain of Escherichia coli bacteria, into which the human interferon gene, which has the ability to increase the body's defenses, and the substance taurine, which causes an antimicrobial effect, have been inserted through genetic engineering.
The drug exhibits a complex action:
- immunomodulating and stimulating, which consists in harmonizing and strengthening the work of the body's defenses, manifested by alpha-2b-interferon;
- antiviral, characterized by suppression of the activity and ability to reproduce the pathogen at the site of its penetration into the body;
- antiproliferative, which consists in the inhibition of the reproduction of bacteria and cancer cells;
- mediated antibacterial;
- anti-inflammatory.
Possessing immunostimulatory and antiviral activity, the drug "Genferon Light" (spray), reviews of the use of which note its high efficiency in ARVI, after injection into the nasal passages, begins to act immediately, suppressing the development of infection at the earliest stages.
Mechanism of action
Getting on the nasal mucosa, the medicinal substance has a pronounced local effect in the focus of infection and a general effect on the body as a whole.
The general mechanism is due to the properties of the active ingredients contained in the preparation "Genferon Light" (spray):
- antiviral effect is associated with the activation of intracellular enzymes that inhibit the reproduction of viruses;
- immunomodulatory activity is due to an increase in the reactivity of the body's immune forces, which is associated with stimulation of CD8+ T-killers, NK cells, increased differentiation of B-lymphocytes and their production of antibodies and other cellular immunity factors;
- stimulation going onmonocyte-macrophage systems and phagocytosis processes, as well as an increase in the expression of molecules of the main complex responsible for type 1 histocompatibility (which increases the likelihood of recognition of infected cells by agents of the human immune system;
- activation of white blood cells, which occurs under the action of interferon, which is part of the drug, allows you to stimulate the protective bodies of all layers of the mucous membrane, ensuring their direct participation in the suppression of pathological foci;
- in addition, under the stimulating effect of human interferon, the production of such a protective factor as secretory immunoglobulin A is restored;
- antibacterial effect indirectly depends on the enhancement of the immune response that occurs due to the introduction of interferon;
- normalization of metabolic processes and an increase in the regenerative capacity of tissues occurs under the action of taurine, which has membrane-stabilizing and immunomodulatory activity;
- taurine, being an antioxidant, prevents the accumulation of free oxygen in tissues, which prevents the spread of pathological processes in them;
- interferon, changing the metabolic processes in the cells of the smallest infectious agents, such as viruses or chlamydia, can stop the process of their reproduction and further spread.
Issue form
The drug "Genferon" is produced in the form of candles and spray. The latter is a lighta transparent liquid enclosed under pressure in a dark glass bottle, ending with a dispenser equipped with a safety cap. The package contains 100 doses containing 50,000 IU of human recombinant interferon alfa-2b and 0.001 g of taurine each. Additional components include disodium edetate dihydrate, glycerol, dextran, polysorbate, sodium and potassium chloride, peppermint oil, which should be taken into account if there is an individual intolerance to any of these substances. Suppositories, intended for both rectal and vaginal administration, are available in two dosages (120,000 and 250,000 IU), which allows them to be used by both adults and children in accordance with the need.
Indications for use
Genferon Light (spray) has shown high efficacy in clinical trials for the treatment and prevention of influenza and other acute respiratory infections in adults and children over 14 years of age, which allows them to recommend it for this purpose.
This spray cannot be considered only as a remedy for the common cold, as it acts in a complex way on the state of the whole organism as a whole, suppressing the reproduction of viruses at the injection site (the respiratory mucosa itself), excluding the development of concomitant bacterial microflora and stimulating human defenses.
Such a complex action makes it possible to recommend the drug "Genferon Light" (spray) for many diseases. The instruction speaks of its high efficiency:
- as a treatment for various viral diseases,predominantly respiratory tract, and prevention of their occurrence, especially during epidemics;
- as an auxiliary medicine for acute and chronic sinusitis, bronchitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, tracheitis, tonsillitis and other diseases;
- to restore local immunity in the period after the cure for influenza and other acute respiratory viral infections;
- in preparation for planned surgical interventions on ENT organs and after them.
Contraindications
The drug "Genferon Light" (spray), reviews of the treatment of which indicate the effective suppression of colds already in the initial stages, can not be used by everyone. Do not appoint him:
- people with hypersensitivity to interferon alfa-2b, taurine or other components that make up the drug;
- children under the age of 14, since the spray is only available in adult dosages;
- patients with epilepsy or severe heart disease.
Patients prone to nosebleeds should use with caution.
Drug "Genferon Light" (spray): instructions for use, dosage
When the very first signs of the disease appear, it is necessary to start treatment with this drug. For proper use, you must follow a few rules:
- after removing the protective cap, press the dispenser several times until a trickle of medicine appears (when they take not used untilthis vial);
- holding the spray strictly vertically with a short press (1 dose of the active substance) inject the medicine into each nostril in turn;
- to prevent the spread of infection, each vial must be used individually.
Recommend two application patterns:
- according to the first, one dose of medicine is injected into each nostril three times a day for five days;
- second option - administer a spray at a dose in each nostril for the first 3-4 hours, injecting the medicine every 20 minutes, followed by the administration of the drug for 3-4 days up to 5 times a day.
The maximum allowable daily amount of the medicinal substance is 10 doses.
Drug "Genferon Light" (spray): instructions for use for children
This immunomodulator is produced in two dosage forms - as rectal suppositories with different content of the active substance, and in the form of a spray. It is the content of the drug base that determines the possibility of prescribing this drug to children. Candles are produced in two dosages: with a content of 250,000 IU of interferon alfa-2b, which is prescribed for adults and children over 7 years old, and with a dose of 125,000 IU, the use of which is possible even in the treatment of newborns. The instruction prohibits the use of the drug "Genferon Light" (spray) for children. Reviews note the good effectiveness of suppositories in the complex treatment of acute respiratory viral infections, so many express their wishes for the appearance of a spray for children as more convenient to use. It is currently allowedappoint only when the child reaches the age of 14.
Use in Pregnancy
The special condition of the female body associated with the bearing of a baby requires a careful approach to the choice of drugs, since many of them are completely contraindicated for the expectant mother or are prescribed with caution if the intended benefit outweighs the potential risk to the fetus. It is allowed to use the drug "Genferon Light" (spray) during pregnancy at any time, since studies have not revealed a negative effect of this drug on the fetus. On the contrary, at a high risk of infection (for example, during the season of increased incidence or in contact with those who are already sick), it is recommended that the expectant mother use this spray for prophylactic purposes. This is due to the fact that the body of a pregnant woman is more susceptible to colds of any etiology due to a decrease in its resistance to the action of harmful factors.
Using the spray while breastfeeding
The ban on the use of various kinds of drugs during breastfeeding is due to the fact that the active substance, penetrating into mother's milk, can also enter the child's body, which is especially dangerous if drugs are not prescribed for infants. The drug "Genferon Light" (spray) can be used during lactation, since it does not penetrate the cell barrier of the mammary glands. On the contrary, stimulating the protective forces of the mother's body indirectly increases the immunity of the child. In addition, although the drug "Genferon" in the form of a spray is not indicated for children under 14 years of age (solely because of the "adult"dosage), suppositories containing this substance are allowed to be used from the neonatal period for various viral infections.
Side effect
Many doctors recommend "Genferon Light" (spray) as a preventive measure. Instructions for use does not indicate specific side effects from its use. Occasionally, phenomena characteristic of any type of interferon alfa-2b may occur, manifested by chills, fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, muscle and headache, and sweating. Such effects occur mainly when the drug is administered in excess of 10,000,000 IU per day. The occurrence of such a reaction requires consultation with the doctor about the selection of a different dose or other medication.
Compatibility with other medicines
Regarding the interaction with other substances of the drug "Genferon Light" (nasal spray), the instructions for use do not give special instructions. Almost all medications are compatible with this dosage form. The only condition is the inadmissibility of the simultaneous appointment of nasal drops intended to combat catarrhal processes in the nasal cavity, and this drug, which may reduce their effectiveness. Therefore, it is necessary to use these drug groups, observing the principle of separate administration.
Reviews
Most patients who used the drug "Genferon Light" (spray) talk about its high efficiency in suppressing viral infections and the absence of side effects and unpleasantthe feeling of using it. Early start of application (at the very first signs of the disease) allows you to prevent the development of infection and suppress it as soon as possible. As the only drawback, they indicate the absence of a nasal remedy for children under 14 years of age, since the drug "Genferon Light" for this age category, as mentioned above, exists only in the form of candles. This may cause rejection of this type of therapy in young patients.
the disease at the very beginning and remove all the symptoms that appear in a short time. The introduction of the drug bypassing the digestive tract allows you to use it regardless of the meal at any convenient time, while the active substance is absorbed as completely and quickly as possible at the injection site. Intranasal use contributes to the drug getting directly into the source of infection (since viral infections are transmitted mainly by airborne droplets), which manifests its effect both locally and in general on the whole body, which is due to partial absorption of the drug into the blood through the nasal mucosa moves.
