When a child shows signs of a cold, every mother will try to alleviate these symptoms with antiviral drugs, because they are great at fighting infections. One of the most popular drugs is children's "Arbidol". Parents tend to treat this medication differently. Someone believes that this drug should be used at the first symptoms of the disease, and some even refuse drug treatment, preferring alternative methods.
In fact, "Arbidol" for children can be given even to the smallest babies. It has almost no adverse reactions and is well tolerated by the growing body of the child. To verify the effectiveness of this medicine, you must carefully study its properties, as well as instructions for use.
Properties of "Arbidol"
This drug has an antiviral effect. It increases the body's production of a natural protein called interferon, which is responsible for fighting off the virus. Its task is to eliminate as many maliciouscells, as well as develop immunity to pathogens. The children's form of "Arbidol" increases the activity of cells that protect the immune system from infections. The main purpose of the drug is to prevent microbes from settling on he althy tissues of the body in the process of infection.
Many parents are concerned about the question: "At what age is children's "Arbidol" prescribed by pediatricians?". All doctors are unanimous in the fact that you can take this medicine only from 3 years. It is after reaching this age that a child can consciously swallow pills and drink syrup made from powder.
After treatment with children's "Arbidol", the baby is much less likely to get sick, and the healing process itself begins to come many times faster. Taking this drug helps to strengthen the immune system and reduce the level of intoxication of the body. Thanks to the drug, cell membranes are enveloped in a thin film that protects them from viruses.
Forms of release of children's "Arbidol"
In pharmacies you can see several types of this drug:
- Pills. Children's "Arbidol" in this form can be in a dosage of 50, 100 or 200 mg of the active substance for each tablet. The tablets are available in beige or white. Several blisters are sold packed in a cardboard box. Each may contain 10 to 30 tablets.
- Powder. It is bought for the preparation of a drinking solution in the form of a sweet syrup. The contents of the drug pack aresmall granules. Manufacturers place the powder in a dark, glass container, which is sold in a cardboard box. The kit always contains a measuring spoon, as well as instructions for the children's "Arbidol". 5 ml of the finished liquid will contain 25 mg of the active substance.
- Capsules. This form of release, as well as tablets, is sold in dosages of 50, 100 and 200 mg of medication per 1 capsule. Each package usually contains 10 to 40 capsules. Children's "Arbidol", produced in this form, is difficult to swallow due to its large size, so the capsules are not recommended for young children. It is better for babies to give a syrup made from children's "Arbidol" in the form of a powder.
Before you buy this drug in a pharmacy, you should go for a consultation with a doctor, and carefully study the detailed instructions for children's "Arbidol".
Medication indications
According to the information provided by the manufacturer in the instructions, this medication can be given to those babies who are over two years old. Already after 14 years, doctors can prescribe "Arbidol Maximum", suitable only for adults. Take this medicine for the following conditions:
- For the prevention of colds during the epidemic.
- During the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections, influenza, and other diseases caused by infection.
- When the respiratory tract is affected.
- For the treatment of diseases caused by infection of the stomach or intestines.
- With complextreatment of diseases that affect the ENT organs.
- When viral diseases recur.
- For bronchitis.
Most often this drug is used to treat acute respiratory viral infections, acute respiratory infections and influenza. Children's "Arbidol" is prescribed for rotavirus and adenovirus. In any case, before giving this medicine to a child, you must first obtain the approval of a pediatrician. Most likely, pills alone will not be enough to eliminate the disease in the shortest possible time. The doctor will not only give a prescription for the purchase of this medication, but will also draw up a list of actions that will help the child's immunity recover faster after the illness.
Side effects from "Arbidol" and contraindications
This drug is well tolerated, but this happens only if the dosage does not exceed the required rate. That is why it is very important not to neglect going to the doctor. If you do not follow the instructions for the children's "Arbidol", complications such as:
- Headache.
- Persistent nausea.
- Sleep problems.
- Appearance of weakness, apathy.
- Severe vomiting.
In addition to the above complications, an allergic skin reaction may occur from Arbidol. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the child's condition and stop giving the medicine at the first symptoms of adverse reactions.
All parents should remember that despite the good composition of children's Arbidol, they cannot treat babies who are under 2 years old. It is recommended to give the suspension prepared from the powder and tablets only from the indicated age. In this case, it must be borne in mind that the baby should be able to swallow whole dragees well. Crushing and chewing tablets is not allowed.
Special care should be taken by those parents who are going to treat a child suffering from diabetes. They should not be given drugs containing sugar. The same applies to those children who have fructose intolerance. The following pathologies are considered a direct contraindication to treatment with Arbidol:
- Kidney problems.
- Liver disease.
- Disorders of the heart.
- Problems with blood vessels.
Despite the existing contraindications, children's "Arbidol" is one of the most effective drugs aimed at combating a viral infection. Compared to other analogues, it has a small list of adverse reactions and is completely non-addictive. Based on the numerous reviews about the children's "Arbidol", we can conclude that this remedy really has excellent tolerance. Doctors say that this medicine rarely causes an allergic reaction, and is also excellent for the treatment and prevention of many diseases.
Instructions for using baby syrup
Pediatricians recommend giving children's "Arbidol" in the form of syrup to small children. It is prepared from a powder, which is sold in a glass tube with a capacity of 125 ml. The powder usually has a pleasant fruity aroma. Afterdiluting it with water produces a cream or white suspension. Each package with a bottle has a measuring spoon, which helps to dose the medicine correctly. Prepare children's syrup "Arbidol" according to the following instructions:
- Boil and cool the water to room temperature.
- Add 30 ml prepared water to the powder bottle.
- Close the lid and mix well so that the contents become the same consistency.
- Add 100ml more water to the bottle.
- Shake well.
After completing the above steps, the suspension will be ready for use. Before taking the next dose of medicine, the bottle with Arbidol children's syrup should be shaken well.
Rules for taking the suspension
Each parent should know what dosage of medicine can be given to a child, as well as how long treatment should be continued. The rules for taking a suspension of children's "Arbidol" depend on the state of the body and the diagnosis made by the doctor. For preventive measures, the drug can be used up to 20 days in a row. Usually they begin to give it to the baby during the epidemic at school or kindergarten. In this case, the syrup is given no more than 2 times a week. The dosage is determined depending on the age of the child.
In the treatment of a viral disease, a suspension of children's "Arbidol" is given no longer than 5 days. The medicine must be drunk up to 4 times a day, at regular intervals. For babies aged 3-6 years, the drug is given in an amount of 10 ml, 6-12 years old, 20 ml each, from 12 years old -40 ml.
Instructions for the use of tablets
The second, most common form of children's "Arbidol" is available in tablets. They are much easier for small children to swallow than large capsules. Therefore, after the suspension, this type of medicine is in second place in popularity. Tablets and capsules are allowed for children over 3 years old. It is not recommended to crush, chew or break the dragee. Therefore, before drinking children's Arbidol, the child must learn to swallow tablets.
For the treatment of an infectious disease, dragees should be given no longer than 5 days. The medication should be taken every 5-6 hours, so that the total number of doses reaches four times a day. The required daily dose of tablets depends on the age of the child:
- 3 to 6 years old - 50mg per serving.
- 6 to 12 years - 100mg
- From 12 years old - 200 mg.
As a preventive measure, "Arbidol" can be given up to 2 times a day, 1 tablet. This dosage will be enough to prevent the onset of the disease. All parents need to remember when to give the baby the children's "Arbidol", before or after meals. If you forget about this important nuance, you can reduce the treatment process to nothing. Regardless of the type of drug release, the drug is given to children 20 minutes before meals. Drink it with a glass of clean water.
Medicine analogues
Many parents are concerned about the question: "Are there any analogues of children's"Arbidol"? ". Fortunately, they are. Not each of them will cost less than this popular medicine, but the final result from their use will be the same as from Arbidol. Of the most popular analogues, the following drugs should be distinguished:
- Groprinosin tablets 500 mg.
- Suspension "Orvirem".
- Children's tablets "Anaferon".
- Tamiflu capsules.
- Kagocel tablets.
- Homeopathic medicine "Aflubin".
All of the above medicines are suitable for the treatment of children aged 3-4 years. Some of them can be given to a child from the first days of life. Regardless of the age of the baby, each drug must be carefully studied, paying special attention to the instructions for use. You can not self-medicate and give your child the first medicine that comes across from the nearest pharmacy. For "Arbidol" or its analogue, you need to go only after consulting a general practitioner. Only he can prescribe the most suitable medicine for the child.
Parents' reviews of children's "Arbidol"
Most parents respond positively to this drug. They note that taking "Arbidol" at an early stage of the disease helped to quickly defeat the disease. In just a few days of constant use, a runny nose and other symptoms of a cold disappeared. At elevated body temperature, "Arbidol" also helped to alleviate the condition of the child. Thanks to the treatment with the suspension, the risk of various complications that often appear after the flu has been reduced.
Children's Reviews"Arbidole" indicate that many mothers prefer this medicine for its pleasant taste and aroma. This greatly simplifies the administration of the drug. Children are happy to drink sweet syrup, which is one of the most popular forms of release of children's "Arbidol". The suspension is easy to swallow, so the treatment of babies takes place without tears and screams. Among the minuses, parents note the short shelf life of the prepared syrup.
Why pediatricians prefer Arbidol
This medicine is one of the favorites of most pediatricians in the country. That is why it is most often prescribed to children during an epidemic or manifestation of a viral infection. The use of "Arbidol" is not accompanied by side effects. This drug is not addictive, which often accompanies treatment with other medicines. Because of this, it can be used to prevent many diseases.
The active substances contained in the drug inhibit pathogens and also help to destroy their protective shell. This stops the spread of the virus in the body and speeds up recovery. Pediatricians recommend giving Arbidol to children because of the following clear advantages over other drugs:
- The drug reduces the duration of any infectious disease.
- Reduces unpleasant symptoms of illness.
- Activate the protective functions of the body.
- Helps you recover three or four days earlier.
- Reduces the occurrence of complications after a serious illness.
- Easily tolerated by the child's body, has a convenient release form for babiesin suspension.
Instructions for children's "Arbidol" contains information that there are certain risks associated with the appearance of possible side effects. However, such information can be read on most instructions from many well-known manufacturers of pharmaceutical companies. In practice, in 95% of cases, side effects from taking this medication are not observed.
