Antiviral drugs are medicines that are meant to fight various viral diseases. With their help, treat diseases such as influenza, herpes, HIV and others. Often, such funds are used for preventive purposes.
Types of antiviral drugs
The range of tools that fight with viruses is wide and constantly updated with new names. All drugs used for viral diseases can be divided into three large groups:
- barrier - not allowing pathogenic microorganisms;
- direct antiviral action;
- nonspecific or broad spectrum of action.
Barrier preparations against viruses
These are intended to not pass viruses into the body. Barrier antiviral drugs experts recommend to use in epidemics of colds. Only do this before contact with infected people. After it, barrier preparations are powerless. Effective protection against the virus can be provided by such means:
- medical masks;
- Oksolinovoy ointment ;
- Qwicksom;
- Aqualor;
- Aqua Maris ;
- Nazavalem Plus and others.
Immunostimulants and immunomodulators
Antiviral drugs in this group stimulate the immune system. If you take them correctly, immunostimulants with immunomodulators help to quickly cope with the diseases. In this case, treatment is easy and all complications are prevented. Drugs of this type are not only drugs based on interferon against viruses, but also vitamins, antioxidants, certain trace elements.
There are other natural and very inexpensive antiviral drugs-immunostimulants:
- ginger;
- cranberry;
- honey;
- bow;
- garlic;
- cinnamon;
- pepper;
- cardamom;
- licorice;
- echinacea;
- nettle;
- Schisandra;
- tincture of Eleutherococcus;
- propolis;
- beans;
- soybean;
- peas.
Antiviral drugs that attack viruses directly
The means of this variety act directly on pathogenic microorganisms. Drugs that kill a virus can make it difficult to replicate or penetrate its cells. Separate medicines, among other things, have an effect on immunity. One of the first effective drugs attacking viruses was Remantadin. It worked efficiently, but very soon the viruses managed to develop resistance to it. Today, Remantadin is useless against 90% of the viruses, but a large number of new medicines have replaced it.
How do antiviral drugs work?
Viruses are a special form of living matter. They do not have their own metabolic process. That is, outside the host's organism, viruses can not exist, but as soon as they can parasitize, they begin to multiply actively. Infection occurs due to the penetration of a pathogenic microorganism inside a healthy cell and the replication of new "bad" protein shells, RNA molecules and DNA.
Any modern antiviral agent blocks one of the stages of reproduction:
- Some drugs do not allow the virus to penetrate into healthy cells and prevent the release of its genome.
- Some drugs block the multiplication of viral DNA and RNA.
- There are also antiviral agents that stop the process of assembling particles of pathogenic microorganisms in the cytoplasm of a cell and do not allow them to go outside.
Antiviral tablets
They block the possibility of growth and replication of pathogens. It is not recommended to choose antiviral drugs in tablets on your own. The appointment of therapy should be entrusted to a specialist. The most popular antiviral tablets:
- Arbidol;
- Grogrinosine;
- Amiksin;
- Cycloferon ;
- Tamiflu .
Antiviral Candles
Suppositories are conical and firm, but under the influence of body temperature they melt and are absorbed through the mucous membranes. This feature is considered the main advantage of candles. Penetrating into the body through the mucous membrane of the rectum or vagina, suppositories do not harm the stomach, reducing the likelihood of side effects. Very often, preparations against the virus in the form of candles are prescribed for children. They are more simple to use (tablets children drink reluctantly) and are allowed from the first days of life.
Treatment with suppositories usually lasts 3-4 days. The most famous antiviral drugs in candles are:
- Viferon. It destroys viruses and strengthens immunity.
- Cefekon D. Have a powerful antipyretic effect.
- Kipferon. It is harmless and very effective for diseases that occur in severe form or with complications.
- Genferon. In addition to antiviral, has anti-inflammatory effect.
Antiviral ointments
This form of antiviral drugs is considered not the most effective. This is explained by the fact that almost all antiviral ointments and gels operate locally - only in the place where they were applied. Nevertheless, they have their advantages. Ointments, for example, are most suitable for fighting external manifestations of viral infection - rashes, papillomas, ulcers.
To effective antiviral cream-like consistency worked as it should, and treatment had a positive effect, it should be used at least three times a day. The optimal duration of treatment is determined individually. On average, it is from five to seven days. Sometimes ointments - usually for the nasal mucosa - are used for preventive purposes.
Antiviral drops
In most cases, this form releases an antiviral in the nose. Almost all such drugs are made on the basis of interferon. Drops are applied when:
- colds;
- ARVI ;
- ARI;
- nasal congestion ;
- inefficiency of vasoconstrictor drops;
- reduction of immunity (both local and general);
- prevention in epidemiological periods.
Popular drops-antiviral drugs, the list of which is constantly replenished, are as follows:
- Grippferon. His strength is good tolerability, for which the drug is allowed to take even during pregnancy and during lactation.
- Derinat. Has antiviral, immunostimulating and anti-inflammatory effect.
- Nasoferon. It is recommended for use in coryza and diseases of the upper respiratory tract. It is widely used in pediatrics.
- Ingaron. Stimulates cellular immunity. Designed for adults, prohibited for use by pregnant and lactating mothers.
Rating of antiviral drugs
Even the most expensive and well-known means are most effective only in the first days after infection. During this period, active multiplication of pathogens takes place, and infectious agents spread throughout all systems and organs. That is, the best antiviral drugs you need to drink immediately, for 4 - 5 days of illness they will not act as quickly and qualitatively as you would like.
Medicines fighting with viruses should be taken only with viral diseases. Against an allergy or disease caused by bacteria, they will be powerless. Almost all antiviral agents should be carefully taken to people with serious pathologies, complex chronic diseases. Carefully choose the medicine will have and future or nursing mothers.
Preparations against the influenza virus and ARVI
This is probably the most common viruses. They created a very large number of different drugs. Effective antiviral against influenza from acute infection will precisely succeed among the names in this list:
- Viferon;
- Grippferon;
- Tyloron;
- Lavomax;
- Amiksin;
- Remavir;
- Arpefly;
- An immunostat;
- Arbidol;
- Relenza;
- Zanamivir;
- Amizon;
- Tamiflu;
- Tamivir;
- Grogrinosine;
- Inosine;
- Engistol;
- Inosine;
- Novirin;
- Flavozid;
- Altabor;
- Oseltamivir.
Antiviral drugs for the Coxsackie virus
It is a representative of infectious RNA viruses that actively multiply, getting into an acidic stomach environment. The name of the pathogenic microorganism was received in honor of the American city, where it was first discovered. The incubation period of the Coxsackie virus lasts from 2 to 10 days. The main symptoms of the disease: fever, fever, severe headaches, vomiting, swollen lymph nodes, rashes.
Because of the similarity of symptoms, the Coxsackie virus is often confused with traditional ORVI or ARI, but with this diagnosis, effective antiviral drugs do not help. Specific drugs that can kill the pathogens, so far does not exist. Because the disease involves exclusively symptomatic treatment - antipyretic, immunity-strengthening agents, gels and ointments to eliminate itching.
Drugs from human papillomavirus
Because of him on different parts of the body can appear ugly formations. Warts occur in children and adults. Papillomavirus is a common microorganism. Viruses can live for a long time in the human body, not manifesting themselves in any way. When immunity decreases, they immediately begin to actively multiply and give unpleasant symptoms.
Sometimes the growths are cured by themselves, but in most cases, a drug is required from the human papillomavirus:
- Ointment Viferon. Effective in fighting various types of the virus. It has anti-inflammatory and bactericidal properties, increases its own protective functions of the body. Ointment is harmless and can be used by pregnant and breast-feeding women.
- Ointment of Aldar. Has a complex effect, relieves inflammation and stops the reproduction of the virus. Apply the product should be a thin layer once a day until the complete disappearance of papillomas.
- Panavir. Rapidly stops the growth and spread of the virus and strengthens immunity due to plant components in the composition. Apply the medicine twice a day for 7 to 10 days.
Preparations from the herpes virus
When starting treatment, it is important to understand that you can not completely get rid of it. The virus constantly lives in the body, but strong immunity will not allow herpes to multiply. Treatment for infection with this microorganism can be purely antiviral or combined - with immunotherapy. If you start taking medication in a timely manner, you can prevent the appearance of symptoms of the disease.
The best antiviral agent should be selected by a specialist. Among the most popular are such names:
- Zovirax. Take it most effectively at the initial stage of the disease or for prevention.
- Galavit. Eliminates edema and inflammation.
- Valtrex. Effective in herpes, which occurs on the lips and genitals.
- Famvir. One of the most effective means.
- Isoprinosine. A powerful medicine that can get rid of herpes at any stage.
- Acyclovir. It treats the virus wherever it is localized.