Complexity in the development of antiviral drugs of a broad spectrum of action, namely antiviral drugs in ARVI, lies in the significant variability of viruses, in their ability to form new resistant species. Even outer space will not be an obstacle for them.
What is a virus?
At its core, it is a non-cellular form of existence. It is able, with the help of its genome, to reproduce in the cells of a more highly organized life form. The genome of the virus is represented by DNA and RNA by acid chains. The virus uses the contents of the cell, where it penetrated, as a nutrient medium.
Fast synthesis of new viruses and cell death. Then, new cells are captured. The introduction into the cell can take place in a variety of ways, for example through air or water.
Each type of virus has a predisposition to the defeat of certain human tissues: the epithelium of the intestine, liver cells, the epithelium of the upper respiratory tract, etc. The human immune system is protected by the interaction of antibodies and interferon.
Antibodies remember the virus and destroy only the one against which they were synthesized. And interferons are special nonspecific proteins that block the virus inside the cell. They fight all pathogenic viruses, and also interrupt their division. At the same time they protect healthy neighboring cells.
But there are depressing synthesis of interferon picorn- and flaviviruses. Modern antiviral drugs should play the role of prevention and inhibit the development of viruses.
Types of drugs
There are several groups of antiviral medications:
- medications containing interferon and enhancing its synthesis;
- antiviral immunostimulants ;
- homeopathic medicines;
- cytostatic drugs.
Homeopathic Remedies
So, let's see what kind of antiviral drug is better to use.
Homeopathic immunostimulants work better in the pre-infection period. To those we attribute:
- Viburkol;
- Aflubin;
- Oscillococcinum.
If after the first day of use there is no positive result from these medications, then they must be replaced or discontinued.
Chemical substances
Antiviral substances of this type include:
- Tamiflu;
- Arbidol;
- Remantadine;
- Ribavirin.
The most popular Remantadine is clinically active only in the first days of infection, and it affects only the influenza infection.
Here Ribavirin works for both influenza and respiratory syncytial viruses. This drug is more active than Remantadine.
Note that the possibilities of Arbidol are greatly exaggerated, because it acts only on the flu, and only during the precursors of the disease.
The most effective here is the antiviral drug of the new generation Tamiflu. It reduces the time of illness by 2 times. And also reduces the incidence of complications twofold. However, he also has shortcomings:
- not investigated on children;
- has a large number of contraindications.
The safest drugs
The most harmless group of antiviral drugs is the group of interferon and its derivatives. These drugs have very high activity. When taking these antiviral medications for ARVI, the symptoms of colds often go by 1-3 days.
The drug works in any period of the disease. Produce it in the form of injections:
- Laferon;
- Amiksin ;
- Interferon;
- Neovir, etc.
Candles Kipferon and Viferon are used rectally. With a cold, drops in the nose Grippferon.
Kipferon contains specific antibodies and will act more quickly.
But Viferon causes the least amount of allergic reactions.
Note that the clinical effectiveness of all three interferon-containing drugs are the same between each other.
With complicated forms of ARVI, slow interferon inducers are not recommended, such as:
- Amiksin;
- Cycloferon;
- Neovir.
It is better to use Derinat. He quickly synthesizes alpha and beta interferons. Also combines the qualities of an immunostimulant.
Immunostimulants
The last group of drugs is used according to the doctor's prescription. These drugs are immunostimulants. To the list of these
- Isoprinosine;
- Bronhoimimumal;
- Imudon;
- Ribomunil.
It is better to use them for prevention and as a means of support. When choosing an antiviral drug for the treatment of acute respiratory viral infection, it is necessary to take into account both the phase of the disease and the data of laboratory diagnostics. It is also very important to consider the point of application of the drug, its possible complications and contraindications for use.