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Judging by Yandex data, in January, about 400 thousand Russians searched the Internet for information about the drug Kagocel. People were especially interested in the price and effectiveness of the product. The cost is easy to find out, but with it medicinal properties- not so simple. There is no reliable evidence of the effectiveness of Kagocel in the treatment of colds, says the President of the Society of Evidence-Based Medicine Specialists, MD. Vasily Vlasov.

What is Kagocel?

Whether a new drug is beneficial when used as directed is determined through comparative clinical trials. This is a well-known truth. Evidence-based medicine prefers the so-called. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs), where groups of patients are randomly selected so that the chance of being treated and a control group receiving an “empty” pill are equal. In modern science-based medicine, it is customary to base judgments about the effectiveness of a drug on the results of RCTs. First RCT, then permission for use in medical practice. Kagocel underwent RCTs, which were insignificant in terms of patient coverage and gave every reason to doubt their good quality.

Is Kagocel safe?

To clarify the safety of drugs in developed countries, a pharmacovigilance system has been created. This is a data collection system side effects problems that arise when taking medication, and their generalization. When dangerous side effects, for any objective reason not identified during clinical trials, the indications and contraindications of the drug are changed. Unfortunately, in Russia pharmacovigilance is, to put it mildly, in its infancy. We have no information about the safety of Kagocel. But there are doubts, and serious ones.

The kagocel molecule consists of two parts: carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and gossypol. CMC is a chemically rather inert substance. It is used, for example, in detergents so that they foam better. It also forms the basis of adhesives.

Gossypol is obtained from cotton plant. The drug is considered a medicine natural origin. Formally, kagocel is considered a derivative of gossypol, obtained by adding an inert molecule to it. But the trouble is that gossypol has the effect of long-term suppression of fertility in men and affects reproductive function women. It was even studied as a potential contraceptive, but the idea was abandoned due to toxic effects.

Sellers of Kagocel claim that in their drug gossypol is in a bound form and has no toxicity. of great importance. They allegedly tested it on mice. The mice seem to be breeding. But no studies have yet been published on the effects of the drug on humans. And it is unknown whether any are being carried out.

In the absence of such an important evidence base A competent doctor will not recommend Kagocel to his patient.

Why is Kagocel sold without a prescription?

Russian legislation allows the Ministry of Health to authorize the use of drugs that have not undergone RCTs. Why this happened is a separate question. And the Ministry of Health from time to time allows for use domestic drugs based on an extremely weak evidence base. Apparently, this is how officials encourage domestic manufacturers: inferior drugs, but their own. These drugs are never used abroad.

To be fair, it should be noted that we also have a number of “antiviral” drugs, which are called that because they stimulate the production of interferons in the body, that is, they stimulate the immune system. Unfortunately, all of them do not have serious scientific and practical evidence of effectiveness. But they bring good profits, especially during the season colds. The very idea of ​​stimulating the immune system by producing interferon to fight viruses dates back to the middle of the twentieth century. Today

Kagocel is a medicinal product that has antiviral, antimicrobial, radioprotective, and immunostimulating effects, belonging to synthetic drugs created on the basis of advanced pharmacological nanotechnologies.

Domestic scientists from the Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology managed to create an effective new generation antiviral medicine by combining the molecule medicinal substance plant origin with a nanopolymer, which increased the therapeutic effectiveness of the drug.

The antiviral medicine Kagocel has been produced in Russia since 2003, the manufacturer is pharmaceutical company"Nearmedic Plus" The medicine has a wide range of applications for prevention as well as treatment viral infections, both in Russia and in countries near and far abroad.

Before you continue reading: If you are looking effective method to get rid of runny nose, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, bronchitis or colds, then be sure to check out Book section of the site after reading this article. This information has helped so many people, we hope it will help you too! So, now back to the article.

Manufacturer medicine The pharmaceutical company Nearmedic Plus, together with Rusnano OJSC, plans to significantly increase production volumes from 2013 medicinal product in connection with his high efficiency in the treatment of viral infections, as well as significant demand in pharmacy chain.

The antiviral medicine not only has a direct effect on influenza and herpes viruses, preventing their reproduction and penetration into healthy cells, but also stimulates immune responses in the body, increasing the production of endogenous interferon.

The use of Kagocel for the prevention and treatment of viral infections can in many cases prevent the development of the disease and significantly reduce the treatment time. Kagocel during pregnancy, as well as for women breastfeeding children under one year of age, can be used only after consulting a doctor and if there are significant clinical indications.

For children, Kagocel is used starting from the age of 6, after consulting with a pediatrician. According to medical practitioners and clinical experts, the antiviral drug has minor side effects, is well tolerated and hypoallergenic.

The drug Kagocel is not an antibiotic, therefore, with the development infectious complications(sinusitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis) it is recommended to use antibiotic drugs in combination with drugs that have an anti-inflammatory effect (Nasonex, Rinofluimucil).

How does Kagocel work for influenza and ARVI?

The drug has antiviral effect on herpes and influenza viruses, and also stimulates the synthesis of endogenous interferon in the body cells responsible for the formation immune reactions. Unlike exogenous interferon administered in the form of drugs, endogenous interferon does not have side effects and more quickly stimulates the immune response when the virus enters the human body. Exogenous interferon can have various side effects: headache, dizziness, increased anxiety, depression. There may also be pain in epigastric region, nausea, vomiting, liver dysfunction. It is the presence large quantity side effects when using exogenous interferon prompted domestic scientists to create an antiviral drug that helps the immune system produce its own endogenous interferon.

Interferon is a nonspecific endogenous immune factor that affects viral proteins and viral RNA. The drug stimulates the production of alpha, beta and gamma interferon. The antiviral drug Kagocel helps the body fight viral infectious diseases, preventing the penetration of influenza and herpes viruses into cells, limiting their further reproduction. Medical scientists have developed an antiviral medicine consisting of a molecule of plant origin, as well as a nanopolymer, which has reduced the loss of therapeutic effectiveness upon delivery active ingredients to the source of viral infection. The significant size of the molecule prevents the drug from penetrating natural barriers to a significant extent circulatory system, the concentration level of the active components in the blood plasma does not exceed 10-20% of the therapeutic dosage.

The medicine contains the following components:

• Active ingredient – ​​Kagocel 12 mg;
• Excipients: starch, lactose monohydrate, povidone, calcium stearate.

The pharmacokinetics of a drug depends on the properties of the components included in its composition. Taking Kagocel orally in a single dose increases the level of interferon in the blood plasma after 3-4 hours, but the maximum concentration of interferon is observed after 48 hours. Circulating in the blood plasma, endogenous interferon has an antiviral effect, which, even with a single dose of the drug Kagocel, lasts 4-5 days, which allows the drug to be used for the prevention of influenza and acute respiratory viral infections during epidemics. The active components of the drug are partially bound to proteins, as well as lipids in the blood plasma. In addition, Kagocel has direct and indirect antitumor effects.

Kagocel does not have any effect when breastfeeding children under one year old, as well as during pregnancy. negative influence on the development of the fetus and newborns. Taking Kagocel in therapeutic dosage does not cause significant side effects, the drug does not penetrate the blood-brain barrier, and therefore does not have a significant effect on the central nervous system.

Kagocel belongs to the group of antiviral drugs that exhibit their activity primarily against influenza viruses, herpes, and some protozoa pathogenic microorganisms(eg chlamydia).

The effectiveness of an antiviral drug can be affected by digestive processes. It is recommended to take Kagocel before meals or after meals 1-2 hours, orally, with water. It is recommended to swallow the tablets without chewing.

How to properly use Kagocel for the prevention and treatment of viral infections?

The use of the drug Kagocel for the prevention and treatment of acute respiratory viral infections and influenza, helps in to a large extent reduce the incidence rate and prevent the development of infectious complications. Strengthening the body's protective immune forces, antiviral agent helps to effectively use immune reserves in the treatment of viral infections.

It is more correct to start taking Kagocel at the first manifestations of a cold, when the viruses are different high activity, and the body’s immunity has not yet “turned on” its protective forces. In cells that are affected by viruses, endogenous interferon is intensively produced, which prevents agglutination (deposition) of virus proteins onto the walls healthy cells. For the body to form a natural immune response to a viral infection, a significant amount of time must pass, during which the virus will infect new cells. Application of Kagocel on early stages development infectious disease helps compensate for the lack of its own interferon, accelerating the healing process.

Clinical studies of Kagocel have been repeatedly conducted in leading medical centers, as a result of which its high therapeutic effectiveness was confirmed. In patients suffering from seasonal viral infections, body temperature normalized faster and symptoms of intoxication disappeared. Clinical studies of the drug were accompanied by laboratory diagnostics, which was conducted in patients before and after treatment and confirmed the safety of the antiviral drug when prescribed in recommended therapeutic dosages.

Kagocel for children from 6 years of age, as well as adults, is used for the following viral diseases:

• flu;
• acute respiratory viral infections;
• diseases caused by the herpes virus;
• It is recommended to use the drug in complex therapy urogenital chlamydia;
• the medicine is prescribed for the complex treatment of viral pneumonia, as well as for intestinal diseases viral etiology (enterovirus, rotavirus infectious diseases).

Kagocel is recommended for use as a means of prevention during an influenza epidemic, as well as ARVI. The medicine, unlike other antiviral drugs, can be used for moderate liver dysfunction, since metabolism in the liver does not significantly affect the effectiveness of the drug. After reading the information on the medicine, you will learn how to take it with maximum effectiveness for the prevention and treatment of viral infectious diseases.

Contraindications

Kagocel is hypoallergenic and has few side effects. The medicine does not accumulate in organs and tissues and does not penetrate the placental and blood-brain barriers. Use of the drug in in rare cases may be accompanied by allergic reactions such as urticaria, allergic rash, itchy skin, Quincke's edema. Taking Kagocel during lactation and pregnancy should be monitored by the attending physician, assessing the likely therapeutic effect for the mother and possible Negative consequences for the fetus and newborns.

Contraindications to the prescription of the drug are:

• Intolerance to one of the components of the drug;
• Impaired absorption of glucose, lactose, galactose in the intestine;
• Children under six years of age;
• It is recommended that women who are breastfeeding and during pregnancy take Kagocel only after consulting a doctor.

Taking the drug in the recommended dosage does not have any effect toxic influence on the patient’s body, since the therapeutic dose is many times lower than the concentration level of the components that has toxic effects. Overdose is rare, mainly due to accidental use of the drug in an increased dosage, and may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In this case, gastric lavage is recommended, drinking plenty of fluids, taking enterosorbents ( Activated carbon, polysorb), is carried out symptomatic treatment, since the medicine does not have specific antidotes.

How to take Kagocel during lactation and pregnancy?

The antiviral drug Kagocel during pregnancy and breastfeeding children under one year of age is used only as prescribed by a doctor. As indicated in the Kagocel manufacturer's annotation, the components of the drug do not penetrate the placental barrier and are not found in breast milk. The drug does not have negative impact on the development of the fetus and newborns. According to reviews from patients and medical practitioners, Kagocel in rare cases can cause allergic reactions.

More secure antiviral drug Antigrippin agri (homeopathic) is considered a medicine, which can be prescribed without restrictions during pregnancy and to women breastfeeding children under one year of age, for the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections and influenza. When prescribing Kagocel during pregnancy and lactation, it is necessary to take into account the presence concomitant diseases, allergy history.

Features of antiviral therapy in the treatment of children

The childhood age of young patients deserves special attention when choosing effective antiviral drugs prescribed for the prevention and treatment of viral infections. The immune system in children is in the formative stage, so medications that have a stimulating effect on the production of the body’s own endogenous interferon can cause unwanted side effects in the form of allergic reactions.

Kagocel causes allergies in children relatively more often, compared to other domestic antiviral drugs, such as Anaferon, Arbidol. The use of these drugs causes fewer side effects, moreover, these drugs are produced in dosage forms specifically for the treatment of children. Anaferon for children is available in the form of sublingual tablets. Children will enjoy sucking sweet-tasting tablets more than swallowing them.

One more safe medicine, recommended for children for the prevention and treatment of colds, is Antigrippin agri (homeopathic), which does not have side effects and also does not cause allergic reactions. Antigrippin agri has a very low concentration of active ingredients (1000 times dilution of the drug substance), therefore it does not have a significant effect on children's body generally. Antigrippin agri is prescribed to children from 1 year of age, the granules are dissolved under the tongue or diluted in a small amount of water.

Timely use of antiviral drugs to prevent colds in children can reduce the risk of complications, as well as the development of chronic forms diseases.

Treatment regimens and assessment of therapeutic effectiveness

The antiviral medicine is recommended for children from the age of six, as well as for adults, as an effective medicine for the treatment of symptoms of influenza and ARVI. Children's Kagocel, as a separate dosage form, domestic pharmaceutical industry is not produced. The recommended dosage of the drug depends on the age of the patients.

The summary of the medicinal product contains following diagrams treatment:

Treatment of influenza and ARVI in adults: the recommended dosage is two tablets three times a day before meals or after meals 1-2 hours later (on the first and second days of taking the medicine), then one tablet three times a day (on the third and fourth day of treatment). Duration treatment course is four days.

For the prevention of acute respiratory viral infections, as well as influenza during periods of epidemics, adults are prescribed the medicine in the dosage: two tablets once a day for two days, then take a break for five days, and then repeat the drug according to this regimen. A prophylactic course of taking the drug can range from one week to several months.

Treatment herpetic infection in adults: the medicine is taken two tablets three times a day. The duration of treatment is five days.

The drug Kagocel for children over six years of age is prescribed one tablet three times a day before meals or after meals 1-2 hours (on the first and second days of taking the drug), then one tablet twice a day (on the third and fourth days of treatment ). The duration of treatment is four days.

To prevent influenza, as well as ARVI, Kagocel for children is prescribed one tablet once a day for two days, then take a break for five days, and then repeat the drug according to this regimen. The duration of the preventive course is determined by the attending pediatrician.

Antiviral medicine for complex treatment for urogenital chlamydia in adults, it is recommended to take two tablets three times a day before meals or after meals 1-2 hours. The duration of treatment is five days.

It is recommended to take the tablets orally, without chewing, with water. The intervals between doses of the medicine should be approximately the same. If for any reason you miss a dose of your medication, there is no need to take a double dose as this may cause side effects. It is recommended to prescribe Kagocel before meals or after meals 1-2 hours later, since digestive processes can reduce its therapeutic effectiveness.

The therapeutic effect of an antiviral drug is assessed according to the following criteria: normalization of the patient’s body temperature, disappearance of symptoms of the disease, reduction of general intoxication of the body. If infectious complications or fever occur, the patient needs to consult a doctor to adjust the course of treatment and prescribe antibiotics.

Instructions for use of Kagocel contain the necessary information for effective use drug for the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections and influenza. Before using the medicine, you should consult with your doctor, who will tell you how to take Kagocel with maximum effectiveness.

Comparative characteristics of Kagocel analogues

Currently by different manufacturers Pharmaceutical products produce a sufficient number of antiviral drugs for the prevention and treatment of acute respiratory viral infections and influenza. Analogues of Kagocel include drugs such as Arbidol, Tamiflu, Amizon, Amiksin. These drugs have a pronounced antiviral effect against influenza and herpes viruses, and also have a stimulating effect on the production of endogenous interferon, enhancing the body’s immune response to viral diseases of various etiologies. During periods of influenza epidemics and acute respiratory viral infections, these drugs are used for prevention for a long time (from several weeks to several months), except for the drug Amiksin, which for influenza is used only with therapeutic purpose. At severe forms viral infection, in particular with viral pneumonia and lesions by enterovirus gastrointestinal tract, the use of these drugs is possible in various combinations (two antiviral drugs at the same time) to enhance the therapeutic effect. How to use antiviral drugs for the treatment of various viral diseases Your doctor will advise you. Kagocel analogues are also intended for oral administration and are available in two dosage forms: tablets and capsules.

Antiviral drugs to increase the body’s immunity use the supply of already existing vitamins, proteins, and microelements, therefore, in the complex therapy of viral infections it is necessary to pay attention Special attention the use of vitamin and mineral preparations and complete dietary nutrition. Also, the effectiveness of treatment with antiviral drugs depends on the functional state of the gastrointestinal tract and liver, which affect the rate of metabolism of drugs, their absorption, and the level of concentration in the blood plasma.

Cost in the pharmacy chain foreign analogues(Tamiflu) is slightly higher than the cost of Kagocel. Medicines amizon and amiksin are sold at a lower price in the pharmacy chain. The cost of Arbidol and Kagocel is in the same price range.

Antiviral drugs of the previous generation include the drugs Acyclovir and Remantadine (part of the combination drug Antigrippin Maximum). In some medical sources, these drugs are classified as analogues of Kagocel, but they are not such and refer to drugs with isolated antiviral activity. Acyclovir has an antiviral effect only against herpes viruses. Acyclovir is rarely used to treat influenza due to its low therapeutic effectiveness. The drug Acyclovir has more significant side effects than the drug Kagocel. The cost of Acyclovir is significantly lower compared to the price of Kagocel.

Remantadine is a drug with antiviral activity against type A influenza viruses. Remantadine has no significant effect on the herpes virus therapeutic effects. The effectiveness of the drug in the treatment of ARVI, as well as influenza, is noticeably inferior to the antiviral effect of Kagocel. The cost of Remantadine in the pharmacy chain is significantly lower than the price of the drug Kagocel. Detailed description indications and contraindications for prescribing medications are contained in the drug annotation.

What is better Kagocel or Arbidol for the treatment of colds and flu?

For the prevention and treatment of acute respiratory viral infections and influenza, practitioners often prescribe Kagocel or Arbidol. Patients often have a question: “What is better than Kagocel or Arbidol in the treatment of influenza and ARVI? What is the difference between these drugs?

The description of medicinal products indicated in the annotation states that Kagocel and Arbidol belong to different groups antiviral drugs, but have a similar mechanism of therapeutic effect. Arbidol has an antiviral effect against influenza and herpes viruses, stimulates the production of interferons in the human body. The antiviral drug Arbidol was included in the list of vitally important drugs in 2010. necessary medications money. Unlike Kagocel, the effectiveness of the therapeutic effects of Arbidol is influenced by functional state the patient's liver. After metabolism in the liver, the components of Arbidol acquire new properties and have a more pronounced effect. therapeutic effect. The activity of the drug Kagocel does not depend on metabolism in the liver, which allows its use in the treatment of patients with concomitant hepatitis.

In the treatment of severe viral infections, Kagocel and Arbidol are recommended to be used together, since the components of the drugs enhance the effect of each other, potentiating antiviral effect.

Kagocel and Arbidol have minor side effects when used and are well tolerated by patients. When using Kagocel, allergic reactions in children are slightly more common. The pharmacy chain has a special dosage form of Arbidol for children, available in tablet form.

The cost of Kagocel and Arbidol in the pharmacy chain is in the same price range.

Release forms

Kagocel is available in tablet form for internal use. The drug package contains 10 light brown tablets with inclusions. Each tablet contains 12 mg of active substance. The tablets are in a contoured cellular blister placed in a cardboard package.

A detailed description of the indications and contraindications for prescribing the drug is contained in the instructions for use, located in each package of the drug.

How to properly store Kagocel?

It is recommended to store Kagocel in a dry, dark place, away from sun rays and heating systems. The recommended storage temperature for the drug is from 15 to 25 degrees Celsius. The shelf life of the drug is 2 years.

What is the price?

The antiviral drug Kagocel is widely used in our country for the prevention and treatment of acute respiratory viral infections and influenza, as well as herpetic diseases. To find out how much Kagocel costs, just visit any pharmacy in your city. You can easily purchase this medicine at most pharmacies. The price of the drug may vary slightly depending on the region of sale.

The average price of the drug in the pharmacy chain (10 tablets of 12 mg, per package) is 200 – 300 rubles.

Kagocel is a drug that has pronounced antimicrobial, immunomodulatory and antiviral properties. therapeutic effect. This article will talk about whether it is possible to treat influenza with Kagocel and how effective it is for this purpose.

Kagocel has an antiviral and antimicrobial therapeutic effect

It should be noted right away that Kagocel is allowed to be used for influenza. Its use is practiced by many therapists to quickly eliminate acute respiratory diseases in patients.

According to the instructions for use, Kagocel is a synthetically derived drug that belongs to the group of interferons. Its main thing therapeutic effect consists of increasing the production of gamma interferons, due to which the patient’s functioning of the body’s defenses is quickly normalized.

Moreover, due to the activation of special substances, the medicine is able to inhibit the activity of proteins of the pathogenic virus, which is why the person recovers faster. Moreover, Kagocel is also effective because it promotes the production of interferon in almost all types of cells that are directly involved in the body's antiviral response.

Also, due to the fact that Kagocel for influenza is practically non-toxic and cannot accumulate in the body, it is very well tolerated and rarely causes adverse reactions in patients. This is its undeniable therapeutic advantage.

It is important to note that Kagocel flu tablets can be used directly both for the treatment of cold viral diseases and for the prevention of their development. In both cases, the medicine will be equally effective.

Immediately after administration, the drug is quickly absorbed in the intestines and begins to act. The maximum concentration of its active substance is observed four hours after administration.

The medicine is excreted along with urine and feces.

You should also know that even after the end of treatment, the immunomodulatory effect of Kagocel persists for another 2-3 days. Because of this, it is convenient to use in small doses to prevent influenza virus infection.

Kagocel is widely used for the treatment of acute respiratory diseases

Indications

Kagocel can be prescribed for the treatment of the following diseases:

1. Acute viral respiratory diseases.
2. Herpes infection.
3. Colds and ARVI.
4. Prevention of cold virus infection in adults and children.

In addition, the drug can also be prescribed in complex therapy for the treatment of chlamydia.

Contraindications and side effects

It is contraindicated to use Kagocel if a person has individual intolerance its active components. In this case, it would be wiser to choose for the patient an analogue of the drug with other active substances.

The next contraindication is childhood up to three years. The medicine is not used for such small children due to the risk negative influence interferon on the child's body.

Kagocel should be used with caution and only under the supervision of a doctor during pregnancy and lactation. renal failure, liver and gastrointestinal diseases. If any deterioration in the condition occurs, therapy should be stopped immediately.

As for side effects, the medicine is usually well tolerated and rarely causes adverse reactions. Despite this, sometimes the drug can cause weakness, abdominal pain and deterioration in performance. internal organs (digestive system, liver and kidneys).

Children over 3 years old can already be given Kagocel as a medicine against flu and colds

Features of use for the treatment of influenza

According to latest research, use of the drug Kagocel for influenza and acute respiratory diseases, helps significantly reduce the risk of developing complications and allows a person to quickly cope with the cold virus. Moreover, this medicine facilitates the general course of the disease, so the patient tolerates it more easily.

Thanks to its effective immunomodulatory effect, Kagocel strengthens the body's defenses, thereby promoting the “switching on” of human immune reserves.

In order for the use of this drug to be truly effective, the patient is advised to follow the following recommendations doctor during therapy with him:

1. Take the exact dosage of the medicine and do not exceed it, as this may worsen the person’s condition and the therapeutic effect of the medicine.
2. Do not take any additional immunomodulatory drugs without a doctor's prescription.
3. If a person suffers from severe chronic diseases or has elderly age, then he should undergo therapy in a hospital setting under medical supervision.
4. To make it easier for the body to normalize the functioning of the immune system, the patient is strongly recommended to review his menu and add more fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, nuts and fermented milk products. It is also important to regularly ventilate the room and avoid stress.
5. During the treatment period, a person needs to stop drinking alcohol and smoking, as they reduce immunity. Moreover, the data bad habits may worsen the effect of the drug on the body and contribute to a malfunction of the kidneys and liver.
6. In order for the body to recover faster from the flu, during the period of therapy a person must follow bed rest.

It is advisable to remain in bed while taking Kagocel

Method of administration and dosage

This medicine is intended for oral administration. Thus, the Kagocel tablet should be taken as a whole, without chewing and drinking sufficient quantity water. You can take the medicine regardless of food intake, as this does not affect its absorption in any way.

The dosage of the drug is selected by the attending physician for each patient individually, depending on age, indications and availability accompanying pathologies in humans.

To relieve colds, adults need to take 2 capsules twice a day. The average duration of therapy is three days, after which you should take one tablet three times for another five days.

For children with influenza and ARVI, take 1 tablet three times for five days.

To prevent the development of a cold, a person is advised to take 2 tablets twice a day for three days. After that - 1 tablet three times a day. A total of 18 tablets are given for the preventive course.

Overdose

There is very little data on overdose with this drug. At the same time, there is information that when significantly exceeding permissible dosage, a person may experience nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In this condition, a person should immediately consult a doctor.

Treatment of overdose is symptomatic. It consists of taking sorbents and drinking plenty of fluids. Gastric lavage is performed less frequently.

If an overdose occurs, drink plenty of fluids immediately

Use during pregnancy

Kagocel can be used during pregnancy because it active ingredients do not penetrate the placenta and do not harm the fetus. Despite this, therapy should be practiced while carrying a child only after the doctor’s permission, and if the pregnancy proceeds without any complications. Otherwise, it is better to refuse such treatment.

Moreover, due to the fact that the drug cannot penetrate into breast milk, it is approved for use during lactation. It does not have any negative effects on infants through breast milk.

As an alternative to Kagocel, therapists advise using the drug Antigripp agri, which has a homeopathic purpose. It has no restrictions during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as it is considered safe and non-toxic.

Treatment of children

Kagocel can be used for influenza in children, but only after the child is three years old. At the same time, the drug can help cure an existing viral cold, and protect against its development.

It is important to note that due to the fact that the immune system in children is in the form of development, this drug will have a stimulating effect on the production of its interferon in the body. That is why during treatment it is important to monitor the child’s condition and stop therapy if there is any deterioration.

Also, many parents often wonder what is better - Kagocel or Cycloferon for the flu. In general, both of these drugs have a pronounced immunomodulatory and antiviral effect, however, for the treatment of children it is still safer to use the first drug, since it is better tolerated in young patients.

Kagocel should be prescribed to a child with special caution when the child suffers from central nervous system diseases and asthma.

If the child's condition does not improve, you should consult a doctor immediately

• hypersensitivity to the components of the drug;
• age up to 3 years;
• pregnancy period;
• lactose intolerance;
• lactase deficiency;
• intolerance to glucose and galactose.

Directions for use and doses

For flu, colds and other acute respiratory infections, take two tablets. 3 times a day for the first 2 days, then one tablet 3 times a day. The duration of the course is 4 days.

To prevent influenza, colds and other acute respiratory infections, 2 tablets are prescribed. 1 time per day for 7 days. Then a 5-day break is taken, after which, if necessary, the 7-day cycle is repeated. The duration of the preventive course is determined by the attending physician and ranges from 7 days to 3-5 months.

To treat herpes virus infection, take 2 tablets. 3 times a day. The duration of the course is 5 days.

For flu, colds and other acute respiratory infections, take 1 tablet. 2 times a day for two days, then 1 tablet. per day. The duration of the course is 4 days.

For flu, colds and other acute respiratory infections, take 1 tablet. 3 times a day for two days, then 1 tablet. 2 times a day.

To prevent influenza, colds and other acute respiratory infections, 2 tablets are prescribed. 1 time per day for a week. Then a 5-day break is taken, after which the 7-day cycle is repeated. The duration of prophylaxis depends on various factors, and is determined by the attending physician. Prevention lasts from 7 days to 3-5 months.

Overdose

Side effects

Interaction with other drugs

special instructions

Storage conditions

Bird flu

Kagocel for children

Assessing the effectiveness of herpes treatment

Evaluation of the effectiveness of treatment of ARVI in children

• when using the drug in children, regardless of the characteristics of the course of ARVI, the duration of its symptoms is reduced;
• the drug increases interferon levels in children with initially insufficient levels;
• there are no side effects associated with the use of the medication in children;

Kagocel is well tolerated by children and reduces the duration of the disease.

Reviews

Kagocel is an interferon inducer, that is, it stimulates or provokes its release. This antiviral drug is prescribed for many diseases, including influenza. However, the influenza virus has a special gene that can inhibit the release of interferon in the cell. Why, in this case, take a medicine that obviously won’t help? To get rid of money? There are medications that contain interferon, which will certainly help with the flu - for example, Viferon.

I did not take this drug for the flu. That season, a small herpes broke out - so I didn’t understand whether Kagocel worked, or whether remission came on its own. It would be better to spend money on acyclovir ointment - it clearly helps faster.

Having read some of the reviews, I would like to comment on something. I think the benefits of the medicine are very doubtful if the temperature from 38.5 normalized in 3-4 days. Most likely, natural recovery takes place here, which occurs without such drugs. I think the drug is effective only against certain strains of viruses, and the advertising campaign that has now developed around it is not justified.

A month ago I came down with the flu. The temperature rose to 38.5, and antipyretics were practically of no help. My doctor prescribed Kagocel (apparently the advertisement worked). The medicine, meanwhile, is quite expensive - 12 tablets (and they are tiny) cost 230 rubles. A course of treatment requires two packages. The pharmacist at the pharmacy confirmed that this drug should help with the flu. So I bought a package to start with. I started taking two tablets at once, 3 times a day for the first three days, as indicated in the manual, and as the doctor prescribed. The effect was felt quite quickly - the antipyretic began to act, the temperature dropped to 37.5. But such hyperthermia also raises concerns, and the effect did not last long. After 2-3 hours the temperature began to increase again and rose to 38.5. In the end, I decided to buy antibiotics for 15 rubles, and began taking them in combination with Kagocel. After 3 days of treatment with antibiotics, the temperature dropped to 37.1, and then completely returned to normal. So, from my own experience, I can say that Kagocel is an ineffective medicine. I advise you not to pay attention to advertising, and not to follow the lead of narrow-minded doctors. Antibiotics, of course, are harmful in their own way, but they are, in any case, reliable. I wish you all good health.

I somehow got sick right before going to the theater. All the signs of a cold appeared - sneezing, itchy throat, rhinitis, temperature over 37. Still, we decided to go to the theater, so I bought a package of Kagocel. Just that season it was advertised wherever possible. I had never encountered him before. I took it according to the regimen in the instructions, the next day it didn’t feel a bit better, but it wasn’t worse either. But on the 3rd day I woke up fresh and full of energy - the runny nose and sore throat were gone. I finished the medicine at the previous dosage and everything was fine. One could assume that I recovered myself, but the fact is that I usually get sick for at least a week. But in subsequent cases, when I decided to take it again for a cold, it didn’t work at all. Maybe he somehow softened the course of the disease, but somehow imperceptibly.

I also read in the instructions that it treats herpes. When I'm sick, this nasty thing constantly pops up on my lips. So this vaunted drug never helped; herpes still came out during the illness.

I think that Kagocel helps only the first time, when the body is still sensitive to it, and only then does it really help against colds.

I had a case that allowed me to test the antiviral effect of Kagocel in practice. Since most medications are contraindicated during breastfeeding, I had to limit myself to only this. It stimulates the production of interferon (a protein that protects against viruses) in all cells of the body. Many other drugs work on the same principle. I was choosing between Arbidol and Kagocel, and decided to be treated with the second one, because... on the 1st day you need to take 6 tablets of Kagocel or 8 tablets of Arbidol. And since they are about the same price, the second one was cheaper.

For the first day of treatment, I almost didn’t get out of bed, my temperature persisted, I had a terrible runny nose, tears flowed from my eyes, and I sneezed constantly. But on the second day I was already doing housework and still had time to look after the child. On the third day I woke up with a feeling of complete recovery. I don’t remember ever recovering so quickly before. By the way, my mother also recovered in almost 2 days - she recommended Kagocel to me.

I don’t want to remember how I was treated before without Kagocel. Unlike various anti-influenza drugs (Rinza, Theraflu, etc.), which simply treat symptoms and not the disease, Kagocel forces the body to produce the antiviral protein interferon, that is, it strengthens the body in the fight against the virus. The only subtlety is that treatment must be started in a timely manner, no later than the 2nd day from the onset of the disease, ideally at the first manifestations. I can easily determine the onset of the disease - I immediately start sneezing. Now, as soon as I feel like I’m getting sick, I take 2 tablets and feel great in the morning. True, I missed time once and started treatment only on the 3rd day. Considering that it was the flu, I recovered within two days. But, in any case, it is faster than when taking the above symptomatic remedies.

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Kagocel /

Antiviral drug. Interferon synthesis inducer. Active substance represents sodium salt copolymer of (1→4)-6-0-carboxymethyl-β-D-glucose, (1→4)-β-D-glucose and (21→24)-2,3,14,15,21,24,29 ,32-octahydroxy-23-(carboxymethoxymethyl)-7,10-dimethyl-4, 13-di(2-propyl)-19,22,26,30,31-pentaoxaheptacyclo dotriaconta-1,3,5(28), 6.8(27), 9(18),10, 12(17), 13.15-decaene.

Causes the formation in the body of so-called late interferon, which is a mixture of alpha and beta interferons with high antiviral activity. Kagocel® causes interferon production in almost all cell populations involved in the body's antiviral response: T- and B-lymphocytes, macrophages, granulocytes, fibroblasts, endothelial cells. When one dose of Kagocel® is taken orally, the interferon titer in the blood serum reaches maximum values ​​after 48 hours. The body's interferon response to the administration of Kagocel® is characterized by prolonged (up to 4-5 days) circulation of interferon in the bloodstream. The dynamics of interferon accumulation in the intestine when taking the drug orally does not coincide with the dynamics of circulating interferon titers. In the blood serum, the content of interferon reaches high values ​​only 48 hours after taking the drug Kagocel®, while in the intestine the maximum production of interferon is observed after 4 hours.

The greatest effectiveness in treatment with Kagocel® is achieved when it is prescribed no later than the 4th day from the start acute infection. For preventive purposes, the drug can be used at any time, incl. and immediately after contact with an infectious agent

For the treatment of influenza and ARVI, 2 tablets are prescribed in the first 2 days. 3 times a day, in the next 2 days - 1 tablet. 3 times/day. A total of 18 tablets per course lasting 4 days.

Prevention of influenza and ARVI is carried out in 7-day cycles: 2 days - 2 tablets. 1 time/day, break for 5 days. Then the cycle is repeated. The duration of the preventive course varies from 1 week to several months.

For the treatment of herpes, 2 tablets are prescribed. 3 times/day for 5 days. In total, for a course lasting 5 days - 30 tablets.

For the treatment of influenza and ARVI, 1 tablet is prescribed in the first 2 days. 3 times a day, in the next 2 days - 1 tablet. 2 times/day. A total of 10 tablets per course lasting 4 days.

Prevention of influenza and ARVI is carried out in 7-day cycles: 2 days - 1 tablet. 1 time/day, break for 5 days, then repeat the cycle. The duration of the preventive course is from 1 week to several months.

Why is Kagocel dangerous?

Is it effective? famous medicine"Kagocel" and whether it can be dangerous, says the professor High school economics, president of the Society of Evidence-Based Medicine Specialists, member of the Formulary Committee of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, author of monographs on evidence-based medicine and epidemiology, doctor medical sciences Vasily Vlasov.

Of course, each of us needs good things, effective medicine in case of a cold. But I, as a specialist, can say that the effect of the known antiviral drugs that currently exist on Russian market, very small. Many compatriots buy into advertising and purchase questionable drug"Kagocel". I would like to warn citizens against this medicine and explain some of the nuances.

Research: is Kagocel effective?

How are drugs tested for effectiveness? For this purpose, there are comparative clinical trials (CTs). During these tests, experts compare which patients are more likely to recover: those who took a particular drug or those who took a placebo. The sample of patients must be representative. Such clinical researches are called randomized trials (RCTs).

In developed countries, drugs that have not undergone this type of research are not put on the market. The effectiveness of a medicine is determined by RCTs, and not by the Ministry of Health, so manufacturers of many known drugs(“Arbidol”, “Actovegin”, “Cerebrolysin”, etc.) conduct research to prove the safety and effectiveness of manufactured drugs.

What do the Kagocel RCTs show? In the American MEDLINE database, which anyone can access on the Internet on the website of the National medical library USA, good quality information is provided. In the search engine on the pubmed.gov website, enter the phrase “kagocel AND randomized controlled trial.” This way you will select all publications mentioning Kagocel and at the same time all publications about RCTs. None of the 12 articles that are registered in the database contains a single mention of the Kagocel RCT.

Some domestic secondary scientific journals nevertheless mention a couple of RCTs of this drug. The sample for the studies was very small: in one (Merkulova L.N. et al. Therapeutic efficacy Kagotsela. Wedge. Pharmacol. i terap., 2002. 11(6):21-3) 81 adults participated, in the second (Kharlamova F.S. et al. Clinical effectiveness drug Kagocel. Children's infections, 2010. (4): 1-7) - 60 children. The quality of such studies is questionable.

Let's take a closer look at them. In the first, the sampling frame was clinical manifestations, found in patients, which means that people, in addition to influenza, could have other diseases. And the report says that out of 81 people, 81 had the flu - this sounds completely implausible. Another strange point: the clinical trial included patients in the first two days, but the data that their intoxication disappeared was given for everyone for the same period! Moreover, in 71 percent of patients, the temperature subsided on the same day when they came for the study.

The second study (with children) also seems questionable - it lacks detail. It may not be an RCT at all in the way it should be.

On the Rusnano website there is a list of studies, the names of which look like they are RCTs, but they themselves were published scientific texts not on the website. Moreover, this list does not include so-called phase three studies - they are necessary to establish whether the drug is effective and safe for adults. What is most striking (unpleasant!) is that the lion's share of studies are studies on children. This is a frightening statistic, especially since the adverse effects of this medication may be irreversible. We'll talk about this further.

We can confidently conclude that Kagocel is not effective means prevention and, especially, treatment of influenza and colds.

Ministry of Health warning?

The Ministry of Health considers Kagocel an antiviral drug, which is “recommended for the treatment and prevention of ARVI (acute respiratory viral infections) and influenza, as well as for the treatment of herpes.” Thus, if healthy man If he drinks this medicine, he will get sick less often (prevention), and if a sick person drinks it, he will recover faster (treatment). But it’s one thing to relieve the symptoms of a cold, and quite another to treat the disease. I'm not even talking about the risk of complications that the influenza virus can cause, or the side effects that some medications can have on an organism weakened by infection. There is no information about the side effects of Kagocel in published studies.

But it is a known fact that the scientists who invented this medicine created a molecule of two parts - carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and gossypol. The first is found, for example, in wallpaper glue, and in large quantities. And gossypol is a substance extracted from the cotton plant that negatively affects reproduction in both men and women. Once they wanted to use it as a contraceptive, but due to its high toxicity they did not push this idea further. You can read about how toxic gossypol is in the article by E. Ushkalova and N. Chukhareva (E. Ushkalova, N. Chukhareva. Leaders in sales of over-the-counter drugs and problems of their safety. Doctor, 2014. (9)).

The manufacturers of Kagocel claim that gossypol is not present in free form in the medicine - it is in a bound form, which is safe. This is confirmed by experiments conducted on mice: no pregnancy disorders were detected in the experimental animals. But the manufacturers do not provide any studies on the safety of the drug for humans. Over the years of massive sales, such studies could have been conducted. Therefore, I believe that the question of whether Kagocel is toxic remains open.

Untested medicine - in all pharmacies in the country

It has been proven that Kagocel promotes increased production Interferons in the human body are substances that cells produce in response to external aggression, infection. This is how the body protects itself from viruses. It would seem that everything is logical - but clinical trials do not confirm this assumption. This or that medicine can help the body produce interferons, but it does not protect against infection. Scientists don't know why. Therefore, we cannot say that Kagocel helps against colds or flu: as already mentioned, there are no confirmed RCTs.

Another question: how did a poorly tested medicine get into pharmacies and why is it sold without a prescription? After all, only safe, proven, well-studied products are sold without a doctor’s referral. An even more serious question: why Kagocel, a product with unproven effectiveness, which in addition can be toxic, appeared on the Russian List of Essential Medicines? However, a place on this list greatly increases sales of the drug in all pharmacies in the country...

IA No. FS77−55373 dated September 17, 2013, issued by the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, information technologies and mass communications (Roskomnadzor). Founder: PRAVDA.Ru LLC

Antiviral drug Kagocel: pros and cons

Every fifth Russian does not have enough money to buy the necessary medicines; more than half of the country’s residents assess the costs of purchasing them as significant for their budget, according to a survey by VTsIOM.

Among the most popular medications in Russia, sold in pharmacies without a prescription, you can find not only absolutely useless, but also potentially harmful.

Medicines containing codeine must be sold strictly according to prescriptions, the head demanded today Federal service Drug Control Department (FSKN) of the Russian Federation Viktor Ivanov.

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Pharmachologic effect:

Antiviral drug. Interferon synthesis inducer. The active substance is the sodium salt of a copolymer of (1→4)-6-0-carboxymethyl-β-D-glucose, (1→4)-β-D-glucose and (21→24)-2,3,14,15 ,21,24,29,32-octahydroxy-23-(carboxymethoxymethyl)-7,10-dimethyl-4, 13-di(2-propyl)-19,22,26,30,31-pentaoxaheptacyclo dotriaconta-1,3 ,5(28),6,8(27), 9(18),10, 12(17), 13,15-decaene.

Causes the formation in the body of so-called late interferon, which is a mixture of alpha and beta interferons with high antiviral activity. Kagocel® causes interferon production in almost all cell populations involved in the body's antiviral response: T- and B-lymphocytes, macrophages, granulocytes, fibroblasts, endothelial cells. When one dose of Kagocel® is taken orally, the interferon titer in the blood serum reaches maximum values ​​after 48 hours. The body's interferon response to the administration of Kagocel® is characterized by prolonged (up to 4-5 days) circulation of interferon in the bloodstream. The dynamics of interferon accumulation in the intestine when taking the drug orally does not coincide with the dynamics of circulating interferon titers. In the blood serum, the content of interferon reaches high values ​​only 48 hours after taking the drug Kagocel®, while in the intestine the maximum production of interferon is observed after 4 hours.

The greatest effectiveness in treatment with Kagocel® is achieved when it is prescribed no later than the 4th day from the onset of acute infection. For preventive purposes, the drug can be used at any time, incl. and immediately after contact with an infectious agent

Dosage:

For adults

For treatment of influenza and ARVI prescribed in the first 2 days - 2 tablets. 3 times a day, in the next 2 days - 1 tablet. 3 times/day. A total of 18 tablets per course lasting 4 days.

Prevention of influenza and ARVI carried out in 7-day cycles: 2 days - 2 tablets. 1 time/day, break for 5 days. Then the cycle is repeated. The duration of the preventive course varies from 1 week to several months.

For herpes treatment 2 tablets are prescribed. 3 times/day for 5 days. In total, for a course lasting 5 days - 30 tablets.

Children aged 6 years and older

For treatment of influenza and ARVI prescribed in the first 2 days - 1 tablet. 3 times a day, in the next 2 days - 1 tablet. 2 times/day. A total of 10 tablets per course lasting 4 days.

Prevention of influenza and ARVI carried out in 7-day cycles: 2 days - 1 tablet. 1 time/day, break for 5 days, then repeat the cycle. The duration of the preventive course is from 1 week to several months.

Overdose:

Treatment: In case of accidental overdose, it is recommended to prescribe plenty of fluids and induce vomiting.