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Disputes about immunomodulators have not subsided for a long time. According to some experts, when immunity is weakened, the appointment of these drugs is quite appropriate. Others believe that hardening and proper nutrition will support immunity in a natural way. Leading Russian immunologists-allergists believe that it is necessary to prescribe an immunomodulator based on the clinical picture of the disease.
What are immunomodulators? These are drugs that contain in their composition biologically active substances that affect the immune system or participate in its functioning.
When the epithelium of the respiratory tract is damaged, its protective functions weaken. Viruses, bacteria, allergens and toxins actively penetrate the body – and a person becomes ill. Therefore, doctors consider it justified to prescribe an immunomodulator both from the first day of the disease, and during the recovery period, and as a preventive measure.1.
Rating of the top 10 effective and inexpensive immunomodulators for adults according to KP
Modern immunotherapy allows for the safe and effective treatment of respiratory diseases in the early stages. But in no case should you prescribe immunomodulators on your own. Together with expert Elena Sergeeva, we have compiled the top 10 inexpensive and effective drugs that are most often recommended by doctors.
1. Broncho-Vax
The immunomodulator Broncho-Vaxom is a highly effective drug that fights acute and chronic infections of the respiratory tract, and also reduces the likelihood of exacerbations of chronic bronchitis. The drug is suitable for patients with acute respiratory viral infections, helps to get rid of shortness of breath and cough1, and also enhances the body’s immune defense against viruses.
Contraindications: children under 12 years of age, pregnancy and lactation.
2. Cycloferon
Taking Cycloferon promotes the production of its own interferon, which has anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects. The drug is able to support and strengthen the human immune system, protects the body from viral and bacterial infections. Helps to reduce the period of illness without reducing the therapeutic effect even with frequent use.
Cycloferon is safe and approved for use in children with chronic diseases older than 4 years. But for pregnant and lactating women, the drug is contraindicated.
3. Trekrezan
The immunomodulator Trekrezan stimulates the production of alpha and gamma interferons, enhances the body’s own defenses, and activates cellular immunity. Also, the drug stimulates phagocytosis (the process of splitting bacteria, viruses and other pathogenic particles)2.
Trekrezan is prescribed for the prevention and treatment of acute respiratory viral infections, as well as during periods of high intellectual and physical exertion. The drug increases the body’s resistance to various stresses – hypothermia, overheating and hypoxia. Suitable for adults and children over 12 years of age.
4. Polyoxidonium
The active substance azoximer bromide has an immunomodulatory, antioxidant and moderate anti-inflammatory effect, increases the body’s resistance to infections caused by fungi, viruses and bacteria. The drug can be taken orally and dissolve by placing the tablet under the tongue. When resorbed, Polyoxidonium enhances the bactericidal properties of saliva and the secretion of the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract. The drug is used for the prevention and treatment of infectious and inflammatory diseases of the oropharynx, middle ear, upper and lower respiratory tract.
Contraindications: age up to 3 years, pregnancy, lactation, acute renal failure.
5. Lycopides
Likopid activates innate and acquired immunity, enhances the body’s defense against viral, bacterial and fungal infections. The drug is used in the complex therapy of diseases that are accompanied by secondary immunodeficiency states. The use of Likopid in complex therapy reduces the incidence of diseases and the duration of the period of disability3.
Indications: acute and chronic purulent-inflammatory diseases of the skin and soft tissues, herpetic infection, chronic respiratory diseases: rhinitis, laryngitis, tonsillitis, bronchitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis. It is prescribed for the prevention and reduction of morbidity during seasonal SARS. Suitable for children from 3 years old.
Contraindications: pregnancy and lactation, autoimmune diseases, temperature above 38 degrees.
6. Reaferon-ES-Lipint
Reaferon-EC-Lipint is interferon in the form of capsules that provide rapid absorption in the intestines and long-term circulation of the active substance in the body. The drug has immunomodulatory, antiviral and antitumor activity.
Reaferon-EC-Lipint is used in the complex treatment of hepatitis, chlamydia, tick-borne encephalitis. In patients with acute respiratory viral infections, the drug reduces the duration of the disease and reduces the risk of complications. It can be recommended not only for treatment, but also for emergency prevention of influenza and SARS during the seasonal rise in incidence4.
Contraindicated in people with severe allergic diseases, pregnant and lactating women, as well as children under 3 years of age.
7. Immunorix
The drug Imunorix increases cellular immunity, reliably protects against viruses and bacteria. Stimulates the production of the body’s own interferons, improves the immune response5.
Indications: infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract, urinary tract infections. Imunorix also quickly eliminates the symptoms of acute respiratory viral infections, reduces the duration of the disease and reduces the risk of complications. The drug can also be used to prevent respiratory diseases. Suitable for children from 3 years old.
Contraindications: 1st trimester of pregnancy and breastfeeding period.
8. Normomed
Immunostimulating agent with antiviral action. Normomed is prescribed for adults and children from 3 years of age in the treatment of herpes, shingles, chickenpox. Also, the drug has proven its effectiveness in influenza and SARS, infectious mononucleosis, measles and human papillomavirus infection.
Contraindications: gout, urolithiasis, arrhythmia, chronic renal failure, pregnancy and lactation.
9. Flogardin
The antiviral drug Flogardin promotes the active formation of antibodies and all types of interferons that trigger antiviral defense mechanisms. Due to this, the development and reproduction of viruses in the body is blocked, and the immune system receives an additional stimulus.
Flogardin is prescribed for the treatment of influenza, SARS and herpes infection in patients over 18 years of age. The drug is effective at any stage of the common cold. Convenient reception – 1 tablet per day. Contraindications: pregnancy and breastfeeding period.
10. Ingaron
The active substance in the composition of Ingaron is gamma-interferon, which has demonstrated high efficiency in the prevention of acute respiratory viral infections and coronavirus. The drug is available in the form of nasal drops that protect the respiratory tract from the penetration of viruses and bacteria and activate intracellular immunity.
For prophylactic purposes, it is recommended to use the drug every other day, 2 drops in each nostril. The course of preventive therapy is 10 days. And at the first signs of the disease, Ingaron is instilled 4 to 6 times a day for 7-10 days.
Contraindications: pregnancy and breastfeeding, children under 7 years of age, individual intolerance to the components of the drug.
How to choose immunomodulators for adults
The most important condition when choosing immunomodulators is their safety for the patient. Before starting treatment, the doctor assesses the nature of immune disorders and their severity, the condition and age of the patient, and then prescribes complex therapy. Self-administration of immunomodulatory drugs is strictly prohibited.
Popular questions and answers
How immunomodulators work, how they differ from immunostimulants and other popular questions answers allergist Elena Sergeeva.
What does an immunomodulator do?
The main target of immunomodulators is infectious and inflammatory diseases of all localizations and any etiology that are difficult to treat.
What is the difference between immunomodulators and immunostimulants?
Immunostimulants are substances that increase the body’s immune response by stimulating the immune system. This increases the activity of both innate and acquired immunity.
Immunostimulants are usually used in immunodeficient states, in patients with chronic recurrent infectious and inflammatory diseases.
Is it possible to drink immunomodulators without consulting a doctor?
But a person cannot independently determine whether he needs to take an immunomodulator or not. This should be done only by a doctor, taking into account the state of the immune system of a particular patient. Uncontrolled use of immunostimulants can lead to the development of allergic and autoimmune diseases.
What should be the best immunomodulator?
• Should not alter normal immunity levels,
• Be selective and act only on a defect in immunity,
• Produced in a convenient form and be affordable.
Sources of:
- Complex therapy of patients with respiratory infections and respiratory diseases. Kovaleva I.V., Fomenko N.D. Journal of the Attending Physician. Moscow, 2020
- Pharmacology of trekrezan – a new immunomodulator and adaptogen. Shabanov P.D., Zarubina I.V., Mokrenko E.V. Bulletin of the Smolensk State Medical Academy. 2014, Vol.3, No.2. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/farmakologiya-trekrezana-novogo-immunomodulyatora-i-adaptogena/viewer
- Muramylpeptide immunostimulants in the treatment and prevention of infectious and inflammatory processes. Pinegin B.V., Pashchenkov M.V. Immunology, vol. 40, no. 2. 2019. https://licopid.ru/f/2019_pinegin_immunostimulyatory_muramilpeptidnoj_prirody.pdf
- Clinical efficacy of Reaferon-ES-Lipint in the treatment of influenza and SARS. Isakov V. A., Sergeeva V. Ya., Efimova T. E., Kabolova I. V. Medical scientific and practical portal Lvrach.ru, 2014. https://www.lvrach.ru/2014/12/15436128
- The new immunomodulator Imunorix: experience in the treatment and prevention of relapses. Savenkova M.S., Afanas’eva A.A. “Effective pharmacotherapy. Pulmonology and otorhinolaryngology, №1. 2021. https://umedp.ru/articles/novyy_immunomodulyator_imunoriks_opyt_primeneniya_dlya_