Kagocel is a widely used antiviral drug . The product helps the body produce large doses of interferon, as a result of which the defenses are strengthened and recovery occurs faster. The drug is usually well tolerated by patients, but in rare cases, an overdose of Kagocel can occur as a result of uncontrolled use.
What is Kagocel and its use
Kagocel is an antiviral agent that also stimulates the body's own immune forces to fight viruses. The medicine was created by Russian scientists by introducing pharmacological nanotechnologies. Available in the form of round tablets, each of which contains 12 milligrams of the active component of the same name. Its action is the formation of late interferon, which actively fights viruses and prevents their spread.
The drug is used in adults and children from three years of age. The drug can be prescribed by a doctor for the treatment of influenza or acute viral infections transmitted by airborne droplets, and can also be used along with other medications for infection with the herpes virus and urogenital chlamydia.
After taking a single dose, the maximum concentration of the active substance in the body is reached after 48 hours. Its circulation in the blood continues for a week. Its removal from the body is carried out through the gastrointestinal tract.
Kagocel is used not only for treatment, but also for the prevention of viral and microbial infections. To achieve the greatest effect, it is better to start taking the antiviral drug no later than 1-4 days of illness.
Analogs
If it is not possible to take Kagocel, analogues are used to stimulate the immune system or simple treatment. There are various drugs that are similar in action. There are also a huge variety of drugs that have their own mechanism of action on viruses.
- First of all, simple antiviral drugs (rimantadine, zinamivir) are isolated as analogues. They act directly on the infection. They do not stimulate the immune system. Their advantage is lower price.
- Interferon stimulants (arbidol, viferon). There are a huge number of immunostimulating medications similar in action to Kagocel. There are tablets, syrups, suppositories and other forms of medicine. They make a choice in their favor if it is not possible to purchase the drug prescribed by the doctor.
To achieve great results, Kagocel is used with antiviral drugs. This option is especially good for intractable viral diseases. It is worth understanding that only an experienced therapist can combine pills correctly.
If a person does not trust immunostimulants, he should choose simple antiviral agents. Most of them are recognized throughout the world and have been in use for a long time. This should be reported to your doctor. It is always possible to treat one disease in different ways.
Contraindications and side effects
Like any medicine, Kagocel has a number of contraindications, failure to comply with which may lead to poisoning by its active substance. These include:
- Hypersensitivity to the components of the drug. A severe allergic reaction is possible, which is manifested by a rash, itching, and difficulty breathing, indicating the spread of laryngeal edema to the respiratory organs.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding period. Despite the fact that the manufacturer indicates the absence of mutagenic properties and effects on embryonic development, the use of the drug is still unacceptable during gestation and subsequent lactation.
- Children under three years of age. Children have an immature nervous system that can perceive the effects of the drug differently. Also, this contraindication may be due to the fact that the results of studies on the effect of the drug on children in the first year of life are currently missing.
- Confirmed diagnosis of lactose intolerance or deficiency, as well as the presence of glucose-galactose malabsorption.
Causes and symptoms of poisoning
Medicinal (therapeutic) doses do not pose a danger to human health. But, since Kagocel is a strong immunostimulating agent, it cannot be prescribed to yourself without consulting a specialist. Failure to comply with dosage standards in both childhood and adulthood may result in overdose symptoms. These include:
- allergic reactions in the form of skin rash, peeling, itching and hyperemia of the skin;
- general weakness and headache;
- from the gastrointestinal tract: dyspeptic manifestations in the form of nausea and vomiting with varying degrees of intensity;
- cramping pain in the epigastric region of the abdomen;
- in childhood - an increase in body temperature, which indicates poisoning.
When the first symptoms not related to the course of the disease appear, it is recommended to stop taking the drug and seek specialized medical help.
There is no antidote to quickly prevent intoxication.
First aid and treatment for overdose of Kagocel
At the first negative symptoms in an adult or child, it is necessary to urgently call an ambulance. Symptoms usually get worse over time. Frequent bouts of vomiting can cause dehydration, which is especially dangerous in childhood.
Before the ambulance arrives, you need to do gastric lavage. To do this, give the patient up to one and a half liters of water to drink, either salted or with soda (at the rate of 1 teaspoon per 1 glass of boiled water), and press on the root of the tongue to induce vomiting. Repeat the procedure 2-3 times until the vomit becomes transparent. This ensures complete cleansing of the stomach and prevents further absorption of the drug into the blood.
Only a doctor should perform gastric lavage in early childhood patients. Performing the procedure on your own may result in liquid entering the respiratory tract.
To remove the substance from the intestines, enterosorbents (Smecta, Polysorb, white coal) are used in accordance with their instructions for use.
Pharmacokinetics
When taking the drug orally, about 20% of the substance is adsorbed in the systemic circulation. In the blood, most of the drug is bound to proteins and lipids (37% and 47%, respectively), 16% remains in an unbound state.
A high concentration of the drug is observed in the spleen, lymph nodes, liver, kidneys and thymus gland, low - in the heart, muscles, adipose tissue, genitals and blood plasma.
The drug almost does not accumulate in brain tissue, since a sufficiently large molecule of the substance cannot overcome the blood-brain barrier. The intestines (90%) and kidneys (10%) are mainly responsible for removing the drug from the body. Seven days after the last dose, about 88% of the received dose of the drug is eliminated.
Applications and Dosage
Kagocel is used for many diseases caused by viruses. It is recommended to take it after being prescribed by your doctor. There are several indications for the use of Kagocel. Indications:
The drug is approved for use for infections caused by bacteria to prevent the addition of viral diseases. Kagocel is prescribed for preventive purposes during epidemics of colds. The tablets are swallowed whole, washed down with water. The dosage varies depending on the age of the patient.
Application for adults:
- In the first two days, it is recommended to take two tablets up to three times a day for two days. Over the next couple of days, they drink one piece three times. Within 96 hours, the patient takes 18 tablets. This dosage activates the body's immune system and helps fight viruses.
- If there is herpes in adults, two tablets are prescribed three times a day for five days. A total of 30 capsules are required.
- For preventive purposes, Kagocel is taken once, two capsules for two days, then take a break for five days and repeat the dose. The duration of the course is discussed with the attending physician and ranges from one week to several months.
Application for children:
- Children from three to six years old are allowed to take one tablet twice a day for 48 hours. For the next few days they drink one piece a day. The duration of therapy is four days.
- For children over six years of age, the daily dosage is increased to three tablets in the first two days. Over the next few days, drink one piece in the morning and evening. Treatment is continued for 4 days. The total number of capsules is 10.
- For preventive purposes, use is carried out in seven-day courses: one tablet once for two days, a break of five days, then repeated use of the medicine in the original dosage. Duration from one week to several months.
If after treatment there is no relief, the symptoms of the disease intensify, then it is recommended to consult a doctor. It is unacceptable to increase the dosage on your own; this can lead to unpleasant sensations and the development of intoxication.
How can you get an overdose?
Kagocel is not allowed to be used in all cases. The drug has a number of contraindications. The medicine is not used for some conditions.
- Children under three years of age.
- Intolerance to components.
- Hypersensitivity to lactose.
- Impaired function of carbohydrate metabolism.
- During pregnancy and breastfeeding.
When used correctly, Kagocel does not cause side effects and is well tolerated by patients. A drug overdose occurs as a result of an independent increase in the prescribed number of tablets.
Trekrezan
An immunomodulatory drug developed in the 70s by the Soviet chemist Mikhail Grigorievich Voronkov for the military. It improves immunity due to the production of interferons. Strengthens the phagocytic function of the body. Normalizes appetite. Increases endurance and stress tolerance. A person feels less pain due to temperature changes and other environmental factors. Has an antitoxic effect.
Ingredients: oxyethylammonium methylphenoxyacetate, potato starch, milk sugar, calcium stearate.
First aid and treatment of poisoning
A poisoned patient is given first aid to remove toxins from the body and alleviate the condition. First of all, a team of doctors is called. Before their arrival, simple actions are carried out. Actions:
- Rinse the stomach with a large volume of clean water.
- They give you sorbents to take - activated carbon, Enterosgel.
- Give the patient water in small portions, but often, to prevent the development of dehydration.
Further treatment is prescribed by the doctor. For mild poisoning, therapy is carried out at home. Severe forms of overdose are treated in a medical facility.
Consequences and prevention
Poisoning with Kagocel passes quickly and does not cause serious consequences. The danger arises in case of overdose in people with intolerance to the components. In such cases, serious allergic reactions and anaphylactic shock may develop. It is possible to avoid overdose by following preventive rules.
- Use the medicine as directed by your doctor.
- Do not change the recommended dosage yourself.
- Do not leave the drug in places accessible to children.
Kagocel is an effective medicine that helps cope with viral diseases. When used correctly, it does not cause side effects. The consequences of an overdose of Kagocel develop only in cases of severe intoxication. If suspicious signs appear, it is recommended to contact a medical professional.
Can it be used with antibiotics?
The question often arises whether it is possible to use Kagocel and antibiotics at the same time. The manufacturer states that when taken simultaneously with other drugs, an additive effect appears. This means that the effect of other drugs is enhanced. Together with Kagocel, any medication will be much more effective.
The drug is often prescribed with antibacterial agents. In this way, microbial diseases can be prevented. During a severe viral disease, immunity drops significantly, so antibiotics must be used for preventive action. The simultaneous occurrence of viral and bacterial infections threatens human health. For example, with a very severe cold, bacterial pneumonia or sinusitis can easily develop. Antibacterial agents will prevent them from appearing.
Doctors often prescribe Kagocel with antibiotics; the antibiotic manages to influence the bacterial flora or prevent it from arising. It is worth noting that antibacterial agents are toxic, so dosages must be adjusted. Taking several medications at the same time can lead to intoxication.
Can it be used by pregnant women?
Pregnant and lactating girls are prohibited from using Kagocel. This is due to the fact that there have been no studies that would make it clear how it affects the body during this period.
Sometimes there are comments on the Internet that the girl drank it and everything was fine. You shouldn't pay attention to them. If a cold occurs during pregnancy, treatment should be carried out by a doctor. It is best to immediately contact a specialist. Even mild ailments are preferable to be treated in a hospital setting.
Video: indications for use of Kagocel
In the autumn-winter period, when the seasonal incidence of rotavirus infection increases, a deficiency of interferons is noted in the bodies of children. The virus persists in the body for a long time, and recovery time is delayed.
In childhood, viral diseases of the digestive tract are among the most common pathological processes. Virus strains vary, but infect the intestinal epithelium. The clinical picture is expressed by symptoms of enteritis and is combined with other symptoms.
Bird flu
One of the most promising methods for preventing avian influenza is vaccination and the use of interferon inducers.
Many scientists note that the above method deserves wider use in therapeutic and clinical practice, incl. in the prevention of influenza and acute respiratory diseases. At the moment, there is not a single vaccine against avian influenza, the effectiveness of which has been confirmed in practice. Kagocel, by inducing the production of interferon in the body, enhances protection and helps protect against all strains of viruses. Therefore, in the event of a bird flu epidemic, this drug can serve as an effective means of preventing this dangerous pathology.
Prevention of influenza through vaccination provides protection only against the influenza virus, while the risk of acute respiratory viral infection is not reduced. Epidemics of influenza and ARVI often occur simultaneously. Meanwhile, influenza vaccination goes well with the use of interferon inducers, incl. Kagotsela. Therefore, the integrated use of the above methods provides more reliable protection against viral infection.
How does rotavirus infection occur?
The disease that occurs under the influence of rotavirus is called gastroenteritis. The gastric mucosa is not involved in the pathological process. The lesion covers the epithelial tissues of the intestine.
Penetrating into the small intestine, rotavirus destroys the tops of the villous epithelium. There is a disruption in the synthesis of enzymes responsible for the absorption and breakdown of sugars in the intestines. New cells grow instead of destroyed epithelial cells.
There is a malabsorption of sugars and mineral salts in the intestines. Diarrhea develops and fermentation in the intestines is stimulated.
Main properties of "Kagocel"
The interferon system of the human body protects against infectious effects. After penetration of a pathogenic microorganism into an epithelial cell, endogenous interferons are synthesized.
If the body's immune system is strong, elimination of viral particles occurs quickly and recovery is more intense. In the acute stage of the disease in children, the amount of interferons decreases.
What is "Kagocel"
Kagocel for rotavirus infection in adults is a drug with a wide spectrum of therapeutic action. An original drug synthesized on the basis of the gossypol polymer. The substance is of plant origin and is associated with a polymer carrier.
Mechanism of action
Mechanisms of action of the drug:
- Induces the formation of alpha and beta interferons in each cell population in the body.
- Affects the immune response in t- and b-lymphocytes, macrophages, and other cells.
- When taken, the interferon titer in the blood serum increases. Remains in the bloodstream for 4-5 days in therapeutic doses.
- A sufficient amount of the drug accumulates in the intestines after 4 hours.
For intestinal infection of rotavirus origin, the described option is considered the most acceptable.
Interferon inducers
Since the production of interferon is one of the first immune responses to viral infection, stimulators of the production of this protein occupy a special place among antiviral drugs.
Interferon inducers do not cause an immune response and are not capable of causing an overdose. Once in the body, drugs of this group stimulate the production of interferons in optimal quantities.
Interferon inducers are divided into two groups: artificial and natural. The drug Kagocel, in turn, belongs to the second group. It stimulates the production of alpha, beta, and gamma interferons in the human body, which have a high antiviral effect.
Results from studies in adults
Experiments were conducted on the use of the drug "Kagocel" in adults. The purpose of the research is to find out whether the drug helps cure rotavirus enteritis and how effective it is.
A group of patients who came to see doctors at the first stages of the onset of the disease was examined. Complaints: increased body temperature, decreased appetite, headache. A number of patients had symptoms of dyspepsia – repeated vomiting and diarrhea.
The frequency of vomiting and diarrhea varied from 2-3 times a day to 15-20. On palpation, there was pain in the projection of the intestine, rumbling and bloating. Rarely, signs of exicosis were observed in adult patients.
At the time of contacting the doctor, the patients had similar initial clinical data.
The effectiveness of using the drug "Kagocel" was assessed by the dynamics of clinical signs and laboratory data.
Based on the information received, the following conclusions were drawn:
- The frequency of vomiting and diarrhea did not change during use. Abdominal pain and bloating were not clinically different.
- The patients experienced a faster regression of respiratory inflammatory phenomena.
- On the 3-4th day of the disease, the signs of pharyngitis and rhinitis stopped.
Changes were recorded in the rate of restoration of the epithelial structures of the small intestine. The duration of diarrhea in those taking the drug is lower. The character of the stool quickly returned to normal. Pathological impurities disappeared. Parietal digestion was normalized. Reparation processes in the small intestine proceed faster under the influence of the drug.
Conclusions after scatological studies:
- Repeated studies during therapy established normalization of clinical and laboratory parameters.
- Elimination of viruses in feces occurs faster when taking Kagocel.
Adults must take the drug according to the regimen prescribed by the attending physician. Instructions for use include taking 2 tablets three times a day for the first two days, then taking one tablet for another two days.
The course of treatment involves taking 10 tablets.
