In the season of viral diseases, drugs that can strengthen the immune system and help the body overcome harmful pathogens are very relevant. One of them is Tsitovir-3. It is actively used in pediatric practice, prescribing to children of different ages.
Release form
"Tsitovir-3" is presented in pharmacies in three forms:
- Syrup. It has a sweet taste and a yellowish color, but this medicine can also be colorless. The syrup is sold in dark glass bottles, and one bottle contains 50 ml of solution. To be able to accurately dose the medication, a dosing spoon is also placed in the box, which can be replaced with a measuring cup or dosing pipette.
- Powder. It is also sold in dark glass or plastic bottles. One bottle contains 20 grams of white or white-yellow powder. It may have the smell of cranberry, orange or strawberry, so after adding water to the powder, the taste of the finished solution is cranberry, orange or strawberry. There is also a neutral option - an odorless powder, which, when mixed with water, forms a sweet, tasteless solution. One or two dispensing devices are attached to the bottle, for example a beaker.
- Capsules. They have an orange cap and a white body, and inside is a white powder without a specific odor. Capsules are packed in blisters or plastic jars of 12 pieces (this amount of the drug is required for one course of treatment), and are also sold in packs of 24 and 48 pieces.
Composition
Each of the forms of "Cytovir-3" contains three active compounds at once:
- Alpha glutamyl tryptophan in the form of alpha glutamyl tryptophan sodium (also called sodium thymogen). The amount of such a compound in 1 ml of a syrup or solution made from a powder is 0.15 mg, and in the contents of one capsule - 0.5 mg.
- Vitamin C. Its dosage in each milliliter of syrup, as well as in 1 ml of a solution from a powder form, is 12 mg. One capsule contains 50 mg of this vitamin.
- Bendazole hydrochloride, also called dibazole. Such a substance is contained in 1 ml of syrup or diluted powder in an amount of 1.25 mg, and in one capsule - in a dose of 20 mg.
The only auxiliary components of "Cytovir-3" in the syrup are water and sucrose, and the powder form includes fructose and strawberry, cranberry or orange flavors (only fructose is present in a medicine with a neutral taste). The capsules contain milk sugar and calcium stearate, and their shell is made from titanium dioxide, gelatin and several colorants.
Operating principle
"Tsitovir-3" refers to drugs with an immunostimulating effect, since it can stimulate the formation of interferon in the human body. Due to the activation of immune cells (mainly the T-cell link), the medication normalizes the state of the immune system, which helps to fight infectious agents.
Such a drug also has antiviral activity, in particular against influenza A and B viruses, as well as against many other pathogens of respiratory diseases of a viral nature. Due to the inclusion of ascorbic acid in the composition, "Cytovir-3" also affects humoral immunity. In addition, under the influence of such a vitamin, capillary permeability is normalized, which helps to suppress the inflammatory process.
Taken internally, "Tsitovir-3" is quickly absorbed. The highest bioavailability among the components of the drug is noted for vitamin C (about 90%) and bendazole (about 80%). But alpha-glutamyl-tryptophan is absorbed by only 15%. After entering the digestive tract, it is split into tryptophan and glutamic acid in L-forms. These amino acids are included in the process of peptide synthesis. Other active substances of the drug are converted into metabolites and are excreted in the urine.
Indications
The main reason for the appointment of "Citovir-3" to children is influenza or other viral infection, in which the upper respiratory tract is affected. The medication is in demand both for the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections and influenza, and for their prevention.
At what age is it allowed?
The medicine in the form of a powder or syrup is prescribed for children from 1 year old. The packaging of these forms of the drug is marked "for children". "Citovir-3" capsules can be given to small patients who are 6 years old.
Contraindications
Any form of "Cytovir-3" should not be used in young patients with hypersensitivity to any of the components of the drug. The syrup is also contraindicated in children with diabetes, as it contains a significant amount of sucrose. The powder form is also not used in diabetics, because it includes fructose.
Side effects
After taking Cytovir-3, blood pressure may decrease, but this effect is short-lived and soon disappears by itself.
Some children develop an allergic reaction to this medication (most often it manifests itself as urticaria), which requires immediate withdrawal.
Instructions for use
The syrup is given to children in undiluted form, measuring the required volume of the drug with a pipette, glass or spoon. Before use, you need to make a liquid medicine from the powder by adding 40 ml of water inside the bottle. It should be boiled and chilled (no warmer than room temperature). The components must be mixed well so that the powder is completely dissolved. The result is 50 ml of solution.
The scheme for taking a syrup or a solution prepared from a powder, if the patient is ill with acute respiratory viral infections or influenza, provides for three times the use of the drug within 4 days. The medication is given to the child half an hour before meals in such a single dose:
- if the patient is 1-3 years old - 2 ml;
- if the baby is 3-6 years old - 4 ml;
- if the child's age is from 6 to 10 years old - 8 ml each;
- if the child is over 10 years old - 12 ml.
The scheme of prophylactic intake of syrup or solution "Citovir-3" is the same, but if necessary, the course can be repeated after 3 or 4 weeks.
"Citovir-3" in capsules is also prescribed in a short course of 4 days. Children over six years of age take such a medicine one capsule three times a day, swallowing the medicine half an hour before meals and drinking clean water. If the agent is used for prophylactic purposes, then after 3-4 weeks the course is repeated.
Overdose
About cases when a child took a large dose of the drug and this had an impact on his condition, there is no data in the instructions for "Tsitovir-3".
If an overdose is found, standard measures are recommended that are used in such situations - gastric lavage, taking a sorbent, contacting a doctor.
Interaction with other drugs
Tsitovir-3 can be combined with many other medicines, including medicines to lower fever, cough and other medicines prescribed for ARVI and influenza. The manufacturer does not mention the incompatibility of syrup, capsules or powder with any medicines.
Terms of sale
To buy Citovira-3 in syrup or powder, you must first take a prescription from your doctor, and the capsules are non-prescription drugs. One bottle of syrup costs about 380-400 rubles, for one bottle of powder you need to pay about 300-350 rubles. A pack of 12 capsules costs 220-300 rubles, depending on the pharmacy.
Storage conditions
The recommended storage temperature for all forms of the drug is below +25 degrees Celsius, but the solution prepared from the powder should be refrigerated. In order to prevent accidental intake of the medication (especially in liquid form, which can attract children with its sweet taste), it is important to keep Citovir-3 out of the reach.
The shelf life is different for different forms. The syrup should be used within 2 years from the date of manufacture, and the capsules have a shelf life of 3 years.
As for the powder, inside a sealed bottle it can be stored for up to 3 years from the date of issue, but after mixing with water, it can be stored for no longer than 10 days.
Reviews
About 70-80% of reviews about the use of "Cytovir-3" in children are positive. They call the drug effective and confirm that it helped prevent the flu or accelerated the recovery of a child with ARVI. The taste of liquid forms of the drug is noted as pleasant, and side effects are rarely detected.
The advantages of syrup and powder include the possibility of using it in small children over a year old, a simple intake regimen, a short course of treatment and the absence of flavors and dyes in such forms. The syrup is also praised for its long shelf life, although there are no harmful preservatives in this preparation either, and the absence of sugar is called the advantage of a solution prepared from a powder.
However, there are also negative reviews, in which mothers note the lack of a therapeutic effect or the appearance of side reactions. You can also see complaints about the short shelf life of the Citovir-3 solution, made from a powder form. Some parents call the price of the medication acceptable, while others call it high.
Analogs
If it is necessary to replace "Tsitovir-Z" with a medicine with a similar effect on the child's body, the doctor may prescribe the following.
- "Anaferon for children". These tablets contain antibodies to interferon, so they have an immunomodulatory and antiviral effect. The medicine should be dissolved, and for the smallest patients it is dissolved in water and given in suspension. The drug can be used in children from 1 month.
- "Likopid". Such a medicine in tablets stimulates the immune system and in a dosage of 1 mg can be prescribed to children over 3 years old. It is prescribed not only for viral, but also for bacterial infections.
- "Grippferon". This medicine, in the form of a spray or drops, contains interferon. It is often prescribed for the flu or for the prevention of SARS. It can be used in children at any age.
- "Polyoxidonium". This medication is represented by suppositories, tablets and lyophilisate. It works on the immune system and also has detoxifying and antioxidant effects. In children older than 6 months, only lyophilisate is used. The tablets are given to patients over three years old, and suppositories at a dose of 6 mg are used from the age of six.
- Derinat. Such a drug in a spray or drops is used in children from birth. Thanks to sodium deoxyribonucleinate, it stimulates immune function and helps protect the child's body from viral infection.
Dr. Komarovsky will tell you about antiviral drugs for children in the next video.
