Every mother of a frequently ill baby thinks about strengthening the child's immunity. Pharmacies offer many drugs that are classified as immunomodulators.
Among them there is also a domestic medicine called Polyoxidonium. Is it prescribed to children, and how does it affect the child's body?
Release form
Polyoxidonium is manufactured by the Russian company NPO Petrovax Pharm in three versions:
- Pills... They are sold in cell packs of 10, and one box contains 1-2 packs (10 or 20 tablets). Such Polyoxidonium is characterized by a round shape, the presence of risks on one side, and the letters "PO" on the other. The color of the tablets is usually white, but may have a yellow tint.
- Suppositories... This form of the drug has a homogeneous structure, a light yellow tint, a specific aroma (it is given by cocoa butter) and a torpedo-like shape. The medication is sold in 10 suppositories in one pack, packed in 5 pieces in a polyvinyl chloride film shell.
- Lyophilisate... Such Polyoxidonium is a white-yellow porous mass placed in glass ampoules. The vials are closed with a rubber stopper and an aluminum cap. Inside one bottle, depending on the dosage, there is 4.5 or 9 grams of the drug. 5 bottles are sold in one box, which can be located both between cardboard inserts and in a film package. Especially for hospitals, boxes with cardboard partitions are produced, inside which are placed 50 vials of lyophilisate.
Composition
The main ingredient in any form of Polyoxidonium is called azoxymere bromide. Its amount differs in different preparations:
- in one tablet this substance is contained in a dose of 12 mg and is supplemented with mannitol, potato starch, K17 povidone, stearic acid, lactose monohydrate;
- one candle may contain both 6 mg and 12 mg of azoxymer, as well as cocoa butter, povidone K17 and mannitol;
- in one bottle lyophilizate azoxymer is presented in a dosage of 3 mg or 6 mg and is combined with povidone K17 and mannitol.
Operating principle
Polyoxidonium has a complex effect on the human body:
- This drug has an immunomodulatory effect associated with a direct effect on phagocytic cells and natural killer cells. In addition, azoxymer bromide stimulates the production of antibodies and alpha and gamma interferons.
- The drug has antioxidant properties due to the high molecular nature of its main component and the peculiarities of its structure. It is able to intercept free radicals and prevent lipid peroxidation due to the destruction of active iron ions.
- Taking Polyoxidonium also has a detoxifying effect. It consists in blocking toxins and heavy metal salts, as well as in stimulating their elimination.
- The drug also has a moderate anti-inflammatory effect, as it normalizes the ratio of anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory cytokines.
The use of Polyoxidonium increases the body's resistance to both local and generalized infections. At the same time, the medication improves protection against both bacteria and viral or fungal infections.
Thanks to the use of Polyoxidonium, it is possible to restore the normal state of immunity if the immunodeficiency is secondary (if it was caused by various infections, postoperative complications or injuries).
If the drug is used under the tongue, it activates early immune defenses against infectious agents by stimulating the bactericidal properties of immune cells and saliva.
If Polyoxidonium is swallowed, then the drug stimulates the cells of the lymph nodes in the intestine. At the same time, the drug has no carcinogenic, teratogenic and allergenic effects.
In addition, the medication does not provoke irritation of the mucous membranes of the mouth and nasopharynx when applied topically.
A suppository inserted rectally or a tablet taken orally is rapidly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and has a bioavailability of approximately 70%. After swallowing, the maximum of azoxymer bromide in plasma is noted after 3 hours, with the introduction of the drug into the rectum in suppositories - after 1 hour.
With injection, the bioavailability of the drug is higher (about 90%), and the maximum concentration in the blood is reached faster (after 40 minutes). The medicine doesn't accumulate but turns into low molecular weight compounds and is excreted mainly by the kidneys.
Indications
Monotherapy with Polyoxidonium (taking only this drug) is prescribed for prophylactic purposes:
- to prevent recurrence of herpes on the lips or in the area of the nose (tablets are prescribed), as well as in case of herpes lesions of the urogenital organs (candles are used);
- to reduce the frequency of exacerbations in chronic inflammatory processes in the area of the oropharynx, middle or inner ear, nasal sinuses or upper respiratory tract (suppositories and tablets are used);
- to reduce the risk of secondary immunodeficiency (use a tablet form and candles);
- for the prevention of ARVI and influenza during an epidemic or in the period before a seasonal outbreak of such diseases (suppositories or lyophilisate are prescribed);
- to reduce the risk of infection after surgery (lyophilisate is used).
For the purpose of treatment, Polyoxidonium in any form is used in childhood in combination with other drugs for infection or acute inflammatory process in the mouth, nose, bronchi, ears, pharynx, paranasal sinuses.
Besides, the medication is also prescribed for allergic diseasesif they are complicated by infection (including with atopic dermatitis and bronchial asthma). Lyophilisate is additionally used in children with intestinal dysbiosis.
Polyoxidonium in candles is also prescribed:
- with tuberculosis;
- with cystitis, pyelonephritis, urethritis and other inflammatory diseases in the pelvic area;
- with rheumatoid arthritis;
- with trophic ulcers, burns or fractures (to activate tissue regeneration);
- with oncological pathologies, to reduce the negative effect of other drugs, radiation and chemotherapy.
At what age is it assigned?
It is permissible for children of the first years of life to give only a lyophilisate, since in this form Polyoxidonium is approved from 6 months of age... If the child is already 3 years old, pills can also be used in his treatment.
As for suppositories, in childhood, only a medication with a dosage of 6 mg is indicated. Such suppositories are used in patients over 6 years old.
Contraindications
Polyoxidonium cannot be used in such cases:
- if a small patient has an increased sensitivity to azoxymer bromide or another component of the selected form of the drug;
- if the child develops acute renal failure.
The tablet form is not prescribed for children with glucose and galactose malabsorption syndrome, as well as for lactase deficiency and milk sugar intolerance.
If a child has been diagnosed with chronic renal failure, then the treatment is carried out carefully and the medicine is used no more than twice a week.
Side effects
There are no negative effects while taking Polyoxidonium tablets. Medication in suppositories in children with hypersensitivity provokes itching, swelling or redness of the area around the anus.
When using a lyophilisate, in rare cases, the body temperature rises, an allergic reaction develops, or the child's behavior becomes restless. In addition, the injection may cause chills, induration, redness, or soreness at the injection site.
If a child feels unwell during the treatment or prophylactic use of such a drug, the doctor should be informed.
Instructions for use
Pills
Solid polyoxidonium can be taken in two ways:
Absorb under the tongue. This use is prescribed for children over 3 years old.
Swallow with water. This method is recommended for patients over 10 years old only for respiratory diseases.
The medication is given before meals for about 20-30 minutes. If such Polyoxidonium is used for treatment, then the drug must be absorbed or swallowed twice a day. A single dosage for young patients 3-10 years old is half a tablet, for children over 10 years old - a whole tablet.
For prophylactic purposes, the solid form of Polyoxidonium is given in the same doses - half a tablet for a child under 10 years old and a whole tablet for a patient who is already 10 years old.
In order to prevent SARS, flu or complications of chronic infection, the medicine is taken 1 time per day. If the drug is prescribed for the prevention of recurrence of herpes, it should be given to the child twice a day, as with treatment.
The duration of the course in childhood in most cases is 7 days.
To prevent exacerbations of any chronic infections, the tablets dissolve within 10 days.
A 10-day course is also needed in the treatment of pathologies of the respiratory tract, if the tablets are prescribed orally. Re-admission after the end of the course is possible after 3-4 months.
Candles
This form of Polyoxidonium in childhood is used exclusively rectally. The candle is inserted into the rectum after cleaning it with an enema or after a bowel movement.
A single dosage for patients 6-18 years old is one suppository containing 6 mg of active compound. Depending on the reason for use, the following schemes are used:
- Three days, 1 suppository daily, and then 7 more suppositories every other day (only 10 suppositories per course). This method Polyoxidonium is prescribed for the treatment of exacerbations of chronic pathologies of an infectious nature.
- 1 candle every day for 10 days. This scheme is used for acute infections, allergic diseases with infection, exacerbation of urological diseases, or in order to activate regeneration processes. In addition, the drug is also taken to prevent ARVI and influenza.
- For three days, 1 suppository every day, and then 17 candles every other day (a total of 20 candles per course). This mode is used for lung damage with a tubercle bacillus. After the end of the course, supportive treatment can be prescribed for 2-3 months, during which suppositories are placed twice a week.
- 1 suppository every other day for 20 days (10 suppositories in total). This regimen is prescribed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, as well as for the prevention of worsening of herpes or other chronic infections.
- 1 suppository daily for 2-3 days, and then 1 suppository twice a week (up to 10 candles in total). According to this scheme, Polyoxidonium is prescribed to patients with oncopathologies, starting treatment 2-3 days before radiation or chemotherapy.
Lyophilisate
This form of Polyoxidonium can be used in three ways:
- Parenterally - the medicine is injected into muscle tissue or drip into a vein.
- Intranasal - the medication is dripped into the nose (into one of the nasal passages).
- Sublingually - the drug is dripped into the mouth under the tongue.
The method of administration, the required dose and the duration of therapy are determined by the doctor, taking into account the severity of the disease and the age of the child. Before parenteral use, the contents of the vial are mixed with a solvent, which is usually sterile saline.
For intramuscular injections, special sterile water can also be used, and if the child has a hard time tolerating injections, then the lyophilisate can be diluted with a 0.5% solution of novocaine (in the absence of allergy to such an anesthetic).
Filling the porous mass with liquid, it is left for 2-3 minutes, and when the medicine swells, gently mix, making rotational movements. If drip injection into a vein is prescribed, then the diluted drug is injected into a bag or bottle of saline solution.
To use the lyophilisate sublingually or nasally, it must also be made liquid. To do this, add 1 ml of non-hot boiled water, saline or distilled water to one bottle with a dosage of 3 mg. With this dilution, 20 drops of the drug are obtained with 0.15 mg of the active ingredient in each drop. If a vial with a dosage of 6 mg is used, 2 ml of solvent is added to it, resulting in 40 drops of 0.15 mg each.
The daily dose of lyophilisate in childhood is determined by weight and is 0.1 mg / kg for parenteral treatment and 0.15 mg / kg (1 drop) when used in the nose or under the tongue. The maximum daily dosage of the drug is considered to be 40 drops, that is, children weighing more than 40 kg are given no more than 40 drops per day.
The dose calculated per day for intranasal use is divided into 3 doses, and for sublingual use - by 2. The interval between the use of drops should be at least 1-2 hours. The duration of the course is usually up to 10 days, but for the prevention of ARVI and influenza, the medication can be dripped for up to 1 month.
Overdose
Until this time, there were no cases of negative influence of Polyoxidonium in an exceeded dosage. If, after accidentally taking any form of medication in too high a dose, any negative symptoms appear, the patient should be shown to a doctor.
Interaction with other drugs
According to the information from the manufacturer, Polyoxidonium can be combined with antihistamines, antibiotics, antiviral drugs and many other medicines.
Terms of sale
The only form of Polyoxidonium that requires a doctor's prescription is lyophilisate. Other types of the drug can be freely purchased at any pharmacy without a prescription, but consultation with a doctor is advisable. The average price of 10 tablets is 700-750 rubles, one pack of 10 6 mg suppositories costs about 850-900 rubles, and for 5 vials of 3 mg lyophilisate you need to pay from 700 to 800 rubles.
Storage features
The shelf life of all types of Polyoxidonium is 2 years and is marked on the packaging. If it has expired, the use of such a drug in children is unacceptable. To store any of the medicines, you need to find a place in which it will be inaccessible to children.
The temperature regime for each form of Polyoxidonium will differ:
- tablets can be kept at temperatures from +2 to +25 degrees;
- storage of suppositories requires a cool place with a temperature of +2 to +15 degrees;
- the sealed lyophilisate should be kept in the refrigerator, since the recommended storage temperature for such a form for manufacturers is the range from +2 to +8 degrees;
- diluted lyophilisate, which is going to drip under the tongue or into the nose, can be stored at room temperature for 48 hours after opening and dilution. If the drug is diluted for injection, it cannot be stored.
Reviews
In most cases, parents respond positively to the use of Polyoxidonium in children. The main advantages of the drug are considered its quick therapeutic effect, safety in childhood, a wide range of applications and many dosage forms.
Among the disadvantages, the high cost of this drug is usually mentioned.... Also, sometimes you can see negative reviews, which tell about the lack of improvement after the course of treatment.
The opinion of immunologists and pediatricians about Polyoxidonium is different.Some doctors note its positive effect and use it in their practice, prescribing to children with tonsillitis, adenoiditis, influenza, dysbiosis, rotavirus infection and other diseases.
Other doctors, including Dr. Komarovsky, doubt the effectiveness of such a medication and do not advise the use of any immunomodulators in children without indications and immunograms.
Analogs
Instead of Polyoxidonium, the doctor may prescribe another drug with a similar effect on the immune system, for example:
- Anaferon;
- Groprinosin;
- Wobenzym;
- Tsitovir-3;
Such medicines are presented in different forms, contain different active components and have their own age restrictions, so the choice of an analogue should be entrusted to the doctor.
Dr. Komarovsky will tell you how to choose high-quality immunomodulators in the next video.
