Interferon for children: instructions for use

Interferons are protein molecules that are formed in the human body when the temperature rises in response to exposure to an infectious agent, such as the influenza virus. Thanks to such proteins, cells become less vulnerable to viral infection, and the disease passes faster.

The discovery and study of interferons prompted scientists to create drugs that will contain such proteins and help in the treatment of viral diseases. So there were drugs called "Interferons" and many of their analogues, as well as antiviral drugs that can stimulate the synthesis of interferon in the body of a sick person. Let's consider in more detail the medicine called "Interferon" and, in particular, its use in children.

Release form

In our country, "Interferon" is produced by the companies "Microgen", "Biomed", SPbNIIVS and "Biocad". They are also engaged in the production of serums, toxoids, bacteriophages and other drugs.

"Interferon" is presented in pharmacies in two forms.

Lyophilisate... It should be diluted to produce a medicinal solution used for inhalation, nasal drops, or intramuscular injections. It is sold in glass ampoules, packed in cardboard boxes of 5-10 pieces. The content of the ampoule is a porous white mass with a cream, yellowish or pink tint. Sometimes ampoules with a solvent are attached to the lyophilisate, and some manufacturers include spray nozzles in the package to facilitate intranasal use of the drug.
Ready sterile solution... It is packaged in 2 ml or 5 ml vials or ampoules and sold in boxes of 1, 5 or 10 pieces. The medicine itself is light pink or colorless, and may be slightly opalescent.

Composition

Most medicines called Interferon contain alpha proteins. We will consider them in more detail, since "Interferon beta" is prescribed for multiple sclerosis and is not used in childhood.

If on the package written "human leukocyte", then such interferon is obtained from white blood cells, therefore, the active substance contains not only protein molecules, but also leukocytes. Presence in the name of the product the word "recombinant" indicates that such interferon is obtained outside the human bodyit is usually produced by E. coli, into which a special gene has been inserted. This simplifies the production of the drug and prevents the transmission of any diseases through donor cells.

One ampoule of lyophilisate contains 1000 IU or 10 000 IU of interferon alpha. A lower dosage is indicated for inhalation and nasal administration, while higher concentrations are indicated for injection... The dosage of interferon in a ready-made sterile liquid solution is 1000 IU per 1 milliliter.

Other components of the ampoule with lyophilisate do not include, and the composition of liquid "Interferon" also contains auxiliary ingredients. These include sterile water and sodium dihydrogen phosphate, as well as hydrogen phosphate and sodium chloride. If there are also ampoules of solvent in the box with "Interferon" in the form of a lyophilisate, then water for injection is used.

Operating principle

Interferon does not have a direct antiviral effect, but such proteins are able to change cells that are adjacent to the affected ones, as a result of which viral particles cannot multiply in them, which prevents the spread of infection to healthy tissues. In addition, interferon has a stimulating effect on the immune system. Under its influence, substances are more actively released that activate the work of T cells, natural killers and macrophages.

Indications

"Interferon" is often prescribed for influenza or other acute respiratory infections caused by viruses, as well as for the prevention of such diseases. In such cases, the agent is used either in the nose or in the form of inhalation.

An injection drug is used for such serious diseases as hepatitis C, lymphoma, renal carcinoma, melanoma, leukemia, and so on.

Are children prescribed?

Preparations containing alpha interferons can be used in childhood, but only as directed by a doctor.

You can drip "Interferon" into the nose from birth, and inhalation is done for children over 3 years old.

Contraindications

"Interferon", containing proteins of the alpha type, is not used intranasally and inhalation only in case of hypersensitivity to protein drugs. But if the child has allergic diseases, the medication should be used with caution.

It is also important to remember that lyophilisate intended for use in the nose and for inhalation should not be injected.

As for the "Interferon" prescribed in injections, it has quite a few contraindications, including hepatitis, heart disease, thyroid pathology, and so on, so this medicine is not used without a doctor's prescription.

Side effects

If "Interferon" is prescribed for inhalation treatment or in the nose, then it often does not cause any unpleasant side effects. Only in rare cases, due to the use of such a medication, an allergic reaction can occur.

If the drug is injected, it can provoke nausea, muscle pain, fever, decreased blood pressure, diarrhea, drowsiness, weakness, and other negative symptoms.

Application

Into the nose

Instructions for use provide for instilling or spraying the drug in the nasal cavity. If you take a lyophilisate, then the ampoule is opened right before use, adding boiled or distilled water to the inside. Shaking gently, wait until the contents are completely dissolved and form a clear liquid (there may be a slight opalescence) without color or with a pink or yellowish tinge.

You can drip the prepared solution into the nose with a syringe without a needle or a medical pipette, and spray it with the supplied nozzle or other spray.

If Interferon is prescribed for prophylaxis, it is started to be injected into the nose at the risk of infection. This application lasts until the danger of a viral infection has passed.

For therapeutic purposes, "Interferon" is prescribed as early as possible, when the clinical symptoms of ARVI have just begun to appear.

If the package with the lyophilisate contains a special nozzle for spraying the agent into the nose, then a syringe is also needed to use it correctly. Having typed the required amount of solution into it, the needle is replaced with a nozzle, it is placed on the nostril so that it is about 5 mm inside, and then the syringe plunger is sharply pressed so that the medicine is injected into the nasal passage. Then the nozzle is removed, the needle is put on, another dose of dissolved "Interferon" is taken, intended for the second nostril, the needle is again changed to a spray nozzle and the agent is injected into the nasal passage.

Before using "Interferon" in the nose, it is recommended to clear the passages from mucus and impurities. The child should sit and tilt his head back a little, and after spraying the solution, do not move his head for about one minute. The spray tip should only be used on one patient.

A single dosage of a solution made from a lyophilisate is 5 drops in each nasal passage (if the product needs to be dripped) or 0.25 ml of the medicine (if it is sprayed). The frequency of use depends on the indication.

If the medication is used prophylactically, then it is necessary to drip or spray "Interferon" twice a day, and at least 6 hours should pass between such two treatments of the mucous membrane.

If the medicine is prescribed for treatment, it is used intranasally at least 5 times a day at intervals of 1 or 2 hours.

Inhalation

The use of "Interferon" in this way is considered the most effective for viral diseases of the respiratory system.

The procedure is performed in a nebulizer twice a day. For one inhalation, take 3 ampoules with a lyophilisate and dissolve them in 4 milliliters of pure water, which is heated a little before that (but not more than up to +37 degrees).

You can breathe "Interferon" through your mouth and nose. The duration of such treatment is usually 2-3 days.

Injections

For injections, drugs are used containing 10 thousand IU of alpha-interferon in one ampoule. Injections are performed intramuscularly, and their frequency and single dosage, as well as the duration of such treatment, are determined individually.

Since with such an introduction of "Interferon" the manifestation of side effects of the drug is possible, this method is prescribed to children less often and only in case of serious pathologies.

Drug interaction

If "Interferon" is sprayed into the nose or inhaled with it, then it can be combined with any other medications, for example, with antipyretics or cough syrups. Injections can affect the action of many other medicines, so the question of their compatibility with other prescribed medicines is decided individually by a specialist.

Terms of sale

To buy both forms of the drug in a pharmacy, you do not need a prescription from a doctor, but a specialist consultation is recommended, as with any other means that affect the immune system. The price of "Interferon" is influenced by the form of the drug and the manufacturer. For example, for a 5 ml bottle from "Biomed" you need to pay about 120 rubles, and 10 ampoules with lyophilisate from "Microgen" cost an average of 90-100 rubles.

Storage

The shelf life of the lyophilisate is usually 2 years, the ready-made solution - up to 24 hours. The sealed liquid "Interferon" can be stored for up to 2 years from the date of manufacture, an opened ampoule - no longer than a day, and an opened bottle - up to three days. Ampoules or vials with any form of "Interferon" should be kept in the refrigerator, because the manufacturer's recommended storage temperature is from +2 to +8 degrees Celsius.

Reviews and analogues

On the treatment of children with "Interferon", you can see mainly positive reviews, in which parents confirm its effectiveness in viral infections. The advantages of the funds also include affordable cost, ease of use, good tolerance and the ability to use in small patients. Among the disadvantages, many mothers call the storage features of the medication.

A substitute for "Interferon" can be another drug that contains the same or similar components, therefore also has an immunostimulating effect.

"Viferon"... The composition of such a drug includes recombinant alpha-2b interferon. The tool is in demand for ARVI, herpes infection, enterovirus infection, pneumonia, hepatitis and many other pathologies. The drug in the form of rectal suppositories and gel is used even in newborns, and Viferon ointment is prescribed for children over a year old.

"Grippferon"... The basis of this medication is also recombinant interferon, which belongs to the alpha-2b type. Both forms of medicine (nasal drops and nasal spray) are allowed from birth and are most often prescribed for viral infection in the respiratory tract or to prevent it.

"Genferon Light"... Such a preparation in the form of a spray and suppositories contains not only alpha-2b interferon, but also taurine, a substance that stabilizes membranes, accelerates recovery and normalizes metabolism in tissues. The drug is included in the treatment of ARVI and many other infections, including bacterial ones. It can be used in the form of candles from birth, even in infants born prematurely, and the spray is prescribed from the age of 14.

"Oftalmoferon"... The difference between such a drug based on alpha-interferon from analogs is its dosage form - the drug is represented by eye drops, therefore, it is in demand for various eye diseases. In addition, the medicine includes another active ingredient - diphenhydramine. Children can drip it at any age.

"Kipferon"... This medication, presented by suppositories, contains a combination of alpha interferon and several types of immunoglobulins. It is prescribed for acute respiratory infections, intestinal infections, hepatitis, chlamydia, flu and other diseases. Children can use these candles from birth.

"Ingaron"... Unlike previous analogues, this medicine is a lyophilizate and contains gamma-interferon. It can be used for influenza, viral rhinitis and other diseases from the age of 7.

In addition, if it is impossible to use drugs based on interferons, the doctor may prescribe drugs that stimulate the production of such protein compounds in the child's body, for example:

"Kagocel" - tablets prescribed from the age of 3;
"Amiksin" - tablets based on tilorone, allowed from 7 years;
"Cycloferon" - pills given to children over 4 years old.

There is one more important point that parents need to know about when choosing analogues of "Interferon". The presence of the end “feron” in the name of the drug does not always indicate the presence of interferons in the composition and an effective effect on immunity. For example, the funds under the names "Anaferon" and "Ergoferon" are homeopathy and most doctors are not considered effective, therefore they cannot serve as analogues of "Interferon".