Arpeflu for children: instructions for use

When a child develops a viral infection, modern drugs that can affect viruses and the immune system are used to combat the pathogen and to prevent complications. One of them is Arpeflu. Such a medicine is prescribed not only to sick children, but also to healthy ones, for example, to prevent infection during a flu epidemic.

Release form

"Arpeflu" is produced in Belarus by "Lekpharm" only in one form, which is tablets. They have a thick white film shell, and the shape of such tablets is biconvex and round. The drug is placed in cell packs of 10 or 20 pieces, and one pack contains from 10 to 30 tablets. In the form of powder, solution, capsules, suppositories and other forms "Arpeflu" is not produced.

Composition

The main ingredient of the drug is called umifenovir and is contained in the form of hydrochloride in one tablet at a dose of 50 mg or 100 mg. Apart from it, Arpeflu has milk sugar and starch, as well as povidone, silicon dioxide and microcrystalline cellulose. The drug also includes magnesium stearate, and its dense shell is made of polyvinyl alcohol, titanium dioxide, macrogol, and talc.

Operating principle

"Arpeflu" has an immunomodulatory and antiviral effect against influenza, herpes and some other pathogens. Under the influence of this medicine, the following changes occur in the patient's body:

the process of fusion of viruses with cell membranes is suppressed;
interferon is more actively produced;
cellular and humoral immunity is stimulated;
phagocytosis increases;
increased resistance to attack by viruses;
post-influenza complications are prevented;
the frequency of exacerbations decreases if the patient has a chronic infection;
immunological parameters are normalized.

Application of "Arpeflu" after infection with influenza helps to reduce the symptoms of intoxication and catarrhal manifestations. The drug shortens the duration of the high temperature period and the overall duration of the illness. At the same time, it is considered low-toxic, since any negative effects on the internal organs when taking pills inside are not noted.

The drug is absorbed very quickly, and its maximum amount in the blood is found about 1.5 hours after administration. Metabolic changes in umifenovir take place in the liver, so most of the active substance is excreted in the bile. About 90% of the medicine leaves the patient's body in the first day.

Indications

Most often, "Arpeflu" is prescribed to prevent or help cure influenza and other viral diseases of the respiratory tract. The drug is in demand both for mild or moderate course, and for complications such as bronchitis or pneumonia. It is also prescribed for patients with chronic bronchitis or to prevent recurrence of herpes infection.

Still such pills can also be prescribed after operations. to improve immunity, to normalize the function of the immune system and prevent infection. In addition, such a medication can be included in the treatment regimen for rotavirus.

At what age is it prescribed?

Since "Arpeflu" is presented only in tablet form and the recommended method of taking it is to swallow a whole tablet without damaging its shell, this medicine is not used at an early age.

According to the manufacturer's information, this drug should not be given to children under three years old. If the patient is already 3 years old, the use of "Arpeflu" is recommended after a doctor's examination.

Contraindications

The drug is not prescribed in cases of hypersensitivity to any component. In addition, "Arpeflu" cannot be used in case of galactose intolerance, glucose-galactose malabsorption or lactase deficiency, because the composition of the tablets includes milk sugar.

Side effects

In some patients, after taking "Arpeflu", an allergic reaction is found, for example, a rash. In this case, treatment should be stopped immediately.

Instructions for use

It is recommended to take the drug before meals, swallowing the tablet and drinking it with plain water. A single dosage of "Arpeflu" is determined by the age of the patient. If a child is from three to six years old, he should receive 50 mg of the active ingredient at a time, that is, he is given 1 tablet with this dosage. For patients aged 6-12 years, a single dose is increased to 100 mg and either one tablet with that amount of umifenovir is given, or two 50 mg tablets.

If treatment or prevention is required for a teenager who is already 12 years old, then a single dosage for such a patient will be 200 mg. This means that he will have to immediately swallow two tablets of 100 mg or four tablets containing 50 mg of umifenovir each.

The scheme of taking "Arpeflu" depends on the reason for using such an immunomodulator.

If the child has had contact with someone with SARS or influenza, the medication is given once a day, and the duration of prophylaxis is from 10 to 14 days.
If you want to prevent recurrence of herpes or to prevent an exacerbation of chronic bronchitis during a seasonal rise in the incidence of acute respiratory infections, the drug is taken twice a week, and the duration of such non-specific prophylaxis is 3 weeks.
If "Arpeflu" is applied during surgical treatment, as a means to reduce the risk of complications, the tablets should be given two days before surgery. Then the child should take the medication on the second and fifth day after the intervention.
If the child has diagnosed with influenza or other acute respiratory viral infections, but there are no complications, the drug is taken four times a day (pills should be taken every six hours). This course of treatment lasts 5 days.
In case of complications, for example, pneumonia or bronchitis, "Arpeflu" is taken according to the previous scheme (four times a day for five days), but with the difference that after completing a 5-day course, the medication should be given to the child once a week four times, then there are still 4 weeks.
For the treatment of recurrent herpes or exacerbation of bronchitis, which has a chronic course, "Arpeflu" is given four times a day. After 5-7 days of administration, the drug is continued for another 4 weeks, but only twice a week.
If the child has an intestinal infection, which was provoked by rotavirus, the drug is taken, as with the flu, a 5-day course four times a day.

Overdose

There were no cases when an accidentally exceeded dose of "Arpeflu" became the cause of ailments, until that time. In case of an overdose of such a drug, the usual measures are used, including gastric lavage, the use of sorbents and a visit to a doctor.

Interaction with other drugs

As noted in the instructions for "Arpeflu", such tablets can be combined with any other medicines, since there are no negative effects when taken simultaneously with other medicines.

Terms of sale

To buy "Arpeflu" in a pharmacy, you do not need to show a prescription from a doctor, but if a child will take such a drug, it is recommended to consult a doctor. The price of the medicine is influenced by the number of tablets in a pack and the dosage of umifenovir. For example, for 30 tablets with a dosage of 50 mg or for 20 tablets containing 100 mg of the active ingredient, you need to pay about 220-240 rubles.

Storage conditions

Shelf life "Arpeflu" - 2 years. It is recommended to keep the packaging of tablets at home in a place hidden from babies. In this case, the storage temperature should not be more than +25 degrees.

Reviews

There are many positive reviews about the use of the medicine. They call "Arpeflu" an effective and safe drug that helped to cure the flu or protect a child from infection. The price of the medication is called affordable, and the tolerance is good.

Analogs

If "Arpeflu" is not in the pharmacy, it can be replaced with "Arbidol", since it contains the same active compound. This Russian medicine is produced by Pharmstandard-Leksredstva in three forms. Two of them - pills and capsules - are prescribed, like "Arpeflu", from the age of three. But the third form, represented by powder, can be used from two years. Water is added to such a powder and a sweet fruit suspension is obtained, containing 25 mg of umifenovir in 5 milliliters.

Indications for the use of "Arbidol" are the same as for the use of "Arpeflu". Contraindications and possible negative reactions of the child's body for such drugs also coincide. Arbidol Maximum is also found in pharmacies. These are capsules in which the dosage is higher, so they are used no earlier than 12 years.

Other antiviral drugs can also replace "Arpeflu".

Orvirem. This syrup is easy to use in children and is allowed from 1 year old. It contains rimantadine and is able to act against influenza viruses.
"Amiksin". This medicine contains tilorone, which destroys the causative agents of influenza, hepatitis, herpes infection and other diseases. The remedy is represented by tablets, which are given to children over 7 years old.
"Amizonchik". This syrup contains enisamia iodide and is used for ARVI. Children are allowed to give it from the age of three.
"Acyclovir". Such a medicine has a specific effect on herpes viruses. This remedy can be used at any age and comes in different forms - ointment, tablets, cream, and so on.
"Kagocel". This antiviral tablet is used in patients over 3 years old. It is prescribed for infection with herpes viruses, influenza and other pathogens.

To support the immune system of children, the doctor can also choose one of the drugs based on interferon as an analogue of "Arpeflu". Among them, the most in demand is "Viferon", which is produced in the form of ointments, suppositories and gel.

It is allowed to be used even in premature babies.

Some mothers with ARVI or for their prevention turn to homeopathy, for example, use "Anaferon" or "Ergoferon". However, doctors' reviews about such drugs are often negative. They doubt their effectiveness and do not consider such drugs to be analogues of "Arpeflu".