Drugs that have a positive effect on immunity are especially in demand in the cold season, when the incidence increases and you want to support the body in the fight against viral attacks and harmful bacteria. Among them, herbal remedies, for example, based on echinacea, are in the greatest demand. One of these means is "Immunal". This medicine is often prescribed to strengthen the immune system for both adults and young patients.
Release form
Immunal is one of the products of the Slovenian pharmaceutical company LEK, which belongs to the Sandoz brand. The medication is presented in two dosage forms:
- Solution. This version of "Immunal" is sold in glass bottles containing 50 ml of medicine and supplemented with a graduated syringe with graduations from 0.5 to 2.5 ml, which helps to accurately measure the correct dose. The medication itself is a brown liquid sometimes called syrup. It can be either transparent or slightly cloudy or with sediment.
- Pills. They are packaged in blisters of 10 or 20 pieces and are sold in 20 tablets per pack. The shape of this "Immunal" is flat-cylindrical, the color is light brown with visible dark blotches. The tablets taste sweet and smell like vanilla.
Composition
The main component of both forms of "Immunal" is represented by juice, which is obtained from the herb Echinacea purpurea. As part of the solution, such juice remains liquid and accounts for 80% of the total volume (one milliliter of the drug contains 0.8 ml of juice), and in tablet form it is dried and presented with a dosage of 80 mg per tablet.
Additionally, liquid "Immunal" contains ethyl alcohol (96%) and sorbitol solution (70%). The auxiliary components of the tablets are magnesium stearate and milk sugar. In addition, there is cherry flavor, sodium saccharinate, silicon dioxide, and vanillin in the solid form of the drug.
Operating principle
The active substances that are present in echinacea are able to enhance the defenses of the human body and act as an immunostimulant. Under the influence of such substances, the number of leukocytes in the blood increases and the activity of phagocytosis increases, which helps in the fight against infection.
In addition, echinacea has some antiviral and antibacterial effects. The active compounds found in such a herb can suppress the reproduction of pathogens, which additionally contributes to their destruction.
Indications
"Immunal" is prescribed for children in such situations:
- if the child is already sick with ARVI or another infection (but without complications) and you need to speed up his recovery;
- if a small patient has a predisposition to frequent acute respiratory infections and colds and it is necessary to reduce the frequency of respiratory diseases;
- if parents want to protect the body of their daughter or son during a period of rising incidence of influenza and other viral infections;
- if the child has been taking antibiotics for a long time;
- if a small patient was diagnosed with a chronic infection, due to which immunity decreased.
At what age is it assigned?
Both forms of medication are contraindicated for infants. "Immunal" in the form of a solution is allowed from 1 year, and the drug in tablets can be given to patients over four years old.
Contraindications
"Immunal" should not be used in patients with intolerance to echinacea or other ingredients of the medicine, as well as in case of allergy to other Asteraceae plants. The medicine should also not be given to children with tuberculosis, systemic diseases, leukemia, HIV infection, or autoimmune pathologies. If the patient has bronchial asthma or any allergic diseases, the use of "Immunal" requires caution.
Side effects
In some children, the drug can cause allergic reactions, for example, hives, bronchospasm or Quincke's edema. In such a situation, the use of "Immunal" is immediately stopped and seek medical help.
If you use the medication for too long, it can lead to leukopenia, so there are restrictions on the duration of the course.
Instructions for use
The diet does not affect the time of taking the medicine. Before giving liquid "Immunal" to a child, the medication must be shaken. In addition, it is recommended to dilute it with water, taking it in a small volume. The dosage of the solution is determined by the age of the patient. One appointment is usually prescribed:
- 1 ml of the drug for a child aged 1-6 years;
- 1.5 ml of solution, if the child is from 6 to 12 years old;
- 2.5 ml each, if the medication was prescribed to a teenager over 12 years old.
In the indicated single doses "Immunal" is taken three times a day.
The tablets are recommended to be swallowed and washed down with water, but for small children it is permissible to grind them into powder and mix with tea, water or juice. A single dose of the solid form of "Immunal" is one tablet, but the frequency of administration for patients of different ages is different:
- if the child is 4-6 years old, then the medication is taken once a day, less often - twice a day;
- if the patient's age is 6-12 years old, then he is given a tablet preparation one to three times a day;
- a teenager over 12 years old should take this medication 3-4 times a day.
The duration of the drug intake is determined for each child individually. In this case, the remedy is advised to give at least 1 week, but no longer than eight weeks in a row.
Overdose
According to information from the manufacturer, exceeding the dose does not cause intoxication, but in case of an overdose, it is still worth showing the child to the doctor.
Interaction with other drugs
Since the liquid "Immunal" contains ethyl alcohol, taking such a medicine can affect the treatment of other medicines, including cephalosporins and other antibiotics. Both forms of medication are not prescribed when taking immunosuppressants, as their effect will weaken.
Terms of sale
Both forms of "Immunal" are sold without a prescription, but if the product is purchased for a child under 12 years old, consultation with a specialist is required. The price of one bottle of solution in different pharmacies ranges from 200 to 360 rubles, and for 20 tablets you need to pay about 300-350 rubles.
Storage conditions
Shelf life of liquid "Immunal" - 2 years, tablet medicine - 3 years. During storage of the solution, a precipitate in the form of flakes or turbidity may appear, but this does not affect the therapeutic effect of the drug and is associated with its plant origin (the presence of polysaccharides). It is recommended to keep both versions of the medicine at home in a place hidden from babies, where the temperature does not exceed +25 degrees Celsius.
Reviews
There are a lot of good reviews from parents and doctors about the use of "Immunal" to strengthen immunity in children (including Komarovsky, who has a positive attitude towards phytoimmunomodulators). One of the main advantages of the drug is called its natural base. According to mothers, the drug accelerated the cure of ARVI and getting rid of cough, weakness, runny nose and other symptoms. When taken for prophylaxis, most reviews confirm that children are getting sick less often.
The liquid form is praised for its ease of use and the possibility of using it in children over one year old, but many parents do not like the presence of alcohol in such "Immunal". The advantages of tablets include a pleasant taste and the possibility of grinding for preschoolers. The disadvantages of both forms of the drug are the risk of allergies and the high cost. In addition, there are reviews where they mention the lack of a therapeutic effect after the course of "Immunal".
"Immunal plus S"
In addition to the usual "Immunal", in pharmacies you can find a drug called "Immunal plus C". It is also produced by the Sandoz company, but it is presented in only one dosage form - a solution that must be drunk. This solution is sold in 50 ml glass vials along with a dosing syringe. Like Immunal, the medicine itself is brown and has a peculiar smell. This liquid is also clear or cloudy with a slight sediment.
The main difference is the composition of such a drug. Echinacea juice contained in "Immunal plus C" is dried, and its dosage is 46.5 mg per 1 milliliter. The medicine also has a second active component, which is ascorbic acid. Each milliliter of solution contains 20 mg of this vitamin. The auxiliary ingredients also differ from the composition of the usual "Immunal" and are represented by orange flavor, disodium edetate, maltitol, purified water, sodium hydroxide and potassium sorbate.
In terms of its effect on the human body, this drug is also referred to as immunostimulants, and the vitamin C present in it is a strong antioxidant and is able to protect cells from destruction due to inflammation. In addition, thanks to ascorbic acid, the response of the immune system will be further enhanced, and the concentration of antibodies in the blood will increase.
The medicine is prescribed for children over one year old with the same indications, and the possible side effects and contraindications for him and the usual "Immunal" coincide. As for the treatment regimen, the medication is also taken three times a day, but the single doses differ:
- babies 1-4 years old are given 1 ml;
- patients 4-12 years old - 1 or 2 ml;
- children over 12 years old - 2 or 3 ml.
In this case, "Immunal plus C" is usually prescribed in courses lasting 7-10 days. The product is sold without a prescription and costs from 300 to 400 rubles per bottle. Its shelf life is 2 years, and the storage conditions coincide with the recommendations for storing the "Immunal" solution.
Analogs
A cheaper analogue of Immunal is Echinacea Tincture, which is often used to strengthen the immune system in adults. It is also made from the herb Echinacea, which is infused with alcohol and dispensed in drops.
However, although it is much cheaper, this drug is contraindicated in children under 12 years of age due to the significant content of ethanol.
If you need to replace "Immunal" for a younger child, the doctor may prescribe another medicine from the group of immunomodulators, for example, "Isoprinosine", "Likopid", "Broncho-Munal P" or "Cytovir-3". However, all these medicines have their own characteristics of use, therefore, it is undesirable to give them to children without consulting a doctor.
For more information about the drug "Immunal" for children, see the next video.
