8 best antiviral drugs

Often, colds and other diseases are caused not by bacteria, but by viruses. These microorganisms are structured and function completely differently. Therefore, antibiotic treatment is ineffective. In such cases, antiviral drugs are taken. Let's talk in more detail, what types they are, how they work and which medicine is best to buy for a cold of viral origin.

Classification of antiviral agents

Antiviral drugs are divided into several varieties, depending on their effect on the causative agent of the disease. Currently, there are the following types of such drugs.

• M2 channel blockers... The virus is not an independent organism. It can fully function and multiply only by merging with any parts of the cell. Usually this is the nucleus or intracellular organelles. Blockers of M2 channels close the pathways for the virus to enter cell organelles (they are called M2 channels). After that, the causative agent of the disease cannot enter the cell and begin self-reproduction. The spread of the disease is stopped. Already affected cells are destroyed by lymphocytes and leukocytes.
• Neuraminidase inhibitors... Neurominidase is an enzyme that secretes most strains of viral influenza pathogens. It accelerates the release of new virus particles from the infected cell, and also facilitates their penetration into the tissue lining the organs of the respiratory system. The result is the rapid spread of the pathogen, the occurrence of a cold, cough. Neurominidase inhibitors block enzyme production. Thus, the virus cannot quickly spread throughout the body and is destroyed by immune cells.
• Reverse transcriptase inhibitors... Reverse transcriptase is an enzyme that plays an important role in the reproduction of DNA and RNA in the human body. He also participates in the synthesis of the virus if the cell is affected by it. Without an enzyme, self-reproduction of the pathogen is simply impossible. Reverse transcriptase inhibitors block its action. As a result, the virus cannot reproduce itself and is destroyed by lymphocytes and leukocytes.
• Comprehensive (or extended actions)... Such drugs combine the features of the types of drugs described above and use several mechanisms of action on the causative agent of the disease at once.

There are also anti-virus tools that do not directly affect the metabolic processes of the virus. They stimulate the human immune system, directing its own forces to destroy infected cells.

How do antiviral drugs work?

The mechanism of action of drugs to combat viral diseases, depending on their type, may be:

• metabolic disorders of the cell affected by the viral pathogen, as a result of which it dies or can no longer continue to reproduce itself;
• providing a stimulating effect on human immunity (for example, aimed at increasing the production of lymphocytes and leukocytes), as a result of which the body independently destroys the affected cells.

The effect on the virus, which has not yet managed to penetrate into the cell, is rarely exerted by drugs. This is due to the fact that it is a protein molecule that does not show any activity. However, there are also such medicines. But if you compare their number with the total amount of antiviral drugs, there are quite a few such funds.

Rating of the best antiviral drugs

Below is a rating of the 8 best antiviral drugs for the treatment of influenza and ARVI, which can be purchased today in Russian pharmacies without a doctor's prescription.

Tamiflu

Tamiflu is an effective drug for the treatment of influenza.It is based on a substance called oseltamivir. This organic chemical compound blocks the production of neuraminidase, as a result of which the spread of the pathogen throughout the body is significantly slowed down. After that, immune cells can destroy it.

Tamiflu is effective against influenza viruses belonging to groups A and B. These are the most common types of pathogen. To date, several strains are constantly circulating in the human population, which belong to them. The effect of the drug on other types of the virus is poorly understood. It is quite possible that it will be ineffective in relation to them.

The medicine is suitable for both adults and children. In the first case, it is taken twice a day, in the second - no more than once a day. The course of treatment lasts a total of 5 days.

It is important to start treatment no later than 2 days from the moment the first symptoms of pathology appear. This is due to the mechanism of action of Tamiflu. Neutralization of the action of neuraminidase prevents the spread of the pathogen towards the organs of the respiratory system. However, in two days he usually has time to penetrate there and such treatment becomes ineffective.

Tamiflu can be taken as a prophylactic agent after contact with a sick person.

The drug has no contraindications and side effects. However, it must be taken with caution:

• people suffering from kidney and liver diseases;
• pregnant and lactating women;
• elderly.

Typically, these categories of patients reduce the dosage by 1.5 - 3 times. In no case should they take the drug on their own - before starting the course of treatment, a doctor's consultation is mandatory.

Arbidol

Arbidol is a relatively inexpensive, domestically produced antiviral drug. It is used as an anti-influenza agent.

The main active ingredient of Arbidol is umifenovir. The principle of action of the compound is that it reduces the activity of the protein hemagglutinin. It is found in the human body even in the absence of disease. The substance takes part in the metabolism of erythrocytes. However, proteins that are similar in structure are also secreted by viruses. With the help of them, microorganisms penetrate the cell membrane. If hemagglutinin is inactive, such penetration is impossible.

The drug has no contraindications, since it is a weakly toxic drug. However, Arbidol should be taken with caution in case of liver disease. This is due to the fact that it leaves the body in an almost unchanged form and passes through this organ, being partially metabolized in it.

Arbidol is available in tablets, capsules and suspensions. The method of application will be different in each case. If we are talking about 100 mg tablets, which are the most common form of release, then the drug is taken 2 times a day (children - 1 time).

Polyoxidonium

Polyoxidonium is a good Russian antiviral drug. The mechanism of action differs from that of the previous participants in our review. It does not directly affect viruses, but increases the activity of human immunity.

The main active ingredient of the drug is azoxymer bromide. This organic compound is a polymer that was developed by domestic scientists. Azoximer bromide increases the activity of the body's immune cells (in particular, makes more intensive the course of oxygen-independent processes in leukocytes. As a result, they better fight against cells affected by the viral pathogen.

The remedy is usually taken 1-2 times a day. However, the method of application can be changed depending on the form of release. The duration of the course of treatment should not exceed 7-10 days. Re-therapy is possible no earlier than 3-4 months later.

The tool has a number of contraindications, including:

• individual intolerance;
• renal failure;
• pregnancy;
• lactation;
• age up to 6 years.

Side effects may occur when taking:

• high temperature;
• chills;
• little concern.

Remantadine

Remantadine is a cheap drug of the previous generation, which is designed to combat various strains of the influenza virus.

Remantadine has a complex effect, consisting of 3 components:

• immunomodulating - stimulates the production of leukocytes and lymphocytes, increases their activity;
• antitoxic - neutralizes hazardous substances that virus-infected cells release into the body during the reproduction of the pathogen's genetic material;
• blocking of M2 channels - prevents the penetration of the viral pathogen into the nucleus of cells and organelles, and also prevents its reproduction inside.

Remantadine is taken not only for therapeutic, but also for prophylactic purposes. Drink on the 1st day of illness 3 times a day, 100 mg, starting from 3 days - 2 times a day, 100 mg, from 4 - 1 time a day. The course of treatment lasts 5 days. For children, the dosage is reduced by 2 times.

You can not take Remantadine when:

• hepatitis;
• kidney disease;
• thyrotoxicosis;
• pregnancy;
• breastfeeding.

The medicine has side effects that can manifest itself in:

• pain and cramps in the stomach;
• allergic reaction.

It must be remembered that the drug is ineffective against some modern strains of influenza. This is due to the fact that it was developed in 1965. Over the years, the virus has managed to mutate and develop resistance to the drug. Nevertheless, Remantadine fights successfully with many strains to this day.

Cycloferon

Cycloferon is a domestic drug with clinically proven efficacy.

The main active ingredient is meglumine acridone acetate. This compound stimulates the synthesis of interferon. It is produced naturally by the body and prevents the spread of viruses. Once in the affected cell, interferon interferes with the synthesis of viral proteins, their assembly and exit from the cell membrane.

Also meglumine acridone acetate promotes more intensive division of lymphocytes, which also fight viral diseases.

The course of treatment is 6 days. On the 1st day, 4 tablets of 150 mg are taken simultaneously on an empty stomach. All subsequent days - 2 tablets.

Cycloferon has a number of contraindications, including:

• individual intolerance;
• pregnancy;
• breastfeeding;
• age up to 4 years;
• cirrhosis of the liver.

They drink medicine with caution for diseases of the digestive system (stomach ulcer, gastritis and others).

There are no side effects with the exception of an allergic reaction.

The medicine is widely used not only for the flu, but also for herpes.

Acyclovir

Acyclovir is an antiviral drug that acts at the molecular level. The mechanism of action is that after the active substance enters the body, it synthesizes chemical structures that resemble the affected DNA. The virus is mistakenly invading them, not real cells. After that, he tries to start self-reproduction. However, as a result, not viral proteins are synthesized, but completely different chemical compounds, which are successfully destroyed by immune cells - phagocytes.

Adults need to drink 1 tablet of 200 mg 4 times a day for 10 days. Children are given 20 mg tablets. The dosage may differ depending on the disease.

The remedy has no contraindications. However, there may be an increased sensitivity to the drug. In this case, treatment with Acyclovir is not carried out.

Pregnant and lactating women, the elderly should take the remedy with caution. For these categories of patients, treatment is permissible only after consulting a doctor.

Ingavirin

Ingavirin is an immunomodulating drug. The main active ingredient is pentanedioic acid imidazolylethanamide, which promotes a more intense production of red blood cells. It also increases the level of interferon in the blood, which interferes with the self-reproduction of the pathogen.The medicine does not have a direct effect on viruses - it only mobilizes the human body's own forces to fight the pathogen.

Take 1 tablet (90 mg) for a week.

The drug has contraindications, including:

• drug intolerance;
• pregnancy;
• breastfeeding;
• age up to 18 years.

There are no side effects. In very rare cases, an allergic reaction may occur.

Tiloram

Tiloram continues our list. It is an immunomodulating drug. It does not cause any harm to the body, and also does not directly affect viral pathogens.

The product is based on a chemical compound called tilorone. This substance affects metabolic processes in the human body. As a result, the production of red blood cells and interferon increases. Also, tilorone has anti-inflammatory and antitumor effects. The substance has been shown to be highly effective. It is used not only for the treatment of influenza and ARVI, but also for the treatment of hepatitis, HIV, encephalitis. Due to this, in the Russian Federation, tilorone and medicines based on it are included in the list of essential drugs for which it is prohibited to unreasonably increase prices in pharmacies.

The drug has almost no contraindications. There are only 3 of them:

• pregnancy;
• breastfeeding;
• age under 7 years old.

Also, with caution, Tiloram should be drunk by people who have hypersensitivity to it.

As a side reaction, a short-term chill or allergy may appear.

If Tiloram is drunk in tablets of 125 mg, then the method of application will be as follows:

• the first 2 days after the onset of flu symptoms - 1 tablet per day;
• then - 1 tablet every 2 days.

The course of treatment is 1 week. Use by children is possible only after consultation with a pediatrician. This is due to the difficulty of setting the dosage for small patients.

Use for prophylaxis is possible. In this case, they drink 1 tablet of 125 mg once a day for 6 weeks.

Conclusion

So our review of antiviral drugs has come to an end. It includes drugs of various costs and different mechanisms of action, which can be freely purchased in Russian pharmacies without a doctor's prescription. We hope he helped the reader navigate among the huge range of anti-influenza drugs and choose the one that is suitable for effective ARVI treatment.