Despite the similarities in the fight against viruses, these drugs can not be compared and even more so replace one of them with another, since they act in completely different ways.
Medicines belong to different groups of drugs, and therefore fulfill different goals.
Viferon is an immunomodulator. First of all, it stimulates the accelerated formation of interferon in the body, which fights the virus, as well as bacteria, stopping small foci of inflammation. That is, the task of the drug is to strengthen the body’s defenses to combat various kinds of pathogens.
Therefore, the remedy will be effective not only with flu, colds, but also with other viral and bacterial diseases and their complications. The range of action of Viferon is much wider than that of Orvirem – the first remedy will be effective not only with influenza, but also with other viral and bacterial infections, and it will also be able to protect the body with minor inflammatory processes.
“Orvirem”, in turn, is a fully antiviral agent . Moreover, it acts best on influenza A strains and is able to alleviate the state of type B influenza. Its lesser effectiveness has been proven for other viral diseases.
During the period of colds, it is especially important to protect the child from diseases, prevent the development of complications and alleviate his condition during treatment. Pharmacy counters are bursting with a variety of antiviral drugs. Sometimes it’s quite difficult to figure out which of them will be more effective in a particular situation and what is better to give the child so that he recovered faster or does not get sick at all.
“Orvirem”
The generic name of the drug is rimantadine. This remedy is antiviral. Effective in acute infections of the upper respiratory tract, as well as influenza and unspecified viral diseases.
The drug is for children, because it is available in the form of a sweet syrup. The product contains rimantadine hydrochloride as an active substance, as well as a dye, sweetener, water and sodium alginate.
The main action of “Orvirem” is aimed at combating viruses and reducing the toxic effect on the body during infections.
Rimantadine from this compound after use is unable to immediately be completely released, which ensures a constant slow flow of the drug into the human body until the next time it is taken. The concentration of the drug in the blood always turns out to be at the same level, which prevents the virus from “resting” and getting used to the product; as a result, it effectively fights the virus.
The agent actively fights against influenza A viruses. It also has an antitoxic effect in acute respiratory viral infections and type B influenza.
The syrup prevents the virus from penetrating through the shells of healthy cells, and also blocks the exit of virus particles from the affected cell to the outside, thereby preventing it from spreading throughout the body.
Also, the medicine activates the body’s defenses:
- Stimulates the formation of immune cells that fight strains of influenza A in the nasopharynx.
- Stimulates the formation of interferon – a protein that protects the body in diseases.
- Improves the activity of immune cells.
- Reduces the risk of complications.
- It stops the first foci of inflammation and reduces the risk of their occurrence.
It can be used both for preventive purposes and for the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections and influenza in childhood, starting from one year.
Syrup is prohibited to take in the following cases:
- For allergies to the components of the drug.
- Children under one year old.
- Pathologies of the kidneys and liver.
- With thyrotoxicosis.
- During pregnancy and lactation.
- With caution – with diabetes (since the drug contains sugar).
Side effects are extremely rare. Sometimes nausea, bloating, headaches, itching and skin rash, anorexia can occur.
Viferon
The active element of the drug is human recombinant interferon.
The tool is effectively used for the following diseases:
- Intestinal infections of viral etiology.
- Septicemia.
- Bacterial infections of unspecified location.
- Mycoplasma infections.
- Chlamydial genital infections.
- Trichomoniasis.
- Herpes (various types) and infections caused by it..
- Chlamydial diseases and infections.
- Meningitis of a viral etiology.
- Viral hepatitis B and C.
- Other chronic viral hepatitis.
- With cytomegalovirus disease.
- Unspecified viral infections.
- Candidiasis.
- Papillomaviruses.
- Bacterial meningitis.
- With SARS.
- Influenza and viruses.
- Viral pneumonia of various etiologies.
- Cirrhosis and liver fibrosis.
- Pathologies of the vulva and vagina caused by inflammatory processes.
- Female genital inflammation caused by chlamydial infection.
- Viral damage to the fetus during maternal infection.
The release form of the drug is different:
- Ointment for external use.
- Gel for external use (differs from ointment in a lower dosage of interferon).
- Suppositories for rectal administration (available in four different dosages).
The tool is antiviral, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory. “Viferon” activates the body’s immune cells, “awakening” lymphocytes to absorb harmful bacteria faster.
The drug acts in such a way that increases the effectiveness of the body’s own immunity in the fight against pathogens.
The components of the drug, when interacting in the body, strengthen the cell membranes, preventing the viruses from penetrating into them and spreading further, as well as suppress inflammation and restore the body during the period of the disease.
What is common between drugs
The drugs “Orvirem” and “Viferon” one way or another have a similar spectrum of effects on the body during the disease:
- They stop the development of a viral disease.
- Strengthen cell walls to stop the spread of the virus and bacteria.
- They stop the foci of inflammation and reduce the likelihood of their occurrence.
- They activate the immune system by awakening the immune cells to fight the virus.
Both funds can be used for children from one year. The drugs are similar in their almost absolute harmlessness and minimal set of side effects (in very rare cases – a rash and itching on the skin).
In what situations should I take Viferon, and in which – Orvire?
“Orvirem” should be taken primarily with flu. With bacterial infections (bronchitis, sinusitis, laryngitis, etc.) it will not be effective. It is advisable to start taking it immediately after the onset of the first symptoms of influenza (in the first hours – best). The sooner treatment is started, the more effective it will be. You can take the drug from the third and fourth day of the disease, but the effectiveness of the drug will be much lower. It is also important to take according to the scheme in the instructions for the drug (observe time intervals and dosages).
During the period of influenza, you can take Orvire for a long time (up to two weeks) to prevent viral diseases and flu in particular.
It is important to remember that the drug is allowed for children from only one year old. During pregnancy and lactation, it is contraindicated.
The tool reduces the effectiveness of antiepileptic drugs and is a catalyst for caffeine. Reduce the effectiveness of “Orvireme” paracetamol and aspirin.
The drug is taken orally after a meal and washed down with water. Reception is carried out according to a special scheme. The duration of use of the drug during treatment is four days, with prevention from ten to fourteen days.
The high effectiveness of the drug when used for prevention is proven. In teams where the drug was used, the frequency of diseases decreased by five times.
When treating infections with this agent, noticeable relief in the patient occurred 3 to 4 days earlier compared with those patients who did not use Orvire.
The drug is safe and does not pose a threat to children.
“Viferon” is a tool that activates the immune system to combat a wide variety of harmful microorganisms: both bacteria and viruses. The range of its effects is great, as is the list of diseases in which it will be effective.
If the child has a high temperature ( from 38 to 38.5 ), then it is necessary to protect the body the amount of interferon is produced naturally, and there is no need for it to come from outside.
The advantage of Viferon is that they can treat children from the first day of life, while Orvire is contraindicated in children under one year of age. “Viferon” in the form of candles can be used by children from birth, in the form of ointment and gel – from one year. At the same time, it is taken regardless of food intake twice a day at regular intervals (every 12 hours), therefore the scheme of its use is simple. It is advisable to use the drug after a bowel movement by a child for greater effectiveness.
The tool has no side effects and is safe for humans. The use of the drug during complex treatment helps to reduce the dosage of antibiotics and hormones, thereby reducing the toxic effect on the body.
The drug in the form of an ointment is contraindicated in children under one year of age and with allergies to the components, the gel can not be used for allergies to it. It can be used during pregnancy and lactation, if we are talking about Viferon gel and ointment. Candles are allowed after 13 weeks of pregnancy.
Side effects are almost impossible : in rare cases, itching and rash appear on the skin or mild irritation of the mucous membranes of the nose and mouth.
The drug can be combined with antibiotics, corticosteroids and chemotherapy.
Viferon suppositories should not be taken for preventive purposes for a long time, as it is dangerous: the synthetic interferon contained in the preparation induces the body to stop producing its own natural interferon. Therefore, prolonged use of the drug can lead to a serious weakening of the body’s defenses. Usually it is used the first five days of the disease.
