The situation in our country with drugs against influenza, is quite unusual. Six of the most popular drugs sold only in Russia (and some of them also in several countries of the former Soviet Union), in the rest of the world on these drugs nobody knows anything.
Every year Russian citizens spend more than 29.5 billion rubles for medications against colds and flu. Some of them are easier to cold symptoms, others' unique invention by Russian scientists "and does not have proven efficacy.
According to the instructions, "antiviral"
Sales in 2012: 5.015 billion rubles.
Arbidol was patented in 1974 by a group of Russian scientists from the three institutions. Developments were commissioned by the military, so the fate of the invention and its effectiveness has not been any information.
Active substance: umifenovir (50 mg) according to the instructions inhibits viral surface protein hemagglutinin and prevents influenza A and B into cells. Paradoxically, these studies effectiveness of "Arbidol", conducted in the 1970s, are still classified.
Pavel Vorobiev, who worked in the early 2000s in the Formulary Committee of the Ministry of Health, was one of the few who have seen the results of research "Arbidol." "We made three of the seven studies - says Vorobyev. - It turned out that the study of very low quality and do not prove the drug's effectiveness.
In Ukraine "Arbidol" sold under the name "Immustat" in Belarus - "Arpetol", in China it produces a small pharmaceutical company Nanjing Gemsen. In 2007 expired patent for "Arbidol", and now it can produce any manufacturer.
According to the instructions, "antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs'
Sales in 2012: 2.64 billion rubles *
Designed by academician of RAMS, Director of the Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology named after N. F. Gamalei Felix Ershov and head of the Department of Immunology of the Institute of Vladimir Nesterenko.
Active substance: "Kagocel" (12 mg). Vladimir Nesterenko in an interview described his invention: "We took the cellulose is a polymer of cotton, took more definite substance derived from cotton, combined it with the pulp and received polymer. He is called "Kagocel".
Manufacturers' Kagocel "spent most large-scale clinical studies of all such products - more than two thousand people took part in them. Most studies "Kagocel" conducted and published it themselves inventors Felix Ershov Vladimir Nesterenko. The study notes that "Kagocel" reduces the incidence of influenza and SARS in 3,4 times.
In addition to Russia, "Kagocel" sold even in the Ukraine, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Moldova, Armenia and Georgia.
According to the instructions, "antiviral"
Sales in 2012: 885 million rubles.
In the 1970s, the lung specialist Alexander Chuchalin vitaglutam developed the drug, which until 2008 was sold under the brand "Dicarbamine" and has been used as a stimulant of hematopoiesis in patients receiving anti-cancer therapy.
In 2009, during a swine flu hysteria Chuchalin, chief therapist Russia, remembered his invention and found that the drug also can fight the swine flu virus, "Active antiviral drug" Ingavirin "is much higher than in the same US "Tamiflu". Our product can be easily integrated into the genome of the virus A / H1N1 and rapidly destroys it. And other dangerous viruses, too, "- he said in an interview with the magazine" Ogonyok ".
Active substance: Vitaglutam (90 mg). "Ingavirin" appeared in pharmacies in 2008 without a full investigation. Accelerated clinical tests were conducted on mice and a group of 100 patients. "Application" Ingavirin "in the first 48 hours of the disease leads to a significant reduction in the period of fever, intoxication and catarrhal symptoms "- the conclusion comes a group of scientists who conducted the study medication under the guidance of its inventor - Alexander Chuchalina.
Ingavirin is sold only in Russia.
According to the instructions, "antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs'
Sales in 2012: 1.17 billion rubles
The active substance tilorona was first patented in 1968 in the US, but he did not become a drug because of unproven effect. In the 1970s, the substance was re-synthesized in the laboratories of Physical-Chemical Institute of the Academy of Sciences Ukrainian SSR. In the 1980s, there have been several clinical trials tilorona, but is registered as a drug for the prevention and treatment of viral infections it was only in 1996.
According to the instructions, tilorona (60 mg) is effective against viruses not only influenza but also for hepatitis A, B and herpes. However, large-scale efficacy studies "Amiksina" outside the former Soviet Union have been conducted. In 2001 there were only conducted a randomized study of the efficacy of the drug for influenza and other respiratory viral infections. In children, there was reduction in the duration of symptoms by 2.5 times, and reduction of recovery terms twice.
Distribution: Russia, Ukraine, Georgia.
According to the instructions, "immunomodulator with antiviral effect"
Sales in the winter season 2011-12 year: 1.82 billion rubles.
"Viferon" was developed in 1990-1995 a group of scientists Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology. NF Gamalei under Professor Valentina Malinovskaya. In the same SRI work was carried out on pre-clinical pharmaco-toxicological study drug.
Active substance: Interferon alfa-2b, recombinant human 150,000 IU. According to the instructions, the drug stimulates the production of its own interferon in the body, preventing virus infections of the body. Again, according to the instructions, "Viferon" can be used for the treatment of herpes, chlamydia and hepatitis. However, outside the former Soviet Union interferon inducers are not registered as drugs, and in prestigious international scientific journals no posts to prove their efficiency.
Clinical studies "Viferon" conducted in six hospitals of Moscow Research Institute of Pediatrics and Medical Sciences. In most studies, participated Valentina Malinovskaya, the inventor of the "Viferon" and co-owner of the manufacturer of the medication.
One of the last trials of the drug was carried out in 2008, Malinovsky and colleagues from the Institute of Virology. DI. Ivanovo Lyudmila Kolobuhinoy and showed that in the treatment of influenza, "Viferon" effective even his famous rival - "Arbidol."
"Viferon" is sold only in Russia.
According to the instruction, "immunomodulatory drug with antiviral action"
Sales in the winter season 2011-12 year: 1.03 billion rubles.
In 2000, MD, of acupuncture and acupuncture specialist Peter Gaponyuk patented drug "Grippferon". Taking the interferon, which once betrayed babies in a children's clinic, Gaponyuk increased the concentration of the drug penetrating power, and created the technology to preserve its activity in liquid a. "When using" Grippferon "there is no risk of infection with viruses such as AIDS, hepatitis and others.", - said one of the first advertisements drug.
Active substance: human recombinant interferon alfa-2b1 relates to interferon inducers, stimulating the body's own production of human interferon, which prevents infection with the organism viruses.
Clinical and experimental studies "Grippferon" conducted on 4450 subjects in 14 research and clinical centers in Russia and Ukraine, according to the manufacturer.
"Grippferon" had a positive effect on the course of the disease: Reduces the duration, severity, reduces the number of complications. Side effects and allergic reactions of the drug is not caused. It was noted that among those who took "Grippferon" prophylactically reduced hospitalization of patients (up 2.7 times), "- the site says" Grippferon ".
Distribution: Russia, Belarus.
homeopathic remedy
Sales in the winter season 2011-12 year: 2.52 billion rubles.
In 1992, doctor Oleg Epstein, who treated alcoholism by the method Dovzhenko in Khanty-Mansiysk, and Valery Naraikin, led by state stores in the Chelyabinsk region, created the company "Materia Medica Holding" for the production of drugs, invented at the Tomsk Research Institute Pharmacology. One of the first drugs "Materia Medica" was "Anaferon". In 2006 and 2007, the inventors' Anaferon "received the Russian Federation Government Award in Science and techniques for the creation, production and introduction into medical practice of new highly effective drug drugs.
Active substance: according to the instructions, it is purified antibodies are extracted from the blood serum from rabbits immunized with recombinant human gamma-interferon. However, since this homeopathy, bred repeatedly antibody aqueous-alcoholic solvent, so that the active substance contained in the tablet does not exceed 10-15 nanogram / gram. Simply put, a hundred million tablets to be found no more than one molecule of active ingredient.
Registered as a "drug activating antiviral immunity." According to the manufacturer, in the prophylactic and therapeutic reception children "Anaferon" twice reduces the incidence of influenza, more than half of children removes heat at the second day flu, 2.3 times reduces the incidence of bacterial complications (otitis, sinusitis).
According to Epstein, the original drug trials took place in a hospital in Volsk in the Saratov region, and then in the center of Novosibirsk "Vector", Clinic Institute of Influenza. However, the director of the Institute Oleg Kiselyov of influenza in an interview to television channel "Rain" to the question about the drug responded unequivocally: "Anaferon" I have been running around the country, and not driven out. Now I am preparing a letter [Health Minister] Skvortsova, to bring order to the market. Because even the idea [of the drug] is just a scam. "
Distribution: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Uzbekistan, Georgia, Armenia, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Azerbaijan.
homeopathic medicine
Sales in 2012: 2.65 billion rubles
"Oscillococcinum" invented in 1925 by French physician Joseph Roy, who spotted some bacteria in the blood of patients with influenza, herpes, tuberculosis, rheumatism, cancer. Mystical microbes he called Oscillococcus. Medical science has disproved the theory of Roy, he simply could not see with an optical microscope viruses. "Vaccine", which was created from the extract Roy otsillokokkov proved totally ineffective.
However, Roy found the same bacteria in the liver of musk ducks to Long Island, of which was to prepare a homeopathic remedy. In 2011, the company "Boiron" was filed on behalf of "all California residents who purchased the" Oscillococcinum "for the past four years." The lawsuit "Boiron" accused of a false statement that "Oscillococcinum" can cure the flu. In fact the active ingredient of the drug has not proven medicinal properties. The parties entered into a pre-trial agreement.
Active substance: Anas Barbariae Hepatis et Cordis Extractum - extract liver and heart barbariyskoy duck - 200SK in the 1 dose. Barbariyskoy duck Anas Barbariae does not exist in nature. Moreover, the concentration 200CK indicates that for the preparation of tablets was made 200 dilutions of 1: 100 of the original extract of duck liver and heart. The concentration of the initial extract per dose is so low, which excludes the presence of at least one molecule of active ingredient in all produced "Boiron" granules together.
The representative of "Boiron" Gina Casey to the question of the danger of the use of an extract of the heart and liver of the duck said that "Oscillococcinum", of course, is safe, because there's nothing there. "
The results of seven clinical trials involving 3459 patients, did not confirm the effectiveness of prophylactic "Oscillococcinum" and similar homeopathic medicines against influenza.
In late 2012, the British Society of evidence-based medicine Cochrane published a report denying the effectiveness of "Oscillococcinum".
Distribution: sold in more than 50 countries, it is particularly popular in France, is the most sold in the country of OTC drugs against influenza.
The drug for the symptomatic treatment
Sales in 2012: 3.83 billion rubles
The combined product based on paracetamol, eliminating the symptoms of SARS and influenza. In Canada it is manufactured under the brand name NeoCitran, the US and Europe - Theraflu. Paracetamol has been tested on patients pharmacologist Joseph von Mering in 1886.
Active ingredients:
Paracetamol (325 mg) - the main component reduces fever, pain killers and constricts blood vessels. The content of paracetamol in standard packaging "Theraflu" of 10 bags, which are sold in pharmacies for 300 rubles less than in conventional packaging paracetamol value of 5 rubles.
Pheniramine maleate (20 mg), antihistamine, eliminates swelling.
Phenylephrine hydrochloride (10 mg) constricts blood vessels of the nose, it eliminates the swelling of the mucosa of the nasopharynx.
Ascorbic acid (50 mg), vitamin C, or - it is assumed that increases resistance to infection. This is a fallacy disproved in numerous studies in recent years.
The drug effectively eliminates the symptoms of a cold, but is struggling with a virus.
The drug for the symptomatic treatment of acute respiratory infections
Sales in 2012: 1.18 billion rubles
Popular brand name of the combined analgesic paracetamol-based, owned by Bristol-Myers Squibb American company.
Active ingredients:
Paracetamol - 500 mg reduces fever, pain killers and constricts blood vessels. Average price per package of 8 doses of 270 rubles (pack of 10 tablets paracetamol simple same concentration - 5 rubles);
pheniramine maleate - 25 mg, has antihistaminic effect, reduces the allergic reactions;
Ascorbic acid - 200 mg, it is assumed that vitamin C increases resistance to infection. This is a fallacy disproved in numerous studies in recent years.
The drug relieves symptoms, but does not fight with the flu virus.
Distribution: Russia, Europe, USA.
The drug for the symptomatic treatment of acute respiratory infections
Sales in 2012: 1.47 billion rubles.
Popular umbrella brand for the drug group, removing the symptoms of colds, owned by British GlaxoSmithKline, farmholdingu third in the world in terms of turnover (after Pfizer and Novartis).
Active ingredients:
Paracetamol - 500 mg reduces fever, pain killers and constricts blood vessels. Average price per pack of 10 doses of 240 rubles (pack of 10 tablets paracetamol simple same concentration - 5 rubles);
Caffeine - 25 mg, stimulates mental and physical performance, reduces somnolence;
Phenylephrine hydrochloride - 5 mg, constricts blood vessels of the nose, eliminates edema;
Terpin hydrate - 20 mg, liquefies and improves expectoration;
Ascorbic acid - 30 mg, it is assumed that vitamin C increases resistance to infection. This is a fallacy disproved in numerous studies in recent years.
Effectively eliminates the symptoms, but does not possess antiviral activity.
Distribution: Central and Eastern Europe, Hong Kong, New Zealand.
The drug for the symptomatic treatment of acute respiratory infections
Sales in 2012: 1.46 billion rubles.
Combined analgesic paracetamol-based from the Russian company "Natur Produkt".
Active ingredients:
Paracetamol - 500 mg reduces fever, pain killers and constricts blood vessels. Average price per pack of 10 doses of 230 rubles (pack of 10 tablets paracetamol simple same concentration - 5 rubles);
Chlorphenamine maleate - 10 mg, constricts blood vessels and eliminates nasal mucosa nasopharynx edema;
Ascorbic acid - 200 mg, it is assumed that vitamin C increases resistance to infection. This is a fallacy disproved in numerous studies in recent years.
The drug effectively relieves symptoms, but does not possess antiviral activity.
The drug for the symptomatic treatment of acute respiratory infections
Sales in the winter season 2011-12 year: 1.12 billion rubles.
Previously, the drug called "Antigrippin Maximum", he invented a group of scientists led by Professor Dmitri Zlydnikova, head of the Research Institute of Medical Sciences flu clinics. In 2009-2012 the company "Natur Produkt" which registered the exclusive rights to the trademark in 2009 sign "Antigrippin" commencement of the trial, demanding 'Antiviral' to remove the name of the word preparations "Antigrippin". Despite the fact that the court refused to satisfy the demands of "natural products", in 2011 "Antiviral" she renamed its drug, giving it a new name - "Anvimaks".
Active ingredients:
Paracetamol - 360 mg;
Rimantadine hydrochloride - 50 mg, adamantane derivative, a compound is considered moderate antiviral effect;
Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) - 300 mg;
Loratadine - 3 mg, according to the instruction, prevents the development and facilitates the allergic reactions;
Rutoside - 20 mg, reduces capillary fragility and permeability, prevents hemorrhage;
Calcium gluconate monohydrate - 100 mg (data on the efficacy of calcium preparations are also repeatedly denied as data on the efficacy of vitamin C).
In addition to standard components for such drugs that reduce the symptoms of colds, "Antigrippin Maximum" comprises an antiviral agent - rimantadine whose effectiveness against various strains of influenza A was proved to 1965. According to the instructions, rimantadine prophylactic administration in a daily dose of 200 mg reduces the risk of influenza, as well as reduces the severity of flu symptoms and serological reactions.
I fully admit that Russian products are really effective. I'll accept Kagocel at the slightest sign of a cold, and my mother believes in Arbidol. What is surprising is that these drugs do not know the rest of the world.
Post is written on the basis of Article Ivan Golunova "13 most popular drugs for influenza: Do they work?". If you are interested in this topic, I recommend to read this article.
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