Genferon

Genferon has antiproliferative, antiviral, immunomodulatory, local anesthetic, and also antibacterial and healing activity.

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Indications Genferon

It is used during combined procedures for diseases of the urogenital system that have an infectious and inflammatory genesis:

• herpes, which has genital localization, chlamydia, and in addition ureaplasmosis or mycoplasmosis;
• trichomoniasis or bacterial vaginosis;
• HPV infection;
• erosion in the cervix;
• cervicitis or vulvovaginitis;
• urethritis with balanitis or adnexitis;
• prostatitis or bartholinitis;
• balanoposthitis.

In addition, it can be used for thrush.

Release form

The medicinal product is released in vaginal/rectal suppositories, 5 pieces inside a cell plate. There are 1 or 2 such plates in a box.

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Pharmacodynamics

The complex effect of the drug is ensured by the activity of its constituent elements, which have a systemic and local effect.

Genferon contains recombinant human interferon α-2β, which is synthesized from a genetically engineered strain of Escherichia coli bacteria.

Interferon α-2β is an immunomodulator that has antiviral, antiproliferative and antibacterial properties. This effect develops due to the stimulation of intracellular enzymes that slow down the formation of the virus.

Interferon potentiates the immune defense of cells by activating some markers of killer cells, increasing the rate of division of B-lymphocytes, as well as the binding of antibodies with their help, and also contributing to an increase in the activity of the SMF and the recognition of affected cells and cells with tumors. All this increases the drug effectiveness associated with bacteria, viruses, cancer cells and parasites. The effect of interferon activates mucosal leukocytes involved in the suppression of pathogenic foci.

Taurine stabilizes tissue metabolic processes, helping them to heal, and at the same time interacts with free oxygen radicals, helping to neutralize them, and also preventing tissue damage. Interferon is less subject to decay and retains its activity for a longer period precisely due to the presence of taurine.

Anesthesin is a local anesthetic. It affects the degree of strength of neuronal cytoplasm in relation to the action of calcium and sodium ions, which leads to blocking the movement of neuronal impulses inside axons and slowing down the process of their appearance. This component has only a local effect, not being absorbed into the circulatory system.

Pharmacokinetics

After rectal use of the drug, bioavailability values are over 80%. Due to this, a local effect and a powerful general immunomodulatory effect develop.

After vaginal administration, more pronounced drug indicators are observed in the area of the infectious focus (with fixation on mucous cells), due to which significant local antibacterial, antiviral and antiproliferative activity develops, but the overall effect is still quite weak (due to the low adsorbing capacity of the mucous membranes in this area). Blood values of Cmax interferon are recorded after 4-6 hours from the moment of using the medication.

The excretion of the substance is mainly carried out through the kidneys. The half-life is 12 hours, which is why Genferon should be used twice a day.

Dosing and administration

The sizes of dosage portions, the duration of the treatment cycle and the method of administration are selected by the doctor and are determined by the specific type of pathology. The methods of using suppositories are the same for both adults and children. But it is necessary to take into account that the vaginal or rectal method of administering drugs to children is not always suitable, which is why sometimes it is necessary to turn to analogs of the drug that have a different route of application (ointment, tablets or syrup).

The drug must be administered rectally or vaginally.

In case of therapeutic procedures in women with diseases affecting the urogenital system, having an infectious and inflammatory genesis, rectal or vaginal (determined by the form of pathology) administration of 1 suppository (0.5 or 1 million IU; taking into account the type of disease) is required 2 times a day for 10 days. If the form of the disease is chronic and long-term, the drug can be administered in the amount of 1 suppository every other day. In this case, the therapeutic cycle lasts 1-3 months.

The introduction of 1 suppository (0.5 million IU) into the vagina in the morning, and then 1 suppository (1 million IU) in the evening, rectally in combination with vaginal use of antibacterial suppositories, is performed in severe stages of infectious and inflammatory diseases in the area of the internal genital organs.

Therapy for men with inflammatory-infectious etiology of pathologies in the urogenital system is carried out as follows: rectal administration of 1 suppository (the portion size is determined by the type of disease) 2 times a day for a period of 10 days.

Use Genferon during pregnancy

The medication should not be prescribed to women in the first trimester of pregnancy.

When prescribing this drug to pregnant women, it is necessary to pre-assess the possible risk to the fetus. But there are many positive reviews of the use of the drug during this period, so we can conclude that the drug is quite safe.

In the 2nd and 3rd trimesters, suppositories should be used for combined treatment of genital herpes, mycoplasmosis with chlamydia, HPV infection, CMV or bacterial vaginosis, and also in the presence of discomfort, itching and other symptoms in the lower urogenital tract.

Contraindications

It is contraindicated for use in people with severe intolerance to interferon or other components of the drug.

Caution is required when using the therapeutic drug in individuals with immune diseases during the acute stage.

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Side effects Genferon

Using the medication in a dose of 10,000,000+ IU per day increases the likelihood of the following side effects:

• disorders affecting the functioning of the central nervous system: headaches;
• problems with hematopoietic activity: thrombocytopenia or leukopenia;
• General symptoms: hyperhidrosis, loss of appetite, hyperthermia, pain in the joints and muscles, and increased fatigue.

Allergy symptoms may also appear - itching and rashes. These manifestations are curable and disappear after 72 hours from the moment of drug withdrawal.

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Overdose

There are currently no reports of Genferon intoxication. In case of accidental simultaneous use of a large number of suppositories, the use of the drug should be stopped for 1 day. After this period of time, you can return to administering the medication according to the previously selected regimen.

Interactions with other drugs

Tocopherol and ascorbic acid potentiate the effect of Genferon elements.

The bacteriostatic and bactericidal properties of sulfonamides are weakened when combined with benzocaine.

Non-narcotic pain relievers usually potentiate the effect of benzocaine.

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Storage conditions

Genferon is stored in a dark place, out of reach of children. Temperature limits for storage are in the range of 2-8°C.

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Shelf life

Genferon can be used within a 24-month period from the date of manufacture of the therapeutic agent.

Application for children

Genferon can be used in pediatrics. However, children under 7 years of age (including infants) should be given suppositories in a dose of 125,000 IU. Older children require a dose of 250,000 IU (this dosage form is called Genferon Light).

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Analogues

Analogues of the drug are such drugs as Kipferon, Vitaferon, Laferon Farmbiotek with Laferobion, as well as Viferon-Feron and Viferon.

Reviews

Genferon receives a variety of reviews on medical forums, ranging from positive to neutral.

Quite often, comments are made on the use of drugs (especially vaginal suppositories) in combination with other means for viral diseases affecting the urogenital tract in women: herpes, HPV or CMV. Basically, the effect is noted when prescribing the drug in a dosage of 1 million IU for HPV therapy.

There are often comments that report a temporary deterioration in well-being and an increase in temperature when using adult doses of suppositories on children (which is why such methods of therapy should not be used).

It is also necessary to take into account that the regimen for using Genferon in pregnant women should be prescribed exclusively by the patient’s attending physician.