Pills for the first signs of a cold

A cold is characterized by a gradual increase in painful symptoms. In order to prevent its development, treatment should be started at the first signs. Various antiviral drugs are used for therapy. This pharmacological group consists of:

1. Specific agents and broad-spectrum medications suppress the virus’s ability to reproduce.

• Tamiflu

An antiviral drug active against influenza viruses A and B. Contains oseltamire, which, when metabolized in the body, prevents the release of new viruses from infected cells and the infection of healthy ones. Tamiflu inhibits virus replication and reduces its pathogenicity.

• Indications for use: treatment and prevention of diseases caused by influenza A and B viruses in adults and children over 1 year of age. Relief of the first signs of flu and colds.
• Method of administration: orally, pour 52 ml of water into the bottle with powder and shake thoroughly. The finished suspension is taken 75 mg 2 times a day, the maximum daily dosage is 150 mg. Duration of therapy is 5 days.
• Side effects: nausea, vomiting, headaches, sleep and wakefulness disorders, allergic reactions. Overdose has similar symptoms. Treatment involves discontinuing the drug and further symptomatic therapy.
• Contraindications: hypersensitivity to the suspension components, children under 6 months. With special caution, it is prescribed to patients with unstable severe diseases, weakened immune system, chronic pathologies of the heart and respiratory system. Treatment during pregnancy is possible only on doctor's prescription.

Release form: powder for preparation of oral suspension of 30 g in vials, capsules of 10 pieces in a blister.

• Ingavirin

A medicinal product with pronounced antiviral and anti-inflammatory activity. Ingavirin inhibits viral reproduction at the nuclear phase, increases the functional properties of interferon in blood plasma and stimulates the work of leukocytes.

• Indications for use: viral respiratory diseases, parainfluenza, adenovirus infection, influenza A and B, respiratory syncytial infections.
• Method of administration: the drug is taken orally, regardless of food intake. The daily dose is taken in one go, the duration of therapy and dosage are determined by the doctor.
• Side effects: allergic reactions. No cases of overdose have been recorded.
• Contraindications: hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, pediatric practice, pregnancy and lactation.

Release form: capsules for oral administration, 7 pieces per blister, 1 blister per package.

• Kagocel

A synthetic drug from the group of interferon inducers. It has antimicrobial, immunostimulating, antiviral and radioprotective properties. Kagocel helps increase interferon production in various cells involved in the formation of the immune response.

• Indications for use: treatment of viral diseases in adults and children over 6 years of age. The drug is effective in acute respiratory viral infections, herpes infection, in the complex therapy of urogenital chlamydia.
• Method of administration: orally, with a sufficient amount of food. Adults are prescribed 2 tablets 2 times a day for the first two days, then switch to 1 tablet 3 times a day. Duration of treatment is 3-4 days. The course dose of the drug is 18 tablets. The dosage for children is determined by the attending physician.
• Side effects: allergic reactions. In case of overdose, nausea and vomiting, pain in the epigastric region appear. There is no specific antidote, treatment is symptomatic, drinking plenty of fluids.
• Contraindications: hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, galactose intolerance, lactase deficiency. Not used during pregnancy and lactation, for children under 6 years of age.

Release form: 10 tablets per blister, 1 blister per package.

2. Immunostimulants (containing interferon) – have a short-term effect, increase the protective properties of the immune system.

• Cycloferon

Immunomodulating and antiviral agent. Cycloferon is a high-molecular inducer of endogenous interferon formation. It has a wide range of biological activity. It has anti-inflammatory, antiviral, immunomodulating, antiproliferative and antitumor effects.

• Indications for use: acute respiratory diseases, herpes infection, acute intestinal infections, neuroinfections, viral chronic hepatitis C and B, HIV infections, secondary immunodeficiency.
• Directions for use: Take the tablets orally 30 minutes before meals with water. For cold symptoms, take 2-4 tablets per day. The course of treatment is 10-20 tablets.
• Side effects: allergic reactions. No cases of overdose have been reported.
• Contraindications: intolerance to the components of the drug, decompensated liver cirrhosis, pregnancy and lactation.

Release form: enteric-coated tablets, 50 pieces in a jar or 10 pieces in a blister. Injection solution in 2 ml ampoules, 5% ointment, 5 ml in a tube.

• Grippferon

Immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and antiviral drug for intranasal use. Has a broad spectrum of antiviral action. Active against corona-, rhino- and adenoviruses, parainfluenza. Reduces the risk of developing complications of respiratory diseases by 30-50%.

• Indications for use: treatment and prevention of acute respiratory viral infections and influenza.
• Directions for use: the drug is instilled into the nasal passages 1-2 drops 3-5 times a day. After instillation, it is recommended to massage the wings of the nose so that the medicine is better distributed over the mucous membrane.
• Side effects: allergic reactions. No cases of overdose have been recorded.
• Contraindications: intolerance to the components of the drug, diseases of allergic etiology. Treatment during pregnancy and lactation is permitted.

Release form: nasal drops in 5 and 10 ml bottles with a dropper cap.

• Neovir

Low-molecular interferon inducer from the acridine class. Has immunostimulating, antiviral and antitumor properties.

• Indications for use: prevention and treatment of severe forms of acute respiratory viral infections and influenza, herpes infections, viral hepatitis B and C, HIV infections, encephalitis of viral etiology. Urogenital pathologies caused by chlamydia. Oncological diseases, radiation immunodeficiency, candidiasis of the mucous membranes and skin, multiple sclerosis.
• Method of administration: parenteral and oral. Take 750 mg orally at 48-hour intervals. For intramuscular administration, use 250 mg of the drug at 48-hour intervals. The duration of therapy is determined by the attending physician.
• Side effects: short-term subfebrile reactions, allergic skin rashes, pain at the injection site.
• Contraindications: hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, pregnancy and lactation, pediatric patients, autoimmune pathologies.

Release form: injection solution 12.5% in ampoules of 2 ml, tablets of 125 mg, 12 and 24 pieces in a bottle.

3. Symptomatic – reduce painful symptoms, giving the body additional strength to fight the disease. Patients are prescribed antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, restorative and mucolytic agents. They can be single-component or complex.

• Antipyretics are used if the body temperature exceeds subfebrile values, that is, above 37.2°C.

1. Coldrex

A combination drug with analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties. It is used for flu and colds, eliminates nasal congestion. The drug is taken 1-2 tablets 2-4 times a day with warm water.

Side effects include allergic reactions, increased heart rate and sleep disturbances. Hepatotoxic effects are possible with long-term treatment. Coldrex is contraindicated in case of intolerance to its components, severe liver/kidney dysfunction, for children under 6 years of age and simultaneously with other medications that include paracetamol. Available in tablet form, 12 pieces per package.

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   Antigrippin

A combination drug with anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and antiallergic properties. Contains three active components: paracetamol, ascorbic acid, chlorpheniramine. Eliminates painful symptoms of flu and respiratory diseases, reduces swelling of the mucous membranes of the nose and paranasal sinuses, facilitates nasal breathing.

• Indications for use: symptomatic therapy of acute respiratory diseases with fever, sore throat, rhinorrhea, myalgia, flu.
• Method of administration: effervescent tablets are taken orally, dissolved in a glass of warm water. For patients over 15 years of age, 1 tablet is prescribed 2-3 times a day at intervals of at least 4 hours. The duration of therapy is determined by the attending physician.
• Side effects: headaches and dizziness, increased fatigue, gastrointestinal disorders, skin allergic reactions, cardiovascular disorders.
• Contraindications: intolerance to the components of the drug, ulcerative lesions of the stomach and duodenum, closed-angle glaucoma, prostatic hyperplasia, anemia, leukopenia, severe renal/liver dysfunction. Not used during pregnancy and lactation.
• Overdose: nausea, vomiting, headache, appetite and stool disorders, pain in the epigastric region, increased sweating, intoxication. Treatment includes gastric lavage, intake of enterosorbents with further symptomatic therapy.

Release form: effervescent tablets for solution preparation, 10 pieces in a polyethylene tube, 6 pieces in a blister.

3. Panadol

Non-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with the active component paracetamol. Panadol has pronounced analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties.

• Indications for use: elimination of symptoms of colds, pain syndrome of various etiologies, migraine, myalgia, arthralgia, rheumatic pain, toothache, algomenorrhea.
• Method of administration: orally, enteric-coated tablets are taken orally, and effervescent tablets are dissolved in a glass of water. The medicine is taken 3-4 times a day at intervals of at least 4 hours. The duration of therapy is 3-5 days.
• Side effects: gastrointestinal disorders, anemia, thrombocytopenia, dyspnea, allergic reactions. Overdose has similar signs, treatment is symptomatic.
• Contraindications: intolerance to the components of the drug, liver/kidney dysfunction, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, patients under 6 years of age. Treatment during pregnancy is permitted.

Release form: film-coated tablets, 12 pieces per blister. Soluble tablets, 2 pieces per strip, 6 strips per package.

• Sore throat - antiseptic and antimicrobial agents of local action. They are recommended to be taken at the first painful symptoms.

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   Septefril

A medicine with a broad spectrum of antimicrobial action. It is used for the treatment and prevention of diseases of the pharynx and oral cavity, prevention of infectious complications in the postoperative period and after dental procedures in the nasopharynx, oral cavity. Septefril is used for the sanitation of pathogenic staphylococcus, candidiasis of the mucous membrane of the oral cavity and pharynx.

• Directions for use: 1 tablet 4-6 times daily. The medicine is dissolved until completely dissolved. Duration of treatment is 3-7 days.
• Side effects: increased salivation, which goes away after the tablet dissolves. The drug does not cause overdose symptoms.
• Contraindications: intolerance to the components of the drug, patients under 5 years of age. Treatment during pregnancy and lactation is possible only on doctor's prescription, since there is no data on the safety of the drug for the expectant mother and fetus.

Release form: tablets, 10 pieces per package.

2. Faringosept

A medicinal product with the active component ambazon. It is active against staphylococci, pneumococci, and streptococci. It has bacteriostatic properties.

• Indications for use: tonsillitis, pharyngitis, gingivitis, stomatitis and other diseases of the oral cavity and oropharynx caused by microorganisms sensitive to the drug.
• Directions for use: 1 capsule 3-5 times daily. Keep the tablet under the tongue until it dissolves completely. It is best to take the medicine 15 minutes before or after meals. The course of treatment is 3-7 days.
• Contraindications: hypersensitivity to the components of the drug. Cases of overdose and adverse reactions have not been recorded. Use during pregnancy and lactation is permitted.

Release form: lozenges 10 mg, 20 pieces per package.

3. Sebidin

Antibacterial and antiseptic agent. Sebidin is used for infections of the oral cavity, throat and larynx, periodontitis, periodontopathy, gingivitis, chronic recurrent rashes and ulcers of the oral cavity.

1. Directions for use: 1 capsule under the tongue 4-10 times a day for 1-3 weeks.
2. Contraindications: hypersensitivity to the components of the drug. Side effects are manifested by skin allergic reactions and dyspeptic disorders. Treatment is symptomatic. Release form: tablets of 20 pieces per package.

• Cough - expectorants, thinning phlegm and stimulating its removal.

1. Pectusin

Used for colds with cough. Contains menthol and eucalyptus oil, which when in the oral cavity irritate the peripheral nerve endings and reduce the inflammatory reaction, facilitating coughing.

• Indications for use: diseases of the upper respiratory tract, pharyngitis, laryngitis, tracheitis, tonsillitis.
• Method of administration: sublingually (keep under the tongue until completely dissolved). For adults and children over 7 years old, 1 tablet 3-4 times a day is prescribed. The duration of treatment depends on the severity of the painful symptoms.
• Side effects: skin allergic reactions. To eliminate them, it is recommended to reduce the dosage of the drug or to stop taking it. No cases of overdose have been recorded.
• Contraindications: hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, patients under 7 years of age, diabetes mellitus, stenosing laryngitis, bronchial asthma, spasmophilia. Use during pregnancy and lactation is possible only on medical prescription.

Release form: tablets, 10 pieces per package.

2. Mucaltin

An expectorant drug with secretolytic and bronchodilatory properties. It has a moderate antitussive effect, reduces the frequency of coughing attacks and their intensity. Mucaltin softens and envelops the affected mucous membrane, has an anti-inflammatory effect.

The medicine is prescribed for sore throat and cough with viscous sputum. The daily dosage depends on the patient's age, on average 1-2 tablets are taken 3-4 times a day. The course of treatment is 7 days. The drug is contraindicated in case of intolerance to its components. No cases of overdose or adverse reactions have been identified. Mucaltin is available in strips of 10 tablets.

3. Ambrobene

A mucolytic agent with secretomotor, expectorant and secretolytic properties. Ambrobene reduces the viscosity of sputum and promotes its removal from the body.

• Indications for use: respiratory diseases with the release of viscous sputum, bronchitis, pneumonia, COPD, respiratory distress syndrome in newborns.
• Directions for use: take 30 mg tablets 3 times a day during the first 2-3 days of illness, then switch to a dosage of 1 capsule 1-2 times a day.
• Side effects: skin allergic reactions, increased weakness, headache, diarrhea, dry mouth and respiratory tract, nausea and vomiting. Overdose causes nausea and vomiting. Treatment is symptomatic with artificial vomiting and gastric lavage.
• Contraindications: hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, first trimesters of pregnancy, lactation.

Release form: retard capsules 75 mg, 10 and 20 pieces per package, solution for oral administration 7.5 ml, 40 and 100 ml per bottle, injection solution 15 mg, 5 ampoules per package, tablets 30 mg, 20 pieces per package and syrup 15 mg, 100 ml per bottle.

4. Vitamins – at the first signs of a cold and for its prevention, it is recommended to take multivitamin complexes. The use of vitamin C allows you to reduce the duration of the disease. But do not forget that increased doses of ascorbic acid irritate the stomach and urinary system.

Before using the above medications, you should consult your doctor. However, antibiotics are contraindicated at the first signs of a cold. They are used if the painful condition is complicated by a viral or bacterial infection.