Ocoferon

Okoferonom is a special form of release of interferon, for instillation into the conjunctival cavity. Interferon was discovered in the UK in the middle of the twentieth century. It was noted that laboratory mice infected with a viral infection did not fall ill if at that time they were already infected with other viruses. This phenomenon is called interference, it occurs when two different virus infections enter the body, with a short period of time. Thus, Okofiron increases the immune response in the occurrence of various ophthalmic infections. The release of eye drops Okoferon is engaged, at the moment, the Ukrainian enterprise "Biopharma".

Indications Ocoferon

Okoferon is a drug used in the treatment of ophthalmic diseases. Eye drops are used for herpesvirus lesions of eyeballs. Okoferon is prescribed as a local antiviral drug. This drug has a sufficiently high biological activity. One unit of the drug approximately halves the formation of viruses, so Okoferon can be used as a remedy for the prevention of ophthalmoherpes. Recent studies have shown that Okoferon, under certain conditions, is able to combat the development of cancer.

Release form

Okoferon is available in the form of lyophilizate for the preparation of solution, in small transparent glass bottles. Liofizat preparation Okoferon - powder from light gray to milky. The solvent of this lyophilate is 0.1% solution of nipagin, enclosed in a 5 ml vial. Nipagin is used as a substance to help preserve the lyophase of the drug Okoferon without loss of structural integrity and biological activity. Its 0.1 percent solution also has antibacterial action.

Pharmacodynamics

One of the main properties of interferon, contained in the ophthalmic agent Okoferon, is its ability to fight the spread of viruses. It is formed in the cells of warm-blooded animals when various viruses enter them. If they enter the cells, the viruses begin to divide. The cell, which the virus found, begins to secrete interferon, which enters the cells located nearby. Interferon itself can not destroy viruses, however, it is able to change the biochemical characteristics of the cell, aimed at preventing further spread of the viral infection.

Pharmacokinetics

Interferon, which is part of the drug Okoferon, launches several factors at once to kill viral aggression. First, it reduces the level of protein translation from amino acids. In addition, interferon stimulates some genes that play a leading role in protecting cells from viruses, and interferon depresses the multiplication of viral particles, activating the transcription factor that regulates the cell cycle and leads to programmed death of the infected cell. The dead cell remains in the plasma membrane and is very soon phagocytosed by macrophages, without spreading the inflammatory process.

Dosing and administration

First, open the vials: the first with lyophilisate interferon, the second with a solvent. Liquid from a bottle with a solution of nipagin, gently poured into a vial containing the lyophilizate of recombinant human interferon. After this, we put on the vial with a diluted lyophilizate of interferon with a dropper. Shake the solution until the powder of interferon lyophilizate is completely dissolved. Bury a few drops in the affected eyes for a week. As you recover, the number of burdens can be reduced.

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Use Ocoferon during pregnancy

Interferon preparations, including Okofferon, are prescribed during pregnancy only in extreme cases. Although there is no experience with the use of the drug pharmaceutical Okoferon, according to the experience of the use of alpha interferons, it can be safely asserted that if the immune system acts on the constancy of the body's protein environment, it recognizes and destroys the bacteria that enter the interior, then interferon protects against the spread of foreign genetic information, protecting its own genome, a potential threat of miscarriage in a pregnant woman.

Contraindications

To prevent complications, before starting treatment, all contraindications should be considered. First of all, it can be an individual intolerance to interferon alfa or nipagin. Similarly, serious contraindications include: severe forms of cirrhosis; severe cardiovascular diseases such as acute heart failure or myocardial infarction; mental disorders of a depressive nature; autoimmune diseases; pregnancy and lactation; alcoholism and drug addiction; diseases of the central nervous system.

Side effects Ocoferon

Interferon, the main constituent of the pharmaceutical preparation Okoferon, in itself has a fairly large number of side effects. On the part of the organs of vision, paralysis is possible, responsible for the movement of the eyeballs of nerves, serious impairment of visual functions. From the side of the skin can manifest urticaria, sensation of itching, it is possible the appearance of boils. Sometimes, taking an ophthalmic drug Okoferon can lead to depression, which, however, is well treated with antidepressants. Distinguish early side effects, which are noted at the very beginning of treatment, and late, which occur during the treatment. Given this, it is recommended that the first few days of dropping drops of Okoferon under the supervision of a specialist.

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Overdose

Of course, it is difficult in your right mind to imagine that instead of just one drop of the pharmaceutical preparation Okoferon, you can pour a whole bottle into the eye, or use it orally. But if this happens, it is likely that if the drug falls into the hands of children, the reaction of the body may be problems from the gastrointestinal tract: diarrhea, vomiting. From the side of the vestibular apparatus, we can feel dizzy, weak, loss of coordination. In case of such excessive use of the ophthalmologic drug Okoferon, urgent eye rinsing is recommended, and with the oral drug Okoferon, which requires vomiting, after drinking up to three liters of liquid.  

Interactions with other drugs

When using the Ophthalmic Agent, Okoferon is not allowed to use other eye drops without the appointment of a doctor. Drops should not be used together with narcotic, hypnotic and sedative drugs. The drug effect between the pharmaceutical preparation Okoferon and other drugs is poorly understood, therefore, the intake of various drugs together with this drug should be administered with caution and under careful medical supervision. It is known that the combination with myelosuppressors can worsen a patient's condition.

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Storage conditions

Keep the hermetically sealed bottles of pharmaceutical preparation Okoferon in the top drawer of the refrigerator at a temperature not lower than 4 ° C. And not more than 10 ° C. At a relative humidity of not more than sixty percent. Be careful not to get direct sunlight on the bottles. Keep away from children and pets. Always remember that Okoferon is available in the form of lyophilizate and after opening the vial it is necessary to mix it with the solvent. Shelf life after the first opening of the bottle is no more than twenty nine days.

Special instructions

Okoferon retains its properties for fourteen days after the preparation of the solution. Okoferon must be buried in the conjunctival cavity up to ten times a day, depending on the severity of the viral infection. It is noted that if excessive solar radiation, changing weather conditions, there may be an exacerbation of chronic viral diseases. These factors need to be considered when planning trips of patients with viral eye lesions. To reduce the risk of exacerbations in these patients should take the necessary preventive measures.

Shelf life

Shelf life of the drug Okoferon two years. Such a shelf life of the drug Okoferon is possible only in cases of correct packaging and storage of eye drops. The rules for the storage of the drug Okoferon are described in the instructions for use, which should be maintained for the entire period, before the drug is used. Instructions for use and storage of pharmaceutical preparations Okoferon should be stored in a cardboard box together with an unused medicinal product. After the expiry date, the drug must be disposed of.