Rimantadine (active ingredient - rimantadine) - this is an antiviral drug that has a pronounced activity, especially for influenza A virus In addition, it reduces symptoms of toxicity of the flu, including the flu caused by virus type B is used as it is in the tick-borne encephalitis.

How does rimantadine?

Rimantadine inhibits virus replication after entry into cells, i.e. at the early stages of the disease. In later stages it is not so effective. High sensitivity to rimantadine exhibit influenza viruses A2, but other strains of influenza A virus is also susceptible to it. The flu caused by any virus, rimantadine reduces the manifestations of toxicity, the general condition of patients at his reception improves. In addition, sensitivity to rimantadine exhibit encephalitis virus. Other acute and chronic viral infections of the drug is not effective.

After ingestion rimantadine slowly absorbed in the intestine into the blood, which is stored for at least 6-8 hours. The preparation is then decomposed into metabolites and excreted through the kidneys. If impaired renal function, rimantadine that may accumulate in the blood in high concentrations that may be toxic to the organism.

The use of rimantadine

Apply rimantadine in influenza caused by virus type A (especially A2). It is effective at the beginning of the disease, as it can significantly reduce its severity. In later stages, when the virus has multiplied significantly in the cells of the patient, rimantadine becomes ineffective. The flu caused by virus type B, it can also improve the condition of the patient at the expense of intoxication.

Apply remantodin and for the prevention of influenza caused by viruses types A drug is especially effective when used in a flu epidemic among the members of a team, a family.

Rimantadine is also used in the spread of tick-borne encephalitis virus with the purpose of prevention and treatment.

Treatment Plan

Rimantadine produced in the form of tablets of 50 mg (they are used for the treatment and prevention of diseases in adults and children over seven years), as well as syrup for children after year. It is used in, after a meal with water. The circuit for receiving rimantadine in influenza in adults: the first to put - in the 2 tablets 3 times a day; second day - 2 tablets 2 times a day, the third day - 2 tablets one time per day.

The dosage regimen of tablets rimantadine in children (designed for 5 days), aged 7 to 10 years - 1 tablet 2 a day; aged 11 to 14 years - 1 tablet 3 times a day.

The dosage regimen syrup rimantadine for children from 1 year to 3 years: on the first day of 2 teaspoons (10 ml or 20 mg) three times a day, the second and third day - 2 teaspoons 2 times a day, the fourth day - 2 teaspoons 1 per day.

The dosage regimen syrup rimantadine for children from 3 to 7 years: the first day 3 teaspoons (15 ml or 30 mg) three times a day, the second and third day - 3 teaspoons 2 times a day, the fourth day - 3 teaspoons Spoon 1 per day.

For the prevention of influenza rimantadine prescribed one tablet 1 time a day for two weeks. To prevent tick-borne encephalitis virus nature (it must begin to conduct no later than two days after a tick bite) adult rimantadine prescribed 2 tablets, 2 times a day for three - five days. People who reside in the area, Tick-borne Encephalitis infected, prevention can be carried out within two weeks.

Contraindications

Admission rimantadine is contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity to the drug, severe liver disease in violation of their functions under any kidney disease, elevated thyroid function The thyroid gland - is responsible for your hormones During pregnancy and breastfeeding Breast-feeding: feed - and no nails!   baby and children up to one year. Rimantadine tablets are contraindicated for children under 7 years.

With caution and only on prescription rimantadine can be taken in the seizure (including epilepsy), stroke and diabetes Diabetes - threatening and incurable disease .

Side effects

Rimantadine has a number of side effects. It is a violation on the part of the digestive system (change in appetite, nausea, vomiting, pain in the upper abdomen, bloating, transient liver dysfunction) and central nervous system (headache, dizziness Dizziness - if the ground is slipping from under his feet , Depressed mood, lethargy, irritability, weakness, nervousness, drowsiness or insomnia, trembling of the hands, the feet, the whole body, impaired concentration), allergic rash (including rash), itching).

When receiving rimantadine can begin aggravation of comorbidities in elderly patients with high blood pressure increases the risk of bleeding in the brain in patients with epilepsy - the risk of seizures. Rimantadine also reduces the effect of antiepileptic drugs and intensifies the effects of caffeine exciting.

Galina Romanenko

  For most people influenza infection is the need to spend a week or two at home, taking medication and suffering from unpleasant symptoms. In some cases, however, the flu can lead to very serious consequences, including death. Therefore, prevention is impossible to ignore it.

Immunizations

Experts say the best way to avoid the flu - is to get vaccinated as soon as it becomes available in your area. The ideal time for the flu vaccine - the beginning of autumn. However, if you do not have time, it is better to be vaccinated at any time of the winter, what not to do it at all.

The vaccine is designed to protect against influenza strains, which, according to health experts to be the most prevalent in a particular season.

There are two types of flu vaccines: injection, which contains dead virus, suitable for everyone older than 6 months; nasal spray that contains a live but weakened virus. It is suitable for patients aged 2 to 49 years old, healthy and not pregnant.

The next day the vaccination the patient may complain of mild pain in the hands, as well as, in some cases, are not slight indisposition. This is a common reaction to the vaccine; These symptoms will be very soon.

The barrier for the flu

The flu virus is easily transmitted from one person to another. You can get, for example, when a patient sneezes or coughs in your direction. You can also become infected as a result of contact with different surfaces - for example, to a table in the restaurant, which was recently eaten the flu. The influenza virus can remain alive on such surfaces to eight hours.

If you touch a contaminated surface and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth, the bacteria through the fingers go straight into your body.

You can try to avoid sick people, but this is not always feasible, especially, especially if you are in close proximity to them, such as in a movie theater and shopping center. If the virus can not be avoided, at least, you can use the rules of hygiene, to create a barrier that can protect you from the flu.

• Wash your hands with warm soapy water after each shaking hands or touching surfaces that may be contaminated with the virus.
• Carry wet wipes and use them when you can not wash your hands with soap and water.
• Carry disinfectant wipes, that if needed to clean some surfaces, for example, the table at which you eat.
• Do not touch your mouth, eyes or nose before washing their hands beforehand.
• The flu season as possible, use the individual cutlery and crockery.

Take care of your health

The above measures will be effective only if a strong immune system The immune system - how it works? . Therefore, you should pay attention to:

• Balanced diet;
• Regular exercise - not less than four times a week;
• Normal sleep Dreams: how to understand our dreams   - 7-9 hours a day.

Quit smoking. Smoking not only increases the risk of cancer and contributes to the appearance of premature signs of aging, but also makes a person more vulnerable to the flu. There is evidence that smokers flu is more severe, in fact, the risk of death from influenza are much higher than non-smokers.

Medication

If you do get sick, ask your doctor to recommend antiviral drugs Antivirals - basic classification Such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza). Thanks to them, the recovery will go faster. It is recommended to start taking the first two days after the onset of flu symptoms.

Follow these tips to avoid getting the flu Influenza - expect the unexpected but always   other people:

• Stay at home as long as the doctor did not tell you that you have recovered.
• Cover your hand every time you cough or sneeze.

If you go out on the street, although not yet recovered (despite the fact that it's not much to be recommended), wear a special mask - it will prevent the infection of other people, as well as protect you from infections, which can easily penetrate into the body is weakened by the flu.