According to statistics, an adult every three weeks is ill with viral diseases, including influenza.
Viral infections significantly weaken the immune system and often cause severe complications. Therefore, pharmaceutical companies continuously conduct research in the development of new antiviral drugs that help fight the disease. And although there are still no drugs that could cope with the virus infection one hundred percent, their effectiveness is increasing every year.
Types of antiviral drugs of the new generation
Modern medicine offers the following types of antiviral drugs of the new generation, depending on the type of virus:
- anti-cytomegaloviral agents;
- antiherpetic drugs;
- influenza drugs;
- drugs with extended activity spectrum.
The main function of each type of drug is the oppressive action on the causative agent of the infection. According to the principle of action, all antiviral drugs are divided into two types:
- drugs that suppress the effect of viruses that directly affect the virus itself (disrupt the structure of viral proteins);
- drugs that stimulate the production of interferon by the body (a substance that reduces the susceptibility of cells to the effects of viruses), thereby increasing the body's defense response.
Antiviral drugs for influenza - indications
Antiviral drugs for the treatment of influenza should be taken, starting from the first 48 hours from the onset of symptoms of the disease. Basically, these medications are recommended for those patients who have a higher risk of complications. Such patients include:
- suffering from bronchial asthma and chronic lung diseases;
- diabetics;
- oncological diseases;
- suffering from cardiovascular diseases and blood diseases;
- those who have problems with the liver and kidneys;
- aged people;
- pregnant women, etc.
New generation antiviral drugs for influenza - list
The list of modern antiviral drugs recommended for influenza is quite wide. Let's consider briefly a few drugs that have received the most distribution.
- Amiksin is an antiviral drug of the new generation, which is a powerful inducer of interferon and has a wide spectrum of action, allowing it to be used in other viral infections. In this case, Amiksin can be used both for the treatment of diseases of the viral etiology, and for their prevention.
- Tamiflu (oseltamivir) is an antiviral drug of a new generation belonging to the group of neuraminidase inhibitors. The agent acts directly on the virus, preventing it from multiplying and spreading in the body. Tamiflu is active against influenza A and B viruses.
- Ingavirin - a new domestic antiviral drug, whose action is directed at the suppression of influenza viruses
type A and B, parainfluenza, adenovirus and respiratory syncytial infection. The mechanism of action of the drug is associated with the suppression of virus reproduction in the nuclear phase. In addition, Ingavirin activates the production of interferon and has an anti-inflammatory effect. - Kagotsel - a preparation of domestic production, the distinctive feature of which is that the intake of this drug is effective at any stage of the viral disease. Kagocel induces the production of interferon, increasing the body's resistance to infection. The drug has a long-lasting effect and can be used as a preventive agent.