Instructions for use of suppositories for children "Genferon"

Children's immunity is not very strong, so they have to fight ARVI and other diseases quite often. When prescribing treatment, pediatricians often recommend the use of antiviral suppositories for children, for example, Genferon. They help speed up recovery, and can also be used for prevention. However, such drugs cause a lot of controversy. To decide whether to give them to your children, you need to understand the principles of action.

Release form

One package of Genferon Light includes 5 or 10 rectal/vaginal suppositories. They have a cylindrical shape and a pointed end. The color of the candles is white, but the drug may also have a yellow tint. Usually the structure of the medicine is homogeneous, but inside there may be a funnel-shaped depression or an air rod.

The drug is also available in liquid form, which is a nasal spray. One dose of this medicine contains 50,000 IU of the active ingredient, and the bottle contains 100 doses. There is also a medicine called Genferon, but it differs from the drugs Genferon Light both in composition (it contains benzocaine) and in the concentration of interferon, so it is not used in children under 7 years of age.

Compound

The composition of the candles includes two active components. One of them is alpha-2B interferon. One suppository can contain either 125,000 IU or 250,000 IU. The second ingredient is taurine. Regardless of the dosage of interferon, it is presented in the medicine in an amount of 5 mg per suppository.

Among the excipients of the drug you can see purified water, solid fats, citric acid and T2 emulsifier. The medicine also contains substances such as polysorbate 80, macrogol 1500 and dextran 60000. All these components are added during manufacture to produce suppositories weighing 0.8 g.

Active ingredients

According to the instructions, these candles have the following active ingredients:

• human interferon alpha 2b;
• aminosulfonic acid (taurine);
• benzocaine or anesthesin, which provide local anesthesia.

The drug also contains auxiliary substances, but these are the ones that help fight diseases and alleviate the condition. TheRebenok.ru magazine has collected information about how each of them affects the body.

Interferon has the following properties.

• Effectively copes with viruses. Once in the human body, interferon triggers the process of activating special enzymes that slow down the proliferation of harmful microorganisms. It also suppresses viral signals to reproduce.
• Interferon helps fight not only viruses, but also bacteria. The substance stimulates immune cells, so that the body begins to cope with the disease more productively.
• The substance has an immunomodulatory effect: it not only destroys viruses and bacteria, but also triggers the immune system and strengthens it. It promotes the synthesis of antibodies that are needed for a person to recover.
• Interferon also helps to activate leukocytes in the child’s body. The substance accelerates the immune response and allows the body to cope with the disease itself.

Taurine in the suppositories enhances the effect of interferon, making the drug highly effective. It has a positive effect on cells, promotes their rapid recovery, and their resistance to external influences increases. The substance also helps improve metabolism. It acts as an immunomodulator and has an anti-inflammatory effect, like interferon.

Substances that provide local anesthesia help alleviate the child’s condition and relieve the discomfort that accompanies a cold.

Operating principle

The medication is a drug with an immunomodulatory effect. In this case, the medicine affects both locally and systemically, since more than 80% of the interferon from the suppositories is absorbed and enters the bloodstream. The maximum concentration of this substance in the serum is determined approximately 5 hours after rectal administration of the drug, and its half-life occurs within 12 hours.

Let's listen to the doctor's opinion about the Genferon Light suppositories.

Due to the presence of interferon in the composition, suppositories have antiviral and antibacterial effects. Their use activates some enzymes inside cells, which will result in inhibition of viral reproduction.

The effect of suppositories on the patient’s immune system is to enhance cellular responses to viral invasion or the penetration of intracellular parasites, due to which the immune response becomes more pronounced. The medication activates T-killer and natural killer cells, and also affects B-lymphocytes and their ability to produce antibodies.

The use of suppositories also affects the activity of phagocytosis and macrophages. In addition, leukocytes activated under the influence of interferon quickly eliminate pathological foci in the mucous membrane, and the production of IgA is restored.

The second component of the medicine - taurine - normalizes metabolic processes and promotes tissue restoration. This substance has the ability to stabilize membranes and have an antioxidant effect. In addition, it supports the biological activity of interferon, due to which the therapeutic effect of suppositories is further enhanced.

Pharmacokinetics

With rectal administration of the drug, high bioavailability (more than 80%) of interferon is observed, and therefore both local and pronounced systemic immunomodulatory effects are achieved; When used intravaginally, due to the high concentration at the site of infection and fixation on the cells of the mucous membrane, a pronounced local antiviral, antiproliferative and antibacterial effect is achieved, while the systemic effect is insignificant due to the low absorption capacity of the vaginal mucosa. The maximum concentration of interferon in the blood serum is achieved 5 hours after administration of the drug. The main route of excretion of α-interferon is renal catabolism. T1/2 is 12 hours, which necessitates the use of the drug 2 days a day.

At what age is it allowed to take it?

The use of Genferon Light suppositories in children is possible from birth, even with prematurity. At the same time, for the youngest patients the drug is prescribed at a dosage of 125,000 IU, which is often called children's dosage. Medicine with 250,000 IU, like Genferon suppositories with the same dosage, can be used from 7 years of age. The spray form is not prescribed to children under 14 years of age. In addition, vaginal administration of the medication in suppositories is not recommended for those under 14 years of age.

How to use

When treating diseases in children, suppositories are used only rectally, that is, they are inserted into the anus, even if the source of the disease is localized in the urogenital tract.

Before use, you should hold the candle in your hands for a few seconds, then introduce it to the child.

Before insertion, it is important to thoroughly wash the anus area and wash your hands with soap. This measure will avoid the unwanted introduction of microbes.

It is better to insert the suppository while lying on your side, your legs should be bent at the knees.

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Contraindications

The medicine should not be used if a small patient is intolerant to taurine, interferon or other ingredients of suppositories. The manufacturer does not indicate any other contraindications to the use of the medication, however, in case of autoimmune diseases or allergies, the use of Genferon Light requires caution and consultation with a specialist.

Side effects

The use of Genferon Light may provoke an allergic reaction, such as burning or itching. Such negative symptoms are usually reversible, and once treatment is stopped, they completely disappear within a few days.

In rare cases, treatment may cause fatigue, chills, headaches, sweating, fever and other symptoms. If they occur, it is advised to stop administering suppositories and consult a doctor about reducing the single dosage or replacing them with another medication. If the child has a fever after the administration of the suppository, a single dose of 250 mg of paracetamol is prescribed.

Overdose and adverse reactions

, the drug is tolerated normally and without side effects. However, sometimes they are present, among them:

• allergies in the form of skin manifestations, itching, burning;
• chills;
• excessive fatigue;
• increased body temperature;
• lack of appetite;
• pain in the muscles, head, joints;
• increased sweating.

More serious side effects may occur if the daily dose is significantly exceeded.

Minor negative reactions such as itching and burning are reversible and disappear a few days after stopping the use of suppositories.

If any of the side effects occur, continue treatment after consultation with a specialist.

An overdose of Genferon Light has not been observed. However, if a child, instead of one dose, was randomly administered two or more than those specified in the specialist’s prescription or in the instructions for the drug, then further therapy should be suspended for at least a day (24 hours). After this, treatment can be continued as usual.

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Instructions for use

According to the annotation, the suppository can be either inserted into the rectum or used vaginally. The dosage, method of administration and duration of therapy in each case is determined by the doctor individually. In this case, the following schemes are most often used:

• Children under 7 years of age are usually prescribed suppositories with a dosage of 125,000 IU of interferon in one piece. This is a single dose of the drug.
• At the age of over 7 years, a medicine with a higher concentration of interferon is used - 250,000 IU in 1 suppository.
• If a child has ARVI or another acute viral disease, the medicine is administered into the rectum twice a day (there should be a 12-hour interval between applications). Treatment is prescribed for 5 days, and if the symptoms of the disease still persist, the course can be repeated after a five-day break.
• If suppositories are prescribed to a child with chronic viral pathology, as an addition to other medications, then they are used twice a day for a 10-day course, after which they switch to a single use (the suppository is administered rectally before bedtime) every other day.
• For children with urogenital infections, Genferon Light is prescribed for a course of 10 days. In this case, the suppository is inserted into the rectum twice a day with a pause of 12 hours.

To learn how to insert a suppository, see the following video.

Dispensing and storage conditions, expiration date, price in Russian pharmacies

Candles are stored in a place that is difficult for a child to reach. The storage temperature is very low - from 2 to 8 degrees, so it is better to keep suppositories in the refrigerator. The shelf life of the medicine should not exceed 24 months.

How much does Genferon cost in the form of suppositories for children? Suppositories in the amount of 10 pieces can be bought for 300-400 rubles. The price depends on both the sales region and the pharmacy chain.

Suppositories with a dosage of 250,000 IU + 5 mg from the pharmacy are available with a doctor’s prescription, 125,000 IU + 5 mg are available without a prescription.

Terms of sale

To buy a package of suppositories with an interferon concentration of 250,000 IU in a pharmacy, you first need to get a prescription from a doctor. But a drug with a lower dosage, containing 125,000 IU of interferon in one suppository, is an over-the-counter product. The average price of a pack of 10 suppositories of 125,000 IU of the active compound is 270-340 rubles, and a drug with a higher concentration of interferon is 380-420 rubles.

Analogs

Other medications that contain alpha interferon can replace Genferon Light, for example:

• Viferon. This interferon-based medication is used for chickenpox, ARVI and many other diseases in children from birth. It is produced in gel and suppositories. In addition, there is Viferon ointment, which is used to lubricate the skin and mucous membranes of children older than one year.
• Grippferon. Such nasal drops or nasal spray are used for influenza and other viral infections of the nasopharynx. This medicine can even be used in infants.

For viral diseases, instead of Genferon or in addition to it, the doctor may recommend antiviral medications, for example, Kagocel tablets or Orvirem syrup.

It should also be mentioned that some mothers prefer to treat their children with homeopathy, for example, instead of interferon drugs, they give the child homeopathic remedies such as Aflubin or Anaferon. However, doctors, including the famous pediatrician Komarovsky, do not consider them an adequate replacement and doubt their effectiveness.

Source

Reviews from doctors about geneferon light

This is one of the most prescribed drugs in gynecology and pediatrics. Unfortunately, I see virtually no effect from it. Gynecologists and neonatologists like to prescribe it. I tried the drug several times on myself during pregnancy and on my infant. Without him or with him there is no difference. And many of my patients who came from other doctors complained about the same thing. Especially often in the treatment of human papillomavirus infection.

"Genferon" is a drug in the form of suppositories, very convenient to use at any age. There is a dosage of 125 thousand units, which is used in pediatric practice, and I use it in my practice as a pediatric gynecologist. Dosage 250 thousand units. "Light" - used during pregnancy from 13 weeks to 40-41 weeks. It is a good antiviral agent, an immunomodulator, and improves the effect of drugs used together.

The drug "Genferon" in a convenient form - a suppository - is already used in newborn children as an antiviral agent for ARVI, as well as in the treatment of cytomegalovirus and other herpesvirus infections. A course of treatment may be recommended for frequently ill patients.

I recommend it to patients of all ages.

"Genferon" is one of the most frequently prescribed interferon drugs in pediatric and adult practice, often used for viral infections. Convenient forms and dosages for all ages. Effective against many viruses, incl. herpetic group.

The price is quite affordable.

I recommend it and use it quite often!

"Genferon Light" is a Russian-made drug based on interferon alpha-2b. I regularly prescribe it in my practice; it has proven itself to be a drug with an immunomodulatory, antiviral, persistent clinical effect in patients.

Dear patients, I would like to remind you that only a doctor can correctly prescribe the optimal drug for you.

An excellent immunomodulatory drug with antiviral activity. I widely prescribe during pregnancy as part of complex therapy. I also successfully use the drug outside of pregnancy in the complex therapy of viral and bacterial infections. The course of treatment is 10 days. Fast and long-lasting therapeutic effect.

I prescribe it to pregnant women as an immunomodulatory, antiviral drug in the form of rectal suppositories for a course of 10 days. The effect is noticeable immediately. Well tolerated. I did not notice any side effects.

"Genferon Light" in the form of suppositories is highly effective during pregnancy for genitourinary infections in complex therapy - not earlier than the second trimester. No side effects were observed in practice. In the form of a spray, it can be used only after the end of the postpartum period according to indications.

No allergic reactions were noted.

An excellent immunomodulator with antiviral activity. Effectively fights against a wide range of pathogenic microorganisms - viruses, bacteria, fungi, mycoplasmas and so on.

Most often, patients respond positively to the effects of Genferon Light, both in the form of suppositories and in the form of a spray. Parents who were able to cure their children of a viral infection quickly and painlessly often speak positively about the spray.

The drug works great. The antiviral effect occurs within 24 hours. I consider it safe and prescribe it to young children for both preventive and therapeutic purposes. I did not notice any side effects, there were no allergic reactions, it was well tolerated.

Included in the standards for the treatment and prevention of viral infections.

Patient reviews of geneferon light

I give my child this antiviral regularly in the autumn-winter period, it helps not to get sick so often. Although we still get sick sometimes, at least mom has a break.

I don’t know if this is true or not, but taurine is extracted from the pancreas of bulls, and supposedly it has a healing effect; it is also added to energy drinks and has a very good effect on the vascular system. Personally, I used a nasal remedy, and it helped, but I can’t understand why. I always thought that xylometazoline only had a beneficial effect on the nasal side, but here I discovered another effective remedy for myself. The price is good, the effect is there, now I will only buy this nasal remedy for problems with nasal congestion. There were no side effects, no relapse occurred. A very good remedy.

Customer Reviews

• Valeria: “Suppositories are very good for treating children. We always use them when we start to get sick with ARVI, it helps effectively. The pediatrician also praises it, so Genferon is always available at home.”
• Christina: “Genferon candles are always in the refrigerator. For the slightest cold I put on one candle, sometimes the symptoms disappear after just one dose. For more serious illnesses I give it five days. Of course, the first few times the treatment was prescribed by a doctor, but now, based on experience, I administer it myself. It helps a lot."
• Katerina: “I always buy Genferon if the children are sick. At first I took it as prescribed by a doctor, now on my own initiative. At the beginning of the disease, the best thing is that suppositories help and prevent the disease from developing. I’ve never noticed any side effects, I think it’s completely safe.”

Instructions for use of Genferon light

Short description

Genferon light (interferon alpha + taurine) is an immunomodulator used for the treatment of influenza and other acute respiratory viral infections in children under 14 years of age and has a whole “bouquet” of pharmacological effects for this purpose, such as: antiviral, antibacterial, antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, local regenerating and membrane stabilizing. Interferon alpha blocks the replication of viruses even at the stage of synthesis of specific proteins and prevents infection of “healthy” cells of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity, which is the “entry gate” for viral invasion and the primary inflammatory focus in acute respiratory diseases. The immunomodulatory effect of the drug is expressed in the activation of cell-mediated immune reactions, which ensures an enhanced immune response against viruses and bacteria. The drug “inspires” killer T-cells, NK-cells and B-lymphocytes, increases the production of antibodies, stimulates phagocytosis and increases the likelihood of identification of affected cells by cells of the immune system. Activation of leukocytes located in all layers of the mucous membrane guarantees their active participation in the elimination of pathological foci. In addition, due to the pharmacological “passionarity” of interferon alpha, restoration of the synthesis of immunoglobulin A is achieved. The antibacterial effect of geneferon light is based on a pool of immune reactions catalyzed by interferon. The second component of Genferon Light - taurine - normalizes tissue metabolism and promotes faster regeneration of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity affected by inflammation. With the intranasal (through the nose) route of administration of the drug, due to the high concentration of active substances in the infectious focus, it is possible to achieve a quick and fairly powerful local antiviral and immunomodulatory effect. Systemic absorption of the drug is very low: the low systemic bioavailability of intranasal Genferon Light is due to the presence in the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity of a special class of proteins, which are a kind of biological “doormen” and strictly control the movement of any molecular and cellular objects through the mucosa. Nevertheless, a certain amount of interferon penetrates into the systemic bloodstream, which suggests that geneferon light has a systemic immunostimulating effect.

When the drug is administered through the rectum, its high (over 80%) bioavailability is noted, which provides both local and systemic immunomodulatory effects. With the intravaginal (and there is such a) method of administration of the drug, due to the high concentration of active components in the infectious focus, a local antiviral, antibacterial and antiproliferative effect is achieved. As for the systemic effect, due to the extremely low absorption capacity of the vagina, it is practically absent.

Genferon light is available in three dosage forms: nasal drops, nasal spray and vaginal and rectal suppositories. Drop dosage regimen: children from 29 days to 11 months - 1 drop in both nasal passages 5 times a day, children from 1 to 3 years - 2 drops in both nasal passages 3-4 times a day, children from 3 to 14 years - 2 drops in both nasal passages 4-5 times a day. The duration of treatment is 5 days. After instillation, you should gently massage the wings of the nose with your fingers to evenly distribute the active substances in the nasal cavity. Spray dosing regimen: one dose (equivalent to one short press on the dispenser) into both nasal passages three times a day for 5 days. When in contact with a person with signs of acute respiratory viral infection or immediately after hypothermia, Genferon Light is administered one dose into each nasal passage for 5-7 days. If necessary, the medication course can be repeated. When spraying the spray, the aerosol can must be kept strictly in a vertical position. Suppository dosage regimen: adults and children aged 7 years and older are prescribed 250,000 IU of interferon alpha per suppository; children under 7 years old - 125,000 IU interferon alpha per suppository. The route of administration, dose and duration of the drug course depend on the age of the patient and the clinical picture of the disease. Genferon light fits well into complex treatment regimens for ARVI. In combination with antibacterial, antimycotic and other antiviral drugs, an increase in the effect of each drug is observed.

Pharmacology

The drug Genferon Light, nasal drops, has antiviral, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, antibacterial effects, has local regenerating, membrane-stabilizing and antioxidant properties. Interferon alpha blocks the proliferation of viruses at the stage of synthesis of specific proteins and prevents infection of uninfected cells of the nasal mucosa, which is the site of pathogen invasion and the primary focus of inflammation during respiratory infections. The immunomodulatory effect is manifested by an increase in cell-mediated reactions of the immune system, which increases the effectiveness of the immune response against foreign agents. This is achieved through the activation of CD8+ T-killers, NK cells (natural killer cells), increased differentiation of B-lymphocytes and their production of antibodies, activation of the monocyte-macrophage system and phagocytosis, as well as increased expression of molecules of the main histocompatibility complex type 1, which increases the likelihood recognition of infected cells by cells of the immune system. Activation under the influence of interferon of leukocytes contained in all layers of the mucous membrane ensures their active participation in the elimination of pathological foci; in addition, due to the influence of interferon, restoration of the production of secretory immunoglobulin A is achieved. The antibacterial effect is mediated by reactions of the immune system, enhanced by the iodine influence of interferon.

Taurine, which is part of the drug, normalizes metabolic processes in tissues, promotes regeneration and faster restoration of the nasal mucosa damaged by the pathological process.

Pharmacokinetics

When used intranasally, the drug Genferon Light, nasal drops, creates a high concentration of interferon at the site of infection and has a pronounced local antiviral and immunostimulating effect. Systemic absorption of the drug is insignificant; with intranasal administration, recombinant human interferon alpha-2b is detected in small quantities in the lung tissue and blood. In the body, biotransformation occurs predominantly in the kidneys with a T1/2 of 5.1 hours. A small amount of the drug entering the systemic circulation has a systemic immunomodulatory effect.

Release form

10 ml - dark glass dropper bottle (1) - cardboard packs. 10 ml - dark glass bottles (1) complete with a dropper nozzle - cardboard packs.

Dosage

At the first signs of the disease, Genferon Light is instilled into the nose for 5 days.

Children from 29 days to 11 months 29 days - 1 drop in each nasal passage 5 times a day (single dose 1,000 IU, daily dose 5,000 IU).

Children from 1 to 3 years old - 2 drops in each nasal passage 3-4 times a day (single dose 2,000 IU; daily dose 6,000-8,000 IU).

Children from 3 to 14 years old - 2 drops in each nasal passage 4-5 times a day (single dose 2,000 IU, daily dose - 8,000-10,000 IU).

Overdose

Cases of overdose of the drug Genferon Light have not been registered to date.

Interaction

The simultaneous use of intranasal vasoconstrictor drugs is not recommended, as this causes additional dryness of the nasal mucosa.

Side effects

Local allergic reactions (burning sensation, itching) are possible. These phenomena are reversible and disappear on their own within 72 hours after stopping the use of the drug. Continuation of treatment is possible only after consultation with a doctor.

Indications

• treatment of influenza and other acute respiratory viral infections in children aged 29 days to 14 years.

Contraindications

• hypersensitivity to interferon alfa-2b or other components of the drug;
• newborns from 0 to 28 days (due to lack of clinical data).

Features of application

Use during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Not used because the drug is indicated for use in children aged 29 days to 14 years.

Use in children