This article was originally written by Dr. Yang Wenqing, Deputy Chief Physician of Pediatrics of Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital
According to the influenza surveillance of the disease control department, the current level of influenza virus activity in mainland China has increased, mostly influenza A, and the topic of influenza A has also frequently appeared in hot searches. Children are a vulnerable group during influenza epidemics, and according to statistics, the daily number of pediatric outpatient clinics in hospitals has reached more than 1,000, and the situation in children's hospitals is inevitably worrisome.
In the face of menacing influenza, the use of drugs in addition to oseltamivir and a drug that plays a big role during the new crown pneumonia - Arbidol has also attracted the attention of many parents.
What are the characteristics of Arbidol?
Arbidol is mainly used for the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections caused by influenza A and B viruses, the original research country is Russia, and Arbidol hydrochloride capsules were approved for marketing in China in 2006 as the first imitation. Arbidol is a hemagglutinin inhibitor that blocks viral replication primarily by inhibiting the fusion of the virus and the host cell membrane. In addition, Arbidol can also induce the body to produce endogenous interferon to interfere with the replication of viruses, and at the same time improve macrophage phagocytic activity and enhance the body's immune function.
Clinical studies have shown that Arbidol can significantly reduce the incidence of influenza and acute respiratory infections, shorten the course of disease, reduce complications, and play a dual role in prevention and treatment. The drug has few toxic side effects and is widely used as an over-the-counter drug in Russia.
Can children use Arbidol?
At present, there are many reports of reactions Some children take other drugs to have gastrointestinal reactions such as nausea and vomiting, and a small number of people have hallucinations, delusions and other mental abnormalities, which are common adverse reactions of drugs. Some doctors consider choosing to use Arbidol for influenza treatment for patients, but the instructions do not specify the dosage for children, so can it be used clinically for children? How to use it?
Arbidol hydrochloride is approved in Russia as a broad-spectrum antiviral agent for the prevention and treatment of multiple viral infections in children and adults aged 2 years and older. Since the population included in the domestic phase III clinical trial is adults aged 18-65 years, clinical data are limited, so the instructions only reflect the dosage of adults.
Russian instructions indications
1) prevention and treatment of influenza A and B and other acute respiratory viral infections in children and adults over 2 years of age;
2) combination therapy with recurrent herpes infection;
3) Comprehensive treatment of the causes of viral transacute enteritis in children over 2 years old;
4) Prevention of concurrent infection after surgery
Usage and dosage
The super-description of medication is evidence-based
In the new version of the Physician Law promulgated on August 20, 2021, for the first time, the diagnosis and treatment guidelines and off-label medication under evidence-based medicine were included in the law. Article 29: It is clarified that physicians shall follow the guiding principles for the clinical application of drugs, clinical diagnosis and treatment guidelines, drug instructions, and other rational use of drugs, and in special circumstances such as the absence of effective or better treatment methods, physicians may use drug usage methods that are not clear in the drug label but have evidence-based medical evidence to carry out treatment after obtaining the patient's explicit informed consent.
The relevant consensus on off-label medication also indicates that the usage of foreign or domestic drug labels of the same generic name drug is supported by the evidence of off-label drug with the highest recommended intensity.
Recommended for clinical use in children
In addition, Arbidol has been recommended by multiple guidelines, and the dosage for children is clearly indicated in the "Guidelines for the Rational Application of Antiviral Drugs in Children with Viral Respiratory Diseases", and is included in the clinical pediatric journal "Chinese Journal of Practical Pediatrics".
Arbidol dosage forms currently on the market include capsules, dispersible tablets, tablets, granules. Among them, dispersible tablets, tablets, granules in the taste is relatively poor, the taste is more bitter, for children patients can consider choosing capsule dosage form, capsule shell can cover the bitter taste of the drug, children are more acceptable to take. For patients aged 2-6 years old, the drug can be mixed into room temperature thick yogurt or honey water, stirred and taken evenly, so as to improve the taste of the drug, and also play a role in regulating the stomach!
brief summary
Arbidol has the advantages of broad antiviral spectrum, clear target, significant reduction of influenza symptoms and shortening of the course of disease, and is another important anti-influenza virus drug in addition to oseltamivir. Influenza vaccination, more ventilation, frequent hand washing, standardized wearing of masks, appropriate exercise, etc. are effective measures to prevent influenza. Arbidol is a prescription drug and should be taken under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.