8 best analogues of Arbidol

Oscillococcinum refers to homeopathy - medicines that contain extremely low doses of active ingredients and do not have a clear evidence base. However, this does not detract from the popularity of the drug among patients who take it at the first sign of a cold to stop the onset of the disease. The absence of adverse reactions, the sweetish taste of the granules and ease of use make the drug in demand during the SARS growth season. Doctors are skeptical about the drug and emphasize that it has a placebo effect. Among the shortcomings, it is necessary to highlight the high cost - Oscillococcinum costs 1.5-2 times more than domestic antiviral agents with high concentrations of active ingredients.

A controversial drug that is widely known among the population, but not recommended by most doctors. Experts attribute the popularity of the drug to good marketing on TV and on the Internet, while patients in the reviews claim that the drug helps to quickly cope with the symptoms of a cold.Instructions for use are identical to the original Arbidol. It should be borne in mind that the improvement while taking Arbidol Maximum can be caused both by the drug itself and by other medicines that are used in complex therapy. At the same time, many patients take capsules for the prevention and treatment of influenza in the cold season, since they can be freely bought at a pharmacy.

Ingavirin is another legendary drug against influenza and SARS, which continues to cause debate in scientific circles. According to the instructions for use, the therapeutic effect is to increase the level of interferon, a protective molecule that is important for antiviral immunity. The drug is actively sold without a prescription, and many patients confirm its effectiveness: they talk about the rapid elimination of symptoms and the acceleration of the healing process while taking the capsules. Some people take Ingavirin for coronavirus infection to stimulate immunity, but doctors warn against self-medication of COVID-19 and recommend seeking medical help at the first symptoms of the disease.

Amiksin is a safe immunostimulant that helps in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. Traditionally, it is prescribed during the cold season, however, in the instructions for use, the manufacturer suggests using the tablets for herpes infections, urogenital infections, and in the complex therapy of pulmonary tuberculosis. Most buyers call Amiksin a powerful and effective remedy for the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections, but some doctors doubt its effectiveness and refer to an insufficient number of clinical studies. There are difficulties in the treatment, because in order to obtain a result, it is necessary to strictly follow the therapeutic scheme proposed by the manufacturer.

Arpeflu is recommended for patients who cannot afford the original Arbidol.Therapists note its good effectiveness with the initial signs of SARS, the speed of action and the absence of serious adverse reactions. A cheap substitute for Arbidol is suitable for children over 3 years old and adults, and it can also be taken by women during pregnancy and lactation. Patients who took Arpeflu note that the disease is milder and recovery is faster. However, a good effect can be achieved only in complex therapy, moreover, in severe influenza, the drug will be useless.

A really working drug that should be taken in the first 1-2 days from the onset of symptoms of SARS. Although the evidence base for the active substance remains controversial, practitioners see a positive effect in most patients. The medicine is suitable for adults and children over 1 year old. Tamiflu copes well with the typical manifestations of influenza: intoxication, fever, respiratory symptoms, and it also reduces the risk of severe flu complications. Among the shortcomings are called nausea and vomiting, which most often occurs in preschoolers and schoolchildren on the first day from the start of treatment. Because Tamiflu is a prescription drug, it should only be taken with a doctor's prescription.

Afludol is another domestic drug based on umifenovir, which costs almost 2 times cheaper than the original drug. It has the same list of indications and contraindications. According to patients, the drug quickly "puts on its feet" with mild forms of acute respiratory viral infections, speeds up recovery and reduces the likelihood of a protracted cold. When using the drug, there are no side effects. In addition to the main indication, the drug can be used in the complex therapy of rotavirus infections in children. Please note that Afludol is not effective for COVID-19, like the original Arbidol. Clinical studies have shown the absence of an antiviral effect on a new type of pathogen, so the drug should not be bought either for prevention or as a treatment.

The drug contains the most studied anti-influenza component - oseltamivir, which blocks the reproduction of the pathogen and can stop the disease at an early stage. Influcein can be used to treat influenza within the first 48 hours of onset of symptoms, and it also helps prevent illness during a seasonal epidemic. Capsules are convenient to take: there is no binding either to the time of day or to meals, which is important for busy people with an active rhythm of life. Most patients and doctors positively assess the effect of the drug, but they report adverse reactions: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness.

Anaferon is one of the best analogues of Arbidol and has been known in Russia for more than 20 years. Its effectiveness against SARS, herpes and other viral diseases has been proven by 8 scientific studies, during which the immunomodulatory effect, antiallergic and antiparasitic effects were confirmed.Also an important advantage is that Anaferon is easy to find in almost any pharmacy. In addition, it costs much less than the popular Arbidol, and fights colds just as well. The only thing, at the moment, the effect of this remedy on pregnant and lactating women has not been sufficiently studied.

Ergoferon is a popular analogue of Arbidol, which reduces the period of illness due to the content of affinity-purified antibodies to human gamma interferon and histamine. Judging by the reviews, sneezing, coughing and swelling of the nasopharynx when taking this drug pass faster, as the immune response to parasites and allergens is turned on. The advantage is that Ergoferon is dispensed without a prescription and can be combined with any type of therapy. In addition, it does not cause drowsiness and does not affect cognitive functions, and lozenges are considered by many to be a very convenient form of release. True, in pharmacies you can find cheaper analogues of Arbidol.