Viral infections occur in children very often, especially if they are in a children's team or in public places. For the prevention of acute respiratory infections or for the treatment of a disease, if it was not possible to avoid it, homeopathic medicines are often used. One of the most popular means of such a group is called Oscillococcinum. Can it be given to children and in what dosage?
Release form
Oscillococcinum is produced by a French company "Boiron" only in one form, which are granules that dissolve easily on contact with water or saliva. They are white in color, almost spherical in shape and have no smell. These granules taste sweet.
They are placed in plastic white tubes of 1 gram each. One such tube is one dose of the drug. The granules in it are tightly closed with a polyethylene stopper. Tubes are packed in blisters of 3 pieces, and one box contains 2, 4 or 10 blisters (from 6 to 30 doses).
Composition
The active component of the granules is the extract, which is obtained from the organs of the musky (also called barbarian) duck. The substances extracted from the liver and heart of such a bird are diluted to 10 to minus 400 degrees. To make the drug sweet and quickly dissolve in the mouth, the active ingredients are combined with sucrose and lactose
Operating principle
Oscillococcinum refers to homeopathic remedies that are recommended to be taken at the first manifestations of acute respiratory infections - fever, cough, headaches, chills, body aches, sore throat, rhinitis and others. The active ingredient of granules, according to many studies, is able to improve the condition of patients and facilitate the course of a viral infection. However, the mechanism of the extract's effect on viruses or the human immune system is not described by the manufacturer.
Indications
Most often, Oscillococcinum is prescribed for influenza, which has a mild or moderate course. In addition, the granules can be used for other acute respiratory diseases provoked by viruses.
At what age is it allowed?
The drug has no age restrictions, so Oscillococcinum can be given both to infants or toddlers attending kindergarten, and to schoolchildren and adolescents. The tool is called harmless, but it is recommended to use it in children after a doctor's appointment, because sometimes complex therapy is required, which requires other medications.
Contraindications
Granules should not be given to children who are hypersensitive to their components. For example, due to the presence of milk sugar in the preparation, Oscillococcinum is contraindicated in patients with both lactase deficiency and lactose intolerance. You should not take this remedy and with a hereditary disorder of the absorption of glucose-galactose, which is called malabsorption.
Side effects
According to the data in the annotation to the granules, their intake does not cause any side effects. However, in extremely rare cases, the use of Oscillococcinum can cause allergic reaction.
If any ailments appear while taking the drug, this should be reported to the doctor who is observing the little patient.
Instructions for use and dosage
To open the preparation, you need to press on the blister from the transparent side, squeeze out one tube, and then open it. The method of taking Otsillococcinum depends on the age of the child:
- If the agent is given to a baby, the granules are dissolved in water and the resulting solution is poured into a bottle, and then given through the nipple.
- For the smallest, the drug can also be given from a spoon, after dissolving the contents of the tube in a small volume of water.
- For older patients, the granules can be poured directly into the mouth (under the tongue) and asked to hold them in the mouth until they are completely dissolved by saliva.
It is advised to give Oscillococcinum to a child 15 minutes before feeding or eating. If the child has just eaten, the pellet intake should be postponed for at least 1 hour.
The dosage of the drug is not affected by the patient's age, but it depends on the stage of the disease:
- If a viral infection has just begun to show negative symptoms, the first dose of Oscillococcinum should be taken as soon as possible. If the development of the disease has not stopped, it is recommended to re-dissolve or swallow the dissolved drug every 6 hours another 2-3 times.
- If the granules are prescribed in the midst of an illness, then they should be taken for 1-3 days twice a day - one dose in the morning and another in the evening.
- If the drug is recommended for prophylactic purposes, then it is given to the child during the season of the spread of ARVI once a week, one dose.
Overdose
Until now, there have been no cases when a very large dose of Oscillococcinum had a harmful effect.
Interaction with other drugs
The use of granules does not interfere with treatment with other homeopathic remedies, as well as with any medicines, including antiviral, antibacterial, antipyretic and other medicines.
Terms of sale
To buy Oscillococcinum at a pharmacy, you do not need to show a doctor's prescription. The average price of a box containing 6 doses varies from 340 to 380 rubles, for a pack with 12 tubes you need to pay about 600-700 rubles, and a package with 30 doses costs about 1400 rubles.
Storage features
The shelf life of sealed tubes is 5 years. Until its completion, Oscillococcinum should be stored at a temperature not higher than 25 degrees Celsius, choosing a place in which the granules cannot be reached by children and they will not be exposed to direct sunlight.
Reviews
There are both good and negative reviews about the use of Otsillococcinum for ARVI or influenza. In positive reviews, parents who trust homeopathy call such a remedy effective and harmless. They praise the granules for their pleasant taste, convenient form of release, the ability to give to children and buy without a prescription.
According to them, taking 1-2 doses made it possible to stop the development of the disease at a very early stage or to transfer the infection more easily. Despite the rather high cost, such mothers are called Oscillococcinum. profitable means, because taking it helps to avoid the use of other medicines (antitussives, antibiotics, expectorants, etc.).
At the same time, you can see a lot of negative reviews, in which Oscillococcinum is called placebo and pacifier. In them, mothers complain that the drug did not affect the disease in any way and the child had to be given other medicines that affect viruses.
Many doctors who support evidence-based medicine also speak negatively about Oscillococcinum. Among them is the popular pediatrician Komarovsky, who considers homeopathic granules, although harmless, absolutely useless. However, the drug very popular in France, where it is sold without a prescription and is the most sought after flu treatment.
In addition, it was created many decades ago, and such a long presence in the pharmaceutical market gives some right to classify it as an effective remedy.
However, many doctors oppose homeopathy and state that the mechanism of action of the extract from the internal organs of the duck on the immune system is not clear, and the dilution of the active substances is so great that the granules can be called ordinary sugar balls.
Such physicians associate the positive effect of taking Oscillococcinum in the first days of the disease with the activity of the immune response of a particular patient (the body itself actively resists the virus and the disease does not develop).
And therefore, the question of whether to give Oscillococcinum to a sick child must be decided individually, taking into account the attitude of parents to homeopathic treatment, and the condition of the little patient.
If, after the first intake of granules, 24 hours have passed, and the child feels unwell, you should consult a doctor and examine the baby, and then start giving him other medications that the pediatrician will recommend.
Analogs
Oscillococcinum can be replaced by other homeopathic remedies (among them there are cheaper ones), which have a similar effect:
- Aflubin drops based on gentian, bryony, iron phosphate, aconite and lactic acid. They can be prescribed for ARVI, colds, flu and various inflammatory diseases from birth. There are also Aflubin tablets, prescribed from the age of 5.
- Agri for children... This homeopathic remedy, which helps in the treatment of acute respiratory diseases, contains bryony, iron phosphate and other substances. The tablet form is used in children from 1 year old, and granules from the age of three.
- Viburcol... At the heart of such rectal suppositories, allowed for children of any age, are substances from belladonna, chamomile, nightshade, pulsatilla and plantain. These suppositories are in demand for many inflammatory processes.
- Anaferon. Such tablets for children contain antibodies to interferon, which have undergone special purification. They are approved for patients older than 1 month and are used for viral infections or for their prevention.
- Ergoferon... The basis of such a solution is also antibodies to interferons, but other substances are added to them. The drug is prescribed for children 3 years of age and older for the treatment of rotavirus enteritis, chickenpox, whooping cough, herpes and other infections. It also comes in tablets that are approved from the age of six months.
Active substance
Barbarian duck liver and heart extract (Anas barbariae) (homeopathic)
Release form, composition and packaging
◊ Homeopathic granules white, almost spherical, odorless, readily soluble in water.
Excipients: sucrose - 850 mg, lactose - 150 mg.
1 dose (1 g of granules) - polypropylene tubes (3) - blisters (2) - cardboard packs.
1 dose (1 g of granules) - polypropylene tubes (3) - blisters (4) - cardboard packs.
1 dose (1 g of granules) - polypropylene tubes (3) - blisters (10) - cardboard packs.
pharmachologic effect
Homeopathic medicine.
Pharmacokinetics
Data on the pharmacokinetics of the drug Oscillococcinum are not provided.
Indications
- flu of mild to moderate severity;
- acute respiratory viral infection (ARVI).
Contraindications
- increased individual sensitivity to individual components of the drug;
-, lactase deficiency, glucose-galactose malabsorption.
Dosage
The drug is taken orally, 15 minutes before meals or an hour later. The contents of the tube should be put under the tongue and kept until completely dissolved.
For children before taking the drug, you should dissolve the contents of the tube in a small amount of water and give from a spoon or using a bottle with a nipple.
The dose depends on the stage of the disease and does not depend on the age of the patient.
For prevention: take 1 dose 1 time per week during the period of spread of ARVI.
The initial stage of the disease: take 1 dose as early as possible, then, if necessary, repeat the dose 2-3 times with an interval of 6 hours.
Severe stage of the disease: take 1 dose in the morning and in the evening for 1-3 days.
Terms of use of the drug
1. Remove the 3-dose container from the box.
2. Click on the cell on the transparent side to break the security.
3. Pull out the dose.
Side effects
At the moment, there is no information on the side effects of the drug. If you experience any side effects, you should consult your doctor.
Possible allergic reactions.
Overdose
Overdose cases have not been registered so far.
Drug interactions
Taking homeopathic medicines does not preclude treatment with other medicines.
special instructions
If the symptoms of the disease increase within 24 hours, you should consult a doctor.
The drug should be stored out of the reach of children at a temperature not exceeding 25 ° C. The shelf life is 5 years. Do not use after the expiration date printed on the package.
A French drug that is used in the complex therapy of influenza and respiratory viral infections. It has no analogues in its composition. Refers to homeopathic remedies. It can be prescribed for the treatment of adults and young children.
Now let's dwell on this in more detail.
Dosage form
Oscillococcinum is a homeopathic remedy. Produced by the French company "Laboratory Boiron". Dosage form - spherical sweet-tasting granules of white color. Easily soluble in water.
Available in tubes of 1 g, which corresponds to 1 dose. The contoured cell packaging contains 1, 3 or 6 tubes. In a box made of cardboard 1 package.
Description and composition
Oscillococcinum is a medicine intended for the treatment and prevention of colds and viral diseases. The main active ingredient is anas barbarielium, hepatic et cordis extract. It represents the extract of the liver, heart of the barbarian, or musky, duck. Prepared in a special way, dynamized using homeopathic technology.
Pharmaceutical developers, when choosing an active ingredient, relied on the principle of treating like with like. They are convinced that the substance from the organs of waterfowl - the main carrier of natural influenza viruses - diluted to the smallest proportions will be effective against the disease itself.
Auxiliary ingredients - lactose, sucrose.
Pharmacological group
Oscillococcinum is a complex homeopathic preparation. The action is due to the constituent components.
The study of oscillococinum in cell culture showed: it is a low-toxic drug, the cytotoxicity of which is significantly lower than the known anti-influenza drugs. The homeopathic remedy specifically inhibits the reproduction of influenza A viruses, a remantadine-resistant strain. Positively effective against influenza B.
The results of epidemiological observations indicate the high efficacy of the drug oscillococcinum in the treatment of influenza, ARVI. It is used in combination with the recommended drugs -,.
Oscillococcinum does not contain concentrated substances, but their microdoses. Entering the body, they do not cause its overload, stimulate additional protective mechanisms. They tune the body for recovery by activating its systems.
Indications for use
for adults
For more than 70 years, it has been used by the world community to eliminate the symptoms of influenza in all family members. Oscillococcinum:
- contributes to the rapid reduction of symptoms of colds, flu;
- accelerates recovery;
- reduces the risk of complications;
- reduces economic costs, social damage caused by respiratory infections.
It is used when the first symptoms of influenza, acute rhinovirus infections appear.
Organically acting on the structural-molecular, electromagnetic level, individual for a given substance, the homeopathic drug oscillococcinum has no side effects. The medication works selectively, without overloading the body. Oscillococcinum is well tolerated. It is used as a means of monotherapy for ARVI, influenza. The absence of side effects, age restrictions, in the timing of the start of treatment makes it possible to advise the remedy for widespread use.
The complex homeopathic preparation oscillococcinum is used for the family prevention of influenza and other causative agents of acute respiratory infections.
The positive properties of the agent include the possibility of using it for mass infectious diseases. The drugs are safe, highly effective. During the period of epidemic rises of ARVI, influenza, a remedy for treatment, prevention is available in sufficient quantities. The population has the opportunity to purchase Oscillococcinum OTC.
for kids
Indications for the use of a homeopathic remedy in children from birth are:
- flu of mild, moderate severity;
- colds;
- prevention of acute respiratory viral infections during mass periods.
The use of oscillococcinum in childhood contributes to the rapid relief of clinical symptoms of influenza, reduces the duration of the disease. The use of homeopathic medicine as a prophylactic agent reduces the incidence rate, the risk of viral pathology in children.
Taking the drug in the early stages of the disease allows you to completely eliminate the main symptoms of influenza in pregnant women, lactating women:
- chills;
- headache;
- weakness;
- low back pain;
- articulatory pain.
Oscillococcinum is used for the prevention of influenza infection, as a means of therapy for the disease itself.
Contraindications
The impact of the homeopathic remedy oscillococcinum on the body occurs at the structural-molecular and electromagnetic levels. The absence of contraindications allows the use of the drug in all groups of the population. Taking the drug is not addictive with prolonged use. This property is especially important for patients with concomitant diseases who have to take a significant amount of chemotherapy drugs every day.
Oscillococcinum is approved for almost everyone for the treatment of flu and colds. Contraindications for use are:
- hypersensitivity to certain components of the drug in some individuals;
- intolerance, lactose deficiency, glucose-galactose malabsorption.
The undoubted advantage of using the drug oscillococcinum is the fact that it can be prescribed to everyone, including people at risk: children, pregnant women, and the elderly. It has no side effects, no contraindications. Compatible with other medicines.
Applications and doses
for adults
Oscillococcinum is prescribed sublingually - placement for resorption under the tongue - 1 dose 15 minutes before meals or one hour after. Put the contents of the container, keep until completely dissolved.
Oscillococcinum is effective at any stage of the disease. A prerequisite is adherence to the dosage. Depends on the moment you start taking the drug, the patient's age does not play a special role.
With a pronounced stage of the disease, when all the symptoms of influenza, ARVI are present, take 1 dose of oscillococcinum in the morning and in the evening. The duration of therapy is 1-3 days.
Oscillococcinum is particularly effective when taken at the onset of the disease. It is important to immediately take the first dose of the drug, repeat 2-3 times with an interval of 6 hours.
Oscillococcinum has been successfully used for the prevention of influenza during the period of epidemiological spread of infection. The recommended dose is 1 pellet weekly. Taking this regimen will help you avoid getting the flu or other acute inflammatory infections. At the first symptoms, it is recommended to start treatment as early as possible.
for kids
For children: dissolve the contents of the dose in a little water. Give from a spoon. For the smallest, use a bottle with a nipple.
for pregnant women and during lactation
The use of oscillococcinum by pregnant and lactating women for the treatment of influenza has been substantiated. The dosage is determined by the stage of the disease, the purpose of the appointment. Oscillococcinum can be used for prophylaxis during the period of spread of ARVI, influenza. Doctors recommend in this case to take 1 dose per week.
Side effects
Adverse events when taking oscillococcinum in patients are not observed. There is a significant improvement in well-being already on the second use of the drug.
When taking the homeopathic drug oscillococcinum, allergic reactions are possible in the form of swelling. Other information about the side effects of the drug is not recorded. In the event of undesirable manifestations associated with the reception
Oscillococcinum should seek the advice of a medical facility.
When taking the drug, there were no adverse reactions or possible complications. High efficiency and safety of oscillococcinum in the treatment and prevention of respiratory viral infections were noted.
Interaction with other medicinal products
The homeopathic drug acillococcinum interacts with other drugs.
special instructions
If during the first day the symptoms of the disease intensify, you should visit a doctor. Early treatment periods guarantee the effectiveness of the use of Oscillococcinum.
Homeopathic remedy dissolve under the tongue in the intervals between meals. Oscillococcinum consumption does not bring unpleasant taste sensations.
The medicinal product does not affect the management of vehicles, the performance of significantly hazardous activities that require increased concentration of attention, the speed of psychomotor reactions.
Overdose
No cases of drug poisoning have been recorded in medical practice.
Storage conditions
Oscillococcinum is kept in a dry place for 5 years from the date of manufacture. Storage temperature - 0-25 0 C.
Analogs
Instead of Oscillococcinum, the following drugs can be used:
- and for children are homeopathic remedies. They are available in lozenge tablets. Children over 1 month old can be given a baby. The homeopathic remedy is allowed to be taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- refers to substitutes for Otsillococcinum in the therapeutic group. A homeopathic remedy is produced in drops (they are contraindicated for children under one year old) and tablets (they can be used from birth). Can be taken with caution during gestation and breastfeeding.
- refers to homeopathic remedies. The drug is used to prevent flu and colds in patients over 3 years old. It is available in drops and tablets for oral administration. It can be prescribed to pregnant and lactating patients.
- Acogrippin is a homeopathic remedy used for the prevention and treatment of acute viral diseases, including influenza. It is produced in granules and lozenges, which are suitable for patients over 3 years old, including pregnant and lactating women.
Drug price
The cost of the drug is 119 rubles on average. Prices range from 12 to 288 rubles.
One of the most famous drugs for the treatment of influenza and ARVI was and remains the homeopathic Oscillococcinum produced by the French company Boiron.
In France, for the seventh decade, Oscillococcinum has been one of the favorite antiviral OTC drugs. The fact that until 1992 all homeopathic medicines were banned in the country speaks volumes about the universal recognition of the French. The only exception was Oscillococcinum.
Today the medicine is registered in more than 50 countries of the world, including the Russian Federation. Bright orange and white packaging flaunts on the winter issues of the best glossy magazines, trolleybus windows and subway cars. Sales volumes are steadily growing, despite the controversial opinion of some experts. Undoubtedly, in many respects the popularity of Oscillococcinum is explained by its safety: after all, homeopathic medicines have practically no contraindications and side effects.
An excursion into history
It is impossible to ignore the amusing story that has already become a legend, which tells about the creation of a future antiviral drug.
Almost a hundred years ago - in 1919 - an ordinary but inquisitive French doctor Joseph Roy was able to see peculiar microorganisms in the blood of patients with influenza. The same mysterious bacteria, as J. Roy believed, he observed in the blood of patients with herpes, rheumatism, tuberculosis and even cancer. The researcher named these mysterious organisms Oscillococcus.
Inspired by his discovery, Joseph Roy continued to work and created a cancer vaccine based on Oscillococcus. However, this idea was not crowned with success: some time after the administration of the drug, the volunteers died of the underlying disease. But this fact could not lead the researcher astray.
During the Spanish flu, Joseph Roy noticed that the muscovy farmers had miraculously cleared the disease. The scientist tried to find the reason for this pattern and found out that the liver and heart of the duck contain the same microorganisms Oscillococcus. After that, the Frenchman recalled the well-known principle of "treating like with like" and prepared a homeopathic remedy based on the heart and liver of a barbarian or muscovy duck. It was named after the microbes that triggered the research - Oscillococcinum.
In this story, it remains unknown what microorganisms were able to observe in a conventional optical microscope Joseph Roy. After all, influenza and herpes cause viruses, the size of which can only be seen in super-powerful electron microscopes. Rheumatism is of an autoimmune nature, which means that it is not at all associated with an infection.
What did Joseph Roy see? Alas, we will not get the answer to this question. Nevertheless, the Oscillococcus-based drug has been around for over 60 years. And the reviews of doctors and patients about Oscillococcinum often confirm its effectiveness.
>> Recommended: if you are interested in effective methods of getting rid of chronic rhinitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, bronchitis and persistent colds, then be sure to look at this site page after reading this article. The information is based on the author's personal experience and has helped many people, we hope it will help you too. Now we return to the article.<<
Oscillococcinum composition - what is the medicine?
Let's remember that Oscillococcinum belongs to homeopathic remedies. It contains an extract of the liver and heart of the Barbary duck at a dilution of 200K. Not every patient reading the instructions for Oscillococcinum will be able to figure out what this means.
In fact, the original substance is subjected to 200 dilutions. Each step of two hundred entails a dilution of 1: 100. That is, the first mixture contains 1% extract, the second already 0.01%, the third 0.0001%, and so on. The letter K in the abbreviation 200K symbolizes the surname of the author of the technique, Korsakov.
In addition to the active substance, Oscillococcinum contains fillers - sucrose and lactose - in an amount that brings the mass of granules to 1000 mg. Therefore, homeopathic balls are completely white in color, sweet taste and completely odorless.
Oscillococcinum granules are very conveniently packaged in tubes that contain one dose of the drug. Each package is designed for a full course of treatment for influenza and ARVI and contains 12 doses.
Homeopathy is an alternative to traditional medicine
The foundations of homeopathy were laid in 1786 by Samuel Hahnemann, who created a doctrine, the mystery of which has not yet been solved. The principle of homeopathic medicine is based on the assumption that a substance that causes symptoms of a disease in healthy people treats similar manifestations in sick people.
Several centuries have passed since then. Antibiotics and hormonal drugs were synthesized. Doctors have learned to do ultra-complicated heart operations and transplant internal organs. Red bone marrow transplantation does not look any more outlandish. And homeopathy, the principle of which has not been scientifically substantiated, and the effectiveness has remained unproven, is more alive than all living things.
Extremely high dilutions in homeopathy preclude a biologically plausible mechanism of action. Often, homeopathic remedies are diluted to a level that does not contain a single molecule of the original active ingredient. How, then, do homeopathic remedies work?
According to the requirements of homeopathy, the methodical successive dilution of the substance must necessarily be accompanied by shaking the resulting solution. As a result of dilutions, a therapeutically active agent is formed, which acquires new medicinal properties. This seems to be the secret behind the effectiveness of homeopathic medicines.
Note that Oscillococcinum belongs to high dilutions. The homeopathic dilution of 200K is so great that the final product does not contain a single molecule of the initial substance (duck liver and heart). Moreover, in order to consume at least one molecule of the original extract, the patient will have to take 10321 doses of the drug. According to the canons of homeopathy, the antiviral effect of Oscillococcinum is based on the effect of a new remedy that was formed during the dilution process.
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