Pharmacological properties
Pharmacodynamics. Immunal® is a herbal medicinal product containing the juice of freshly harvested flowering parts of the Echinacea purpurea plant. Echinacea purpurea contains biologically active substances that stimulate the nonspecific immune system and strengthen the body's defenses. The main active ingredients of Echinacea purpurea are caffeic acid derivatives (chicoric acid and its esters), alkamides and polysaccharides, which exhibit immunostimulating activity. Nonspecific immune stimulation is manifested mainly in an increase in the phagocytic activity of granulocytes and macrophages. The release of cytokines increases, which stimulate other cells of the immune system. Echinacea purpurea has also been shown to have antiviral activity against influenza and herpes viruses.
Due to the immunostimulating activity of the drug Immunal ®, a person's resistance to respiratory system infections increases.
Pharmacokinetics: Data on the pharmacokinetic properties of Echinacea purpurea are unknown.
Indication
Short-term prevention and treatment of colds.
Application
Pills.
Children aged 4-6 years: 1 tablet 2 times a day after consulting a doctor.
Children aged 6-12 years: 1 tablet 3 times a day after consulting a doctor.
Adults, including elderly patients, children over 12 years of age: 1 tablet 3-4 times a day.
The tablets should be taken regardless of meals with sufficient water (1 glass).
For prevention and treatment, the drug is not recommended to be taken for more than 10 days. Repeated use of the drug is possible no earlier than after 14 days.
Drops.
Children aged 6-12 years: 1.5 ml of solution 3 times a day after consulting a doctor.
Adults, including elderly patients, children over 12 years of age: 2.5 ml of solution 3 times a day.
Duration of treatment. For prevention and treatment, the drug is not recommended to be taken for more than 10 days. Repeated use of the drug is possible no earlier than after 14 days.
Method of application. Using the supplied piston pipette, measure the required amount of solution, place it in a glass with warm liquid and drink. The solution can be taken undiluted. The drug should be taken regardless of meals.
Treatment with Immunal® should begin at the first symptoms of a cold.
It is necessary to consult a doctor if the symptoms of the disease do not disappear for 10 days or more.
Contraindication
Hypersensitivity to the active substance, plants of the Asteraceae family (chamomile, arnica, calendula, yarrow) or any other component of the drug.
Progressive systemic diseases (e.g. tuberculosis, sarcoidosis); autoimmune diseases (e.g. collagenoses, multiple sclerosis); immunodeficiency states (e.g. HIV infection, AIDS); immunosuppression (e.g. cytostatic therapy for oncological diseases, history of organ or bone marrow transplantation); diseases of the blood system (e.g. agranulocytosis, leukemia).
Patients with a hereditary predisposition to allergic reactions (e.g. urticaria, atopic dermatitis, bronchial asthma).
Side effects
The frequency of adverse reactions cannot be estimated from the available data. The following adverse reactions may occur in isolated cases.
On the part of the immune system: hypersensitivity reactions (e.g. itching, skin rash, skin hyperemia, facial edema); Stevens-Johnson syndrome; angioedema of the skin; Quincke's edema; anaphylactic shock. Preparations containing echinacea may cause allergic reactions in patients with a hereditary predisposition to allergies.
There have been isolated reports of effects on the course of autoimmune diseases (disseminated encephalomyelitis, erythema nodosum, immunothrombocytopenia, Evans syndrome and Sjögren's syndrome with impaired renal tubular function).
Dizziness, hypotension, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea are uncommon.
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: bronchospasm with obstruction and asthma may occur in the setting of hypersensitivity reactions.
From the side of the blood and lymphatic system: with prolonged use (more than 8 weeks), leukopenia is possible.
Gastrointestinal: There have been reports of gastrointestinal disorders, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
Nervous system: there have been reports of disturbances, sleep disturbances.
Special instructions
Do not exceed recommended doses.
The drug in tablet form is not recommended for use in children under 4 years of age. Experience with the drug in children aged 4-12 years is limited, so it is recommended to consult a doctor before prescribing.
The drug in the form of drops is not recommended for use in children under 6 years of age. Experience with the drug in children aged 6-12 years is limited, therefore it is recommended to consult a doctor before prescribing.
If during treatment the symptoms do not disappear for more than 10 days, their severity increases or the body temperature rises, you should immediately consult a doctor.
The drug in tablet form contains lactose, therefore patients with rare hereditary forms of galactose intolerance, lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption syndrome should not use Immunal.
Before use, the drug in the form of drops should be shaken. If the drug is not used for a long time (3-6 months), the solution may become cloudy and a precipitate in the form of flakes consisting of active polysaccharides may appear.
The shelf life after opening the bottle is 2 months at a temperature not exceeding 25 °C.
Immunal in the form of drops contains 20% by volume of ethanol. One dose contains 404 mg of ethanol (alcohol), which is equivalent to 10 ml of beer or 4.2 ml of wine. The drug may harm people with alcoholism. The ethanol (alcohol) content should be taken into account when using this medicine in people who are at increased risk, such as those with liver disease or epilepsy.
Immunal drops contain sorbitol solution. Patients with rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance should not use this medicine.
Use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Experience with the use of the drug during pregnancy and breastfeeding is limited, therefore it is not recommended to use Immunal during this period.
Limited data (a few hundred pregnant women) indicate no adverse effects of echinacea on pregnancy or on the health of the fetus/newborn. There are no data on the immune system of the newborn. There are currently no relevant epidemiological data. The potential risk to humans is unknown.
Children. The drug in tablet form is prescribed to children from the age of 4 years, in the form of drops - from the age of 6 years.
Ability to influence speed when driving vehicles or other mechanisms. There are no special studies, but given that Immunal ® drops contain ethanol and dizziness may occur when using the drug, caution should be exercised when driving vehicles or working with other mechanisms.
Given that Immunal® in the form of drops contains ethanol (see Features of use), and that dizziness may occur when using the drug, it should be used with caution when driving or using other mechanisms.
Interactions
Interaction with other drugs is unknown. It is not recommended to use Immunal simultaneously with immunosuppressive drugs (cyclosporine, methotrexate).
Overdose
No cases of overdose have been reported. Possible more pronounced manifestation of side effects.
Symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, gastrointestinal disorders, sleep disturbances, increased excitability of the nervous system.
In case of overdose, symptomatic therapy, gastric lavage, and enterosorbents are indicated.
Storage conditions
At a temperature not exceeding 25 °C. Store out of the reach of children.
