In Russia, antiviral drugs are the top sellers in pharmacies. According to a study by DSMGroup, in 2021, two of the ten best-selling drugs at retail are for ARVI: Kagocel (sales volume - 6.7 billion rubles), Ingavirin (6.1 billion rubles). Since the beginning of 2021, Russian hospitals have spent 46,801,712 rubles on the purchase of Ingavirin Among the leaders in government procurement are the antiviral drugs Arbidol (270,265,857 rubles) and Kagocel (30,694,754).
Does Ingavirin cause cancer?
In mid-October, information began to be widely discussed that the drug Ingavirin causes leukemia (blood cancer) . The reason for this was an investigation by the Foundation for the Health of Children and the Elderly , which claims that the now banned drug Dicarbamin and the drug Ingavirin have exactly the same composition (only the dosage differs: the first has a dosage of 100 mg, the second - 90 mg) , were produced in the same way, but were treated for different things: “Dicarbamin” was used for oncology, “Ingavirin” for colds. From the point of view of representatives of the foundation, taking Dicarbamine by a healthy person leads to a sharp increase in white blood cells and can cause cancer, especially in children.
doctor Ivan Rodin also agrees with this opinion , who on October 19 posted a post analyzing the situation on his blog (5 subscribers) on the Yandex.Zen platform.
“The manufacturing company itself revoked the license for Dicarbamin in the early 2010s. Because according to the law, two drugs with the same active substance and method of treatment cannot be produced under different names and treat completely different diseases. After the license was revoked, the company forgot to add side effects of the antitumor drug to the contraindications for Ingavirin. It is not beneficial to inform naive parents that they stimulate the production of white hematopoiesis in their own children from the age of 3 when they give a popular drug for colds,” concludes Dr. Ivan Rodin.
On October 24, a petition was created on the Change.org website addressed to the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, with a request to look into it and provide clarification.
“As the father of two daughters, I am seriously concerned about the fact that a cancer cure may be sold under the guise of an antiviral drug. I ask representatives of the Ministry of Health to clarify the situation and, if necessary, take action,” said the author of the petition.
On October 25, a certain group “Grudinin P.N.! People's President! on the social network Odnoklassniki, which calls itself a public organization, reported that it had begun to remove all negativity about the drug from the network.
“is actively clearing the information space after it became known, according to the Foundation for the Health of Children and the Elderly, that their drug Ingavirin can cause blood cancer. Several videos on Youtube and Vkontakte were deleted, and channel administrators are offered money for blocking negative mentions of Ingavirin..,” said the author of the page on the social network.
Today, various blogs and small media outlets have begun to replicate all this information.
Indications and contraindications for the use of Ingavirin
The drug is prescribed for prophylactic purposes and in the treatment of diseases caused by pathogens of respiratory pathologies.
Main indications:
- Influenza A and B, including swine, parainfluenza.
- ARVI, accompanied by pain in the throat, rhinitis, high fever and cough.
- Adenovirus and rotavirus.
- Enterovirus.
- Rhinovirus.
- Coxsackie virus.
- Syncytial viruses that cause lower respiratory tract infections.
- Coronavirus.
Taking the drug 7-10 days before an outbreak of a viral infection will strengthen the immune system by increasing the level of interferon in the body. The drug will also be effective if use is started after contact with a sick person.
Attention! Treatment with Ingavirin should be started when the initial symptoms of a cold or flu appear - in the first 36 hours.
The medicine is contraindicated in case of individual intolerance to the components included in the composition, as well as:
- During pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- If the absorption of glucose and galactose in the intestine is impaired.
- For lactose deficiency or intolerance.
- Serious pathologies of the kidneys and liver.
- For children under three years of age in any dosage form.
Ingavirin at a dosage of 90 mg is contraindicated for persons under 18 years of age, and 60 mg capsules are contraindicated for children under 7 years of age.
Drinking alcohol reduces its effectiveness. After completing the course of treatment, it is recommended to abstain from alcohol for another 2-3 days.
“Ingavirin” causes cancer: signs of stuffing
Children's and Elderly Health Foundation
The website of the Foundation for the Health of Children and the Elderly, which disseminated information about Ingavirin, as well as its pages on social networks, do not exist. This foundation is not mentioned anywhere except for quotes about Ingavirin causing cancer. There is a YouTube channel called “Children and Elderly Health Foundation,” which has 493 subscribers but does not contain any videos.
“The YouTube channel of the Foundation for the Health of Children and the Elderly was registered on October 4, 2021 . There is no information about the Fund on the tax website,” Tigran Grigoryan, founder of the Tigla digital agency, told BUSINESS in an interview.
In the English-speaking space, there is a certain fund with a similar name: Care Old Age & Child Foundation (COACF). His website careoldageandchildfoundation.org is down. The domain was registered on August 15, 2021, but some changes were made on August 31, 2021 (Updated Date: 2020-08-31T09:09:40Z). The Updated Date indicator at domain registrars indicates the date of the last change in domain data (for example, the domain owner changed his address or ns server), which may mean the domain was transferred to another owner.
In any case, there is no mention of the activities of the Care Old Age & Child Foundation (COACF) on the Internet either. The fund itself is located in Uganda: Ssehab Hotel, Kabalagala District, Bugoma road, Kibanga - Buligo,.,Central,Kampala.
Doctor Ivan Rodin
Doctor Ivan Rodin, who expressed his resonant opinion about “Ingavirin” in Yandex.Zen, has only this one article in his god, 5 subscribers and does not even have a photo on his avatar.
On lead generator sites like ZOON, there are 2 mentions of a certain radiologist Ivan Igorevich Rodin, allegedly working in Zelenograd (Moscow).
“Such a specialist does not work for us,” said an employee of the center in a conversation with BUSINESS.
The group on Odnoklassniki, which claimed that the manufacturer of Ingavirin is hastily deleting negative information about the drug on the Internet, is also anonymous, its authors are unknown. However, the video attached to this post, exposing the side effects of taking the drug, was not deleted in this group.
Instructions for use
Ingavirin is used orally, regardless of food intake.
The prescription depends on the patient’s age, indications and severity of the disease:
- Adults are prescribed capsules at a dosage of 90 mg, 1 piece per day.
- Children 7-18 years old – 60 mg, 1 capsule per day.
- Children 3-6 years old - 30 mg/5 ml syrup once a day.
As a general rule, capsules with medicinal powder cannot be chewed; they must be washed down with a sufficient amount of water. If children of primary school age have difficulty swallowing the capsule, its contents can be dissolved in apple juice or water. It is allowed to add a little sugar to smooth out the unpleasant taste. The prepared solution cannot be stored.
The medicine in the form of syrup can also be used by school-age children and adults, in this case it is prescribed:
- Adults – 15 ml of syrup once a day.
- Children 3-7 years old - 10 ml of syrup.
To draw the required volume of liquid, you need to insert a measuring syringe into the neck of the bottle, turn it upside down and slowly pull the plunger until the medicine is drawn to the desired level. After use, the syringe is washed with warm water and dried.
The duration of treatment for influenza and ARVI is 5-7 days, for preschool children - no more than 5 days. Prophylactic doses and duration of administration are the same as for treatment.
In case of severe symptoms and concomitant diseases of the respiratory system or heart, the doctor may prescribe a double dose of Ingavirin in the first three days of illness, followed by a reduction to the usual dosage for another 2-4 days.
Important! Do not use the drug with other antiviral drugs at the same time.
Verified by BUSINESS
The composition of the drugs Ingavirin and Dicarbamine is actually similar. Minor differences are observed only in the composition of the excipients of the drugs. The active substance is completely identical (the dosage is different).
* The composition of Dicarbamine in the version for children could not be found. The drug has not been produced since 2014.
Both medications are in tablet form.
It was decided to cancel the state registration of the drug “Dicarbamine” 100 mg (INN Imidazolylethanamide pentanedioic acid) on May 12, 2014 (Letter of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation No. 20-3/2036504). The decision was made on the basis of the representative office filing an application to cancel the state registration of the drug.
A general practitioner with 40 years of experience interviewed by BUSINESS said that the same active ingredient in different drugs can have different effects on the body depending on the dosage and excipients. Ingavirin is quite popular among her colleagues and she has never received information about the ability of this drug to cause blood cancer.
Description of the drug
The main active component is pentanedioic acid imidazolylethanamide (in other words, vitaglutam); the excipients present are colloidal silicon dioxide compound, potato starch and white crystals of magnesium stearate. The capsule shell consists of titanium dioxide, gelatin, azorubine and safe dyes.
Pharmacy chains offer customers:
- Ingavirin capsules with a dosage of 90 mg and 60 mg, which are packaged in blister packs of 10 capsules and in cardboard boxes. This amount is enough for a course of treatment for one person. Inside the capsules there is white or slightly cream-colored powder and granules.
- Syrup containing 30 mg of the main substance in 5 ml. Sold in 90 ml bottles with a measuring syringe and instructions included.
The medicine is intended to activate one's own immunity by enhancing the production of a special protein responsible for the reaction to the invasion of an infectious agent. Suppresses the reproduction of viruses and delays their further advancement in the intercellular space. Due to the production of cytotoxic lymphocytes during the use of Ingavirin, the following occurs:
- Reducing the duration of fever.
- Reducing the symptoms of intoxication - weakness, headache, drowsiness.
- Reducing the inflammatory process.
- Relieving nasal congestion, stopping watery eyes, sore throat and cough.
- Normalization of body temperature.
- Strengthening the immune system.
- Reducing the risk of complications.
Ingavirin has found wide use in therapeutic practice and pediatrics, its effectiveness has been proven in preclinical and clinical studies.
The drug is available from pharmacies without a prescription, has minimal toxicity, combines well with antibiotics and enhances their effect. Stored at temperatures up to 25 °C for two years. An open bottle of syrup should be used within a week.
Valenta Farm
Russian, founded in 1997. The scientific and production complex "Valenta" is located in the city of Shchelkovo, Moscow region.
Valenta Pharm. Photo from the company website.
The company's drug portfolio is represented by such well-known brands as Ingavirin , Grammidin, Trimedat, Teraligen, Phenazepam, Pantocalcin, Aminazine and others.
At the time of publication of the article, it was not possible to reach Valenta Pharm at the telephone numbers listed on their website. The editors of BUSINESS sent a journalistic request to the press service of the pharmaceutical company. There has been no response yet.
UPD: the editors have the results of studies on Ingavirin at their disposal.
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