Remedy for infection: 5 Natural Antibiotics to Try at Home

14.08.202305.07.2023 by alexxlab

5 Natural Antibiotics to Try at Home

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5 Natural Antibiotics to Try at Home

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Here’s our process.

Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.

Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:

Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?

We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.

mechanism of action, whether they help with ARVI, side effects, how and when to take

If modern medicine has learned to deal with the vast majority of bacterial infections, the situation is different with viral diseases – many of them have to be treated symptomatically. We will tell you which antiviral drugs are effective in treating ARVI, how they work, and in what cases these drugs should be used.

Viral diseases and their causes

Viral infections are a group of diseases that are transmitted mainly from person to person and affect a variety of organs and systems. Among them:

● Acute respiratory viral infections: rhinovirus, coronavirus, respiratory syncytial, adenovirus, influenza, parainfluenza. They affect the respiratory tract, cause a runny nose and cough, worsen well-being. The pathogen is transmitted mainly by airborne droplets.

● Viral hepatitis is an infection that affects the liver. The most dangerous types (B and C) are transmitted hematogenously (through the blood), sexually, through a medical instrument during various manipulations. Viruses cause chronic inflammation, which often ends in liver cirrhosis or cancer. Hepatitis A virus is the most common of all viral hepatitis. It is transmitted by the fecal-oral route (through dirty hands, poorly washed vegetables and fruits). Causes an acute infection that a person can get sick many times.

● Herpes virus infection. Depending on the type of pathogen, it can affect any organs and tissues: skin, pharynx, eyes, nerve fibers, lymph nodes, genitals. The infection is transmitted by airborne droplets, contact-household, sexual contact.

● HIV infection. It affects the cells of the immune system and, in the absence of adequate antiviral therapy or an aggressive course of infection, can lead to the development of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome – AIDS. Ways of transmission of the disease – as in viral hepatitis.

The causative agents of each disease have their own characteristics, but they have one thing in common: the virus cannot live and multiply outside the cells of the human body. It penetrates the cell membrane and transfers its genetic material to it. It is impossible to destroy most viruses without eliminating many cells.

Even in the last century, many viral diseases were considered incurable. But science has created antiviral drugs that neutralize viruses and stimulate the immune system to fight infection. Thanks to them, people infected with the flu endure the disease much easier, and those with HIV or viral hepatitis can now live happily into old age.

What are antivirals

Viral disease is a difficult task for drug therapy. The fact is that the virus can live and reproduce only inside the host cell, changing its metabolic processes. Therefore, for a long time it was believed that it was impossible to act on viruses without causing significant harm to the body.

Over time, this hypothesis was revised. Since the second half of the last century, scientists have been developing antiviral drugs that act at different stages of the life cycle of the virus – they prevent the virus from attaching to the cell, penetration into and exit of mature viral particles from the cell, and disrupt reproduction (replication).

The action of these drugs in a therapeutic dose is detrimental to the virus and is practically safe for the body.

Classification of antivirals

All drugs against viruses are divided into the following groups ¹ :

● Drugs with direct antiviral action. They have a strictly defined point of application and suppress the reproduction of a certain type of virus at different stages.

● Interferons. These are protein compounds that are produced by immune cells in response to an invading virus. They also suppress the activity of viruses by changing a number of processes inside the cell.

● Interferon inductors. These are drugs that stimulate the synthesis of their own protective antiviral substances.

● Immunomodulators. Drugs that affect various parts of the immune defense, they are used only in combination with other antiviral drugs.

According to the method of administration, the listed drugs are divided into systemic and local. The former act on all organs and systems, the latter – locally, in the area of application. Local preparations, as a rule, have a higher concentration of the active substance, work more efficiently, but within a limited superficial focus of infection.

Let us dwell in more detail on the antiviral agents of the listed classes, which are used in ARVI. Many of them not only treat, but also prevent the development of infection.

Direct antivirals

M2 channel blockers

This class includes the first drug developed in the last century for the chemotherapy of influenza – amantadine. Studies conducted according to the principles of evidence-based medicine have confirmed its effectiveness against influenza viruses type A. In our country, amantadine is not used in the treatment of influenza. Soviet scientists created on its basis a new remedy – rimantadine. This drug has a higher antiviral activity and relatively less toxicity.

How it works. The medicine is taken orally – in the form of tablets, syrup. It penetrates into the blood, and then spreads throughout the body and accumulates in the secretion of the nasal cavity. The active substance binds M2 proteins. This is a kind of “key” in the shell of the virus, which opens the “door” to the cell nucleus through the ion channels in its membrane. The virus enters the cell, but the drug blocks the access of the virus’s genetic material to the cell’s DNA. Without this, the microorganism cannot reproduce, so the concentration of viruses in the body does not increase. In addition, the drug has an antitoxic effect.

Application. In order for the medicine to give a good therapeutic effect, the tablets are started to be drunk no later than two days from the onset of the first symptoms of influenza. They are taken twice a day for five days. Children aged 1–14 are given children’s syrup.

Contraindications:

● hypersensitivity to the active and auxiliary components of the drug;

● acute hepatic pathologies;

● acute injury and chronic kidney disease;

● hyperfunction of the thyroid gland;

● pregnancy and breastfeeding;

● age up to a year.

Side effects. Amantadine often causes a number of negative side reactions:

● irritability;

● weakening of concentration of attention;

● sleep disturbance;

● loss of appetite;

● Nausea.

The toxic effect on the central nervous system is enhanced in older people who simultaneously receive antihistamines, anticholinergics (drugs that control bronchial asthma, Parkinson’s disease, stop vomiting, and are used in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Another undesirable effect is the formation of resistance in the infectious agent. Over time, some viruses become resistant to the drug.

Neuraminidase inhibitors

These include zanamivir (now not used in Russia) and oseltamivir. Both types of antiviral drugs have a similar mechanism of action and indications, are effective against influenza A and B viruses. Compared to the previous group, they are not so toxic, they have a number of contraindications.

How it works. Neuraminidase is one of the main enzymes responsible for the replication of both types of influenza viruses. By blocking it, the medicine temporarily slows down the spread of infection throughout the body. The drug is taken orally. It interacts well with other drugs, often used as part of complex therapy.

Application. Tablets (suspension prepared from powder) are recommended to drink from the first symptoms of infection – no later than 48 hours from the initial manifestations, otherwise the use of neuraminidase inhibitors is impractical. The medicine is taken for 5 days, 2 times a day.

Contraindications:

● individual intolerance to any components of the dosage form;

● severe renal and hepatic insufficiency;

● age up to a year.

Side effects. Most often (in 10-12% of cases) patients complain of nausea and vomiting after the first dose of medication. Other adverse reactions (in 1–2.5% of patients) include:

● headaches;

● dizziness;

● weakness;

● insomnia;

● feeling of nasal congestion;

● cough;

● Sore throat.

Hemagglutinin inhibitors

^{4, 5}

In Russia, a group of inhibitors is represented by the long-standing domestic drug umifenovir, which acts against type A and B viruses and a number of other ARVI pathogens. However, a study by Russian and British scientists showed that there is a possibility of mutations leading to the emergence of virus strains resistant to umifenovir. Resistance was due to the inability of umifenovir to bind to mutated hemagglutinin. ⁶ Another drug similar in spectrum is enisamia iodide. This drug is claimed to be highly effective and well tolerated, with no resistant strains.

How it works. The drugs act on the hemagglutinin of the virus, a protein that ensures the fusion of its genetic material with cellular DNA. Hemagglutinin inhibitors block infection already at the initial stage, preventing the penetration of the viral particle into the cell.

In addition to the main one, both drugs have additional effects in the fight against the virus: they stimulate the synthesis of interferons, increase the body’s resistance to infection. These properties are especially pronounced in enisamium iodide. The drug is rapidly absorbed after ingestion and circulates in the blood for a long time (up to 14 hours), preventing the spread of a viral infection throughout the body.

Application. The drugs are used in the treatment of influenza and other acute respiratory viral infections. Umifenovir is taken orally in the form of capsules, tablets, powder for suspension. The dose and interval, duration of taking the medicine is individually determined by the attending physician. Doctors prescribe enisamia iodide in film-coated tablets, which must be taken orally three times a day for 5-7 days.

A study conducted by the Illinois Institute of Technology, USA in 2018 proved that the administration of enisamium iodide for 4 hours leads to a 100-fold decrease in the concentration of the virus in human bronchial cells. ⁷ This active ingredient in a dosage of 500 mg is included in the preparation Nobasit ^®
Forte. ⁸ Enisamia iodide reduces the risk of complications requiring antibiotics by 4 times and reduces the duration of the disease. ⁹

Contraindications:

● Hypersensitivity to components;

● pregnancy (umifenovir can be used with caution from the second trimester) and breastfeeding;

● age: the use of umifenovir is allowed from the age of 6, enisamia iodide – from the age of 12.

In addition, enisamia iodide is not used for allergic reactions, severe renal and hepatic pathologies.

Side effects. Very rarely (less than one case in a thousand), umifenovir can cause allergies – itching, skin rashes, angioedema, and in severe cases – anaphylactic shock. Other side effects were not noted.

Enisamia iodide is generally well tolerated. In some cases, its reception may be accompanied by the following undesirable phenomena:

● allergic — itching, skin rash, angioedema;

● unpleasant aftertaste, swelling of the oral mucosa, increased salivation;

● gastrointestinal – heartburn, bloating, nausea and vomiting;

● sore throat, shortness of breath.

Interferons

For the treatment of influenza (including “bird”) and other viral respiratory infections, interferon preparations are sometimes used: human leukocyte (mixtures of alpha subtypes) and recombinant (obtained using bacteria) – alpha-2b and gamma.

How it works. Interferon alfa-2b has antiviral and immunomodulatory effects. In intact cells (not infected with a virus), it prevents the virus from entering the cell, and in infected cells, interferon alfa-2b triggers a system of programmed cell death – apoptosis, as a result of which the virus dies along with the cell. The drug also increases the activity of the immune system, enhances phagocytosis and the cytotoxic effect of lymphocytes – protection aimed at eliminating infected cells. Interferon gamma is a powerful immunomodulator. Its main action is the activation of cells responsible for the formation of specific immunity to a primary viral infection and suppression of a secondary bacterial one.

Application. Both types of interferon are used for influenza and SARS in the form of nasal drops. The drug is dripped 2-3 drops 5-6 times a day. Treatment is started as early as possible – before the expiration of three days from the onset of symptoms, otherwise the application will have a preventive effect. Interferon-gamma is also used during the recovery period – within a week.

Interferon gamma is not used for hypersensitivity to the drug, pregnancy and under the age of seven years.

Interferon inductors

The list of interferon inducers recommended by the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation for the treatment of ARVI includes meglumine acridone acetate, tilorone, riamilovir, pentanedioic acid imidazolylethanamide, etc.

How it works. All drugs have a similar effect – they contribute to the production of their own interferons of various types, which act universally against many types of viruses.

Application. Preparations are used for ARVI for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes. The dosage regimen is set by the doctor individually for each patient. Common contraindications for most interferon inducers:

● pregnancy;

● breastfeeding;

● individual intolerance.

● Children’s age (restrictions vary depending on the active substance).

Side effects. The most common adverse effect is the occurrence of an allergic reaction.

Which antiviral drugs are best for treating SARS

As for SARS and influenza, the table will help to evaluate the effectiveness of antiviral drugs in their therapy from the point of view of evidence-based medicine. On the right are the metrics:

● Recommendation Strength Level (CRR) from A (most compelling) to C.

● Confidence level of evidence (LE) of the recommendations provided, where 5 is the highest score.

Table 1. Recommendations of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation on the use of antiviral agents of different classes in the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections and influenza. ^{10, 11}

Medicine	UUR (URD) for influenza	UUR (UDD) for SARS
Direct antivirals
Neuraminidase inhibitors	A (1)	Not applicable
M2 channel blockers – not recommended for influenza due to rise in resistant strains	A (2)	Not applicable
Umifenovir	A (1)	C (2)
Enisamia iodide	B (2)	C (2)
Interferons
Alpha 2b or Gamma	B (3)	C (5)
Interferon Inductors
Pentandioic acid imidazolylethanamide	B (2)	C (2)
Ergoferon	B (2)	C (2)
Riamilovir	B (3)	C (1)
Kagocel	B (3)	C (3)
Tiloron	B (3)	C (3)
Meglumine acridone acetate	Not applicable	B (1)

Low scores do not always mean a weak effectiveness of the drug – it is possible that not all the necessary studies have been carried out with it.

Antivirals for prophylaxis

Many of the drugs listed above are also effective in preventing acute respiratory viral infections – emergency prevention (after contact with the patient) and seasonal. Prophylactic medication during an outbreak is especially necessary for people with reduced immunity – the elderly, suffering from chronic diseases. If taking antiviral drugs does not help prevent the disease, it can make it easier. It is worth remembering that the use of anti-influenza drugs for the purpose of prevention in terms of effectiveness does not replace vaccination.

Effectiveness of antivirals: truth and myths

^8.9

Many are skeptical about antiviral drugs. Unlike most bacteria, viruses cannot be killed without harming living tissue. The fact is that they are introduced into cells and become part of the body. But specific antiviral drugs can neutralize them – deprive them of the ability to multiply and infect healthy cells.

The skepticism is partly due to the dishonesty of some manufacturers who do not pay attention to clinical trials. Therefore, when choosing drugs, you should pay attention to the classifier of the World Health Organization (WHO). Here are collected drugs from all over the world that have passed the necessary studies and confirmed their effectiveness in terms of evidence-based medicine. More than a hundred drugs are included in the rubric of drugs with direct antiviral action.

The most numerous groups are drugs against HIV, herpesviruses of various types, hepatitis C. They contain 2-3 dozen items each. Thanks to them, potentially fatal hepatitis C has moved into the category of curable diseases – antiviral therapy contributes to the complete elimination of the virus from the body. The fight against HIV infection and hepatitis B is also going well. If the patient is constantly taking medication, the virus does not cause the development of the disease and damage to other organs and tissues, although it remains in the body.

SARS are not so life-threatening, but more contagious: the average inhabitant of our planet suffers from acute respiratory viral infections three times a year. With such an incidence, everyone is likely to get seriously ill and get complications. No one is immune from the unexpected and unpleasant consequences of a cold. Chronic otitis, sinusitis, bronchial asthma – this is an incomplete list of complications. Anti-ARVI drugs do not heal instantly, but they help to endure the disease more easily and recover without consequences.

The WHO list of specific antiviral agents includes remedies for certain viral respiratory infections (flu, COVID-19) and against all ARVI pathogens. Generic medicines are convenient to use – you do not need to do a PCR test to accurately determine the type of infection.

One of the drugs in the classifier is enisamia iodide. It is available to everyone, since it is produced in Russia. A drug based on it has proven itself well in trials conducted in Russia and the United States.

Briefly about the main

➢ Antiviral drugs are medicines that directly or indirectly affect the virus.

➢ The most effective drugs with direct antiviral action – they directly affect the virus, its activity, but do not exist for all infections.

➢ Non-specific antiviral agents – interferons and their inducers – help the immune system defeat the virus and can be used in the treatment of a number of different infections.

➢ Reception of some antiviral drugs can prevent the disease (or alleviate its course).

¹ Shestakova I.V. Antiviral drugs // Journal for continuing medical education of doctors – https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/protivovirusnye-preparaty/pdf

² Hathohu M.G. Antiviral drugs: textbook // Maikop State Technological University – 2014 – https://mkgtu.ru/sveden/files/Farmakologiya._Uchebno-metodicheskoe_posobie._Protivovirusnye_sredstva…

³ https://mkgtu. ru/sveden/files/Farmakologiya._Uchebno-metodicheskoe_posobie._Protivovirusnye_sredstva….

⁴ Leneva I.A., Pshenichnaya N.Yu., Bulgakova V.A. Umifenovir and coronavirus infections: a review of research results and experience in clinical practice. ..

⁵ Possibilities of etiotropic therapy in reducing the risks of developing a severe or complicated course of acute respiratory viral infections and influenza / Paevskaya E.A. ^{and other authors}

⁶ Acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) in adults: clinical guidelines – https://apicr.minzdrav.gov.ru/api.ashx?op=GetClinrecPdf&id=724_1

⁷ Influenza in adults: clinical guidelines – https://www.rnmot.ru/public/uploads/RNMOT/clinical/2021/%D0%9A%D0%A0%20%D0%B3%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%BF%D0%B…

⁸ https://www.whocc.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=J05AX17

⁹ Evaluation of the effectiveness of the ARVI treatment regimen, including etiotropic (enisamia iodide) and symptomatic therapy / Lioznov D. A. (and other authors) // Therapeutic archive – No. 3, 2020 – https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/otsenka-effektivnosti-shemy-lecheniya-orvi-vklyuchayuschey-etiotro…

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What drugs to use for the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections – an article on the site Aptechestvo, Nizhny Novgorod

The relevance of antiviral drugs increases during periods of epidemics and in the off-season, when viruses are activated. Since these remedies are powerful, it is important to know how, when, what drugs can and cannot be used. Pharmacists divide such funds into two types: those that fight directly against viruses, and those that activate the immune system to repel a viral attack. It depends on how the substances are used.

Effective antivirals: selection criteria

Most medicines on the open market are designed to strengthen the immune system and the body. This is due to the fact that such drugs have practically no side effects, they help to fight ailments in a complex manner. Medicines help reduce inflammatory processes in the body, which means that these antiviral drugs are effective in ARVI or other non-viral diseases. These medications are suitable for prophylaxis during periods of virus activation.

Drugs that directly attack the cells of the virus have a strong, targeted effect. They are effective against a specific group of diseases, powerless against other ailments. Such substances have a strong effect on a person, including the liver or kidneys.

Strong drugs should be taken only as prescribed by a doctor, if there are any chronic diseases or a treatment course is being carried out in parallel by other means. When prescribing, the doctor takes into account the features.

Viferon

A modern tool that acts in several directions at once. It is primarily aimed at activating the immune system. The presence of recombinant interferon alpha-2b in the product prevents the synthesis of DNA, RNA and viruses, which automatically blocks their reproduction. This substance acts on viruses and can suppress several diseases at once.

It belongs to the group of antiviral drugs effective for ARVI in adults and children, as it contains mild components and has a minimum of side effects. The action of this remedy reduces the side effects of antibiotics and hormonal drugs, which further strengthens the immune system.

Viferon is available in several forms:

Candles that have a softer, longer effect on the body. They can also be used from the 14th week of pregnancy, as well as during breastfeeding.
A gel that is convenient for application to the skin in the neck, chest area. This form is suitable for the treatment of various respiratory diseases, including influenza or SARS. The gel also reduces local inflammation and blocks bacterial infections.
An ointment that is also easy to apply and suitable for the treatment of respiratory diseases and bacterial inflammation.

The duration of treatment with this drug is about 3-7 days. After using the drug, viruses and bacteria do not develop resistance.

Viferon is suitable for pregnant women from the 14th week, children and adults. For preventive use, it is necessary to apply the product to the skin 2 times a day for 2-4 weeks. Such a course will be enough to strengthen the body for the next six months and remain healthy, vigorous and full of strength.

Preparation Anaferon

When asked what drugs for ARVI will be effective, it is worth mentioning Anaferon. The tool is suitable for adults and children, the recovery period is an average of 3-7 days.

It enhances the action of its own immune system, which becomes able to suppress the virus on its own.

Preparation Grippferon

Grippferon is included in the list of antiviral drugs for ARVI for adults, pregnant women, nursing mothers and children.

The component of the drug is interferon of the same modification as in Viferon, which allows blocking the reproduction of bacterial cells and viruses.

Remedy for infection: 5 Natural Antibiotics to Try at Home

5 Natural Antibiotics to Try at Home

5 Natural Antibiotics to Try at Home

mechanism of action, whether they help with ARVI, side effects, how and when to take

Viral diseases and their causes

What are antivirals

Classification of antivirals

Direct antivirals

M2 channel blockers

Neuraminidase inhibitors

Hemagglutinin inhibitors

Interferons

Interferon inductors

Which antiviral drugs are best for treating SARS

Antivirals for prophylaxis

Effectiveness of antivirals: truth and myths

Briefly about the main

What drugs to use for the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections – an article on the site Aptechestvo, Nizhny Novgorod

Effective antivirals: selection criteria

Viferon

Preparation Anaferon

Preparation Grippferon

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