Viferon gel: an effective remedy for stomatitis for children and adults

With chickenpox

A runny nose is one of the most common symptoms of ARVI. It is advisable to start therapy aimed at combating the causative virus from the first hours of the disease. The virus, having entered the body, begins to multiply rapidly, and the sooner the fight begins to eliminate it, the easier the disease can progress. As soon as your throat becomes sore and nasal discharge begins to bother you, it is advisable to immediately begin treatment. VIFERON gel strengthens local immunity and blocks the multiplication of the virus, which helps cope with the disease and its symptoms.

As you know, chickenpox is caused by the herpes virus type 3. To combat this type of herpetic infection, the drug is applied with a spatula or cotton swab 3-5 times a day to a previously dried affected surface.

For stomatitis

The use of the drug for stomatitis (damage to the oral mucosa) caused by herpetic infection helps strengthen local immunity, as well as combat the multiplication of the virus in cells. Since the gel has a consistency that can retain its shape and has elasticity and plasticity, it promotes maximum absorption of active substances into the site of inflammation, stopping it. To treat stomatitis, the drug must be applied to the affected areas 3-5 times a day for 5-6 days.

For condylomas

To combat the human papillomavirus and its manifestations in the form of condylomas, the drug VIFERON Suppositories (suppositories) is used. The recommended dose for adults is 500,000 IU, 1 suppository 2 times a day every 12 hours every day for 5-10 days. According to clinical indications, therapy can be continued. You can read more about this in scientific articles and in the “For Specialists” section.

For the flu

Human recombinant interferon alpha-2b with antioxidants, which are part of the drug, helps fight influenza and other acute respiratory viral infections at any stage of the disease. It has a powerful antiviral effect and allows you to shorten the overall duration of the disease, quickly cope with the manifestations of infection (runny nose, cough, weakness, fever, etc.), and also reduces the likelihood of developing complications and subsequent diseases.

For the prevention of viral diseases

Since cold and flu viruses most often enter the body through the nose, it is important to block the path to infection at this point. To do this, you need to apply a drug to the nasal mucosa that is convenient and easy to use. VIFERON Gel forms a thin protective layer that prevents the possible penetration of viruses and strengthens local immunity. The drug has a prolonged effect, so for prevention it is enough to apply the gel to the nasal mucosa only 2 times a day.

How is stomatitis treated with Viferon?

The medicine for each patient, as well as recommendations for the therapeutic course, are prescribed by the doctor, based on the examination, general condition and age of the patient. Gels and ointments are prescribed for severe pain. These forms are considered the most effective in direct contact with open wounds and are characterized by analgesic properties.

Gels and ointments are easy to treat affected areas and evenly distribute the composition over problem areas.

In dentistry, this pharmaceutical drug is used mainly to eliminate herpetic stomatitis. Many people overlook one important point - inflammation of the epithelium of the mucous membrane can be triggered by bacteria or allergies. In these cases, the use of antiviral drugs (which include Viferon) is fraught with a deterioration in the patient’s well-being.

The therapeutic course can be either systemic or local. Taking this into account, the following forms of medication are prescribed for the treatment of chronic or acute herpetic stomatitis:

• rectal suppositories are the best option for infants and young children;
• ointment - suitable for all patients if the disease is localized on the lips or skin;
• gel is the optimal choice for inflammation of the mucous membrane and mouth ulcers.

The latter form is considered universal because it is suitable for all ages and provides relief from the disease in a few days.

Herpetic stomatitis

Acute stomatitis is treated with antiviral drugs. If we are talking about a chronic form of the disease, then complex therapy is carried out including immunomodulators. Medicines against herpes are produced in the form of gels, creams, ointments and suppositories. Creams and ointments are used for external treatment of inflammation.

Viferon gel for stomatitis is prescribed in cases where we are talking about lesions of the mucous membrane localized in the oral cavity. The main active ingredient of the drug is interferons with pronounced antiviral and immune-stimulating effects, “working” in conjunction with vitamins C and E.

Often, to eliminate the disease, drug treatment is supplemented with lotions and rinses. Many children under the age of 3 have problems with mouth rinsing, so for them, a gel is the best way out of the situation.

Viferon for stomatitis in children

Effective treatment of stomatitis in children involves targeted local exposure and regular rinsing of the mouth. But since a child is often unable to rinse his mouth independently before the age of 3, doctors have to limit themselves to only medicinal components. In such cases, Viferon gel outperforms most ointments for a number of reasons:

• the composition of the gel is characterized by an analgesic effect;
• the medication quickly cleanses the mucous membrane of necrotic tissue;
• the drug actively inhibits pathogenic viral cells;
• activates regeneration of both the mucous membrane and damaged epithelium.

The gel is much preferable to ointment also because it acts directly on the lesions; the course of treatment for herpetic stomatitis ranges from 5 to 10 days. In children, the ointment does not have time to “fix” on the problem area, since it is absorbed extremely slowly, it is often simply licked off by the child. The gel acts directly on the lesions of the mucous membrane, immediately after application.

The difference between the drug VIFERON Gel and the drug VIFERON Ointment: which is better

•	The similarity between gel and ointment is that they are products for external use and are intended for application to the surface of the skin and mucous membranes.
•	Differences: the gel has a soft and viscous consistency of a hydrophilic water-based product that does not contain fats and oils, so it quickly manifests its properties on the mucous membranes. And VIFERON Ointment is created on a fatty (hydrophobic) basis containing petroleum jelly and lanolin, so it is easily absorbed into the skin.
•	To the question “Which is better?” there is no clear answer. Both gel and ointment have their advantages.

Description of the drug

Viferon gel has all the advantages characteristic of liniment, but provides much better results due to rapid absorption by the problem area (it has a “lighter” glycerin base). The ointment is made on a Vaseline basis, it is denser and thicker in consistency.

Viferon gel is actively used for the treatment of stomatitis in both adults and children.

Gel Viferon can be used for preventive purposes. It is prescribed during pregnancy, breastfeeding and infants under 1 year of age. For the form in question there are no age criteria or restrictions on use.

Clinical and pharmacological group

Viferon is an interferon and belongs to the therapeutic group of MIBP-cytokines. The drug is characterized by a pronounced antiviral and immunomodulatory effect. The components of the medication suppress the activity of herpes viruses (Herpes Simplex) and stimulate the phagocytic function of neutrophils in problem areas.

pharmachologic effect

The high effectiveness of the pharmaceutical agent in the fight against herpetic diseases of the oral cavity is due to the activity and interaction of several active substances at once.

1. Interferon type alpha-2b is characterized by immunomodulatory properties: it forms increased cytotoxicity of lymphocytes to pathogenic cells, enhances the phagocytic activity of macrophages. Prevents the replication of DNA that contains viral agents.
2. Alpha tocopherol acetate – increases the resistance of healthy cells to viral microorganisms by stabilizing their membrane structure. The antioxidant in question quickly eliminates swelling and triggers regenerative biochemical processes.
3. Ascorbic acid increases the efficiency of the patient’s immune system and accelerates the body’s response to viral agents. The effect is achieved by increasing the secretion of class A immunoglobulins.

The drug helps reduce therapeutic doses of hormonal and antibacterial medications during complex therapy. The gel form allows you to prolong the action of the components.

Release form and composition

The gel is a gel-like opaque mass with a uniform consistency of medium viscosity. The composition has a white-gray tint. Available in 12 ml aluminum tubes and polystyrene jars of the same volume. The pharmaceutical product is supplied in cardboard boxes and includes instructions for use.

Composition of the drug, 1 g:

• Alpha-tocopherol acetate
  interferon Alpha-2b (recombinant type) – 36,000 IU – main active ingredient;
• methionine – 1.2 mg;
• sodium chloride – 4 mg;
• alpha-tocopherol acetate – 55 mg;
• ethanol – 55 mg;
• carmellose sodium – 20 mg;
• glycerol – 20 mg.

Due to the targeted effect, the gel helps to increase the concentration of secretory antibodies (IgA), thereby ensuring a prolonged therapeutic effect.

Estimated cost of the drug VIFERON Gel in pharmacies

According to aptekamos.ru, the price of the drug VIFERON Gel 36000IU/g 12g in pharmacies ranges from 118 to 218 rubles. The cost of the drug is given as of July 2022.

Specialist comments: Dmitry Aleksandrovich Belyaev, General Practitioner

1 D.A. Kayumova, M.G. Kulagina, E.V. Borovikova “Application of Viferon-gel for the prevention and treatment of laryngotracheitis in preschool children,” PRACTICAL MEDICINE, No. 5, 2010 2 I. V. Nesterova “Interferon preparations alpha in clinical practice: when and how,” Attending Physician No. 9, 2017

Instructions for use

The main purpose of Viferon gel is the treatment and prevention of recurrent and acute herpetic stomatitis. Used after examination by a dentist and appropriate prescription. For children under 1 year of age - under the constant supervision of a doctor. The medication acts only on areas affected by the virus and is not absorbed by the mucous membrane.

Instructions for use:

1. Hands are thoroughly washed with soap and treated with antiseptic.
2. For stomatitis in adults, the oral cavity is rinsed with boiled water and chamomile decoction.
3. Foci of inflammation are dried or treated with a cotton swab to absorb excess moisture.
4. The gel consistency is applied to the mucous membrane with a special spatula or gauze swab.
5. The composition is evenly distributed in a thin layer over problem areas.
6. The duration of treatment is determined by the doctor. Often the course lasts no longer than 5-10 days.

The instructions presented above are universal for both adults and children. Patients over 18 years of age are prescribed immunomodulatory drugs.

The use of Viferon in dentistry -

In dentistry, this drug is used primarily for the treatment of herpetic stomatitis, which is caused by the herpes virus. It should be noted that stomatitis is not only of viral origin (herpes virus), but very often of allergic or bacterial origin.

The use of the drug makes sense only if the stomatitis is herpetic (i.e., viral in origin). The use of Viferon for other forms of stomatitis, for example, for aphthous stomatitis, is completely pointless, leads to delays in receiving proper treatment and, as a result, to a deterioration in well-being. Therefore, before starting treatment, it is necessary to determine the form of stomatitis.

→ Symptoms of the herpetic form of stomatitis → Symptoms of the aphthous form of stomatitis

Viferon suppositories for children: instructions for use

This form of the drug is administered rectally. There are no contraindications based on age, i.e. It can also be used by adults. For the treatment of acute and chronic recurrent herpetic stomatitis, the following course of treatment is used: 1 suppository (see dosage below) - 2 times a day. The interval between use should be 12 hours. The course of treatment is 10-12 days.

• for newborns and children under 7 years old – 150,000 IU 2 times a day,
• for children over 7 years old – 500,000 IU 2 times a day,
• for the treatment of adults - from 1,000,000 IU 2 times a day.

Viferon suppositories for children: reviews of suppositories are the best form of the drug for young children, while attempts to use forms for topical use (especially when it is necessary to treat the oral mucosa) are perceived negatively by children, they begin to cry, treatment with gel causes the child to increased salivation and drooling from the mouth.

Viferon candles: price (package No. 10)

• candles of 150,000 IU - about 300 rubles,
• candles 500,000 IU - from 400 rubles,
• candles 1,000,000 IU - from 550 rubles,
• candles for 3,000,000 IU - from 900 rubles.

Use in pregnant and lactating women - Viferon suppositories can be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding without restrictions, but only starting from the 14th week of pregnancy.

Indications and contraindications

Gel Viferon has no age restrictions for use. The safety of the composition is also evidenced by the fact that it is prescribed even to pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and infants. Main indications for use of the drug:

• for herpetic cervicitis as part of a complex therapeutic course;
• recurrent herpetic infection of the mucous membrane and skin (including stomatitis, urogenital herpes);
• lesions of the labial zone (red border of the lips);
• relapse prevention.

The listed problems have a common etiology – herpetic damage to the body, caused by a weakening of the body’s protective functions.

The peculiarity of the gel is the almost complete absence of contraindications for use. The composition is recommended even for children under 1 year of age, subject to medical supervision. In rare cases, patients experience individual intolerance to the components of the pharmaceutical product. In such cases, it is necessary to contact your dentist to adjust the treatment course.

Directions for use and doses

Viferon gel for stomatitis is used topically, externally, as well as cream and ointment. There are practically no differences between the compositions, with the exception of the base (the thick consistency of the ointment is not able to quickly penetrate into the affected areas).

• Complex therapy of herpetic infection (including stomatitis) - a 0.5 cm strip of gel is applied with a spatula or cotton swab to the affected and previously dried area. The procedure is repeated 3 to 5 times a day. Duration of treatment is 6-7 days with the possibility of extension up to 10.
• Prevention of relapse - a 0.5 cm strip of medication is applied to the palatine tonsils 2 times a day, with an average duration of 4 weeks.

For children, the number of daily procedures is limited to 4. Before using a pharmaceutical product, it is important to consult a specialist.

Side effects and special instructions

Viferon gel does not cause any side effects, even in infants. As an exception, allergic reactions are possible - itching, rash, mild burning. To ensure maximum effect from the use of the drug, it is important to follow simple instructions:

Special instructions:

1. It is necessary to treat the palatine tonsils with the utmost care, avoiding contact of the problem area with the surface of the tampon. It is best to touch with gel, because... it will independently distribute over the surface of the treated area.
2. 40 minutes after the first treatment, the area is covered with a protective coating. It is washed off before repeating the procedure.
3. Viferon suppositories are recommended for children under 1 year of age.
4. The composition is applied to the surface of the mucous membrane half an hour after finishing the meal.

Self-medication can be dangerous to health and aggravate the course of the disease, so it is necessary to consult a dentist when the first symptoms of the disease appear.