Oscillococcinum instructions for pregnant women. Oscillococcinum during pregnancy: how to take the drug, and should you trust it? Acceptable drug analogues

When carrying a baby, the mother’s body is most vulnerable to viral attacks: natural mechanisms of decreased immunity are triggered. Therefore, pregnant women often catch colds. However, any diseases during this period are undesirable. ARVI is especially dangerous at the beginning of the period, when the organs are just being formed and the baby’s systems are being established. Most drugs in the “interesting” position are prohibited, but there are also harmless ones. Oscillococcinum is considered safe during pregnancy, 1st trimester, 2nd or 3rd - there is an opinion that the drug can be taken at any stage of gestation. But is it? Is the popular remedy really harmless?

Walking in the fresh air has a great effect on your well-being

Oscillococcinum is a well-known homeopathic medicine. This remedy is intended not only for the treatment of flu/colds, but also for the prevention of these diseases. It is used in the treatment of the most vulnerable groups - children and pregnant women.

The product is produced in a large French laboratory, but it was not invented by modern pharmacists. The creator of the medicine is Joseph Roy. Back in 1919, at the height of the Spanish flu epidemic, a French doctor saw specific bacteria in the blood fluid of people with influenza - they fluctuated. The homeopath gave them the name “oscillococci”. The scientist came to the conclusion that this is where the cause of the disease lies. He began looking for similar bacteria in the blood of animals and birds and found it in the liver of a Barbary duck. The entrails of birds became the main component of the medicine. Rua concluded that such an extract in minimal concentration gives a pronounced antiviral effect.

Today, extracts of the main ingredient are obtained in laboratory conditions. Supplements include sucrose and lactose. The drug is produced in the form of granules. They taste sweet. Single-dose pills are contained in a minitube (capsule).

When to use

Oscillococcinum, although it is a homeopathic medicine, is best used after medical consultation. Medicine may be prescribed:

for the treatment of influenza (except for severe forms, in which case the most effective drugs are required);
for the treatment of ARVI;
to relieve colds;
after contact with a sick person;
after hypothermia, to reduce the likelihood of catching a cold;
during the epidemic season (for preventive purposes).

Oscillococcinum enhances the body's protective properties. Thanks to this, a resource appears to fight viruses. The drug stops inflammatory processes. The medicine reduces the severity of flu/ARVI symptoms: eliminates muscle pain and headaches, relieves body aches, and reduces fever. The active substance contributes to a general improvement in well-being. The medicine accelerates the course of the disease, brings the moment of recovery closer, and prevents the development of complications.

The drug and the “interesting” situation

Oscillococcinum is considered a completely safe drug. It is allowed for pregnant women. However, is it possible to turn to homeopathic medicine without first consulting a doctor? The expectant mother must remember: taking even the most harmless medications should always be discussed with a personal doctor.

Fresh greens must be present in the menu of the expectant mother

Colds can have serious consequences: complications for the mother, disruption of fetal development and the appearance of abnormalities. You can avoid danger if treatment is timely and effective. By taking Oscillococcinum without permission and hoping for its effect, the expectant mother may miss the moment when much more serious drugs are required to treat the disease. Therapy should be selected by a doctor. He will choose the safest drugs. Often the list also includes Oscillococcinum, which has proven itself to be an effective and extremely safe remedy. It is used to treat viral diseases and is prescribed for prevention during epidemics.

Beginning of pregnancy

In the 1st trimester of pregnancy, the laying of the organs of the future person occurs, the mechanisms of functioning of vital systems are formed. During the first 12 weeks, the expectant mother should take special care of herself. Viral diseases that arise at the initial stage of gestation can lead to various anomalies. Often, if a mother suffers from the flu in the first trimester, the fetus develops pathologies of the heart and nervous system.

During this period, effective and timely treatment is especially important. However, the situation is complicated by the fact that most medications aimed at treating ARVI and relieving cold symptoms are taboo at the beginning of pregnancy. Pharmacological agents have a negative effect on the cells of the developing fetus, which is why the baby may develop defects.

An alternative to synthetic drugs is homeopathic remedies. They are safe: they contain no chemical components. Considering the risks that other medications can provoke, doctors often prescribe Oscillococcinum for the treatment of ARVI at the initial stage of gestation. This remedy does not cause complications, which is important during the period when the fetus is most vulnerable.

However, experts do not advise taking the drug uncontrolled. In an “interesting” situation, the body is able to react unpredictably even to natural ingredients. A doctor can assess the possibility of such a reaction, so the first step is a consultation.

Mid term

After the 13th week, the “golden” time of pregnancy begins. Mommy feels better, there is less risk of harming the baby. However, the baby continues to develop, so you need to be careful when taking antiviral drugs. Oscillococcinum during pregnancy in the 2nd trimester is often prescribed for the prevention of ARVI. But it is better not to take it yourself: the doctor must first assess the mother’s condition.

During pregnancy, a woman gets tired faster

The product is especially effective in the treatment of viral diseases at the initial stage. Therapy should be carried out under the supervision of a doctor. He monitors the work of the homeopathic medicine. If it does not help, the specialist will quickly find a replacement, which will help quickly get rid of unpleasant symptoms with the least risk to the fetus.

Oscillococcinum does not affect uterine tone. This is important in the second trimester. Tone can cause miscarriage or premature birth, so you should avoid drugs that can cause this condition. The homeopathic remedy does not affect concentration. In the middle of the term, most mothers are still working: it is especially important for them to maintain “clarity of mind.”

Last trimester

The transition to the 3rd trimester is accompanied by a decrease in immunity. Preparations are underway for the upcoming labor, which requires additional resources from the body. The result is that protective functions are reduced, which opens the way for various viruses. As at the beginning of pregnancy, the risk of developing ARVI increases significantly. Closer to childbirth, Oscillococcinum is prescribed as a preventative against colds. It is also used for therapy, but the third trimester opens up more opportunities for selecting medications, so homeopathy is rarely limited.

The use of Oscillococcinum in later stages is supported by its natural composition. Although it is more difficult for chemical components to affect a fully formed baby, some can affect the course of labor. In recent weeks, you should avoid drugs that tone the uterus. This can trigger premature labor. Oscillococcinum does not have this effect. It can be used at any time. But, of course, it is always advisable to get specialist advice.

Therapy, prevention: features of application

It is better to learn the nuances of using Oscillococcinum from the doctor observing the expectant mother. This will help avoid risks, because the course of pregnancy is an individual concept. But there are also general instructions for using the drug. The product should be drunk a quarter of an hour before meals or sixty minutes after finishing the meal.

Take a bath with extreme caution

How to take the product? It's simple: the contents of the capsule need to be poured under the tongue and wait until it is completely dissolved. The dosage depends on the purpose of administration:

Prevention. Take one capsule tube once a week. The course usually lasts throughout the period of increased risk of developing ARVI - autumn/winter. Preventive treatment begins only with the permission of the gynecologist. The specialist determines the duration of the course.
The first signs of the disease. If you feel unwell, have a sore throat, chills, that is, there is a suspicion that the expectant mother has caught a cold, you need to immediately start taking the drug. The speed of recovery depends on this. It is usually recommended to take a dose of Oscillococcinum, wait six hours - repeat, and so on twice/three times.
Acute stage of the disease. In case of severe symptoms, the medicine is taken in a packaged dose-tube in the morning - in the evening. This scheme must be followed for three days. Next, the doctor focuses on the patient’s condition.

The treatment plan may change if your health worsens or your symptoms increase. The expectant mother is not able to independently determine when the treatment regimen needs to be changed or supplemented. That is why even homeopathic remedies must be taken under the strict guidance of a specialist. “Amateur activity” is always dangerous, even when it comes to a harmless natural remedy.

Are there any side effects?

No negative consequences were identified after taking Oscillococcinum. The product is safe any week, but be sure to follow the dosage recommended by your doctor. The only side effect that may occur is an allergic reaction. Although it is rare. The drug should be used with caution if:

having an allergy to poultry meat;
any eating disorders;
lactose intolerance.

Oscillococcinum can be combined with other drugs approved under “interesting” status. However, you should consult your doctor about “combinations” to be sure to avoid trouble. If after taking the drug the condition worsens sharply, it is important to stop treatment and immediately consult a specialist.

Homeopathic analogues and what to replace from a traditional first aid kit

If Oscillococcinum is not suitable for the expectant mother for some reason, a replacement is selected. There are no complete analogues (in terms of active substance) among the drugs on the market. Homeopathic remedies Aconite, Baptisia, Bryonia are considered close.

There is a list of traditional medications that can be used for cold symptoms without fear of harming the baby. The most famous are Aflubin, Immunal, Viferon. Naturally, the selection of medications should be done by a doctor. Much depends on the symptomatic picture and the general condition of the mother. Even those products that are considered as safe as possible should be taken only with the permission of a specialist. This is a guarantee of the baby’s health, because the mother does not know how this or that substance affects the embryo.

While expecting a baby, you should not miss the body’s signals: the reaction to them must be timely. At the first manifestations of ARVI, you should consult your doctor and begin treatment with recommended medications. Oscillococcinum and other antiviral drugs quickly relieve symptoms when the disease is at an early stage. Bed rest plays an important role in recovery: it is strictly forbidden to endure the disease “on your feet,” especially in an “interesting” position. From the very moment of conception, we must not forget about prevention: a competent diet, daily routine, avoidance of stress, moderate activity - all this strengthens the immune system and does not give viruses a chance.

Natural weakening of the immune system during pregnancy often contributes to the development of infectious diseases of a viral nature.

A common cold can result in serious complications, so treatment should begin when the first symptoms of incipient inflammation appear.

Flu therapy is complicated by a rather small selection of medications that can be used during this period without fear for the life and health of the baby.

This is especially true in the early stages of pregnancy, since it is during this period that the formation of the embryo and the most important internal organ systems occurs. Any, even the most harmless, pill can cause irreparable harm to a baby’s development, so doctors take any antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs very seriously.

However, among the medications there are drugs (albeit a few of them) that effectively cope with inflammation and do not pose a danger to the fetus and do not affect the course of pregnancy. These drugs include the French drug Oscillococcinum, which is becoming increasingly popular among obstetricians and gynecologists around the world.

“Ocillococcinum” is a homeopathic remedy that consists of only three components: sugar, milk sugar and an extract from the internal organs (heart and liver) of the musky duck (Anas barbariaelium, hepatic et cordis extractum), infected with influenza viral agents. It is the latter component that is the main active ingredient, which has an anti-inflammatory and strengthening effect.

There are still many conflicting opinions about how effective this drug is and whether it helps at all. In fact, there is practically nothing in the composition except sugars, and the proportion of musky duck extract is so small that it has no clinical significance (according to official medicine).

The French doctor who invented this remedy claims that the effectiveness of the drug is due to the presence of dead bird viruses in its composition. When ingested, they promote enhanced production of antibodies to influenza and ARVI pathogens.

Moreover, the concentration of the main component is so low that it cannot harm the body (subject to the recommendations for use of the drug).

Thus, the manufacturer claims that the product has the following properties:

strengthens the immune system;
activates the body's own defenses;
fights influenza and ARVI viruses;
relieves inflammation;
reduces the severity of symptoms.

The drug is available in the form of white granules, which are odorless and completely dissolved in a liquid medium (water). The product is packaged in dispenser tubes, placed in containers of 3 pieces each.

Is Oscillococcinum possible during pregnancy: restrictions in different trimesters

There have been no studies that could confirm the safety of the product when used during pregnancy. For this reason, it cannot be stated unequivocally that the drug does not have a negative effect on the course of pregnancy.

However, the manufacturer guarantees the absence of complications and problems as a result of taking it, since all components of the drug are selected in such a way that they cannot harm the health of the expectant mother and fetus. In this connection, Oscillococcinum is prescribed for the treatment and prevention of acute respiratory viral infections even in the 1st trimester.

However, in this case, it is necessary to evaluate the likely harm of the drug and the possible benefits in the treatment of viral infections. If a woman easily tolerates a cold, then you can do without this drug. In the 2nd and 3rd trimester, Oscillococcinum can be used without restrictions.

The product is homeopathic, therefore it does not contain synthetic additives and chemical elements that could have a toxic effect on the fetus, therefore it is considered safe for influenza during pregnancy.

Despite the lack of scientific evidence of the safety of Oscillococcinum, many years of experience in use in women during gestation shows that the drug is very well tolerated and, with timely initiation of therapy, gives very good results.

Indications

This drug is effective only if treatment is started on the first day of symptoms. If the disease is advanced, homeopathic remedies will not help. Therefore, Oscillococcinum is prescribed for the following diagnoses:

influenza (mild to moderate severity);
ARVI.

The product can also be used for preventive purposes during periods of epidemics (in cases where a pregnant woman often visits crowded places).

How to take Oscillococcinum?

A distinctive feature of Oscillococcinum is that the dosage of the medicine depends only on the stage and severity of the disease, while age, weight and other factors do not play a role. Usually the drug is prescribed in standard doses recommended by the manufacturer.

For prevention.

1 tube (dose) is used once every 7 days during epidemics.

At the initial stage of the disease.

Take 1 dose of the medicine at the very beginning of the disease, then repeat 2-3 more times with an interval of 6 hours.

At an advanced stage of the disease.

1 dose in the morning and in the evening for 1-3 days.

"Oscillococcinum" should be used as follows: pour the contents of the tube (1 dose) under the tongue and hold in the mouth until completely dissolved. The medicine must be taken either 15 minutes before meals or 60 minutes after.

If the severity of symptoms has not decreased on the second day of using the medicine, you should consult a doctor to adjust the treatment therapy.

What side effects may occur?

Currently, there is no data on the occurrence of side effects as a result of taking Oscillococcinum. The experience of women who took this drug during pregnancy confirms the good tolerability and safety of the drug.

However, one should take into account the fact that an allergic reaction to the components of the drug may occur. Therefore, you should carefully monitor your condition in order to seek medical help in time if necessary.

Contraindications

The drug has virtually no contraindications for use, so it can be used in almost any group of patients. The exception is individual intolerance to the components that make up Oscillococcinum.

It is also worth considering that the composition contains milk sugar, so this medicine should not be taken by women who have been diagnosed with the following conditions:

intolerance to milk sugar (lactose);
glucose-galactose malabsorption;
lack of enzymes that break down milk sugar (lactase).

Analogues of the drug

There are no structural analogues of Oscillococcinum today. If necessary, you can use other antiviral drugs intended to treat influenza and colds, for example:

"Arbidol";
"Kagocel";
"Ergoferon";
"Antigrippin-Anvi".

These drugs are not analogues of Oscillococcinum, but have a similar therapeutic effect and are used to treat viral infections.

The controversy surrounding the effectiveness of Oscillococcinum has not subsided to this day. Some consider it a dummy that has no effect on the course of the disease; others are confident that when used correctly, the product helps to quickly cope with the symptoms of colds and flu, without having a negative effect on the body of the mother and fetus.

The drug has been used to treat pregnant women for many decades, demonstrating good tolerability and good results. It is for this reason that most doctors still prescribe this drug to pregnant patients, without fear for the health of the mother and the unborn baby.

For every woman, colds during pregnancy are a real problem, because most medications are contraindicated for them. But, thanks to modern medicine, a medicine has appeared in pharmacies that does not pose any danger to the baby.

This medicine received a rather complex name - Oscillococcinum. Women in an interesting position can take it both in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters of gestation.

How to take Oscillococcinum: instructions for use during pregnancy, and other information about the drug in the article.

Composition of the drug
Is it possible to take Oscillococcinum during pregnancy?
Instructions for use in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd trimester
Contraindications of the drug
Oscillococcinum price
Are there cheap Russian analogues of the drug?
Reviews from doctors

Composition of the drug

Oscillococcinum is a medication used to treat mild to moderate influenza, acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections. The French drug has worldwide recognition and has been used for more than 70 years in many countries around the world. Homeopath is produced in the form of capsules with granules.

One Oscillococcinum capsule contains:

Muscovy duck liver and heart extract -200K - 0.01 ml - main substance;
milk sugar (lactose) and sucrose are additional substances.

Is it possible to take Oscillococcinum during pregnancy?

Scientific studies confirming the safety of a homeopath when taken during pregnancy have not been conducted. Therefore, it is not necessary to unequivocally state that the drug will not have a negative effect on pregnancy and the development of the child.

But, due to the fact that Oscillococcinum does not contain synthetic additives and chemical elements, and its components are natural substances that presumably cannot harm either the mother or the child, taking a homeopath to treat colds during the period of intrauterine gestation is acceptable, and timely treatment gives good results.

Instructions for use in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd trimester

During pregnancy, the female body is most often susceptible to colds due to weakened immunity. Especially, the tendency to them is increased in the autumn or winter.

But, despite the “mildness” of the disease, you should not self-medicate and take Oscillococcinum on your own during this period.

Viral infections are most dangerous in the early stages, namely the 1st trimester, because at this stage the child’s internal organs are formed.

Infection can lead to various pathologies, as well as congenital or chronic diseases of the fetus.

Therefore, it is important to be treated during this period, but only under the supervision of a doctor, and with drugs acceptable during this period. Oscillococcinum is one of the acceptable drugs in the 1st trimester of pregnancy.

Oscillococcinum is also allowed in the 2nd–3rd trimester of pregnancy. Any infections are dangerous at this stage and can cause premature birth or miscarriage, so timely treatment is essential.

Method of use and dosage:

The drug is prescribed an hour after a meal, or fifteen minutes before a meal.

One capsule of the drug is taken once a week.

At the first signs of discomfort, take one capsule, after which repeat the dose 2-3 times every 6 hours.

Advanced stage of a cold:

If the viral infection has cleared up, the medicine is taken in the morning and evening, 1 capsule for three days. If the patient’s condition does not improve, it is worth visiting a doctor as soon as possible to further establish treatment.

This drug is very popular among patients in an interesting position. The medicine is prescribed not only to relieve the symptoms of influenza and colds, but also as a preventive therapy during influenza epidemics or acute respiratory viral infections.

Contraindications of the drug

All components included in the medicine are safe and cannot cause side effects.

The use of Oscillococcinum is impossible only in one case, namely, with individual intolerance to its components, in order to avoid allergic reactions in patients.

Otherwise, the homeopathic remedy is allowed and is also compatible with other drugs.

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When can you take No-shpa: http://mamafarma.ru/pain/no-shpa-vo-vremya-beremennosti.html.

Oscillococcinum price

This drug can be purchased at any pharmacy. Oscillococcinum is available without a doctor's prescription, and its prices vary from 369 rubles to 1,500 thousand rubles, depending on its dosage.

It is important to note that the drug has counterfeits, so it should only be purchased at pharmacies that are licensed to sell drugs.

Are there cheap Russian analogues of the drug?

As a rule, there are no Russian analogues of Oscillococcinum, but there are a number of homeopathic remedies that are also allowed during colds during pregnancy. These include:

Ergoferon;
Antigrippin;
Kagocel;
Arbidol.

Do not forget that each medication is prescribed only by a doctor and only he can indicate the required dosage and method of use for the effective treatment of colds.

Reviews from doctors

Experts' opinions about the effectiveness and safety of the drug are divided. And the attitude of many of them remains ambiguous.

Some argue that an over-the-counter drug is nothing more than a placebo, in other words, a dummy that is not only unable to cure colds, but also cause harm to the patient, for example, by causing an allergic reaction. In their opinion, this is an ideal tool for raising tone and calming oneself.

Other experts are confident in the effectiveness of the drug. Its preventive use reduces the incidence of influenza and colds by half. Timely use helped reduce the manifestation of flu symptoms during the first day, and the complete disappearance of all symptoms was observed already on the 4th day after starting to take the medicine.

Is it worth taking Oscillococcinum for the flu, and whether it will help, watch the video:

Source: http://mamafarma.ru/cold/otsillokoktsinum-pri-beremennosti.html

Oscillococcinum during pregnancy: 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester

Most women during pregnancy are faced with the question of how to safely treat a cold or viral infection. On the one hand, almost all medications have a huge number of side effects, contraindications, and they can harm the baby. But if you look from the other side, the consequences of an advanced infection can be even more dangerous.

Many women choose a drug such as Oscillococcinum. It is considered to be completely safe and at the same time very effective. What kind of medicine is this? Can Oscillococcinum be used during pregnancy? If yes, in what trimester and how?

Data from the instructions

In order to evaluate the effect of this medicine and understand whether Oscillococcinum can be taken during pregnancy, you need to understand what it is made of and how it works. To do this, you can refer to the official instructions, which should be included with the drug when purchasing it.

Oscillococcinum is a homeopathic medicine. Therefore, some doctors doubt its effectiveness and prefer to prescribe mild antibiotics. Adherents of homeopathic medicine, on the contrary, claim that it helps very well, especially if you take the medicine in the early stages of the disease, and refer to a large number of positive reviews.

Substances included in the medicine:

Active ingredients: barbary duck heart and liver extract. This choice is explained by the fact that these waterfowl are one of the carriers of certain types of influenza, so the extract of some organs from their body acts on the principle of “treating like with like.”
Excipients: sucrose (up to 850 mg per 1 capsule), lactose (up to 150 mg).

All ingredients are natural. Because of this, the medicine is considered safe for use in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy.

Indications and contraindications

The medicine is an antiviral. It is aimed mainly at combating viruses transmitted by airborne droplets and contact, and seasonal infections.

Cold.
Acute respiratory viral infections.
Flu. But for the flu, most doctors advise taking this medicine only as an auxiliary treatment and adding at least some more serious drugs to therapy.
A condition after hypothermia or contact with a person who has the flu or ARVI, when there is a feeling that you are getting sick.
Prevention of infection with viral infections during the season when the incidence is increased, if necessary, during this period, stay in a large group (office, school, kindergarten).

Some people also use capsules to treat minor inflammatory processes that do not pose a serious threat to health. But there is no guidance on this in the official instructions.

Oscillococcinum during pregnancy is allowed at any time, from the first to the third trimester. There are also no restrictions on its use for treating children. The only prohibition applies to people with lactose and sucrose intolerance, lactose deficiency and glucose-galactose malabsorption.

Side effect

The drug contains only natural substances. In addition, they are contained in the medicine in a very high dilution, that is, the percentage of the active substance is very small.

Therefore, it is almost impossible to obtain significant side effects from the active ingredients. And at the moment there are no known cases where this happened.

But there is still some danger of an allergic reaction, since allergies can happen to almost everything.

No effects on the fetus or on the course of pregnancy were observed either during the study of the drug or during use in practice. Therefore, it can be prescribed in any trimester of pregnancy.

Oscillococcinum contains sucrose and lactose as excipients. These are fairly harmless substances that are found in the normal daily diet of most people. But they and medications containing them can cause undesirable effects in individuals with lactose intolerance, sucrose intolerance, and glucose-galactose malabsorption. Therefore, it is better for such people to choose another drug.

Application

Oscillococcinum is sold in 3 capsules, each of which is sealed in a separate tube. Each capsule is one dose.

The peculiarity of the Oscillococcinum dosage is that it does not depend on age, weight and other characteristics that are usually taken into account when selecting the dose. All that matters is the patient’s condition and how long he has been sick. For pregnant women, the dose is selected in the same way as for other people.

To prevent illness: during the season of greatest incidence, drink 1 capsule once a week.
In the early stages: take the first dose as early as possible, then repeat 2 or three times with intervals of 6 hours between doses.
For severe symptoms: take one capsule in the morning and evening for several days.

Place the capsule under the tongue and wait until it is completely dissolved. This should be done an hour after a meal or 15 minutes before it.

Reviews from pregnant women

In order to decide whether it is worth taking Oscillococcinum during pregnancy, it would not be superfluous to pay attention to the reviews of those who already have such experience.

In addition, they are easy to find on numerous forums on the Internet or simply by consulting with doctors and friends.

Oscillococcinum is one of the few drugs that are not prohibited during this special period, so many have tried it.

There are a lot of reviews and they are mixed. Below are the conclusions drawn from some of them. The most important criteria are considered - the safety and effectiveness of this medicine.

Safety

When a woman is in the first trimester of pregnancy, most drugs are prohibited for her. This is due to the fact that many medications have at least minimal teratogenic effects, that is, they can cause mutations and disrupt fetal development.

At the same time, the severe course of the infectious process, and it happens very often in the absence of treatment, cannot but affect the child’s health. Usually in such cases, either the death of the embryo or the formation of the neural tube is disrupted, which ultimately leads to serious pathologies.

What is more dangerous must be assessed by a doctor in each specific case.

We can definitely say that everyone who took Oscillococcinum in the first trimester of pregnancy, if there were no colds or other illnesses afterwards, claims that there were no consequences. That is, the drug is absolutely safe.

At later stages, women can take some medications without significant risk to the fetus. But they are also few. Therefore, pregnant women often resort to Oscillococcinum in the 2nd and 3rd trimester. Among the reviews of this category of women, there is also no information that the medicine in any way harmed them or their child.

Efficiency

Regarding effectiveness, reviews are very different. It helped some from the first day of use and became the favorite medicine of the whole family, while others did not notice any effect at all and regret that they paid so much money.

Many doctors doubt the effectiveness of this drug. Firstly, this is homeopathy, to which every body reacts very quickly and noticeably. Secondly, the concentration of the active substance is very low, doubts arise whether such a small amount can have any effect on the human body and help it cope with a severe infection.

It is obvious that the medicine has some therapeutic effect, but not in every case it is sufficient for recovery. It depends on the type of virus and the characteristics of the body.

Pregnant women, no matter what trimester of pregnancy they are in, should not take risks. After all, a progressive infectious process can even lead to miscarriage. Therefore, at the first sign of a cold or flu, you should consult a doctor. Only he will be able to conclude how serious the condition is, how to approach treatment correctly and what medications to take.

Source: https://flovit.ru/beremennost/preparaty-beremennost/ocillokokcinum-pri-beremennosti.html

Oscillococcinum during pregnancy: is it effective?

Natural weakening of the immune system during pregnancy often contributes to the development of infectious diseases of a viral nature.

A common cold can result in serious complications, so treatment should begin when the first symptoms of incipient inflammation appear.

Treatment of influenza and colds during pregnancy is complicated by a rather small selection of medications that can be used during this period without fear for the life and health of the baby.

Description of the drug and its properties and application

Moreover, the concentration of the main component is so low that it cannot harm the body (subject to the recommendations for use of the drug).

Thus, the manufacturer claims that the product has the following properties:

strengthens the immune system;
activates the body's own defenses;
fights influenza and ARVI viruses;
relieves inflammation;
reduces the severity of symptoms.

Is Oscillococcinum possible during pregnancy: restrictions in different trimesters

Indications

influenza (mild to moderate severity);
ARVI.

The product can also be used for preventive purposes during periods of epidemics (in cases where a pregnant woman often visits crowded places).

How to take Oscillococcinum?

1 tube (dose) is used once every 7 days during epidemics.

At the initial stage of the disease.

Take 1 dose of the medicine at the very beginning of the disease, then repeat 2-3 more times with an interval of 6 hours.

At an advanced stage of the disease.

1 dose in the morning and in the evening for 1-3 days.

If the severity of symptoms has not decreased on the second day of using the medicine, you should consult a doctor to adjust the treatment therapy.

What side effects may occur?

Contraindications

The drug has virtually no contraindications for use, so it can be used in almost any group of patients. The exception is individual intolerance to the components that make up Oscillococcinum.

It is also worth considering that the composition contains milk sugar, so this medicine should not be taken by women who have been diagnosed with the following conditions:

intolerance to milk sugar (lactose);
glucose-galactose malabsorption;
lack of enzymes that break down milk sugar (lactase).

Download instructions for use of Oscillococcinum

Analogues of the drug

There are no structural analogues of Oscillococcinum today. If necessary, you can use other antiviral drugs intended to treat influenza and colds, for example:

"Arbidol";
"Kagocel";
"Ergoferon";
"Antigrippin-Anvi".

These drugs are not analogues of Oscillococcinum, but have a similar therapeutic effect and are used to treat viral infections.

Source: https://in-waiting.ru/otsillokoktsinum-pri-beremennosti.html

Expectant mothers are more susceptible than others to colds, the cause of which lies in a weakened immune defense.

It would seem that during the gestation period it is necessary to increase immunity in order to protect the fetus from a dangerous infection.

However, nature decreed somewhat differently and there is a reasonable explanation for this: if the immune defense is not weakened, the mother’s body will reject the embryo, since it is half made of foreign material.

Acute respiratory infections and influenza are frequent companions of pregnancy, dangerous not so much for their course as for their possible complications. Therefore, almost every pregnant woman tries to get rid of a cold as soon as possible.

The situation is aggravated by the fact that most medications that can defeat the virus have contraindications for use during gestation.

When traditional methods of treating ARVI are not the best option, homeopathy, for example, Oscillococcinum, which is approved for use during pregnancy, will help save the situation.

Oscillococcinum during pregnancy. What is the secret of the medicine?

Oscillococcinum is a homeopathic remedy whose active ingredient is the extract of Barbary or so-called musky duck. By the way, apart from this mysterious component, sucrose and lactose, there is nothing else in Oscillococcinum, which raises doubts about the effectiveness of the drug.

During the Spanish flu epidemic at the beginning of the 20th century, the French doctor Joseph Roy, while examining the blood of the sick, identified spherical oscillococci bacteria, which, he claimed, provoked the development of the disease. Rua did not stop there, continuing to look for the causative agent of influenza not only in the bodies of dead people, but also in animals.

Thus, oscillococcus, now known as the influenza virus, was discovered in the tissues of the musk duck. Considering oscillococcus a bacterial infection, Joseph Roy could not come up with anything better than to treat “like with like.”

As a result, Oscillococcinum was created - a medicine that contains extracts of the liver and heart of a Barbary duck infected with the influenza virus.

How safe is taking Oscillococcinum during pregnancy?

Perhaps the information about the content of the virus in a medicinal substance is a little shocking, but the doctrine of homeopathy is built on the principle of treating like with like.

In addition, in the production of Oscillococcinum, the mass fraction of Muscovy duck extract is so insignificant that it can be compared to a drop in the sea.

Therefore, when taking a dose of Oscillococcinum during pregnancy, you cannot be sure of the content of at least one molecule of the active substance in it.

Studies regarding the use of Oscillococcinum during gestation have not been conducted, which does not provide 100% confidence in the safety of this drug.

An employee of the Boiron company stated that taking Oscillococcinum during pregnancy is absolutely safe, since the drug, which contains “nothing,” cannot harm.

Despite some irony on the part of the manufacturer, Oscillococcinum is still popular to this day, both among patients and among doctors, who often prescribe it as a preventive measure for colds.

Oscillococcinum during pregnancy. How to achieve the desired result?

Homeopathic remedies have a lot of differences and features, for example, a non-standard dosage regimen.

At the same time, there is a rule that applies to all medications: taking the drug at the very beginning of the disease increases the chances of recovery.

As for taking Oscillococcinum during pregnancy, the drug will really only help if you take it at the first manifestations of a cold.

Oscillococcinum during pregnancy for the treatment of ARVI.

Place the granules of one container under the tongue and wait until they are completely dissolved;
Repeat the drug two or three times, with an interval of 6 hours.

IMPORTANT! If the cold is in full swing, Oscillococcinum during pregnancy is taken 1 dose in the morning and evening for 2-3 days. If there is no result from treatment, you should consult a doctor.

Oscillococcinum during pregnancy to prevent colds.

Take one dose of Oscillococcinum per week (put under the tongue until completely dissolved). The package is designed for 6 weeks of prevention.

IMPORTANT! The homeopathic medicine should be taken 15 minutes before meals or an hour after.

Oscillococcinum during pregnancy. Contraindications and side effects.

Oscillococcinum has virtually no contraindications for use. The exception is individual intolerance to the components of the drug. Since Oscillococcinum includes duck extract, that is, a component of animal origin, the drug is prescribed with extreme caution to pregnant women with intolerance to eggs, poultry, etc.

IMPORTANT! Taking even such a harmless antiviral drug can cause an allergic reaction, so you should consult your doctor before using the drug.

Oscillococcinum during pregnancy. To drink or not to drink?

According to some experts, the effect of treating colds with the drug Oscillococcinum is comparable to the effect of placebo. In other words, medicine only helps those who believe in healing. However, many women, being mothers, do not agree with this statement. According to them, Oscillococcinum helps children who, due to their age, are not able to convince themselves of its effectiveness.

Whether Oscillococcinum is effective during pregnancy or not is a controversial issue. For some, homeopathy treatment will really help, while for others it will seem like a waste of money. In any case, if you have a cold during pregnancy, you should first consult a specialist.

According to doctors, pregnant women, along with children and the elderly, are most susceptible to influenza and ARVI. Unfortunately, the choice of drugs is limited by the increasing resistance of viral strains and the safety of drugs that can have a negative impact on fetal development. Therefore, among a large part of women expecting a child, various types of homeopathic remedies are popular, the most prominent representative of which is Oscillococcinum.

Oscillococcinum during pregnancy: mechanism of action, composition, safety

Oscillococcinum is annually among the top ten best-selling drugs in Russia for the treatment of viral infections. Its history goes back about seventy years. It is sold in more than fifty countries for a total of about one billion dollars. Its manufacturer is the pharmaceutical company Boiron (France). Despite the fact that homeopathy does not have evidence of effectiveness from the standpoint of evidence-based medicine, in Russia homeomedicines, including Oscillococcinum, are placed in the register of medicines. And, for example, in France Oscillococcinum has been the best-selling antiviral drug for many years now. Moreover, in this country, other homeomedicines are not prescribed as a therapeutic agent for respiratory tract infections.

Oscillococcinum is one of the best-selling antiviral drugs in Russia

The main components of the drug, therapeutic effect, in what form it is produced

Oscillococcinum in its composition is a prominent representative of homeopathic remedies. The manufacturer claims that the active ingredient is an unpronounceable and mysterious component called: anas barbarielium, hepatic et cordis extractum. For those interested in the origin of this substance, the Boiron laboratory clarifies that it is an extract from the heart and liver of the Barbary duck. In the official classification, this bird belongs to the Muscovy duck breed. In the CIS countries it is better known as “indoutka”.

The extract from poultry organs is contained in one dose in the amount obtained after repeated dilution, indicated by the numbers 200 CK. This means that first the substance is diluted in a ratio of 1 to 100. Then the remainder is taken and the same manipulations are performed with it two hundred more times. In fact, it is impossible to detect the active substance in the medication after such a procedure using existing methods.

The basic principle of homeopathy is that like cures like. A hundred years ago, a little-known French doctor suggested that most diseases are caused by special microorganisms - oscillococci. These bacteria are supposedly present in large quantities in the organs of the Barbary duck and in homeopathic concentrations can help cure the diseases that they cause. Until now, these microorganisms have not been discovered by modern science. Today's adherents of homeopathy put forward several versions of the mechanism of action of Oscillococcinum:

Duck heart and liver extract contains large quantities of antibodies to a wide range of influenza virus strains;
The Barbary duck turns out to be a carrier of most viruses, which are identical in structure to viruses that act on humans, and they enhance immunity in small quantities.

The official sources of the Boiron laboratory do not describe the mechanism of the therapeutic effect on the patient’s body. However, it states that Oscillococcinum has the following effects:

reduces painful symptoms in infectious diseases of the respiratory system;
reduces recovery time;
prevents complications;
is safe for adults and children.

As noted above, the active substance is contained in the medicine in such an amount that it is impossible to measure. Additional components found in one dose (1 g) are sucrose (850 mg) and lactose (150 mg). Therefore, critics of Oscillococcinum call it ordinary sugar. The product is available in the form of round white granules. They are placed in a polypropylene tube, which contains one dose.
The active substance of Oscillococcinum is obtained from the liver of the Muscovy duck.

Can it be used in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters, the effect on the fetus

According to the instructions, Oscillococcinum can be used during the entire gestational period, but according to the doctor’s decision. Experts who consider this drug effective find it completely harmless and have no effect on the course of pregnancy. The critical side also does not see any harm from taking Oscillococcinum, except that due to its use time for adequate treatment may be lost.

Indications for use for expectant mothers

According to numerous studies, the risk of getting the flu or ARVI increases in the second half of pregnancy. But even in the first thirteen weeks, the likelihood of contracting an infection in a woman expecting a child is higher than in another adult. This is explained by hormonal and physiological changes in the body of a pregnant woman. It is during this period that influenza and ARVI pose the greatest danger to both the expectant mother and the fetus.

The incidence of spontaneous abortion in complicated influenza is about 25%. The main reason for this is high temperature (over 38 °C). Other factors that can provoke premature birth or even the death of the woman herself in the second half of pregnancy are breathing problems, increased heart rate, and complications such as pneumonia.

Therefore, to relieve painful symptoms, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed: Paracetamol and Ibuprofen. Homeopaths point out the undesirable effects of these symptomatic medications on pregnant women and recommend using the safer and more effective Oscillococcinum for the following ailments:

mild to moderate flu;
acute respiratory viral infections.

Doctors' opinion about the drug

Supporters and opponents of Oscillococcinum were divided approximately equally among both doctors and patients. Naturally, leading homeopaths prove the effectiveness and benefits of treatment with this drug. At the same time, supporters of evidence-based medicine mercilessly criticize Oscillococcinum, calling it a dummy.

The results of the study showed that when using the influenza vaccine and the drug Oscillococcinum, significant indicators of epidemiological effectiveness were obtained: the effectiveness index in the group of test subjects vaccinated and receiving Oscillococcinum was 3.2 compared to the group of only vaccinated people, in which this indicator was 2.1.
E.P. Selkova, A.S. Lapitskaya
“Study of the clinical and epidemiological effectiveness of a homeopathic drug for influenza and ARVI”

Homeopaths' position

On the Russian-language website of this medicine there is a whole section with an evidence base, which contains various articles published in foreign and Russian sources. In them, doctors cite the results of studies in which it is noted that the effect of the drug is felt already in the first 48 hours of its use, and the recovery process is shortened by one to three days.
According to the results of some studies, Oscillococcinum reduces the severity of symptoms of ARVI several times after 48 hours

Cochrane review

One of the most authoritative scientific communities in the world that evaluates the effectiveness of medical technologies is the Cochrane Collaboration. Its head office is located in London. The Boiron company refers to this community, which has rated Oscillococcinum as a medicine of proven general effectiveness. But other sources report the opposite. The original article, posted in the Cochrane database, notes the low level of reporting of the studies cited, in which there is a risk of bias. It also concluded that the results of the study of Oscillococcinum did not reveal a difference between it and placebo.

Criticism of supporters of evidence-based medicine

In Russia, the discussion about this drug even moved to television. Thus, in the “Health” program (hosted by E.V. Malysheva), Oscillococcinum was classified as a flu drug that does not cure. Famous pediatrician E.O. Komarovsky in his works is very skeptical about homeopathy, noting that in this case treatment can only be based on the principle of faith. Among the critics of Oscillococcinum there are a number of well-known Russian doctors, including the director of the Influenza Research Institute O.I. Kiselev, professor V.V. Vlasov from the Society of Evidence-Based Medicine, chief pharmacologist of St. Petersburg A.K. Hadjidis.

Video: participants in the TV show “Live Healthy” about homeopathy

As for my personal opinion regarding Oscillococcinum, it coincides with the arguments of Dr. Komarovsky. First of all, there is a placebo effect at work here. I've read about research on this issue several times in recent years. In some cases, placebo effectiveness reached thirty percent. But I believe that during pregnancy, using medications with unproven effectiveness is simply dangerous due to the risk of untimely treatment for serious illnesses. WHO recommendations for the treatment of influenza include only two drugs: Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and Zanamivir (Relenza). Vaccination is considered the most effective way to prevent this disease. It’s good that there is practically nothing in homeomedicines, and they are safe during pregnancy. But their effectiveness is highly questionable.

But several of my relatives, one of whom is a highly qualified cardiologist, still convince me that Oscillococcinum works. But they cannot explain the mechanism of action. I claim that this drug is simply processed sugar. Our grandmothers often treated sore throats and coughs with ordinary burnt sugar. I think that the effectiveness of such treatment is even higher than that of an expensive, advertised drug. However, no matter how strange it may sound, the wife occasionally uses it to treat herself and her children.

Contraindications and side effects

The official instructions contain information that Oscillococcinum should not be taken in the following cases:

hypersensitivity to the components of the drug;
individual lactose intolerance;
lack of lactase.

It also states that no data have been recorded on possible undesirable effects from taking this drug. Given the infinitesimal concentration of the active component in one dose, a pregnant woman only needs to worry about not having adverse reactions such as an allergy to sugar. There were no cases of overdose.

How to take Oscillococcinum, interactions with other medications

Self-medication during pregnancy is contraindicated. The most dangerous period in terms of the effects of medications on fetal development is the first trimester. Therefore, Oscillococcinum can be used only after the recommendation of a doctor who will choose a suitable treatment regimen. The usual dosage for prevention, according to the instructions, is equal to taking the contents of one tube once a week. At the first symptoms of ARVI, it is recommended to take one dose three to four times every six hours. If the disease is prolonged, then Oscillococcinum should be taken twice a day for several days. If there is no therapeutic effect within 24 hours after starting treatment, you should consult your doctor again. For pregnant women, the standard dosage is usually recommended.
One tube of Oscillococcinum contains one dose of the drug in the form of granules

The manufacturer indicates, without explanation, that the drug should be taken fifteen minutes before a meal or an hour after. Oscillococcinum is consumed by holding the granules under the tongue until they are completely dissolved. Like all antiviral drugs, this medicine is more effective the earlier treatment is started.

The homeomedicine can be taken without consequences during activities associated with increased attention, including driving a car. When treating with Oscillococcinum, you can safely use other medications.

What similar means can replace Oscillococcinum?

Oscillococcinum is a rather expensive drug. On the market of homeopathic remedies in Russia, which are included in the drug register, there are drugs that are similar in principle of action and indications. Among them are the following:

All of them are produced in Russia. They can be purchased for significantly less than Oscillococcinum. These drugs, according to official instructions, are approved for use during pregnancy as prescribed by a doctor.

Anasbarbarisan is a complete structural and functional analogue of Oscillococcinum. Its manufacturer is LLC Homeopathic Medical and Social Center in Novosibirsk. The drug is available in the form of granules, which are packaged in polymer jars.

Sandra is produced by the Vilar pharmacological center in the form of homeopathic sublingual tablets, which contain a number of plant extracts. The instructions indicate that the drug has anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and restorative effects. It can be used if the possible effect of use outweighs the potential risk. Since Sandra contains poisonous plants, albeit in small doses, it is better to refrain from using it in the first trimester.

Anaferon today is not a homeopathic drug, but a medicinal product, but at first it was positioned as a homeopathic remedy. The medicine is an immunomodulator that contains low concentrations of antibodies to human interferon gamma. Anaferon is produced by NPF Materia Medica. When prescribing, the doctor must take into account the risk/benefit ratio.

Table: Oscillococcinum and its substitutes


Main component	Muscovy duck organ extract.	Identical to Oscillococcinum.	Djungarian aconite; dense-flowered mullein; ordinary cuff; Echinacea purpurea; mint; common wolfberry; honey bee; belladonna; white step; mercury dichloride.	Antibodies to human interferon gamma.
Indications	Flu and ARVI.	Identical to Oscillococcinum.	ARVI.	influenza, ARVI; herpes; rotavirus, enterovirus.
Restrictions on use	Individual lactose intolerance.	Identical to Oscillococcinum.	Hypersensitivity to components.	Hypersensitivity to the composition of the drug.
price, rub.	From 344 for 6 doses.	From 85 per jar (5 g).	From 82 for 30 tablets.	From 200 for 20 tablets.

Photo gallery: analogues of Oscillococcinum

Anasbarbarisan is a structural Russian analogue of Oscillococcinum. The homeomedicine Sandra contains herbal extracts in small quantities. Anaferon is a drug with immunomodulatory properties.