Citovir-3, 20 g

Pharmacotherapeutic group: immunostimulant

ATX code: L03AH

Pharmacological properties:

Pharmacodynamics:The drug is a means of etiotropic and immunostimulant therapy, has mediated antiviral action against the causative agents of influenza A and B, as well as other viruses causing acute respiratory diseases.

In in vitro studies the drug specifically suppresses (inhibits) multiplication (replication) of SARS-CoV-2 virus which is the causative agent of a new coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

The degree of inhibition of the pathogen increases with increasing drug concentration (dose-effect linearity is shown).

Limits the severity of the main clinical symptoms of influenza and acute respiratory infections, as well as reduces the duration of the disease and contributes to its uncomplicated course.

It increases the content of secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) in the nasopharynx mucosa, the entry gate of infection, increasing the local immunoresistance of the body to respiratory infections of viral and bacterial nature.

In case of preventive action the preparation increases potential metabolic activity of cells of innate immunity (neutrophil granulocytes and monocytes) which in case of development of infection increases their ability to absorb and destroy bacterial and viral agents due to increase of enzymatic (oxidative) activity, synthesis of cationic proteins and increase of the number of phagocytes. At the same time the initial state of the metabolic activity of cells of innate immunity, in the absence of infectious agents, does not change, being within normal values.

Bendazole induces in the body the production of endogenous interferon and has immunomodulatory effects (normalizes the immune response of the body). Enzymes produced by interferon in cells of various organs inhibit the replication of viruses.

Alpha-glutamyl-tryptophan (thymogen) is a synergist of immunomodulatory action of bendazole, normalizing the T-cell link of immunity.

Ascorbic acid activates the humoral part of the immune system, normalizes capillary permeability, thus reducing inflammation, and shows antioxidant properties, neutralizing the oxygen radicals that accompany the inflammatory process, increases the body’s resistance to infection.

Pharmacokinetics:when taken orally, the drug is completely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Bioavailability of bendazole is about 80%, alpha-glutamyl-tryptophan – no more than 15%, ascorbic acid – up to 70%. Ascorbic acid is absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract (mainly in the jejunum). Binding with plasma proteins –
25%. TC_max after oral administration – 4 hours. It easily penetrates into leukocytes, platelets and then into all tissues, penetrates through the placenta.

Gastrointestinal diseases (gastric and 12 duodenal ulcer, bowel motility disorders, helminth infestation, giardiasis), consumption of vegetable and fruit juices, alkaline drinking reduce the binding of ascorbic acid in the intestine. Ascorbic acid is metabolized mainly in the liver to deoxyascorbic acid, then to oxalic acetic acid and diketogulonic acid. It is excreted by the kidneys, through the intestines, with sweat, breast milk unchanged and as metabolites. The products of bendazole biotransformation in blood are two conjugates formed due to methylation and carboethoxylation of imino group of imidazole ring of bendazole: 1-methyl-2-benzylbenzimidazole and 1-carboethoxy-2-benzylbenzimidazole. Bendazole metabolites are excreted in the urine. Alpha-glutamyl-tryptophan is cleaved by peptidases into L-glutamic acid and L-tryptophan, which are used by the body in protein synthesis.