Russian drug helps to eliminate influenza and ARVI complications

The use of Polyoxidonium® helps to reduce ARVI and COVID-19 incidence and also contributes to a milder disease course if it nevertheless occurs. This was stated by leading experts in the field of infectiology, pediatrics and otolaryngology at the scientific conference Polyoxidonium Talks, dedicated to the experience of using the Russian drug.

Influenza and ARVI viruses, along with coronavirus, are quickly and easily transmitted, mainly by airborne droplets. Rospotrebnadzor recorded more than 60 thousand new cases of COVID-19, and the total number of ARVI and influenzacases exceeded 1 million people[1].

Despite the wide spread of influenza, patients do not always take preventive measures and treatment on time, while such complications as pneumonia, lung tissue dysfunction and respiratory failure that are especially dangerous. In 2023, the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation updated the Influenza in Adults clinical guidelines[2] to include the azoximer bromide drug (Polyoxidonium®). The drug enhances the barrier protection of mucous membranes against infections, increases the body’s resistance to viruses and decreases inflammation and intoxication.

At a scientific conference held on February 11, scientists noted the extensive experience of using Polyoxidonium® in clinical practice for the prevention and treatment of viral infections.


Aleksander Gorelov, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Infectious Diseases Specialist shared the results of a large-scale meta-analysis of the use of Polyoxidonium® in the prevention of COVID infection in adults: “During the coronavirus infection pandemic, doctors in the red zone who received Polyoxidonium® as prevention therapy showed greater resistance to infection, and COVID-19 was diagnosed in them 3 times less often than in the control group.”

Sergey Zyryanov, Professor, Dr. habil. med. added that Polyoxidonium® can increase the survival rate of severe patients with developed pneumonia by 50% as well as reduce the need for artificial lung ventilation.

The experts shared their experience of using the drug in children in the treatment of infectious inflammatory diseases. As part of the largest study, researchers observed for 3 months 900 children aged 3 to 10 years attending child care centers. In the group that received the drug, ARVI was reported in 25.66% of participants, and coronavirus infection in only 1%. In the control group, the percentage of people infected with ARVI was 95.66%, and the proportion of COVID-19 cases was 8%[3]. In addition, when using Polyoxidonium® in the group with prolonged prophylactic course, none of the participants fell ill with pneumonia, while in the control group, pneumonia was noted in 2.22% of ARVI cases.


Vera Vavilova, Dr. habil. med., Chairperson of the regional branch of the Union of Pediatricians of Russia public organization for the Kemerovo Region summarized: “When using Polyoxidonium® during the study, a significant reduction in ARVI and COVID-19 incidence was recorded, compared to the control group. The use of the drug contributes to a milder disease course and significantly reduces the risk of bacterial complications that require prescription of antibiotics, which is important for clinical use in children.”

Galina Nikiforova, Dr. habil. med., Professor, Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases Department of the I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University added that Polyoxidonium® promotes normalization of immunity not only immediately after treatment but also during 3.5 months after its completion, which helps to protect the body from infection.

For reference only:
Polyoxidonium® is widely used in clinical practice in Russia and abroad for over 25 years, and it is included in the VED list. In addition, it meets all EU regulatory requirements, is registered in Slovakia and included in the European clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of coronavirus infection.


1 https://www.rospotrebnadzor.ru/about/info/news/news_details.php?ELEMENT_ID=24149

2 https://cr.minzdrav.gov.ru/recomend/749_1

3 https://omnidoctor.ru/upload/iblock/819/8193fc68dc91d38fbcc48e4499d675e7.pdf

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Polyoxidonium® included in the updated Clinical Guidelines of the Russian Ministry of Health on the Influenza Prevention and Treatment in Adults