Seasonal viral infections develop in pregnant women in the same way as in other categories of the population. That's just in the gestational period, they are quite difficult to treat, because most antiviral drugs are prohibited for pregnant women, and alternative methods are not always effective. If a woman in an “interesting” position had to get sick with a cold, the doctor may prescribe a safe drug, Oscillococcinum. How to drink it during pregnancy and should complications be expected?
Oscillococcinum belongs to the number of homeopathic medicines that regulate the protective functions of the body. The first batch of the drug became commercially available in 1925. The manufacturer was the French company BOIRON.
The active ingredients are enclosed in small granules, which are packaged in tubes (cases) of a cylindrical shape. The main function of Oscillococcinum is to increase the body's ability to resist viruses, especially all strains of influenza. Due to the naturalness of all components, Oscillococcinum is widely used in obstetrics and pediatrics.
The active substances of Oscillococcinum are extracts from natural products of animal origin - the heart and liver of the Barbary duck. Lactose and regular sucrose are used as auxiliary components.
Such active substances of Oscillococcinum were used for a reason. The French physician J. Roy decided to take advantage of the properties of ducks, which are carriers of most strains of viruses. He received an extract from the liver and heart and prepared tablets based on it. According to the principle of homeopathy, like cures like, so the minimum concentration of duck viruses should treat human viruses. Having tested the theory in practice, the doctor proved the ability of Oscillococcinum to destroy viruses, thereby facilitating the course of influenza and SARS.
Oscillococcinum has been used in obstetric practice since the 20th century, and so far not a single fact of the negative effect of the drug on pregnancy has been recorded.
Long-term practice has confirmed the safety of the drug, so taking Oscillococcinum during pregnancy, even in the 1st trimester, does not threaten the baby. However, the manufacturer insists that the period of early pregnancy is not the best time for treatment with Oscillococcinum and recommends taking it in case of emergency. This is due to the fact that the manufacturing company has not conducted official studies involving pregnant women.
Doctors confirm that the risk of developing abnormalities in the development of the fetus during treatment with the drug is completely absent. But if in the first trimester the treatment is carried out with caution, then taking Oscillococcinum during pregnancy from the 2nd trimester is completely safe for the expectant mother and baby.
Important! Although Oscillococcinum is homeopathic, its use during gestation must be justified. Therefore, it is prescribed only for the prevention of harmful influenza or for well-established indications in accordance with the instructions.
Oscillococcinum is prescribed in all three trimesters in case of infection of a pregnant woman with the influenza virus. Also, the drug is taken for ARVI in combination with fever, cough, malaise. The doctor sets the dosage and duration of treatment at his discretion or according to the recommendations from the manufacturer.
This drug is taken orally. The content of one tube (this is 1 g of the drug) is poured under the tongue and absorbed.
During the seasonal spread of influenza, a pregnant woman is prescribed Oscillococcinum for prevention. To prevent a woman from becoming a target for viruses, it is enough to take one dose of Oscillococcinum granules once a week.
If infection with the influenza virus has already occurred, then a full treatment with Oscillococcinum is carried out. Use during pregnancy - one tube 2-3 times a day with an interval of 6-7 hours. If relief does not occur within three days, the doctor reconsiders the treatment tactics.
Important! In order for Oscillococcinum to enter the bloodstream without obstacles and have a therapeutic effect, the granules should be taken 20 minutes before or one hour after a meal.
The annotation to the drug states that taking Oscillococcinum is allowed if there are no contraindications. Despite the fact that there are no complaints about intolerance to homeopathic granules, the drug is not prescribed in such cases:
On a note! Oscillococcinum practically does not cause adverse reactions. Only occasionally mild allergic rashes and pruritus are noted.
This homeopathic medicine causes a double attitude towards itself. Some prefer Oscillococcinum to traditional synthetic drugs against viruses, others categorically do not believe in its effectiveness, believing that an insignificant concentration of active substances cannot have a therapeutic effect on the body.
Nevertheless, the demand for Oscillococcinum is quite considerable. Pregnant women take it without fear and are quite satisfied with the result. In addition, a big plus of the drug is its compatibility with pregnancy, while other antiviral drugs pose a threat to the baby.
As for the point of view of doctors, many obstetrician-gynecologists doubt the effectiveness of Oscillococcinum, arguing that taking an extract from duck organs can only have a placebo effect. The same opinion about these granules and all the opponents of homeopathy. Adding to the confusion is the fact that there is not a single clinically proven evidence in favor of the effectiveness of Oscillococcinum. Moreover, a number of researchers even declare that there is nothing else in this preparation besides sucrose.
Nevertheless, pregnant women not only in France, but also in other countries respond very flatteringly and assure of the high antiviral properties of Oscillococcinum.
According to doctors, pregnant women, along with children and the elderly, are most susceptible to influenza and SARS. Unfortunately, the choice of drugs is limited by the growing resistance of virus strains and the safety of drugs that can have a negative impact on fetal development. Therefore, among a large part of women who are expecting a child, various kinds of homeopathic remedies are popular, the most prominent representative of which is Oscillococcinum.
Oscillococcinum annually enters 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 has no evidence of effectiveness from the standpoint of evidence-based medicine, in Russia home remedies, 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 homeopathic remedies are not prescribed as a therapeutic agent for respiratory tract infections.
Oscillococcinum is one of the best-selling antiviral drugs in Russia Oscillococcinum in its composition is a prominent representative of homeopathic remedies. As an active substance, the manufacturer claims an unpronounceable and mysterious component called: anas barbarielium, hepatik et cordis extractum. For those who are interested in the origin of this substance, the Boiron laboratory specifies 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 under the name "Indo".
The extract from poultry organs is contained in one dose in such an amount that is obtained after repeated dilution, indicated by the numbers 200SK. This means that at 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 another two hundred times. In fact, it is impossible to detect the active substance in the drug 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 abundant in the organs of the Barbary duck and, in homeopathic concentrations, can help cure the diseases they cause. So far, 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:
The official sources of the laboratory "Boiron" do not describe the mechanism of therapeutic effect on the patient's body. Nevertheless, it is indicated there that Oscillococcinum has the following effect:
As noted above, the active substance is contained in the drug in an amount that cannot be measured. Additional components 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 derived from the liver of the Muscovy duck.
According to the instructions, Oscillococcinum can be used during the entire gestational period, but at the discretion of the doctor. Experts who consider this drug effective find it completely harmless and does not affect the course of pregnancy. The critic also does not see any harm from taking Oscillococcinum, except that due to its use, time may be lost for adequate treatment.
According to numerous studies, the risk of getting the flu or SARS increases in the second half of pregnancy. But even in the first thirteen weeks, a woman who is expecting a child is more likely to contract an infection than another adult. This is due to hormonal and physiological changes in the body of a pregnant woman. It is during this period that influenza and SARS pose the greatest danger to both the expectant mother and the fetus.
The incidence of spontaneous abortions 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 death of the woman herself in the second half of pregnancy are respiratory failure, 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 drugs on pregnant women and recommend the safer and more effective Oscillococcinum for such ailments:
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 remedy. At the same time, supporters of evidence-based medicine criticize Oscillococcinum mercilessly, calling it a dummy.
The results of the study showed that when using the influenza vaccine and Oscillococcinum, significant indicators of epidemiological efficiency were obtained: the efficiency index in the group of subjects vaccinated and receiving Oscillococcinum was 3.2 compared to the group of only vaccinated, in which this indicator was 2.1.
E.P. Selkova, A.S. Lapitskaya
"Study of the clinical and epidemiological efficacy of a homeopathic remedy for influenza and SARS"
The Russian-language website of this medicine has 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 that indicate that the effect of the drug is felt already in the first 48 hours of its use, and the healing process is reduced by one to three days. 
According to the results of some studies, Oscillococcinum several times reduces the severity of symptoms in ARVI after 48 hours.
One of the most respected scientific communities in the world that evaluates the effectiveness of medical technologies is the Cochrane Collaboration. Its head office is located in London. Boiron cites this community, which has rated Oscillococcinum as a drug with proven overall efficacy. But other sources say otherwise. 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.
In Russia, the discussion about this drug even moved to television. So, in the program "Health" (presenter E.V. Malysheva), Oscillococcinum was attributed to influenza drugs that do not cure. The 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 Research Institute of Influenza O.I. Kiselev, Professor V.V. Vlasov from the Society for Evidence-Based Medicine, chief pharmacologist of St. Petersburg A.K. Hadjidis.
As for my personal opinion regarding Oscillococcinum, it coincides with the arguments of Dr. Komarovsky. First, there is the placebo effect. In recent years, I have read several times about research on this subject. In some cases, placebo efficacy was as high as thirty percent. But I believe that it is simply dangerous to use medicines with unproven effectiveness during pregnancy because of the risk of delayed therapy in case of serious illnesses. In the WHO recommendations for the treatment of influenza, only two drugs are noted: Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and Zanamivir (Relenza). The most effective way to prevent this disease is vaccination. It is good that there is practically nothing in home remedies, and they are safe during pregnancy. But their effectiveness is in question.
But several of my relatives, one of whom is a highly qualified cardiologist, nevertheless convince me that Oscillococcinum works. But they cannot explain the mechanism of action. I maintain that this drug is just processed sugar. Our grandmothers often treated sore throats and coughs with ordinary burnt sugar. It seems to me that the effectiveness of such treatment is even higher than that of an expensive advertised drug. Nevertheless, no matter how strange it may sound, the wife occasionally uses it to treat herself and her children.
The official instructions contain information that Oscillococcinum should not be taken in the following cases:
It also states that there are no data on possible undesirable effects from taking this drug. Given the infinitely small concentration of the active ingredient in a single dose, the pregnant woman only needs to worry about the fact that she does not have adverse reactions in the form of an allergy to sugar. There were no cases of overdose.
Self-medication during pregnancy is contraindicated. The most dangerous in terms of the impact of medications on fetal development is the first trimester. Therefore, Oscillococcinum can be used only after the recommendation of a doctor who will choose the appropriate 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 in the case of SARS, it is recommended to use 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. In the absence of a therapeutic effect within a day after the start of treatment, you should again consult a doctor. 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 one 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 homeopathic remedy can be taken without consequences during activities associated with increased attention, including driving a car. In the treatment of Oscillococcinum, other drugs can be painlessly used.
Oscillococcinum is a rather expensive drug. On the market of homeopathic remedies in Russia, which are placed in the register of medicines, 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 a much lower price 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 packed in polymer cans.
Sandra is produced by the Vilar Pharmacological Center in the form of homeopathic sublingual tablets, which include a number of plant extracts. The instructions indicate that the drug has an anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and tonic effect. It can be used if the possible effect of the application 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 does not belong to homeopathic, but to medicinal preparations, but at first it was positioned as a homeopathic remedy. The drug is an immunomodulator that contains a low concentration 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.
| Main component | Muscovy duck organ extract. | Identical to Oscillococcinum. |
| Antibodies to human interferon gamma. |
| Indications | Flu and SARS. | Identical to Oscillococcinum. | SARS. |
|
| Usage restrictions | 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 can (5 g). | From 82 for 30 tablets. | From 200 for 20 tablets. |
Anasbarbarisan is a structural Russian analogue of Oscillococcinum Sandra homeopathic remedy contains small amounts of herbal extracts in its composition Anaferon is a drug with immunomodulatory properties
The development of the baby directly depends on the health of the expectant mother. Any disease becomes a threat to the developing organism of the child. The best way to prevent illness during pregnancy is to strengthen the immune system. If the disease has already begun, you should choose the means that have a minimal effect on the body of the expectant mother and baby. A popular immunomodulatory and therapeutic drug is Oscillococcinum. Is it safe to use this remedy during pregnancy?
The main active ingredient of the drug Oscillococcinum is an extract of the heart and liver of the Barbary duck, supplemented with sucrose and lactose. Waterfowl are carriers of viral infections. Extracts from the internal organs of birds in a very small concentration are able to overcome viruses that enter the body. Due to the absence of chemical elements in the composition, the medicine has no contraindications. Granules are absolutely safe, even during pregnancy.
According to doctors, in the first trimester of pregnancy (the first 12 weeks), the expectant mother should refrain from taking any medications. At this stage, the formation of the internal organs of the baby and the accelerated development of the placenta. Taking medication during this period can provoke deviations in the development of the child. In the II and III trimesters of pregnancy, Oscillococcinum can be used without fear for the health of the baby.
Homeopathic granules for resorption -
The drug is prescribed for the purpose of:
It should be borne in mind that there is no scientific justification for the effectiveness of the drug. Some doctors are of the opinion that the minimum dose of a therapeutic agent can only slightly affect the course of the disease. Others, on the contrary, note the high effectiveness of the use of Oscillococcinum for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes, including in pregnant women.
Before using, be sure to consult your doctor!
In order to prevent the drug should be used once a week for 2 months (in the autumn-winter period). The granule is placed under the tongue and held until completely dissolved. In the treatment of flu or colds, the dosage is increased. With the appearance of the first symptoms of the disease, 1 granule is taken per day for 6 days. Pronounced forms of the disease can be cured by taking 2 granules of the drug per day: in the morning and in the evening. The drug should be taken 15 minutes before a meal or half an hour after a meal.
Due to the minimum content of the homeopathic active substance, Oscillococcinum has no contraindications for use. The only possible side effect is an allergic reaction to one of the components of the drug. Information on overdose has not been identified.
| Name | Active substance | Release form | Indications for use | Contraindications |
| Interferon human | Ointment for external use, gel for external use, rectal suppositories | Treatment and prevention of influenza and SARS, viral skin lesions | ||
| Antibodies to human interferon gamma | Lozenges | SARS, influenza, neuroviral and herpetic infections | Hypersensitivity to the components of the drug | |
| Purple echinacea herb | Solution for oral administration | Strengthening immunity, prevention of viral and colds | Autoimmune diseases, allergy to Asteraceae inflorescences | |
| Lysozyme + pyridoxine | Lozenges | Treatment of infectious diseases of the oral cavity, herpetic infections | Lactose intolerance, hypersensitivity to drug components | |
| Antibodies to human interferon gamma, antibodies to histamine | Lozenges | Treatment and prevention of viral infections, treatment of allergies | Individual intolerance to the components of the drug |
Pills to strengthen immunity 
Candles for the prevention and treatment of viral diseases 
Lozenges 
Drops to strengthen immunity 
Gel Viferon 
It is possible to replace Oscillococcinum with another drug only with the permission of a doctor!
To increase immunity and improve overall well-being, a number of recommendations should be followed:
In the cold season, a cold threatens each of us, and women who are preparing to become mothers are at particular risk. Most often, malaise overtakes a pregnant woman in the 2nd and 3rd trimester of an “interesting” position. And, of course, the question immediately arises about the advisability of drug treatment - is it worth taking pills at all and will they harm the child? This problem is always relevant in such a situation, since traditional drugs, the undisputed leaders in the treatment of colds, are contraindicated during the period of bearing a baby.
Of course, medicine does not stand still, and scientists are systematically working towards an absolutely safe treatment of women in position. Thus, the drug Oscillococcinum was developed. During pregnancy, it can be taken in the first, second and third trimesters.
The drug belongs to homeopathic medicines. It is produced by a large pharmaceutical company Laboratories Boiron in France. Like other drugs in this group, the active ingredients of Oscillococcinum are enclosed in granules. A certain amount of granules makes up a dose, which is stored in a special tube. The creator of the drug was the French scientist and physician Joseph Roy, who first introduced his "brainchild" to the world in 1925. Since then, Oscillococcinum has been one of the few drugs used to treat colds and flu in the most vulnerable groups of the population - children and pregnant women. By the way, you can take Oscillococcinum during pregnancy at any time - this will not bring any harm to the fetus.
Among the components that provide a therapeutic effect, we note extracts from the heart and liver of the Barbary duck. Lactose and sucrose are used as additional components. Why was it the waterfowl that prompted the scientist to create this medicine? The explanation is quite simple: ducks are the main carriers of various viruses that provoke the development of influenza. If you extract an extract from the internal organs of a bird and dilute it to a minimum concentration, you can get a substance with a noticeable antiviral effect. In the case of Oscillococcinum, the wheel was not invented, but they used the fundamental principle of homeopathy that like cures like.
Throughout pregnancy, the activity of the female body undergoes some physiological changes. The main thing worth noting is the systematic decrease in the immune response to potentially dangerous external factors. There is nothing surprising here - when a woman becomes pregnant, her immunity weakens so that the adult body does not perceive the growth and development of new life cells as a process that must be blocked and destroyed. At the same time, the expectant mother becomes an easy target for various pathogens, infectious and viral diseases. And the biggest problem lies in the inability to combine pregnancy and treatment with serious antiviral drugs.
The first 12 weeks of the "interesting" position are considered the most responsible - the fetus becomes a person! That is why it is so important for the expectant mother to stay healthy during this time. Even the slightest interference with the skillful workings of natural forces can have irreparable consequences. And given that most drugs, under certain circumstances, can have a strong teratogenic effect on the cells of a living organism, the fetus is in great danger. Under the influence of drugs prohibited during pregnancy, a child can develop a variety of birth defects.
But, unfortunately, no one is immune from colds. If the expectant mother falls ill, you need to act immediately, since delay can result in a serious complication of the pregnant woman's condition. For example, influenza provokes spontaneous abortion in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. Complications, as a rule, appear 10 to 14 days after a cold that has not been treated or treated incorrectly. And if a woman in a position still had the flu, her baby has an increased risk of developing pathologies of the nervous system. With the appearance of even minor symptoms of a cold, the expectant mother should immediately go to see a doctor. Only a specialist can prescribe an effective treatment regimen for a sick patient, taking into account her delicate situation.
Can Oscillococcinum be taken during pregnancy? Certainly yes. The homeopathic preparation contains a minimum concentration of active ingredients and is therefore not contraindicated for expectant mothers. In addition, this medicine can be used not only to treat an existing cold, but also as a prophylactic so as not to get sick. At whatever time a pregnant woman feels unwell, she can be sure that the solution to this problem exists thanks to Oscillococcinum.
All people who have ever dealt with this drug, based on personal experience, argue that the drug shows the greatest therapeutic effect if it is used in the first hours of indisposition, without waiting for the development of a clearer clinical picture. This makes Oscillococcinum during pregnancy even more in demand, as it gives a woman a chance to avoid not only exhausting treatment, but also not to get sick at all. Most often, the drug is prescribed to expectant mothers in the fall and winter, when the risk of catching the flu or an acute viral respiratory infection is especially high.
In fact, the sooner the drug is taken, the easier it will cope with the causative agent of the disease. Oscillococcinum during pregnancy in the 1st trimester:
Note that many experts do not pin much hope on a homeopathic remedy that does not show an instant pronounced effect, therefore Oscillococcinum is prescribed as part of complex therapy.
There are no specific contraindications for Oscillococinum during pregnancy in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters, however, this does not give the pregnant woman the right to prescribe the drug herself. The treatment of a cold should take place exclusively under the supervision of a qualified specialist, who in no case will miss the possible development of complications.
At any time of the "interesting" position, the dose of Oscillococcinum remains unchanged. At the same time, the age of the patient does not affect the amount of the drug needed for treatment. Homeopathic granules are taken as follows: 15 minutes before a meal or 1 hour after a meal, pour the entire contents of the tube under the tongue and wait for it to dissolve.
As part of preventive measures, Oscillococinum is taken once a week throughout the autumn and winter, since it is during the cold season that it is easiest to get a viral infection. The frequency of taking the drug in case of illness depends primarily on the stage of development of the disease. So, if the disease is just beginning to develop, the doctor will recommend that the patient drink 1 tube of granules for 1 week. If the disease has already acquired a pronounced form, the homeopathic remedy is taken for three days, 1 tube in the morning and evening, then - according to the patient's condition. With an increase in symptoms, the doctor can radically change the treatment regimen.
Attitude towards this homeopathic remedy, to put it mildly, is ambiguous. Official medicine recognizes that the concentration of active ingredients in Oscillococcinum is very low, which gives reason to doubt its effectiveness as such.
Adds ambiguity and the fact that there are no reliable results that would confirm the effectiveness of the drug, since studies in this direction have not been conducted. Some doctors are generally very categorical in their judgments, arguing that there is nothing in Oscilcoccinum but ordinary sugar. Representatives of homeopathic science, of course, categorically disagree with them, assuring that the effectiveness of the drug will certainly make itself felt if all the rules for its administration have been observed. And of course, they note the main advantage of Oscillococcinum - the absence of contraindications for children and pregnant women.
However, medical practice still registered isolated cases of an allergic reaction to the drug, so treatment with Oscillococcinum should be carried out under medical supervision. This recommendation is especially relevant for expectant mothers.
And what do pregnant women themselves think about this drug? Basically, they are also divided into two groups. Some patients associate the fact of their recovery solely with the positive effect of Oscillococcinum, while others claim that they did not notice any specific effect of homeopathic granules. The conclusion suggests itself: in order to form your own opinion about the drug, you need to test it on personal experience of treatment. If the attending physician prescribes Oscillococcinum to the expectant mother for the treatment of a cold, she may not worry about the safety of her baby and carefully listen to the recommendations of a specialist about taking it. Perhaps this is the very drug that will help her get rid of the disease faster.
