Other antivirals with claimed immunostimulant effect
ATC code: J05AX05-INOSINE-PRANOBEX (Inosine pranobex (Isoprinosine/Groprinosin))
Brand names
Isoprinosine, Groprinosin
Complex of inosine with dimethylamino-2-propanol and p-aminobenzoate. The manufacturer claims immunostimulant and antiviral effects via T-lymphocyte and NK-cell activation. Registered in Eastern Europe, Mexico, and East Asia; not approved in the US, UK, or Germany. Absent from major , , and guidelines.
Not recommended
For URI, isoprinosine is absent from , , , and guidelines. Baseline URI care is symptomatic; aetiotropic therapy is not needed except for confirmed influenza in high-risk patients (oseltamivir) and COVID-19 in high-risk patients (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir).
Not recommended
For herpes, isoprinosine is absent from guidelines. Proven antiherpetic agents are nucleoside analogues aciclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir. Eastern European use for HSV rests on the manufacturer label, not on an independent clinical base.
Not recommended
— Immune system boosting: Isoprinosine and Groprinosin are marketed in Eastern Europe and the CIS as an «immunostimulant» for adults and children with recurrent infections. , , and guidelines do not list the drug for routine prophylaxis in healthy people. The drug is not approved in the US, UK, or Germany. There is no evidence base for the «boost immunity» claim.
Contraindicated in pregnancy per the manufacturer label.
Contraindicated during breastfeeding per the manufacturer label.
inosine pranobex is evaluated for the following indications with varying evidence strength: Herpes simplex (evidence tier F), Non-specific immune boosting and respiratory infection prevention (evidence tier F), Acute respiratory viral infection (evidence tier F). See the full indication matrix with dosing and citations above on this page.
Common side effects of inosine pranobex (≥ 1 in 100): Elevated serum and urinary uric acid, Nausea, epigastric discomfort, Headache, dizziness, Rash, pruritus. See the Safety section for uncommon and serious reactions.
Contraindicated in pregnancy per the manufacturer label.
Contraindicated during breastfeeding per the manufacturer label.
inosine pranobex is contraindicated in: Gout; Urolithiasis (urate stones); Chronic kidney disease; Arrhythmias; Age under 3. Full list in the Safety section.