Acute respiratory viral infection
Not recommended
URI resolves spontaneously. Symptomatic care is the only approach supported by international guidelines. 'Immunomodulator' drugs are not part of this list.
Other immunostimulants (local classification)
ATC code: J05AX-CYCLOFERON (Meglumine acridone acetate (local code))
The manufacturer claims induction of interferons alpha and beta, and activation of macrophages and T-lymphocytes. The active compound is a low-molecular interferon inducer based on acridoneacetic acid, synthesised in the USSR in the 1970s. The drug is absent from the international scientific literature: Cochrane, , , and do not mention it for any claimed indication.
Not recommended
URI resolves spontaneously. Symptomatic care is the only approach supported by international guidelines. 'Immunomodulator' drugs are not part of this list.
Not recommended
In chronic hepatitis C, Cycloferon is not mentioned in / HCV Guidance or 2020. The standard of care is direct-acting antivirals (DAAs): sofosbuvir/velpatasvir, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, and other combinations achieving sustained virological response above 95 % in 8–12 weeks.
Not recommended
Cycloferon is absent from international COVID-19 guidelines. It appears in Russian regional outpatient protocols but lacks a systemic evidence base. Benefit is not confirmed by independent multicentre RCTs.
Not recommended
First-line therapy for herpes simplex remains aciclovir, valaciclovir, and famciclovir. Cycloferon is not mentioned in international protocols.
Not recommended
Cycloferon for influenza is not mentioned in , , , or CDC guidelines. Antiviral options with demonstrated efficacy in independent RCTs are oseltamivir, zanamivir, and baloxavir.
Not recommended
— Immune system boosting: Cycloferon (meglumine acridone acetate) is marketed by Polysan as «immune support and URI prevention». The product is not registered internationally and is absent from , , , and guidelines. An independent international evidence base by current standards has not accumulated. The molecule is not described as a therapeutic agent in international pharmacological literature.
Contraindicated in pregnancy.
Contraindicated during breastfeeding.
meglumine acridone acetate is evaluated for the following indications with varying evidence strength: Influenza (evidence tier F), Acute respiratory viral infection (evidence tier F), Herpes simplex (evidence tier F). See the full indication matrix with dosing and citations above on this page.
Common side effects of meglumine acridone acetate (≥ 1 in 100): Per manufacturer label: allergic reactions. See the Safety section for uncommon and serious reactions.
Contraindicated in pregnancy.
Contraindicated during breastfeeding.
meglumine acridone acetate is contraindicated in: Hypersensitivity to any component; Decompensated liver cirrhosis; Pregnancy and breastfeeding; Age under 4 years. Full list in the Safety section.
'boosting immunity' is a lay notion without clinical meaning. The immune system operates on pathogen-specific responses, not on a 'stronger-weaker' axis. Non-specific stimulation is either a null effect or a risk of autoimmune reactions.