Acute respiratory viral infection
Not recommended
URI does not require etiotropic therapy. Symptomatic care and self-limitation form the backbone of international guideline recommendations.
Other antivirals (local classification)
ATC code: J05AX-INGAVIRIN (Imidazolyl ethanamide pentanedioic acid (Ingavirin) – local code)
The manufacturer claims induction of endogenous interferon synthesis and enhanced activity of interferon-stimulated genes. The claimed mechanism is not clinically proven in independent international studies. The molecule is not described as a therapeutic agent in international pharmacological literature. Developed and used only in Russia by Valenta Pharm.
Not recommended
URI does not require etiotropic therapy. Symptomatic care and self-limitation form the backbone of international guideline recommendations.
Not recommended
In 2020-2021 Ingavirin was actively marketed in Russian pharmacies for suspected COVID-19. The drug is not mentioned in , NIH, or guidelines. No independent multicentre RCTs with outcomes (hospitalisation, mortality, symptom duration) have been published.
Not recommended
Ingavirin is not mentioned in international influenza guidelines (, 2018, NG191, CDC). Proven antiviral options are oseltamivir, zanamivir, and baloxavir. Publications on ingavirin efficacy are limited to Russian-language journals without adequate blinding methodology or registration in ClinicalTrials.gov.
Not recommended
— Immune system boosting: Ingavirin (vitaglutam) is positioned as an antiviral and «immunomodulatory» agent. The drug is not registered internationally and is absent from , , , and guidelines. A 2018 investigation by ProPublica and Meduza described methodological irregularities in key Russian publications on efficacy and ties between the authors and the manufacturer.
Contraindicated in pregnancy.
Contraindicated during breastfeeding.
vitaglutam is evaluated for the following indications with varying evidence strength: Acute respiratory viral infection (evidence tier F), COVID-19 (evidence tier F), Influenza (evidence tier F). See the full indication matrix with dosing and citations above on this page.
Common side effects of vitaglutam (≥ 1 in 100): Per manufacturer label: allergic reactions. See the Safety section for uncommon and serious reactions.
Contraindicated in pregnancy.
Contraindicated during breastfeeding.
vitaglutam is contraindicated in: Hypersensitivity to any component; Pregnancy and breastfeeding; Age under 13 years (for the 90 mg adult formulation). Full list in the Safety section.
a universal antiviral is a red flag. All proven antivirals have narrow specificity: oseltamivir targets influenza neuraminidase, aciclovir targets herpes thymidine kinase, remdesivir targets coronavirus RNA polymerase. A drug that 'works against all viruses at once' works against none.