Prevention of recurrent respiratory infections
The term is applied to children with repeated URI episodes. International sources consider this normal in preschool-aged children. Proven measures are routine immunisation, hand hygiene, cessation of secondhand smoke, and breastfeeding in infancy.
ICD-10 Z29.96 drugs
Also known as: Prevention of recurrent respiratory infections in children
Drugs used for this condition
Marketing claims without evidence base
The drug is promoted for these uses outside international guidelines. Each entry below is analyzed against AEMPS, FDA, EMA, Cochrane and major RCTs.
- DAminodihydrophthalazinedione sodiumNot recommended · Immunomodulators (local classification). Russian development.For recurrent URI prevention in adults and children with frequent infections, galavit is prescribed as sublingual tablets or rectal suppositories in courses. International paediatric guidelines on frequent respiratory infections do not list the drug. Evidence-based prevention: influenza and pneumococcal vaccination, hand hygiene, sleep and nutrition normalisation.
- Dα-Glutamyl-L-tryptophanNot recommended · Other immunostimulants (synthetic peptides, local classification)Alpha-Glutamyl-L-tryptophan is a synthetic dipeptide marketed as an immunomodulator to prevent recurrent respiratory infections. For this use the benefit has not been demonstrated: the positive data come only from low-quality studies, and international guidelines do not include it. It should not be expected to cut the number of episodes. What does lower the rate of respiratory infections: vaccination (influenza, pneumococcus where indicated), enough sleep, hand washing and not smoking.
- FEchinacea purpurea (juice/extract)Not recommended · Herbal immunomodulators (local classification)For recurrent URI prevention in children with frequent infections, echinacea is absent from AAP and ERS 2023 pediatric guidelines. Evidence-based prevention: influenza and pneumococcal vaccination, hand hygiene, secondhand-smoke removal, and normalising sleep and nutrition.
- FGlucosaminyl muramyl dipeptideNot recommended · Other immunostimulants (local classification)For recurrent URI prevention, Likopid is absent from AAP and ERS 2023 paediatric guidelines. Evidence-based measures: influenza and pneumococcal vaccination, hand hygiene, secondhand-smoke removal, and treatment of chronic infectious foci (sinusitis, tonsillitis).
- FImudon (polyvalent bacterial lysate)Not recommended · Other oral cavity preparations (local classification)Imudon is often prescribed to children with recurrent URIs as an 'immunomodulator' for prevention. International sources do not support oral bacterial lysates for this purpose. ERS 2023 and AAP do not include such products. Evidence-based measures are vaccination, hand hygiene, and cessation of secondhand smoke.
How to read tiers A–F
Evidence tiers belong to the drug-indication pair, not to the drug as a whole: the same substance can be A for one condition and F for another.
- AStrong evidence – first or second line in international guidelines
- BRecommended in selected cases
- CStudy data contradict each other
- DBenefit not proven, no documented harm
- FDocumented harm, or risk without benefit