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.
The drug is promoted for these uses outside international guidelines. Each entry below is analyzed against AEMPS, FDA, EMA, Cochrane and major RCTs.
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 () and COVID-19 in high-risk patients (nirmatrelvir/).
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
Isoprinosine and Groprinosin (inosine pranobex) are marketed in Eastern Europe and the CIS as an immunostimulant for frequently ill children and adults. The has not approved the drug; international clinical guidelines (, , , CDC) do not include it; in most EU countries it is registered but used selectively for confirmed viral infections (e.g., subacute sclerosing panencephalitis). No independent international RCTs with endpoints on cold frequency in frequently ill people exist. The drug can raise uric acid with risk of gout flare. If isoprinosine was recommended to a child or adult for immunity, consider seeking a second opinion.
Opens the checker prefilled with this drug. Pick the second one from your regimen.
Contraindicated in pregnancy per the manufacturer label.
Contraindicated during breastfeeding per the manufacturer label.
Reference information, not a clinical decision. Discuss feeding pauses or changes with your physician or an IBCLC.
Inosine pranobex is evaluated for the following indications with varying evidence strength: Immune support and respiratory infection care (evidence tier F), Herpes simplex (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.
FDA category C. 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.