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Tilorone

Other antivirals (local classification)

ATC code: J05AX-TILORONE

Updated · Methodology

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.

F

Common cold

Not recommended

Viral URI is a self-limited illness that does not require etiotropic therapy. International guidelines support only symptomatic care: antipyretics for fever, adequate hydration, and rest. Tilorone is not considered for this purpose in international sources.

Sources

  1. Bull Exp Biol Med: Effect of Tilorone on the Dynamics of Viral Load and the Levels of Interferons and Interleukin-1β in the Lung Tissue and Blood Serum of Mice with Experimental Influenza. (2021)
  2. ACS Omega: Repurposing the Ebola and Marburg Virus Inhibitors Tilorone, Quinacrine, and Pyronaridine: In Vitro Activity against SARS-CoV-2 and Potential Mechanisms. (2021)
  3. Cochrane: Over-the-counter (OTC) medications to reduce cough as an adjunct to antibiotics for acute pneumonia (2014)

ICD-10: J00 · ICD-11: CA00

F

COVID-19

Not recommended

The Therapeutics Living Guideline and NIH COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines do not mention tilorone. In 2020–2022 Russia massively prescribed the drug in outpatient COVID-19 care without international evidence support. Agents with established benefit are nirmatrelvir/ritonavir in high-risk outpatients, remdesivir, corticosteroids, and tocilizumab in hospitalised patients.

Sources

  1. AEMPS: Ficha técnica de Tilorona (2024)
  2. AEMPS: Comunicación de la AEMPS sobre uso de ivermectina y hidroxicloroquina en COVID-19 (2021)

ICD-10: U07.1 · ICD-11: RA01.0

F

Herpes simplex

Not recommended

For herpes simplex management, international guidelines (CDC STI Treatment Guidelines 2021, IUSTI 2017) list aciclovir, valaciclovir, and famciclovir. Tilorone is not mentioned.

Sources

  1. MMWR. Recommendations and Reports: Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021 (2021)
  2. Eur J Med Chem: 2/4-Substituted-9-fluorenones and their O-glucosides as potential immunomodulators and anti-herpes simplex virus-2 agents. Part 5. (2008)
  3. Vestn Oftalmol: [The antirelapse effectiveness of amyxin used in combination with antiherpetic vaccine in patients with herpetic keratitis]. (2004)

ICD-10: B00 · ICD-11: 1F00.Z

F

Immune support and respiratory infection care

Not recommended

Tilorone (Amixin, Lavomax) is a Soviet-era interferon inducer prescribed in Russia and the CIS for colds, flu, herpes, and immunity. International clinical guidelines (, , , CDC) do not include the drug; the , , and AEMPS have not approved it. No independent international clinical studies with endpoints on cold duration exist. The drug causes GI disturbances, allergic reactions, and hepatotoxicity has been described. If tilorone was recommended, consider seeking a second opinion.

Sources

  1. AEMPS: Ficha técnica de Tilorona (2024)
  2. Cochrane (Hemila and Chalker): Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold (2013)
F

Influenza

Not recommended

International influenza guidelines (, 2018, NG191) do not mention tilorone. Proven antivirals are neuraminidase inhibitors (oseltamivir, zanamivir) and the cap-dependent endonuclease inhibitor baloxavir. Independent RCTs of tilorone have not been published in the Cochrane Library or PubMed outside Russian and Ukrainian sources.

Sources

  1. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews: Neuraminidase inhibitors for preventing and treating influenza in adults and children (2014)
  2. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy: Tilorone, a Broad-Spectrum Antiviral for Emerging Viruses (2020)

ICD-10: J10-J11 · ICD-11: 1E32

How to read tiers A–F
  • 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

Mechanism of action

The manufacturer claims induction of endogenous interferons (alpha, beta, gamma) in intestinal epithelium and lymphocytes. Tilorone was synthesised in the United States in the 1970s as an oral interferon inducer, but clinical trials were discontinued due to lack of clinical efficacy and toxicity signals. Current international sources do not mention tilorone as an antiviral agent.

Safety

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to any component
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding
  • Age under 7 years

Serious adverse effects

  • Potential ocular toxicity (corneal and retinal deposits) from historical US data; no systematic post-marketing surveillance in Russia

Common adverse effects

  • Per manufacturer label: dyspepsia, brief chills
  • Allergic reactions

Pregnancy: can you take Tilorone?

Contraindicated in pregnancy. Safety data have not been published.

Breastfeeding: can you take Tilorone?

Contraindicated during breastfeeding.

Calculate RID

Reference information, not a clinical decision. Discuss feeding pauses or changes with your physician or an IBCLC.

Practical notes

Russian practice note

Tilorone is widely sold in Russia as Amiksin and Lavomax. It is included in Russian Ministry of Health guidelines for influenza and URI but is not recognised by the international medical community. The drug is not registered as a medicine in the United States, EU, Canada, Australia, or the United Kingdom.

Safety concerns

Early US studies in the 1970s documented tilorone accumulation in cornea and retina, with deposits clinically resembling those from chloroquine. This signal contributed to discontinuation of US development. Systematic surveillance of ocular adverse effects in Amiksin users has not been performed in publicly available Russian sources.

Common myths

Myth: 'Amiksin is a real antiviral, it triggers interferon'. Fact: interferon induction in vitro or in animal models does not translate to clinical efficacy in influenza or URI in humans. Without independent RCTs measuring clinical outcomes (illness duration, complications, hospitalisation), the manufacturer's claims remain marketing statements.

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Frequently asked

What is Tilorone used for?

Tilorone is evaluated for the following indications with varying evidence strength: Immune support and respiratory infection care (evidence tier F), Herpes simplex (evidence tier F), Common cold (evidence tier F). See the full indication matrix with dosing and citations above on this page.

What are the side effects of Tilorone?

Common side effects of Tilorone (≥ 1 in 100): Per manufacturer label: dyspepsia, brief chills, Allergic reactions. See the Safety section for uncommon and serious reactions.

Is Tilorone safe during pregnancy?

Contraindicated in pregnancy. Safety data have not been published.

Is Tilorone compatible with breastfeeding?

Contraindicated during breastfeeding.

Who should not take Tilorone?

Tilorone is contraindicated in: Hypersensitivity to any component; Pregnancy and breastfeeding; Age under 7 years. Full list in the Safety section.

Amiksin is a real antiviral, it triggers interferon

interferon induction in vitro or in animal models does not translate to clinical efficacy in influenza or URI in humans. Without independent RCTs measuring clinical outcomes (illness duration, complications, hospitalisation), the manufacturer's claims remain marketing statements.

Official sources

Direct links to regulator labels. Open in a new tab.

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