Vitaglutam

Other antivirals (local classification)

ATC code: J05AX-INGAVIRIN (Imidazolyl ethanamide pentanedioic acid (Ingavirin) – local code)

Mechanism of action

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.

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.

Common cold

Not recommended

URI does not require etiotropic therapy. Symptomatic care and self-limitation form the backbone of international guideline recommendations.

Sources

ICD-10: J00 · ICD-11: CA00

COVID-19

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.

Sources

ICD-10: U07.1 · ICD-11: RA01.0

Immune support and respiratory infection care

Not recommended

Ingavirin (vitaglutam) is positioned as an antiviral and immunomodulator for colds and flu. International clinical guidelines (, , , CDC) do not include the drug; the , , and AEMPS have not approved it. No independent international clinical studies with endpoints on flu or cold duration exist. For confirmed influenza, drugs with proven efficacy exist (oseltamivir, zanamivir per IDSA 2024 guidelines). If Ingavirin was recommended, consider seeking a second opinion.

Sources

Influenza

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.

Sources

ICD-10: J10-J11 · ICD-11: 1E32

Practical notes

Russian practice note

Ingavirin is one of the best-selling antivirals in Russia. The manufacturer promotes it heavily via retail pharmacies and television advertising. No high-quality clinical trials are reported in PubMed or by independent experts outside Russia.

Common myths

Myth: 'Ingavirin works against flu, URI, and COVID at once'. Fact: 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.

Russian practice note

Ingavirin is developed and produced only in Russia by Valenta Pharm. Not registered internationally. Included in Russian Ministry of Health guidelines for influenza and URI under the Russian evidence scale. This creates divergence from international practice; an independent international evidence base does not exist. A 2018 investigation by ProPublica and Meduza showed that key Russian publications on Ingavirin have methodological irregularities and ties to the manufacturer.

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Official sources

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

GRLS

Russian State Register of Medicines

Safety

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to any component
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Age under 13 years (for the 90 mg adult formulation)

Serious adverse effects

No independent post-marketing safety evaluation has been performed

Common adverse effects

Per manufacturer label: allergic reactions

PregnancyFDA N

Contraindicated in pregnancy.

Breastfeeding

Contraindicated during breastfeeding.

Calculate RID

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

Frequently asked

What is Vitaglutam used for?

Vitaglutam is evaluated for the following indications with varying evidence strength: Common cold (evidence tier F), Immune support and respiratory infection care (evidence tier F), COVID-19 (evidence tier F). See the full indication matrix with dosing and citations above on this page.

What are the side effects of Vitaglutam?

Common side effects of Vitaglutam (≥ 1 in 100): Per manufacturer label: allergic reactions. See the Safety section for uncommon and serious reactions.

Is Vitaglutam safe during pregnancy?

FDA category N. Contraindicated in pregnancy.

Is Vitaglutam compatible with breastfeeding?

Contraindicated during breastfeeding.

Who should not take Vitaglutam?

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.

Ingavirin works against flu, URI, and COVID at once

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.

Mechanism of action

Practical notes

Russian practice note

Common myths

Russian practice note

Safety

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to any component
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Age under 13 years (for the 90 mg adult formulation)

Serious adverse effects

No independent post-marketing safety evaluation has been performed

Common adverse effects

Per manufacturer label: allergic reactions

PregnancyFDA N

Contraindicated in pregnancy.

Breastfeeding

Contraindicated during breastfeeding.

Calculate RID

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

Frequently asked

What is Vitaglutam used for?

What are the side effects of Vitaglutam?

Common side effects of Vitaglutam (≥ 1 in 100): Per manufacturer label: allergic reactions. See the Safety section for uncommon and serious reactions.

Is Vitaglutam safe during pregnancy?

FDA category N. Contraindicated in pregnancy.

Is Vitaglutam compatible with breastfeeding?

Contraindicated during breastfeeding.

Who should not take Vitaglutam?

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.

Ingavirin works against flu, URI, and COVID at once