Imunovir

From MEpedia, a crowd-sourced encyclopedia of ME and CFS science and history

Imunovir, inosine pranobex, isoprinosine or inosine acedoben dimepranol is an immunostimulant and antiviral drug.[1] It may also have neurorestorative, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective effects.[2][3] Imunovir is also known as inosiplex, metisoprinol, inosin pranobex, and brand names include Catacol, Inotin, Lumiclar and Rejuvesol.[3]

Imunovir is licensed for use for herpes simplex virus (HSV), genital warts (in addition to other treatment) and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a progressive neurological disease caused by the measles virus.[4] It is sometimes used off-label by patients with ME/CFS.[5]

Theory[edit | edit source]

Evidence[edit | edit source]

Claims that inosine enhances exercise and athletic performance in healthy people are not supported by the science.[3]

In a pilot study of sixteen chronic fatigue syndrome patients inosine increased natural killer cell activity and resulted in a clinical improvement in 60% of patients.[6][7]

A survey of patients by the ME Association found that 25% who had tried inosine pranobex found it helpful.[8]

Clinicians[edit | edit source]

Risks and safety[edit | edit source]

Side effects include:

Rare side effects include diarrhoea, constipation, increased urine production, nervousness, drowsiness or insomnia.[1]

Costs and availability[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

Learn more[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Imunovir 500mg Tablets {{{!}}} Summary of Product Characteristics". Electronic Medicines Compendium. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  2. "Inosine Pranobex". Drugs.com. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Inosine". DrugBank Online. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  4. "Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis Information Page". National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  5. Smith, M.E. Beth; Haney, Elizabeth; McDonagh, Marian; Pappas, Miranda; Daeges, Monica; Wasson, Ngoc; Fu, Rongwei; Nelson, HeidiD. (June 16, 2015). "Treatment of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Systematic Review for a National Institutes of Health Pathways to Prevention Workshop". Annals of Internal Medicine. 162 (12): 841–850. doi:10.7326/M15-0114. ISSN 0003-4819.
  6. Diaz-Mitoma, Francisco; Turgonyi, Eva; Kumar, Ashok; Lim, Wilfred; Larocque, Louise; Hyde, Byron M. (January 1, 2003). "Clinical Improvement in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Is Associated with Enhanced Natural Killer Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity: The Results of a Pilot Study with Isoprinosine®". Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. 11 (2): 71–95. doi:10.1300/J092v11n02_06. ISSN 1057-3321.
  7. Patarca-Montero, Roberto (2014). Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in the Antiviral Revolution Era: What Does the Research Say?. Routledge. pp. 41–42. ISBN 9781135416294.
  8. Kindlon, Tom (September 20, 2008). "Adverse Reactions to Graded Exercise Therapy". ME/CFS South Australia Inc.
  9. "IMUNOVIR 500MG TABLETS". Drugs.com. Retrieved February 23, 2021.