How should Anaferon be taken after a tick bite? - briefly
Begin Anaferon therapy as soon as possible after the bite, taking one 100 mg tablet every eight hours for three days, with the first dose within a few hours of exposure. If any signs of tick‑borne disease develop, seek medical evaluation immediately.
How should Anaferon be taken after a tick bite? - in detail
After a tick attachment, the recommended Anaferon regimen begins as soon as possible, ideally within the first six hours. The standard adult dose is 1 ml (10 mg) administered subcutaneously, repeated every 12 hours for a total of three administrations. For children weighing 10–20 kg, the dose is 0.5 ml (5 mg) with the same 12‑hour interval; for those over 20 kg, use the adult dose.
The schedule can be summarized:
- First injection: immediate, within 6 h of bite.
- Second injection: 12 h after the first.
- Third injection: 12 h after the second (24 h after the first).
If the bite is later than 24 hours, a single dose may be considered, but clinical judgment should guide the decision, taking into account the tick species, attachment duration, and local incidence of tick‑borne diseases.
Contraindications include known hypersensitivity to interferon‑alpha or any component of the formulation. Pregnant or lactating women should avoid the drug unless a physician explicitly recommends it. Concurrent use of immunosuppressive agents may diminish efficacy and should be reviewed.
Common adverse reactions are mild and transient: injection‑site erythema, low‑grade fever, and transient headache. Severe events such as severe allergic reactions, thrombocytopenia, or hepatic dysfunction require immediate medical attention and discontinuation of therapy.
Patients should monitor for signs of tick‑borne infection—fever, rash, arthralgia—during the week following treatment. If any such symptoms appear, seek medical evaluation promptly, as additional antimicrobial therapy may be necessary.