A Medication I Won't Give to My Husband or Son: A Warning Review of Kagocel for Flu, Herpes, and More

Antiviral medications have been shrouded in controversy for years, and I'm not surprised. Most of them lack proven effectiveness and are essentially just placebos to ease our conscience. They're often touted as miracle cures, but when you scratch beneath the surface, the truth is far from it.

However, in the case of Kagocel, I was left speechless when I studied the information about its composition. It's clear that one thing is being cured, while the other is causing harm. However, the consequences of taking this medication are completely disproportionate to the effect it provides or doesn't provide.

Antiviral medications Kagocel

PRICE:

In late August 2023, 20 tablets of Kagocel could be purchased for 485 rubles. As expected, the price is higher during the peak cold season. It's not exactly cheap, but it's not the most expensive either.

According to the instructions, a full course of treatment requires 18 tablets. However, the medication can also be bought in quantities of 10 tablets (priced around 300 rubles) and 30 tablets (priced between 800-900 rubles). I've seen prices fluctuate over time, so it's worth checking before you buy.

PACKAGING:

Kagocel has been on the market since 2003 (this year marks its 20th anniversary!) and initially, it was sold in a simple white cardboard box without any distinctive branding. However, the packaging has undergone a rebranding, and the vibrant box on the pharmacy shelf is almost unrecognizable!

The packaging does contain some useful information, like the manufacturer's name and the expiration date. It's a good thing they've made some improvements over the years.

Inside the package, I found blister packs with 10 tablets each, although I only got 2. There's also an instruction manual. Each tablet can be removed and taken separately, which is super convenient - no need to carry the whole package around.

Kagocel, Full Instruction

I'll start by sharing the full instruction manual photos. You can click on them to enlarge without any issues. The manual is pretty short and easy to read.

Now, let's move on to the important stuff, in my opinion.

Kagozcel, full instruction manualKagozcel, full instruction manual

COMPOSITION OF KAGOZCELThis is, in my view, the most crucial and important part. The instruction manual barely mentions the composition because the active ingredient has the same name as the product itself.

I'm not really interested in the auxiliary substances, but I do want to know what's in the medication.

Kagozcel, composition

So, what's the main ingredient in Kagozcel's composition and why does the manual not mention it at all? I was shocked to discover that gossypol is the main ingredient.

The main ingredient in Kagozcel's composition is gossypol (a pigment from cotton, a natural polypheol, toxic in its free form) copolymerized with carboxymethylcellulose, one of the self-administration products with unproven efficacy.

It turned out that gossypol is the main ingredient. I hadn't started researching Kagozcel yet, and I knew nothing about gossypol. Now that I know, I'm ready to share my findings.

Gossypol is a substance extracted from cottonseed and has toxic effects. It impacts reproductive function, acting as a contraceptive.

I've found it's easy to come across information online about the harm gossypol can cause to men's reproductive health in China. Men in China who consumed food cooked in cottonseed oil were most frequently experiencing fertility issues. In 1929, it was discovered that the pigment gossypol, which is part of its composition, has a contraceptive effect.

Men in China who consumed food cooked in cottonseed oil were most frequently experiencing fertility issues. In 1929, it was discovered that the pigment gossypol, which is part of its composition, has a contraceptive effect.

So, gossypol can cause infertility. It's mind-boggling that a medication listed in the 'Essential and Important Medicines List' is one of the most prescribed antiviral drugs, yet it has such a severe side effect. And why isn't it mentioned at all in the instructions?

However, the manufacturers claim that there's no risk associated with Kagero.

The manufacturers note that gossypol is present in the medication in a bound form, as part of a molecule, rather than as a free substance. In this case, its potential danger is irrelevant.

It's been 20 years since Kagero has been on the market, and you'd expect to see more research on this topic. But there's nothing like that available. There are studies on the medication's effectiveness, though, and they're somewhat promising (51% of participants reported a positive outcome).

I've got to say, I was pretty disappointed to not find any info on human studies regarding the reproductive function of men. And to be honest, the manufacturer doesn't exactly shout about the questionable components in the formula.

Can you imagine having to cure a cold, but losing your fertility in the process? That's just not right.

SO, HOW DOES KAGOTSELE HELP:

Given the super questionable and even potentially hazardous composition, I'm still trying to wrap my head around how this product is approved for kids as young as 3. And considering how often kids get sick between 3 and 7 years old (while they're in daycare), they'd likely need to take this frequently. But the question remains: does Kagozcel really not accumulate in the body, and is gossypol in its bound form truly safe?

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

Pregnant, breastfeeding women, and kids under 3 - stay away. Everyone else - no issues whatsoever.

How Kagozol Fares During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding:

I have to give credit to the manufacturer for being upfront about the lack of research on this product for pregnant and breastfeeding women. They explicitly state that it's not recommended for this demographic. However, it's recommended for people over three years old, which doesn't make much sense to me.

How to Take Kagozol:

The instructions are pretty clear on how to take the medication for different age groups, including adults and children, for the flu and herpes. It's all straightforward without any need for further explanation.

For adults with the flu, you take three tablets twice a day for the first two days, and then one tablet three times a day for the next two days. The course of treatment is four days, during which you need to take 18 tablets.

Side Effects:

I was surprised by the side effects listed in the instructions. They include anaphylaxis, but the frequency of these side effects is unknown because the available data can't determine the frequency.

What kind of data do they have, or is it just a blank slate?

INTERACTION WITH OTHER MEDICATIONS

MY EXPERIENCE TAKING KAGOTSELCHEK

I'll be upfront - after researching the composition and reading reviews from my family members (my husband and son), there's no way I'd let them try it. There's no safety guarantee, and I'm not about to use them as test subjects.

KAGOTSELCHEK FOR EARLY SYMPTOMS OF THE COMMON COLD AND FLU

I'm not a fan of getting sick or taking medication. I always try to ride it out or just treat the symptoms. But before a big event, when I started feeling congestion in my nose, a sore throat, and a rise in temperature, I decided to take a chance and start taking Kagozcel from the first day of my illness. I really didn't want to get worse and be out of commission for a few days.

I was also taking separate meds for my runny nose and sore throat. Kagozcel is easy to take - the tablets are tiny, and I just swallow them with a glass of water without any issues.

So, amidst all the other meds, Kagozcel seemed to do its job. Three days later, I'd almost forgotten I was even getting sick. But I'm not sure if Kagozcel was the real hero or if the other meds were the ones doing the trick.

Disappointment with Late Treatment

I was really hoping that Kagocel would be effective even if I started taking it late, but unfortunately, that wasn't the case for me.

My symptoms at the beginning of treatment: my temperature would spike to over 38 degrees at night, and I'd have a dry, occasional cough during the day, but it would get really bad at night, leaving me gasping for air.

I sent my husband to the pharmacy with a long list of medications, leaving a decent amount of cash behind. He came back with not only the meds I asked for but also a few extra, courtesy of the pharmacist's recommendations. Kagocel was one of the meds he got, and the pharmacist was raving about its effectiveness, saying it was a game-changer that could even get a horse back on its feet.

Even with a combination of other medications, I was still feeling miserable for almost 10 days, spending most of that time in bed with no energy to speak of.

I was able to manage my symptoms with other meds, but I just didn't have the energy to do anything.

In my case, Kagocel was completely ineffective when taken late in the treatment of my cold.

Kagocel for Herpes

I'm not a fan of herpes, but it's something I've had to deal with from time to time. I've been on the hunt for a proven treatment that can quickly get rid of this herpes outbreak on my face and prevent it from spreading too much.

I've tried taking Kagozal both at the beginning, when my lip was just starting to itch, and later on, when blisters started to appear. Every time, the outcome was the same: herpes would just chill and grow on my face, and in 10 days, it would complete its entire life cycle.

It wasn't any faster, any less painful, or more discreet with Kagozal. And to make matters worse, the course for herpes is just 5 days, during which I'd have to chew down a whopping 30 tablets.

So, in my book, Kagozal was absolutely useless against herpes.

MY PROVEN TREATMENT PLAN FOR HERPES:

Starting treatment with Acyclovir as soon as possible is key. I began with a hefty dose of 800mg at one time and have been following the instructions since. To date, these tablets are the most budget-friendly and effective way to treat herpes. If you catch it early, it'll barely even show up on your face.I've tried a ton of overhyped creams for herpes, and they're all super pricey with tiny amounts. I've stopped buying the likes of Zovirax and Fenistil a long time ago. Acyclovir cream, by the way, is pretty ineffective compared to the tablets. Five years ago, I discovered Infagel and it's been a staple in my fridge ever since.For preventing herpes during the off-season, I take the supplement L-Lysine as recommended by my dermatologist. I ordered the first one I found on Wildberry and take it in courses during spring and autumn. I've basically forgotten I even had herpes. Before, it'd visit me at least 3-4 times a year.

CAUTION FOR KIDS

I think it's pointless to reiterate why I wouldn't recommend this medication for kids. Honestly, though, I've been giving my kids no antiviral meds for years now, and it's had a positive impact on their health – we've almost stopped getting sick altogether.

The best way to prevent the flu and colds is a balanced diet, regular exercise, and taking multivitamins during the off-season, of course, and a healthy dose of motivation.

My kids aren't interested in getting sick because we live a vibrant life and lying in bed is a total no-go for them.

So, we:

- take more walks;

- focus on eating more local veggies and fruits and minimize the junk food like Coke, chips, and the like;

- dress according to the weather;

- teach them positive thinking.

And everything will be alright 😉

FINAL VERDICT:

I've been taking Kagocel myself or having someone in my family take it for the past five years whenever I or they showed the first signs of a cold. At first, it seemed to do something, but when I waited too long to take it, I didn't see any effect at all.

As for herpes, it was completely useless, and I wasted my time taking it when I could've taken a proven medication and recovered much faster.

The composition of Kagocel shocked me, and the lack of research on potential side effects only adds to the danger of taking it, especially for men.

I'll never give this to my kids or men, and I'll definitely opt for more tested, effective, and safe antiviral meds.

From me, a categorical zero. I wouldn't recommend it and won't buy it again.

KAGOCEL ALTERNATIVES:

Sinupret is a product I tried with my husband for a week, and it really delivered - my hair loss scheme and how we cured his chronic rhinitis in 7 days;

Arpeflur, which was freely distributed in bulk during the Covid-19 pandemic;

Ingavirin - the only antiviral drug that I trust.

P.S. all photos were taken with my iPhone 11

Thanks to everyone for reading, and I'll see you in the next post!