Likvaid (Broncho-Vaxom): An Immunological Preparation for Preventing Recurrent Colds and Cough
Likvaid capsules (Broncho-Vaxom), produced by the Swiss company OM Pharma, are a bacterial lysate preparation used mainly for immunotherapy. They can prevent recurrent respiratory tract infections and acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, and may also be used as adjunctive medication in the treatment of acute respiratory infections. Likvaid comes in two formulations—one for adults and one for children—so buyers should carefully check the specification when purchasing. Although it is an imported drug, Likvaid is not expensive.
Likvaid capsules contain freeze-dried lysates of the following bacteria: Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella ozaenae, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus viridans, and Neisseria catarrhalis (Moraxella catarrhalis). In addition, it contains the antioxidant E310, glutamic acid, the dye E132, and capsule excipients.
Likvaid is intended for immunocompromised individuals, especially patients with chronic diseases prone to recurrent respiratory infections. Some cancer patients fall into this category; certain children with neuroblastoma, leukemia patients, and lymphoma patients are also susceptible to recurrent respiratory tract infections. They catch colds easily and, once a cold starts, cough persistently. Likvaid can reduce the frequency of respiratory infections in such patients, improve their quality of life, and also lower mortality due to difficult-to-control infections.
In experimental animals, Likvaid enhances resistance to infection. It stimulates macrophages and B lymphocytes and increases immunoglobulin secretion in the respiratory mucosa. In humans, Likvaid accelerates T-lymphocyte circulation, raises salivary SigA levels, enhances the nonspecific response to polyclonal mitogens, and strengthens the mixed reaction of allogeneic lymphocytes.
Thus Likvaid effectively raises the infection-resistance level of immunocompromised individuals and can reduce antibiotic use. When patients with respiratory tract infections use Likvaid alongside antibiotics, the treatment course is also shortened and antibiotic consumption reduced.
Likvaid has few side effects and serious adverse reactions are rare; the overall incidence of adverse reactions is in the range of 3–4%. The most common adverse reactions include gastrointestinal disturbances (nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting), skin reactions (rash, urticaria), respiratory discomfort (cough, dyspnea, asthma), and some general complaints (fever, fatigue, allergic reactions). Serious adverse reactions are rare.
The recommended regimen is one capsule taken orally on an empty stomach daily for 10 consecutive days each month, with three months constituting one course. That is: take for 10 days, stop for 20 days; take for 10 days, stop for 20 days; take for 10 days, stop for 20 days. Patients with variant asthma, lymphoma, chronic bronchitis, or immunocompromised advanced cancer may continue for more than two years, or as directed by a physician. By reducing infection frequency, Likvaid effectively improves patients' quality of life, prolongs survival, and lowers treatment costs for those with recurrent infections.
Likvaid is not recommended for infants under 6 months of age, and patients allergic to it should not take it long-term.