Tilorone is the first recognized synthetic

Chemical synthesis

In chemistry, chemical synthesis is purposeful execution of chemical reactions to get a product, or several products. This happens by physical and chemical manipulations usually involving one or more reactions...

, small molecular weight compound that is an orally active interferon

Interferon

Interferons are proteins made and released by host cells in response to the presence of pathogens—such as viruses, bacteria, or parasites—or tumor cells. They allow communication between cells to trigger the protective defenses of the immune system that eradicate pathogens or tumors.IFNs belong to...

 inducer. It is used as an antiviral drug

Antiviral drug

Antiviral drugs are a class of medication used specifically for treating viral infections. Like antibiotics for bacteria, specific antivirals are used for specific viruses...

.

History

Tilorone was developed in the 1970s by the RICHARDSON MERRELL INC (US Patent 3592819, Filed Dec. 30, 1968, Ser. No. 788,038) and resynthesized in th USSR in the Physico-Chemical Institute of the Academy of Sciences of UkrSSR by Ludmila A. Litvinova and coworkers ( 1975-1976). In the USSR it's antiviral and interferon inducing properties were investigated in the DI Ivanovski Institute of virology AMS (Moscow) by Felix I. Ershov and coworkers (1980 - 1986) resulted with 1st phase clinical trials in 1987-1988 (anti-HAV, Moscow), 2nd phase clinical trials in 1989-1991 (anti influenca), 3rd phase 1993 - 1995. In 1996 it was approved by Pharmacological committee of RF for the viral infections therapeutics and prophylaxis (flu, hepatitis A, B, herpes simplex).
It has been widely used in Ukraine since March 2005. It is produced by InterChem, based in Odessa

Odessa

Odessa or Odesa is the administrative center of the Odessa Oblast located in southern Ukraine. The city is a major seaport located on the northwest shore of the Black Sea and the fourth largest city in Ukraine with a population of 1,029,000 .The predecessor of Odessa, a small Tatar settlement,...

.

Pharmacology

Tilorone activates the production of interferon.

According to the results of clinical tests, conducted in Kiev

Kiev

Kiev or Kyiv is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine, located in the north central part of the country on the Dnieper River. The population as of the 2001 census was 2,611,300. However, higher numbers have been cited in the press....

, the efficacy of prophylactic action of tilorone was 93.7%.

Uses

Tilorone is used for different viral diseases: influenza

Influenza

Influenza, commonly referred to as the flu, is an infectious disease caused by RNA viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae , that affects birds and mammals...

, hepatitis

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is a medical condition defined by the inflammation of the liver and characterized by the presence of inflammatory cells in the tissue of the organ. The name is from the Greek hepar , the root being hepat- , meaning liver, and suffix -itis, meaning "inflammation"...

, herpes, diarrhea

Diarrhea

Diarrhea , also spelled diarrhoea, is the condition of having three or more loose or liquid bowel movements per day. It is a common cause of death in developing countries and the second most common cause of infant deaths worldwide. The loss of fluids through diarrhea can cause dehydration and...

 and others. In addition, it is used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the fatty myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and spinal cord are damaged, leading to demyelination and scarring as well as a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms...

, urinary tract infections and other viral and autoimmune diseases.