I fell ill and I’m trying to find something antiviral at an Italian pharmacy. In Russia I used Ingavirin (ингавирин) or Arbidol (арбидол), but here I don’t know what the equivalent is. Vitamin D and C are clear — those are available everywhere. But I need something specifically antiviral to boost immunity and speed up recovery. I can’t explain to the pharmacist what I’m looking for — does anyone know what people take here instead?
Well, there’s simply no equivalent to Arbidol — such drugs aren’t recognized in European medicine, and a pharmacist won’t understand what you’re looking for. Say “ho l’influenza” or “raffreddore” and they’ll pick what you need themselves; they usually gave me Tachipirina (paracetamol) for fever plus something symptomatic. Oscillococcinum is also available in every pharmacy — formally homeopathic, but Italians take it as an antiviral; if you specifically want “something for the immune system,” this is it.
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