Arbidol is a broad-spectrum antiviral compound developed in USSR in 1974. International nonproprietary name — umifenovir.
Arbidol demonstrates activity against a number of enveloped and non-enveloped viruses. It is used for the prevention and treatment of influenza and other acute respiratory viral infections in adults and children. Arbidol may also be immunomodulatory, and as such be capable of interferon induction and/or macrophage activation.
The study during the 2010-2011 influenza season in Russia provided experimental and clinical evidence of the efficacy of umifenovir against influenza viruses. The treatment of influenza-infected patients within 48 hours of symptom onset with umifenovir was associated with a significant decrease in the duration of illness (2–3 days) and symptoms (p < 0.001).
Arbidol has a proven effect on influenza A and B viruses (including "swine" and "avian"), parainfluenza, coronavirus, as well as other major causative agents of respiratory infections (rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus); active with rotavirus infection.