Immunoxel (Dzherelo) vs Imunofan
Ukrainian botanical immunomodulator that supercharges tuberculosis treatment and restores immune function in HIV patients
Synthetic hexapeptide derived from thymopoietin with immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective properties
Written by Michael Carroll — Owner, Director of Research · Reviewed by the Peptide Initiative Research Team · Editorial standards
Quick comparison
Dose range
Immunoxel (Dzherelo)
30–50 drops
Imunofan
45–45 mcg
Frequency
Immunoxel (Dzherelo)
Multiple times daily
Imunofan
Once daily
Administration
Immunoxel (Dzherelo)
Oral (liquid drops)
Imunofan
Subcutaneous injection
Cycle length
Immunoxel (Dzherelo)
8-12 weeks
Imunofan
8-12 weeks
Onset speed
Immunoxel (Dzherelo)
Moderate (1-2 weeks)
Imunofan
Rapid (hours to days)
Evidence level
Immunoxel (Dzherelo)
Moderate human trials (Phase 1-2)
Imunofan
Limited human trials
Benefit ratings
TB Treatment Enhancement
Immune Restoration
Infection Prevention
Immune
Healing & Recovery
Anti-Aging
Compound specifications
Immunoxel (Dzherelo)
Molecular formula
N/A — multi-component herbal phytoconcentrate
Molecular weight
N/A — complex botanical mixture of multiple plant compounds
Half-life
Not precisely characterized; immunomodulatory effects develop over days to weeks of consistent dosing
Bioavailability
Good oral and sublingual bioavailability; sublingual lozenges shown equivalent to twice-daily oral liquid
CAS number
Proprietary combination
Imunofan
Molecular formula
C36H61N13O10
Molecular weight
836.0 g/mol
Half-life
Approximately 2-4 hours (intranasal administration)
Bioavailability
~90-95% (subcutaneous injection)
CAS number
Not assigned (Russian pharmacopeia compound)
Dosing compared
Immunoxel (Dzherelo)
Oral
30-50 drops (approx. 1-2 mL) of liquid concentrate
Twice daily · 1-6 months alongside anti-TB therapy
Dose used as adjunct immunotherapy with standard anti-tuberculosis treatment in clinical trials [3]; meta-analysis supports adjunctive benefit [1].
Sublingual
1 lozenge/pastille (equivalent to the twice-daily oral liquid dose)
Once daily · 1-6 months alongside anti-TB therapy
Sublingual formulation clinically validated as equivalent to twice-daily oral liquid in TB patients [2].
Imunofan
Subcutaneous
45 mcg per dose
Once daily or every other day · Course of 5-15 injections (about 10-30 days)
Standard injectable dose per the Russian pharmacopeia product label; the single subcutaneous dose is 45 mcg with a maximum daily dose of 45 mcg. Given in courses depending on the indication [1][5].
Intramuscular
45 mcg per dose
Once daily or every other day · Course of 5-15 injections (about 10-30 days)
Same 45 mcg single dose can be given intramuscularly; identical course structure to the subcutaneous route [1][5].
Intranasal
50 mcg per dose (one spray in each nostril)
Once to twice daily · 8-15 days per course
Intranasal spray delivers 50 mcg per dose; one dose into each nasal passage once daily for 8-10 days, or twice daily for 10-15 days for certain indications [5].
Best suited for
Immunoxel (Dzherelo)
Tuberculosis Adjunct Treatment
Immunoxel's strongest evidence is as an add-on to standard TB drugs. A meta-analysis of 6 clinical trials found patients receiving Immunoxel were 3.19 times more likely to become sputum-negative compared to TB drugs alone. In one study, 84.1% of patients converted within 1 month versus only 19% on placebo.
HIV/TB Coinfection Immune Support
For patients battling both HIV and TB simultaneously, Immunoxel offers remarkable immune benefits. Clinical trials showed CD4+ T-cell counts increased by 71.2% in just 2 months, viral load decreased significantly, and opportunistic infections dropped from 12 episodes to just 3 compared to standard therapy alone.
Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis Support
Immunoxel has been studied in multidrug-resistant (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR-TB) patients where standard treatments often struggle. Its immune-boosting effects help the body fight TB even when the bacteria resist front-line drugs.
Imunofan
Cancer Adjuvant Therapy
Imunofan enhances the body's reserve capacity to inactivate free radicals and oxidants during chemotherapy and radiation, substantially reducing toxic reactions and enabling continuity of cancer treatment. [1] Its unique ability to inhibit multiple drug resistance proteins may also improve chemotherapy drug effectiveness [3].
Chronic Viral Hepatitis
With established hepatoprotective properties and immune-restoring capabilities, Imunofan is used as adjunctive therapy in chronic hepatitis B and C, helping restore antiviral immunity and supporting liver function recovery [1].
Chronic Infections with Immunodepression
Patients with chronic infections (brucellosis, opportunistic infections in HIV) who display cell-mediated immunodepression may benefit from Imunofan's three-phase immune restoration, particularly the sustained slow-phase effect lasting up to 4 months [1][6].
Oxidative Stress Reduction
The rapid antioxidant phase makes Imunofan valuable for conditions involving elevated oxidative stress, as it directly inactivates free radicals and peroxide compounds while restoring the body's oxidative-antioxidant balance [1].
Side effects
Immunoxel (Dzherelo)
Common
- Well-tolerated in most patients
- Mild gastrointestinal discomfort
Uncommon
- Temporary taste changes
- Mild allergic skin reactions
- Mild headache
Serious
- Potential herb-drug interactions
Imunofan
Common
- Injection site reaction
- Transient headache
- Nasal irritation (intranasal form)
- Transient mild fever
- Mild fatigue
- Gastrointestinal discomfort (suppository form)
Uncommon
- Allergic reaction
Serious
- Anaphylactic reaction / Severe hypersensitivity
Safety & evidence
Immunoxel (Dzherelo)
Evidence level
Moderate human trials (Phase 1-2)
FDA status
Research compound
Safety overview
Immunoxel has demonstrated a favorable safety profile across multiple clinical trials involving hundreds of patients with TB and TB/HIV coinfection. No serious adverse events have been reported in published studies. It is approved by Ukraine's Ministry of Health and has been used clinically since the late 1980s. Side effects are generally mild and gastrointestinal in nature.
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to any of the plant ingredients in the formulation
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding (insufficient safety data)
- Severe liver disease (contains alcohol-based extract)
- Use as sole therapy for TB or HIV (must be combined with standard treatment)
Imunofan
Evidence level
Limited human trials
FDA status
Research compound
Safety overview
Imunofan (Iletin-alpha, a synthetic tetrapeptide) demonstrates good tolerability in Russian clinical practice spanning 20+ years [7] with oral and parenteral administration. Immunomodulatory peptides carry theoretical risks of over-stimulating autoimmune responses, but Imunofan safety data show no increased autoimmune flare rates in patients with existing autoimmune conditions. Injection site reactions and mild fever (1-3% of users) are the documented adverse events, not immunotoxicity. The mechanism of enhanced T-cell maturation appears selective and safe at therapeutic doses.
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to imunofan or excipients
- Pregnancy complicated by Rh-conflict (contraindicated)
- Children under 2 years of age
- Severe allergic conditions in acute exacerbation
Which is right for you?
Choose Immunoxel (Dzherelo) if...
- Adjunct immunotherapy alongside tuberculosis treatment
- Immune restoration in HIV/TB coinfected patients
- Reducing opportunistic infection rates
- Supporting overall immune function during infectious disease treatment
Choose Imunofan if...
- Immune system restoration and modulation
- Adjunctive therapy during chemotherapy and radiation
- Support during chronic hepatitis treatment
- Reducing oxidative stress and free radical damage