Swine flu
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Tamiflu and swine flu
The influenza virus (e.g swine flu) has a gene that is responsible for
making a protein called neuraminidase which helps the virus to escape the
cell it has just infected so it can attack another cell in the body. Tamiflu
is a drug that blocks the action of neuraminidase and so inhibits the spread
of flu virus from one cell to another. Tamiflu has to be taken early on
in the course of an infection to stand a good chance of working well. It
can also be taken prophylactically to limit the spread of virus in the body.
Tamiflu is the trade name for the antiviral drug Oseltamivir. According
to Wikipedia, Oseltamivir is "an antiviral drug, a neuraminidase inhibitor
used in the treatment and prophylaxis of both influenza A and influenza
B. Oseltamivir was the first orally active neuraminidase inhibitor commercially
developed. It was developed by Gilead Sciences and is currently marketed
by Hoffman-La Roche (Roche) under the trade name Tamiflu®."
Oseltamivir is indicated for the treatment and prevention of infections
due to influenza A and B virus in people at least one year of age. The usual
adult dosage for treatment of influenza is 75 mg twice daily for 5 days,
beginning within 2 days of the appearance of symptoms and with decreased
doses for children and patients with renal impairment. Oseltamivir may be
given as a preventive measure either during a community outbreak of swine
flu or following close contact with an infected individual.
Standard prophylactic dosage is 75 mg once daily for patients aged 13 and
older, which has been shown to be safe and effective for up to six weeks.
The importance of early treatment of swine flu is that the NA protein inhibition
is more effective within the first 48 hours. If the virus has replicated
and infected many cells the effectiveness of this medication will be severely
diminished, especially over time.
Some people experience side effects after taking Tamiflu. For more news
and information on this subject please see our "Side
effects of Tamiflu" page.
Roche may be establishing partnerships around the world to increase Tamiflu
production, but experts suggest that if--or when--a pandemic breaks out,
it may be nearly impossible to acquire the drug.
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tamiflu - Google News
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Fri, 26 Feb 2010 01:12:19 GMT+00:00
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