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Amidst all the fear and threat swine flu has been causing, Tamiflu has emerged as a harbinger that can protect lives. What is Tamiflu and how does it help?
Pandemic swine flu virus is sensitive to the antiviral drugs Tamiflu and Relenza. The drugs are most effective when taken within 48 hours of the start of flu symptoms. But not everyone needs those drugs and most people who have been infected with swine flu have recovered without treatment. Tamiflu or Relenza may also be used as a preventive measure. The CDC recommends this "can be considered" for people at high risk of severe flu illness who come into close contact with someone who has the flu.
Tamiflu serves as a competitive inhibitor towards sialic acid which is found on the surface proteins of normal host cells. Tamiflu prevents new viral particles from being released by infected cells by smartly blocking the activity of the neuraminidase.
Tamiflu is a medication that blocks the actions of influenza virus types A and B in the body. It is an active component used to treat flu symptoms caused by influenza virus in patients who have had symptoms for less than 2 days. It may also be administered to people who are exposed to the virus to prevent them from catching it. Tamiflu will not treat the common cold; it is an antiviral and it works by stopping the flu virus from reproducing within the body.
It is a known fact that viruses cannot thrive or reproduce by themselves -they need a host to survive, multiply and spread.
Tamiflu interferes with the reproduction of the flu virus by inhibiting an enzyme called neuraminidase.
When it is blocked from working, the flu virus has a hard time multiplying and spreading into the bloodstream. The less flu viruses circulating in the system, the better one feels.
* Warnings/Precautions
* Tamiflu should not be used in place of getting a yearly flu shot. The Centers for Disease Control recommends an annual flu shot to help protect you each year from new strains of influenza virus.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to Tamiflu.
Before taking Tamiflu, tell your doctor if you have used a nasal flu vaccine (FluMist) within the past 2 weeks, or if you have:
* kidney disease;
* heart disease;
* lung disease;
* a condition causing swelling or disorder of the brain; or
* any other serious disease or health problem.
If you have any of the conditions listed above, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether Tamiflu passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not take this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give this medication to a child younger than 1 year old.
* Possible Side Effects
* Stop using Tamiflu and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat; a red and blistering or peeling skin rash. Some people using Tamiflu have had rare side effects of sudden confusion, delirium, hallucinations, unusual behavior, or self-injury. These symptoms have occurred most often in children. It is not known whether Tamiflu was the exact cause of these symptoms. However, anyone using Tamiflu should be watched closely for signs of confusion or unusual behavior. Call a doctor at once if you or the child using Tamiflu has any of these symptoms.
Less serious side effects may include:
* nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
* dizziness, headache;
* nosebleed;
* eye redness or discomfort;
* sleep problems (insomnia); or
* cough or other respiratory symptoms.
* Usual Adult Dose for Influenza Prophylaxis:
75 mg orally once a day
Usual Adult Dose for Influenza:
75 mg orally twice a day for 5 days
Usual Adult Dose for Avian Influenza:
Postexposure prophylaxis: 75 mg orally once or twice a day for 7 to 10 days. Treatment: Mild infection: 75 mg orally twice a day for 5 days. Severe infection: 150 mg twice a day for 7 to 10 days. Limited data are available.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Influenza: Children 1 to 12 years (15 kg or less): 30 mg orally twice a day for 5 days, (16 to 23 kg): 45 mg orally twice a day for 5 days, (24 to 40 kg): 60 mg orally twice a day for 5 days, (41 kg or more): 75 mg orally twice a day for 5 days
13 years or older: 75 mg orally twice a day for 5 days
Usual Pediatric Dose for Influenza Prophylaxis:
1 to 12 years: (15 kg or less) 30 mg orally once a day for 10 days, (16 to 23 kg) 45 mg orally once a day for 10 days, (24 to 40 kg) 60 mg orally once a day for 10 days, (41 kg or more) 75 mg orally once a day for 10 days 13 years or older: 75 mg orally once a day
Usual Pediatric Dose for Avian Influenza: Mild infection: Children 1 to 12 years: (15 kg or less) 30 mg orally twice a day, (16 to 23 kg) 45 mg orally twice a day, (24 to 40 kg) 60 mg orally twice a day, (41 kg or more) 75 mg orally twice a day 13 years or older: 75 mg orally twice a day
* For flu treatment: When taken within two days of experiencing symptoms, TAMIFLU works by helping to stop the flu virus from spreading inside the body by cutting off its reproductive strength.
* For flu prevention: When you have been exposed to someone with the flu, taking TAMIFLU can help keep the virus from making you sick
* In flu treatment studies of patients who took TAMIFLU within 48 hours of the first appearance of symptoms, the floowing were the results seen:
Adults felt better 30 percent faster (1.3 days) than flu patients who did not take TAMIFLU
Children felt better up to 26 percent faster (1.5 days) than flu patients who did not take TAMIFLU
TAMIFLU is available in pill form
* TAMIFLU is also available in a fruitflavored liquid form with a dosing dispenser for children 1 year and older and for adults who have difficulty swallowing the capsule.
* TAMIFLU can be taken with or without food. Just like with many medicines, if you take TAMIFLU with a light snack, milk, or a meal, the potential for an upset stomach may be reduced a great deal.
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