While encouraging the use of the neuraminidase inhihitors oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza), the new guidelines emphasize that the antivirals amantadine (Symmetrel) and rimantadine (
Flumadine) should not be used for influenza.
While encouraging the use of the neuraminidase inhibitors oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza), the new guidelines emphasize that the antivirals amantadine (Symmetrel) and rimantadine (
Flumadine) should not be used for influenza.
The recommended alternative to zanamivir in patients with laboratory evidence of influenza A, a negative test result, or no testing is the combination of oseltamivir plus rimantadine (
Flumadine).
These include oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) which are susceptible to the H1N1 virus, but other antiviral drugs, such as amantadine (Symmetrel) and rimantadine (
Flumadine), are not.
However, four drugs have been approved to treat people who get the flu: amamadine (Symmetrel), rimantadine (
Flumadine), zanamivir (Relenza), and oseltamivir (Tamiflu).
A December health advisory issued by the CDC recommended that zanamivir or a combination of oseltamivir and rimantadine (
Flumadine) are more appropriate options than oseltamivir alone when influenza A (H1N1) virus infection or exposure is suspected.
government currently stockpiles 2 million doses of Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and 4 million doses of
Flumadine (rimantadine).
This was the topic of a health advisory issued by the CDC in December, which recommended that zanamivir or a combination of oseltamivir and rimantadine (
Flumadine) are more appropriate options than oseltamivir alone when influenza A (H1N1) virus infection or exposure is suspected.
All were susceptible to the other available influenza antiviral drugs: zanamivir (Relenza), amantadine (Symmetrel), and rimantadine (
Flumadine).
However, four drugs have been approved to treat people who get the flu: amantadine (Symmetrel), rimantadine (
Flumadine), zanamivir (Relenza), and oseltamivir (Tamiflu).
Amantadine (Symmetrel) and rimantadine (
Flumadine)--antivirals recommended for use against influenza A-have reduced efficacy against avian influenza, and the same may be true with any other novel strain.
Prophylaxis with amantadine (Symmetrel) and rimantadine (
Flumadine) provides a 60%-70% protection from influenza A illness, but these drugs have a limited use in infants.