Research Assesses Use Of Tamiflu, Relenza To Prevent Flu

Two common anti-influenza drugs — Relenza and Tamiflu — appear equally effective at preventing common flu symptoms when given before infection, say researchers from the Stanford University School of Medicine. However, data is lacking on the effectiveness and safety of the two drugs in vulnerable groups such as the very young and people with compromised immune systems.

The researchers pooled and analyzed the data from seven previously published studies because countries around the world are stockpiling these and other drugs for possible use in the current H1N1 pandemic, as well as for future influenza pandemics. Their results were published in the Annals of Internal Medicine on Aug. 4.

Together, the studies, published between 1999 and 2007, indicated that individuals treated with either of the drugs were less likely to develop symptomatic influenza (that is, to both test positive for influenza infection in laboratory tests and to experience flu symptoms like fever, headache, muscle aches and coughing) than did those who had received the placebo. Those who received the drugs were, however, no less likely to become infected. The two drugs are best known for their ability to reduce or shorten flu symptoms in already-infected individuals.

Read more…..

Comments

Comments are closed.