SWINE FLU DRUG INFORMATION AND USER REVIEWS
Only two drugs are approved for treating 2009 Influenza A (Swine Flu or H1N1) virus: Tamiflu and Relenza. Both of these drugs are in a class of drugs called neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs). Neuraminidase is a protein on the surface of an influenza virus that helps it spread the virus to other cells. NAIs can help stop that protein from infecting other cells. Both drugs can help shorten the duration of flu symptoms, such as fever, chills, muscle aches, headache, congestion, and cough. However, it is important that the drug treatment begin within 2 days of when the symptoms of the Flu begin.
This article provides an overview of what each drug does, where to get warnings and FDA information, and highlights and analysis of the ratings received for Tamiflu on Askapatient.com.
TAMIFLU (oseltamivir phosphate) by Roche Pharmaceuticals,
is available as a capsule or in a liquid (oral suspension) formulation. The capsule form was approved by the FDA October 27, 1999, and the liquid formulation was approved December 14, 2000. Tamiflu is more frequently prescribed than Relenza and is approved for patients over the age of 1. This drug was widely used in 2005 during the avian flu outbreak in Japan and other parts of southeast Asia. When Tamiflu is used to treat flu symptoms, it is usually taken two times a day (morning and evening) for 5 days. When oseltamivir is used to prevent flu, it is usually taken once a day for at least 10 days, or for up to 6 weeks during a community flu outbreak.
RELENZA (zanamivir) by Glaxo Smithkline, is available as a powder to inhale (breathe in) by mouth. Zanamivir comes with a plastic inhaler called a Diskhaler (device for inhaling powder) and five Rotadisks (circular foil blister packs each containing four blisters of medication). It is only approved for patients over the age of 7. It was approved by the FDA July 26, 1999. Manufacturer information is at Relenza.com
read more here: http://www.askapatient.com/research/swinefludrugs.htm
People Speak Out About The Bad Side Effects Of Tamiflu
http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=21087&name=TAMIFLU&sort=satisfaction&order=1&page=1
