Tamiflu - Its role in fighting H5N1 strain : Fine Generics

Tamiflu - Its role in fighting H5N1 strain
Both Type A and Type B viruses of Influenza cause respiratory illness to humans. The disease is contagious and can easily spread from one person to other...

Both Type A and Type B viruses of Influenza cause respiratory illness to humans. The disease is contagious and can easily spread from one person to other.

The influenza virus causes fever, chills aches and pain and also cough and sore throat to the affected person. Some times the virus attack becomes severe and can cause life threatening Pneumonia and secondary bacterial infection that may cause more diseases.

There are a number of anti viral medicines available in the market for treatment and prevention from attack by Type A or Type B influenza virus. We can name a few of them like, amantadine, rimantadine, Relenza etc. Some times Amantadine medicine alone or with other medicines are used for Parkinson's disease.

Amantadine and rimantadine medicines are available in both syrup form and tablet form. These medicines are to be taken orally. However, relenza are available in powder form, which is to be inhaled for treatment and prevention of flu.

But the above is not our main topic of discussions. We shall now discuss about the recent outbreak of Bird flu which has affected humans also and caused panic among the people.

Recently, due to the out break of bird flu, millions of infected domesticated chickens have to be culled in different parts of the world.

Actually it is seen that the out break of this disease, also called Avian Influenza, happen cyclically with the intervals of several years. An expert is of the view that Bird flu trends to happen three four times in a century.

The Bird flu virus is carried by migratory birds and is spread to the domestic fowls by droppings or by other way of the migratory birds and attack the domestic chickens. Now the persons coming into contacts with infected birds are also infected by Bird flu virus. In human body, the virus may mutate to become fatal. Several human deaths have occurred in a few far eastern countries due to the bird flu virus which is known as H5N1 strain.

When a person is attacked by H5N1 strain, he may develop symptoms like fever, sore throat and cough to severe respiratory illness. In fatal case, multiple organ failure may happen.

Both amantadine and rimantadine have been found to be not suitable for treatment of a person attacked by avian influenza. Relenza with proper dose have found to be suitable for treatment but its supply is limited.

Most appropriate medicine for treatment and prevention of a person from the attack of H5N1 strain is Tamiflu whose medical name is Oseltamivir Phosphate.

Normally, Tamiflu is used for treatment against both Type A and Type B Influenza viruses. This medicine, taken orally, attacks the influenza virus and stops it spreading inside the body. Tamiflu is an oral anti viral medicine.

The usual adult dosage for treatment of influenza is 75 mg twice daily for five days, beginning within two days of the appearance of symptoms. For children and persons with renal impairment the dosage is decreased.

However, it has been suggested that Tamiflu should be used with higher doses for treatment of a patient with H5N1 type infection. Also longer duration of therapy with Tamiflu is recommended for the treatment of a person with Avian Influenza.

There is a caution about the doses of Tamiflu for avian influenza in humans. If the dose of Tamiflu is not sufficient, resistance to the medicine may develop in the body making the therapy ineffective.

Although the drug has some side effects like nausea, vomiting, bronchitis, trouble sleeping and dizziness etc it is the most suitable medicine available today for fight against outbreak of bird flu and due to this each country is trying to stockpile.