About Tamiflu
Tamiflu is approved for the treatment of the Influenza virus and also aids from futher spread with in the body, treating flu at its source. Its mechanism of action includes attacking the virus that causes the flu instead of simply masking the symptoms of the flu in adults and children over 1 year of age. It is also indicated as a prophylaxis against the flu.
Tamiflu facts include:
The trade name for Tamiflu is oseltamivir phosphate
Unlike other antiviral flu medications, such as Flumadine and Symmetrel, Tamiflu is effective against both type A and B strains of flu
The drug helps in the reduction of the duration of the flu symptoms by about 1.3 days
This medication is a neuraminidase inhibitor
There is no generic version of Tamiflu available on the market and neither is it available through the NHS.
How does Tamiflu work?
Tamiflu, an antiviral drug, is used in the treatment and prophylaxis of both Influenza virus A and B. A neuraminidase inhibitor, Tamiflu acts as a transition-state analogue inhibitor of influenza neuraminidase, which helps in the prevention of new viruses emerging from infected cells. Tamiflu is the only neuraminidase inhibitor that has been proven to fight against Bird Flu.
Tamiflu was the first commercially developed, orally active neuraminidase inhibitor. Considered a pro-drug, Tamiflu is hydrolysed hepatically to active metabolite, the free carboxylate of oseltamivir.
Tamiflu is indicated for treatment and prevention in people at least one year of age and above. Reports are that Tamiflu may have an adverse effect on infants under the age of one.
Tamiflu Dosages
Tamiflu tablets are available as 75mg capsules and as a 12mg/ml tutti-frutti flavored oral suspension for children who are too young to swallow the pills. Tamiflu can be taken either with or without food. But, there are reduced chances of upset stomach if Tamiflu is taken with a light snack, milk, or a meal. In addition, this drug does not treat other flu-like viral infections, such as the stomach flu, colds, or RSV.
Tamiflu treatment should be started with the first appearance of the flu symptoms or soon after exposure to the flu. If one has the flu then Tamiflu must be taken twice a day for five days. But, if you want to take Tamiflu as a preventive medication against the flu, Tamiflu must be taken once a day for ten days. Tamiflu can be taken for up to six weeks. Do not take two doses at a time to make up for a missed dose.
Tamiflu precautions
Safety and effectiveness of Tamiflu have not been determined in people with chronic heart or lung disease, kidney failure, or in people with other underlying medical conditions. In addition:
Efficacy for Tamiflu has not been established in the treatment of flu-like illnesses caused by any virus other than influenza A and B (e.g., stomach flu, common cold, or other respiratory illnesses not caused by influenza).
Tamiflu is not known to work in other kinds of infections that appear like influenza or occur along with influenza, and need different types of treatment.
Taking Tamiflu should not affect an individual’s decision to have an annual influenza vaccination.
The safety and efficacy of repeated courses of Tamiflu treatment have not been established.
Tamiflu is not indicated for treatment or prevention of the flu in patients less than 1 year of age.
Tamiflu side effects
Vomiting, abdominal pain, epistaxis (nosebleeds), ear disorders, conjunctivitis (pinkeye) and nausea are the most common side effects of Tamiflu. Tamiflu side effects are mostly mild to moderate and are generally presented within the first two days of taking the medication. Sometimes, taking the medication on a full stomach may prevent these side effects.
Severe rash is another side effect of Tamiflu and the medication must be stopped in case this happens.
With Tamiflu, some people are at an increased risk of seizures, confusion, delirium, hallucinations, abnormal behavior, convulsions, and encephalitis.
In order to prevent side effects, it is also essential to tell your healthcare professional about receiving nasally administered influenza virus vaccine during the past two weeks.
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Tamiflu, whose common technical name is oseltamivir, is part of a family of influenza fighting medicines called neuraminidase inhibitors. Tamilflu is used in the healing of infections caused by both the flu A and influenza B viruses. Tamiflu, which requires a prescription, can be used both to treat the influenza if taken soon after symptoms become visible, or to stop the flu. The difference between Tamiflu and a vaccine is that Tamiflu helps your immune system be in a position to fight off the progress of the viral infection, whereas a vaccine is just a straight injection of dead influenza that causes your immune system to produce antibodies to fight off the virus itself.
Tamiflu demand has skyrocketed over the past year for several reasons. There was a shortage of available flu vaccine during influenza season 2005, with in some cases barely enough for senior citizens or those with more susceptible immune conditions being able to get vaccinated. Also, the U.S. government was concerned that an outbreak of bird influenza in the United States could leave the U.S. short on influenza vaccines, causing them to hold back provisions just in case of an outbreak. However, the bird flu is different form human influenza. This is exacly the same scenario as swine influenza these days.
Bird flu is much harder to transmit than human influenza, requiring very close physical contact to spread the virus. Bird flu has been observed in countries where humans and animals are in close contact. There have been approximately 70 deaths worldwide and just about 130 infections since 2005. The primary concern of health officials around the planet is that bird flu will infect a person already carrying the human flu strain, and that the two viruses will somehow swap genetic material, causing the bird influenza to mutate into a virus that spreads much faster through the air, like human flu, only this bug would be more deadly. A highly virulent strain of mutated bird flu could create a pandemic for the world, as did the Spanish influenza virus of the early 1900′s that killed 20 to 50 million people worldwide.
Unfprtunately, swine flu is much closer to the spanish flu than the bird influenza was. We did however learn alot from the bird influenza outbreak that prepared us for what is certain to be a sever pandemic of the swine influenza.
The bird influenza is linked with the influenza A strain H5N1 influenza bug. Although not the same as the Spanish flu virus, the current avian flu strain does share many similarities with the Spanish flu strain. Initial studies have shown that Tamiflu may be effectual in helping to fight the effects of this flu virus if the medicine is taken very early after flu symptoms become visible. As a result, the demand for Tamiflu has skyrocketed as customers have rushed to their doctors to obtain prescriptions and gone on the internet to buy the drug from online pharmacies.
Comparable findings have been recognized with the swine influenza. When Tamiflu is taken very early on it does appear to have a popsitive effect in combating the bug.
A Swiss drug maker, F. Hoffman La-Roche Ltd., at present has a tight hold on the manufacturing of Tamiflu. Biolyse Pharma Corp., when turned down in its bid to try to enter the Tamiflu marketplace, had decided as of December of 2005 to attempt to mass produce several tons of shikimic acid, which is the main ingredient in Tamiflu, from the needles of discarded Christmas trees, as well as other pine, fir, and spruce trees. Such trees are the main source of shikimic acid.
Oseltamivir, sold under the brand name Tamiflu, is one of several medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the healing and prevention of influenza. The CDC has announced that a swine flu vaccine should be available fall 2009.
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Being well informed about the influenza symptoms is very vital as influenza can be threatening if it is untreated. Certainly by understand the influenza symptoms earlier, you can take a proper expert to stop and heal the illness earlier.
Almost in each year, there are many people suffer from influenza. Ironically, the influenza disease develops to an irreversible condition as most people try to find help when the influenza symptoms become bad. The number of people who are infected by influenza virus can be decreased if this kind of disease is treated earlier.
What are the Early Influenza Symptoms?
When you get the symptoms, you may find it is tricky to identify whether the symptoms are related to influenza or not. Usually, the early indicators of influenza are tricky to make sure as they come into view in milder form.
Generally, the influenza symptoms appear much clearer during the later phase. However, it would still be helpful to be aware of about the early influenza symptoms so you would understand what to do or what to expect.
The near the beginning influenza indicators appear suddenly and are often perceived as insignificant. Though, they are still considered to be early influenza symptoms since they unexpectedly conjure out of nowhere.
At the early phases of influenza illness, the signs that are commonly undergone include body aches, pain upon the movement of your eyes, fever of 100F to 104F, muscle pains, and general fatigue. Go to your doctor immediately if you feel any of these signs especially during the cold season.
What are the Late Influenza Symptoms?
Typically, the late influenza symptoms appear as the severe form of the early indicators. The fever reaches higher degrees and may come and go at any time of the day and is continuous in pattern. The pain and fatigue you feel will also worsen as the influenza symptoms enter the late phase.
If you get influenza, you’ll also undergo headaches that may get worse. In addition, you’ll also experience a dry sore throat or a runny nose. As the fever goes away, most of the symptoms become more evident particularly when the diagnosis of influenza is made.
Thus, knowing the earlier influenza symptoms will be very necessary for you. This will give you enough time to get rid of the illness as well as stay away from the later stage of the illness. What’s more, keep your eyes opened to the symptoms of this deadly virus.
Do you want to uplift your knowledge about influenza symptoms? There is no better way for getting it unless finding it more here!
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What is influenza and how is it caused?
Influenza, also known as the flu, is a viral infection that primarily affects the respiratory tract. Its symptoms include fever, runny nose, stuffed up nose, fatigue, headache, cough, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, and achy muscles and joints. Not only is the flu contagious, it could become severe and even prove to be fatal if left untreated.
The flu is largely caused by three types of viruses, that is the influenza virus A, B and C. Type A is responsible for the deadly influenza pandemics while type B causes less significant, more localized outbreaks. Meanwhile, type C is less common and causes only mild symptoms. Capable of passing from person to person by airborne transmission (i.e., sneezing or coughing), the virus is also known to survive on objects for a short period of time. Therefore, influenza can spread through touch too. Moreover, the influenza virus can also spread by inhaling droplets that have been coughed or sneezed out by an infected person or by coming in direct contact with an infected person’s secretions.
Is Tamiflu an effective antiviral drug for Bird Flu?
Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) the drug in use, blocks the influenza virus from spreading between the body cells. As a consequence, this antiviral drug is used in the treatment and prophylaxis of both Influenza virus A and B infections. Oseltamivir, a neuraminidase inhibitor, first and foremost acts as a transition-state analogue inhibitor of influenza neuraminidase, preventing progeny versions from becoming detached from infected cells.
The first orally active neuraminidase inhibitor to be commercially developed, Tamiflu (Oseltamivir), is a prodrug that is hydrolysed hepatically to active metabolites. Developed by US-based Gilead Sciences and currently being marketed by Hoffmann–La Roche (Roche) under the trade name Tamiflu, this drug is generally available by prescription only.
Why Tamiflu?
It is essential to buy Tamiflu because:
It is recommended for use during infections with flu viruses A and B
It eases various ailments like weakness, cough, headache, fever, sore throat that accompany the flu affliction
It can prevent the onset of flu even when the patient has been exposed to the virus
Oseltamivir, a neuraminidase inhibitor, serves as an aggressive inhibitor for sialic acid that is found on the surface proteins of normal host cells; Tamiflu, in fact, prevents new viral particles from being released by infected cells.
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