Bird Flu Vaccines and Drugs against H5N1 Avian Influenza 

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) - Vaccines and Drugs

Vaccine development

Currently no vaccine is available to protect humans against the current H5N1 virus but vaccine development efforts are under way in several countries. However, as the vaccine needs to closely match the pandemic virus, large-scale commercial production will not start until the new virus has emerged and no vaccines are expected to be widely available until several months after the start of a pandemic.

Tamiflu®, known as oseltamivir, is currently considered as the most effective antiviral drug available for avian influenza. This drug, produced by Roche, is recommended by the WHO to be stockpiled in preparation for a flu pandemic. Tamiflu® does not cure a flu infection but might prevent illness from developing.

Bird Flu Antiviral Drugs: Tamiflu® / Relenza® / Symmetrel®

Tamiflu® (Oseltamivir)

Tamiflu® Information

Tamiflu® is a drug with generic name of Oseltamivir. It is a drug belonging to the family of antivirals. Anti-virus drugs such as Tamiflu® are used to treat diseases that are caused by viruses thus, the name antiviral.

Tamiflu® Indications

Tamiflu® is indicated for the treatment of viral infections especially flu viruses. Tamiflu® can treat influenza A and influenza B.

Tamiflu® can also decrease the ailments that occur together with flu such as weakness, headache, cough, fever and sore throat in just the first day of intake.

Tamiflu® can also prevent the onset of flu even if you have been exposed to people who have it.

Tamiflu® Warnings

Before deciding to take Tamiflu®, tell your doctor if you have known or unknown allergies to Tamiflu®'s components as you may be advised not to take Tamiflu®.

Tamiflu® has not been tested on pregnant women yet but animals studies have shown that Tamiflu® can cause birth defects on the animals that were tested. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, do not take Tamiflu® or buy Tamiflu® without first consulting your doctor.

Tamiflu® passes into the breast milk of nursing mothers and it is fairly safe to breast feed an infant provided that you first discuss with your doctor the risks and odds of breast feeding.

Before taking Tamiflu®, if you have any of the following medical conditions, it is best that you first inform your doctor about it as having them may affect the effect of Tamiflu® on your body:

• Heart problems
• Kidney ailments
• Other viral infections aside from Influenza A or Influenza B.
• Lung Problems
• Liver diseases
• Other serious medical problems that need constant medical attention

Tamiflu® Intake Guidelines

Take Tamiflu® as exactly directed by your doctor. Never deviate from your doctor's instructions on how to take Tamiflu®.

Tamiflu® can be taken with or without food as it is not a stomach irritant. But if Tamiflu® is taken with food, the lesser are the chances of stomach upsets.

Tamiflu® can be taken for a minimum of 5 days and the taking of Tamiflu® should not be abruptly ceased even if the patient begins to feel better. The patient should continue with Tamiflu® until the duration specified by the doctor as this would help clear out the infection more efficiently.

If you are using the oral suspension of Tamiflu®, be sure to accurately measure the exact doses of Tamiflu® through a dose-measuring cup or spoon to prevent Overdosage. Also make sure the bottle containing the Tamiflu® suspension is shaken well before use to disperse and mix the contents of Tamiflu® well.

Before you buy Tamiflu®, the expiration dates on the Tamiflu® medicine should also first be checked before taking it as taking an expired medicine may do you more harm than good.

Tamiflu® Dosage

For the treatment of Influenza, the dosage of Tamiflu® is:

• 75 mg of Tamiflu® for adults to be taken twice a day for up to five days
• 30-75 mg of Tamiflu® for children to be taken twice a day for up to five days. The exact dose of Tamiflu® is usually dependent upon the body weight and other factors determined by your doctor.
• The dose of Tamiflu® for infants must be determined by a pediatrician.

For the prophylactic treatment of influenza with Tamiflu®, the dosage is:

• 75 mg of Tamiflu® for adults to be taken once a day for up to 7 days
• The dosage of Tamiflu® for children must be determined by a pediatrician.

The recommended oral dose of Tamiflu® oral suspension for pediatric patients 1 year and older or adult patients who cannot swallow a capsule is:

Tamiflu® Overdose

There are no data about the symptoms of Tamiflu® overdose but if you suspect Tamiflu® overdose and notice anything of the unusual, immediately seek emergency medical attention.

Tamiflu® Missed Dose

The effects of Tamiflu® can only be fully felt when Tamiflu® is continuously taken at a regular interval. If possible, it should be ensured that no dose of Tamiflu® is missed. However, if it unavoidable that a dose of Tamiflu® is missed, you should take the dose you missed as soon as you remember provided that it is not near the time for the next dose. Never take the missed dose of Tamiflu® two hours (or earlier) before the next dose of Tamiflu®. Do not take double doses of Tamiflu®.

Tamiflu® Side Effects

Taking Tamiflu® may entail some unwanted side effects. The side effects of Tamiflu® may range from mild to severe. These are the side effects associated with Tamiflu®:

• Cough
• Phlegm production
• Wheezing
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Stomach cramps
• Stomach upsets
• Nosebleed (frequently and most commonly occurring in children)
• Itching of eyes
• Redness of eyes
• Skin flushing
• Swelling of eyes and excessive production of tears
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Insomnia
• Dizziness

Other side effects of Tamiflu® aside from these may also occur aside from the ones mentioned above and if you experience any of these side effects and if they become intolerable and bothersome immediately discontinue use of Tamiflu® and ask your doctor on what to do next.

Tamiflu® Drug Reactions

Always inform your doctor of the drugs you are taking, may they be prescription or non-prescription drugs.

Drugs that may adversely interact with Tamiflu® are the drugs containing Probenecid. Combining Tamiflu® and drugs containing Probenecid may result in higher blood levels for patients.

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Relenza® (Zanamivir)

Relenza® Information

Relenza® is a type of medicine called neuraminidase inhibitor and its main use is in treating infections caused by flu (influenza virus). Such infections are contagious (usually they are transmitted by coughing and sneezing) and affect mostly the respiratory system. Influenza virus spreads quickly from one cell to another due to an enzyme called neuraminidase. With the active ingredient zanamivir, Relenza® binds to the neuraminidase on the surface of the virus cell, which determines the virus to be unable to spread to any other cells. The symptoms of the flu become less severe and the immune system fights stronger against the virus. By using Relenza®, the duration of the illness is shortened by one day.

Relenza® is mostly recommended for people in risk of getting complications from the flu, including old people or persons suffering from severe respiratory disease, heart disease, kidney problems, diabetes or just have a weakened immune system.

Relenza® has proved efficient for the patients that have developed symptoms for less than 2 days.

Relenza® may also be used for other purposes than the ones mentioned above.

Relenza® Warnings

You should always inform your physician about any possible allergies you may had experienced to one or any of Relenza® ingredients.

Relenza® is not recommended for people suffering from asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) or any other chronic lung disease. If you find yourself in any of these situations you should talk to your doctor before starting treatment with Relenza®. Also, treatment with Relenza® should be stopped immediately if you develop illnesses like bronchospasm or decreased lung function.

It is not known what the effects of using Relenza® may be on an unborn baby. It is also not known whether it passes into breast milk, so if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, you should talk to your physician before starting treatment with Relenza®. Also, there were no studies made upon the effects of Relenza® on children under seven years of age, so it is recommended to confirm it with your doctor.

There is no known interaction between Relenza® and other medicine, but its best to confirm it with your doctor if you are taking any other drugs. If you combine the use of Relenza® with other medicines taken by inhalation, especially relievers like salbutamol and terbutaline, it is recommended you use them first. You should also keep your reliever inhaler at hand in case you may encounter shortness of breath.

Relenza® Side Effects

Because Relenza® may cause allergic reactions, you should immediately stop treatment and seek emergency medical attention in case such effect may occur. Allergic reactions caused by Relenza® may vary between difficulty breathing, closing of the throat, swelling of the lips, tong and face or hives. In patients with asthma or COPD may also occur symptoms like bronchospasm or decreased lung function, which may become severe or even fatal. You should also keep at hand a fast-acting bronchodilatator as albuterol, bitolterol, metaproterenol or pirbuterol in case these symptoms occur.

Relenza® may also cause other side effects not listed above. Tell your doctor if you notice any other effects.

Relenza® Overdose

If you miss taking your regular Relenza® dose, you can do it as soon as you remember, but skip it if its almost time for your next one (within 2 hours). Do not take a double dose of Relenza®. Seek advice in your doctor if you missed several doses in a raw.

Emergency medical treatment is required in case of an overdose. There are no known symptoms of overdose in case of Relenza®.

Relenza® Usage Guidelines

Relenza® should only be taken as prescribed by your doctor. Always consult with your physician, nurse or pharmacist if you have any doubts on how to use Relenza®.

Stick to the instructions to load the DISKHALER with one ROTADISK foil pack. When prepared to take a dose, breathe out fully and place the white mouthpiece into your mouth, assuring to maintain the inhaler level and not to spill out the medicine. Close your mouth around the mouthpiece, but do not cover the small holes on the. Breathe deeply and hold the air for a few seconds. Repeat the steps mentioned above if your doctor advised you to take more inhalations at once. Put the cover back on the mouthpiece.

Treatment with Relanza usually lasts for 5 days. You should continue taking Relanza during this period even though your symptoms may have disappeared. It is recommended you take 2 inhalations of Relanza twice a day, 12 hours apart at the same time of day, if possible. You should take the same dose in the first day if there are at least 2 hours between the doses.

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Symmetrel® (Amantadine)

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