Relenza for the flu

An alert reader has asked if Relenza is as effective against the bird flu as Tamiflu. I'm not sure there is an answer yet, since we haven't seen that many cases of bird flu in humans. The Chinese, who have seen the most cases, might have some information. In case you were interested in what Relenza is, it is similar to Tamiflu:

FDA has approved Relenza (zanamivir), an anti-viral drug, for persons aged 7 years and older for the treatment of uncomplicated influenza virus. This product is approved to treat type A and B influenza, the two types most responsible for flu epidemics. Clinical studies showed that for the drug to be effective, patients needed to start treatment within two days of the onset of symptoms. The drug seemed to be less effective in patients whose symptoms weren't severe or didn't include a fever.

This brings up the whole question of antiviral medications for influenza. There is a white paper draft on the web which refers to this FDA page.

There has been a lot of recent concern about "bird flu" which can refer to a number of influenza viruses that occur in birds and could become causes of human disease in some situations. Some of the current influenza antiviral drugs are able to inhibit many of the "bird flu" viruses in the laboratory although it is not known exactly how much effect they would have against these infections in people.

There are four drugs for influenza A and B, the current strains that infect humans:

Two related drugs, amantadine (approved 1966; Trade Name Symmetrel, also available as generic Amantadine Hydrochloride) and rimantadine (approved 1993; Trade Name Flumadine, also available as generic Rimantadine Hydrochloride), are approved for treatment and prevention of influenza A. Two newer drugs, zanamivir (approved 1999; Trade Name Relenza) and oseltamivir phosphate (approved 1999; Trade Name Tamiflu), are approved for treatment of acute uncomplicated illness due to influenza A and B. Oseltamivir has been approved also for preventive use, while zanamivir is approved only for treatment (emphasis added). Approved ages, doses, and uses in children are different for each drug, so the individual package inserts should be checked for this information. (The anti-influenza antiviral drugs are not a substitute for vaccine and are used only as an adjunct to vaccine in the control of influenza.)

In summary, there are two drugs that treat both Influenza A and B, which are the usual causes of flu. Since Tamiflu is probably effective in treating bird flu, AND it is prophylactic for Influenza A and B, it may be the drug of choice if and when the bird flu breaks out. Hopefully, Relenza will be helpful in this case though it does not provide prophylaxis.

There is no doubt that there will be a panic that occurs when the bird flu hits because of the limited availability of Tamiflu. Who will get it? Only George Bush and his cronies, I suspect. They will have to "be protected so they can lead the country."

Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha....................