Tamiflu – First line of treatment for swine flu

Here is all that you need to know about this wonder drug used to treat the deadly swine flu.

By: Debjani Arora | | Published: March 5, 2015 1:16 pm

Oseltamivir, known by the brand name Tamiflu is used to treat patients suffering from swine flu. Till date it has shown positive results with treatment and is a chosen drug when it comes to treat one with existing symptoms of swine flu. Here are some frequently asked questions on swine flu that you should know.

Tamiflu is an antiviral drug that is used to treat patients suffering from influenza caused by influenza virus types A and B. The recent epidemic of swine flu is thought to be caused by the deadly influenza H1N1 virus type A, for which Tamiflu stands to be the first line of treatment. Being an antiviral drug, Tamiflu works by blocking the actions of the influenza virus, stopping it from multiplying inside the body, which could in-turn weaken the immune system to a great extent. Here are 15 precautions every Indian should take to prevent a bout of swine flu.

The usage

‘This medication has been effective in treating swine flu patients for the past few years and helped them recover from the viral attack. Till date there are no reported cases of resistance to the drug, which seems to be like a boon. However, the drug needs to be prescribed within 48 hours of experiencing the symptoms of swine flu, else its effect dies off with lapse in time,’ says Dr Prakash Jiandani, director of critical care unit, Wockhardt hospital, South Mumbai. Here is how swine flu spreads.

The dosage

The medication comes in two forms – oral suspension and capsule. For people suffering from the flu, a dosage of 75 ml is advised to be taken twice a day for a five-day antiviral course. Depending on the severity, the dosage is doubled to 150 ml for some patients. It is advised to finish the full course of the medication even if you feel better or your symptoms are suppressed after taking few initial doses. Know more about medications and treatments available for swine flu.

The patients

Tamiflu can be safely used to treat the symptoms of influenza in people two weeks of age and above, who have the symptoms for less than 48 hours. Beyond that time-frame, one might need more aggressive therapy or high doses of antiviral drug to fight influenza. ‘Although Tamiflu should not be taken as a precautionary measure, but for people who fall under the high risk category, like those suffering from high BP, diabetes or the elderly, one dose of Tamiflu for 10 days is generally prescribed,’ says Dr Jiandani. Here is your answer to the question — Is swine flu curable?

If an expectant mother develops symptoms of swine flu, she should take the medication only under strict supervision of a gynecologist with proper consultation with an internal medicine specialist. Every drug taken during pregnancy has an effect on the developing fetus. How Tamiflu can affect a fetus is not known completely. Avoiding medications altogether during pregnancy, if one develops the symptoms of influenza, can be more harmful to the baby. Hence, it is best to discuss the consequences with the doctors. The same rule stands for women who are breastfeeding. Here are some tips to safeguard your child from a bout of swine flu.

The limitations

Although, this medication seems to be the mainstay in treating swine flu, it isn’t advisable for patients suffering from:

Kidney disease
Chronic lung disease
High fructose intolerance
Weak immune system due to other medications
Brain disorders

Also, people who have received a nasal flu vaccination should refrain from using Tamiflu within two weeks after the vaccination. Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should avoid taking the drug without proper guidance and unless prescribed to them. Know if recovering from swine flu leaves you with any long term health crisis.

It is imperative to know that Tamiflu cannot be replaced by an annual influenza shot even if taken for precautionary purposes. It should not be used to treat a child less than two weeks old or used as a preventive measure for children less than a year old.

The side effects

The most common side effect of Tamiflu are:

Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea

Some serious side effects of Tamiflu include:

Skin rash
Blisters and peels
Blisters or sores in mouth
Itching
Swelling of face, eyes, lips, tongue or throat
Trouble breathing
Chest pain or tightness

Although rare, sometimes one can also develop problems with the nervous system while on treatment, which could include:

Sudden confusion
Delirium
Hallucinations
Unusual behaviour

These symptoms are more prominent in children being treated with Tamiflu.

The precautions

Here are some precautions you should follow while using tamiflu:

Make sure you take your prescribed doses on time and complete the course of the antiviral therapy
If you forget to take a pill, make sure you take it as soon after you remember
In case you develop any side-effects, inform your doctor immediately
Inform your doctor beforehand about medications you consume (even about multivitamins) to make sure that they don’t interfere with your intake of Tamiflu
Take the Tamiflu capsule with a glass of water. In case you have difficulty in swallowing it, sprinkle the contents of the capsule in a glass of water or fruit juice and gulp it down
If you take oral suspension, be very accurate with the measurement
Avoid taking the medicine in large or minuscule amount even after the prescribed period. This tendency might lead to antibiotic resistance in adults

Image courtesy: Getty Images

Published : March 5, 2015 1:16 pm

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