Tamiflu May Not Be So Effective Against Bird Flu

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Main Category: Bird Flu / Avian Flu
Also Included In: Flu / Cold / SARS
Article Date: 23 Dec 2005 - 16:00 PDT

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According to a study reported in the New England Journal of Medicine, Tamiflu may not be as effective against bird flu as first thought. The report revealed that there are signs of resistance to Tamiflu.

In Vietnam, four out of eight infected humans died of bird flu despite being administered Tamiflu. Two of the deaths can be attributed to late treatment (the infection had already developed too far when Tamiflu was administered). However, the H5N1 virus had resisted the antiviral in the other two fatal cases.

A spokesperson for Roche, the makers of Tamiflu, said it may be necessary to raise the Tamiflu dosage and perhaps extend the duration of treatment. He also added that the medical profession should perhaps look into treating patients with a combination of antiviral medications.

A spokesman for the World Health Organisation, Keiji Fukuda, said resistance happens with all drugs - it is not uncommon and not something to be alarmed about. He added that Tamiflu is still the best drug for human bird flu infection.

If a drug is not administered at the right dose - too low - or for long enough, the risk of drug resistance developing is higher.

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today


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