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Two Common Flu Drugs Ineffective Against Flu Virus
By Staff
(AXcess News) Washington - Friday, federal health officials told doctors not to give two common flu drugs to patients saying they were ineffective in fighting the flu virus.
The elimination of amantadine and rimantadine leaves doctors with only twoapproved flu drugs, Tamiflu and Relenza. Relenza is largely unavailable, however, because of supply shortages.
Health authorities found that resistence to the two flu drugs has been rising.
Two years ago, 2% of circulating flu virusesin the USAwere resistant to the two drugs, which are known as adamantanes. Last flu season, 11% were resistant. This season, 91% of flu virus samples tested are adamantane-resistant, said Nancy J. Cox, head of the influenza branch at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Centers for Disease Control made the announcement yesterday in a news conference.
Already the flu season across the United States is gaining momentum, which in the past the adamantane flu drugs were given out to the majority of patients, but this year, CDC officials expect to see more shortages of influenza drugs with ony Tamiflu available for doctors to prescribe.
Adamantane resistance is also rising in Europe, although flu-surveillance labs there have not released their figures, Cox said.
In Asia, resistance increased from 2 percent in 2001 to 27 percent in 2004, with some countries reporting much higher rates. In China last flu season, 74 percent of virus samples were resistant to the adamantanes.
The season's dominant strain of flu virus eventually disappears as it runs out of victims; it is replaced by a new strain. Consequently, it is possible that some future flu strains may be once again susceptible to the drugs.
The new development makes it even more imperative that people prescribed Tamiflu (also known as oseltamivir) take it at the right dose for a full course.
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