Zanamivir: a second look. Still no tangible impact on influenza.

Abstract

(1) The reference treatment for suspected influenza during outbreaks is simple relief of symptoms (fever, rhinitis, headache, myalgia, etc.). (2) According to a comparative placebo-controlled trial involving 525 patients with asthma and/or chronic obstructive airways disease, and a meta-analysis of 9 trials involving patients at risk of complications, zanamivir shortens the duration of symptoms of suspected influenza by about a day. But zanamivir has not been shown to reduce antibiotic prescribing, or the incidence of complications necessitating hospitalisation. (3) Zanamivir has no proven efficacy in preventing the spread of influenza by a treated patient. (4) Zanamivir inhalation can induce bronchospasm. (5) In practice, prevention through vaccination remains the mainstay of management. Symptomatic relief is the only rational therapy for influenza.

• Journal: Prescrire international (Prescrire Int) Vol. 10 Issue 56 Pg. 175-7 (Dec 2001) ISSN: 1167-7422 [Print] France
• PMID: 11824440 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents
• Haemophilus Vaccines
• Sialic Acids

Topics

• Antiviral Agents (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Bronchial Spasm (chemically induced)
• Clinical Trials as Topic
• Haemophilus Vaccines
• Humans
• Influenza, Human (complications, drug therapy, prevention & control)
• Meta-Analysis as Topic
• Sialic Acids (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Treatment Outcome