Oseltamivir
Oseltamivir Phosphate
Oseltamivir is a potent and selective inhibitor of the neuraminidase enzyme of the influenza viruses A and B. The neuraminidase enzyme is responsible for cleaving sialic acid residues on newly formed virions and plays an essential role in the release and spread of progeny virions. When exposed to oseltamivir, the influenza virions aggregate on the surface of the host cell, thereby limiting the extent of infection within the mucosal secretions (McNicholl 2001) and reducing viral infectivity.
Oseltamivir is indicated in the prophylaxis of influenza and for the treatment of uncomplicated acute illness due to influenza in patients 1 year and older who have been symptomatic for no more than 2 days. H5N1 strains are generally sensitive against oseltamivir, but there are no data on its clinical efficacy.
Clinical studies have shown that neuraminidase inhibitors can decrease the duration of influenza-related symptoms if initiated within 48 hours of onset. Clinical efficacy is about 60-70 % and, for treatment started within 48 hours, symptoms such as myalgias, fever, and headache were reduced by approximately 0.7-1.5 days (McNicholl 2001). Treatment is more effective if initiated within 30 hours of symptom onset in febrile individuals. Treatment with oseltamivir does not seem to adversely affect the primary in vivo cellular immune responses to influenza virus infection (Burger 2000).
Oseltamivir is generally well-tolerated with the only clinically important side effect being mild gastrointestinal upset (Doucette 2001). Recently, the drug has been linked to a number of cases of psychological disorders and two teenage suicides in Japan. However, there is currently no evidence of a causal relationship between oseltamivir intake and suicide.
Clinical studies have shown that neuraminidase inhibitors can decrease the duration of influenza-related symptoms if initiated within 48 hours of onset. Clinical efficacy is about 60-70 % and, for treatment started within 48 hours, symptoms such as myalgias, fever, and headache were reduced by approximately 0.7-1.5 days (McNicholl 2001). Treatment is more effective if initiated within 30 hours of symptom onset in febrile individuals. Treatment with oseltamivir does not seem to adversely affect the primary in vivo cellular immune responses to influenza virus infection (Burger 2000).
Oseltamivir is generally well-tolerated with the only clinically important side effect being mild gastrointestinal upset (Doucette 2001). Recently, the drug has been linked to a number of cases of psychological disorders and two teenage suicides in Japan. However, there is currently no evidence of a causal relationship between oseltamivir intake and suicide.
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