Allergy Update
by P.K. Raghuprasad, M.D.

Anti-Influenza Medicines

The best approach to managing influenza is prevention and for this, the accepted way is to vaccinate every year in the fall, in preparation for the winter.  However, when Influenza does afflict you there are two drugs that can come to your aid (no, I'm not talking about any of the over-the-counter drugs making outrageous claims).  The ones I have in mind are amantacline (Symmetrel) and rimantacline (Flumadine).  If these drugs are taken early after the onset of symptoms they are very effective in halting the progressing of the disease.  However, they will only work in Type A influenza.  Both are given for four or five days and some pain medications are also given for the first day or two.

Influenza claims millions of victims world-wide each year and it may spell disaster for asthma/bronchitis patients.  The drugs may not prevent deterioration of asthma or bronchitis drugs but the symptoms of influenza itself are alleviated quickly and effectively.  As modern medicines bring spectacular relief to victims of many diseases, and it pays to keep abreast of developments.