Zanamivir: a second look. Still no tangible impact on influenza.
(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.
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001986:Bronchial Spasm / Q000139:chemically induced; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines; D006801:Humans; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D012794:Sialic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines; D012794:Sialic Acids