Monday, February 11, 2008

Tamiflu and Amantadine - medicines against Flu

Tamiflu and Amantadine - medicines against Flu
Tamiflu is used to treat some types of influenza (flu) in
patients who have had symptoms of the flu for 2 days or
less. This drug works by stopping the growth and spread of
the flu virus in your body. Tamiflu helps shorten the time
you have flu symptoms such as nasal congestion, sore
throat, cough, muscle aches, tiredness, headache, fever,
and chills.

As the flu virus takes hold in the body, it forms new
copies of itself and spreads from cell to cell. Tamiflu
fights the virus by preventing the release of new copies
from infected cells. Tamiflu is taken in liquid or capsule
form.

Tamiflu can prevent the flu as long as you continue taking
this medication, but getting a yearly flu shot is still the
best way of avoiding the disease entirely. For older
adults, those in high-risk situations such as health-care
work, and people with an immune deficiency or respiratory
disease, vaccination remains a must.

If you have the flu, continue taking it twice daily for 5
days, even if you start to feel better. To prevent the flu,
take it once a day for at least 7 days. Protection lasts as
long as you take the drug.

If Tamiflu upsets your stomach, try taking it with food.
Shake the liquid suspension before each use. If you have
kidney disease, cut your daily dose of Tamiflu in half.
High doses of Tamiflu can cause nausea and vomiting.

Tamiflu works only on the flu virus. It won't stop
bacterial infections that may have flu-like symptoms or
bacterial infections that may develop while you have the
flu.

Most problems noted during tests of Tamiflu were
indistinguishable from the symptoms of flu. Here are the
reactions that showed up more frequently in patients taking
the drug.

* Side effects of Tamiflu may include:

Abdominal pain, asthma, bronchitis, cough, diarrhea, ear
infection, fatigue, headache, insomnia, nausea, nosebleed,
vertigo, vomiting.

If Tamiflu gives you an allergic reaction, avoid it in the
future.

It is not known whether Tamiflu is completely safe during
pregnancy. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant,
inform your doctor before taking Tamiflu. Tamiflu may
appear in breast milk and could affect a nursing infant.
Taking it while breastfeeding is usually not recommended.

Tamiflu will not stop you from giving the flu to others.
You should maintain proper hygiene, wash your hands
frequently, and avoid situations such as sharing cups and
utensils that can spread the virus to others.

Tamiflu does not replace the flu vaccine. You should
continue to receive a flu shot each year if your doctor
recommends it.

***Amantadine***

Amantadine is an antiviral. It is used to prevent or treat
certain influenza infections (type A). It may be given
alone or along with flu shots. Amantadine will not work for
colds, other types of flu, or other virus infections.

Amantadine also is an antidyskinetic. It is used to treat
Parkinson's disease, sometimes called paralysis agitans or
shaking palsy. It may be given alone or with other
medicines for Parkinson's disease. By improving muscle
control and reducing stiffness, this medicine allows more
normal movements of the body as the disease symptoms are
reduced.

Amantadine is also used to treat stiffness and shaking
caused by certain medicines used to treat nervous, mental,
and emotional conditions.

* Side effects

- Less common

Blurred vision; confusion (especially in elderly
patients); difficult urination (especially in elderly
patients); fainting; hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or
feeling things that are not there); swelling of hands,
feet, or lower legs

- Rare Convulsions (seizures); decreased vision or any
change in vision; difficulty in coordination ; fever,
chills, or sore throat; increased blood pressure;
increase in body movements ; irritation and swelling of
the eye; loss of memory; mental depression; severe mood
or mental changes; skin rash; slurred speech; thoughts
of suicide or attempts at suicide; unexplained shortness
of breath.


----------------------------------------------------
Vlad Kott from authentic sources.
The most necessary information.
Find out more about most effective medicines here =>
http://www.pharmacy-db.com

No comments: