Tamiflu not working against flu

Seattle – The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have reported that Tamiflu has shown resistance towards most common strain of flu.

Tamiflu, also available in the generic form as Oseltamivir, is used to treat patients with flu and to prevent infections. It is believed that 36,000 people die every year in U.S. due to influenza-A virus. As per World Health Organization, flu is diagnosed in almost 5 to 15 percent of population worldwide and kills about 250,000 to 500,000 people each year.

In recent research conducted by CDC and the reports published in the Journal of American Medical Association suggest that out of 268 identified cases of flu, Oseltamivir has shown resistance in 264 cases. This indicates that 98 percent of H1N1 strain from flu has shown resistance to Tamiflu. CDC reports points that due to flu nine children have already died this year.

Although vaccination is the best option for preventing flu, but these shots take almost two weeks for the action. In case of pressing requirements or the high risk places like nursing homes, oral anti viral like Tamiflu is the best available option. Tamiflu is offered in more than 60 countries like United States, European Union and Japan and is most commonly prescribed for preventing influenza A and B virus.

CDC has advised doctors and health care professionals to have multiple drug therapy with Tamiflu in flu virus. Other drugs that can be used in combination with Tamiflu may include Relenza, sold by GSK, Rimantadine or Amantadine.