Swine flu drugs 'not preventative'

25 Sep 2009, 9:15 pm   -   Source: AFP/SBS
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The WHO is concerned that if people take Tamiflu before they become ill, they will develop a resistance to the drug (AP)

The WHO is concerned that if people take Tamiflu before they become ill, they will develop a resistance to the drug (AP)

The World Health Organisation has warned against the use of anti-viral drugs as a preventative against swine flu, for fear of building resistance to the medication.

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The World Health Organisation has warned against the use of anti-viral drugs as a preventative against swine flu, for fear of building resistance to the medication.

WHO experts say almost half of the known cases of drug resistance were linked to the use of medication before infection.

"The risk of resistance is... considered higher in people who receive oseltamivir for so-called 'post-exposure prophylaxis' following exposure to another person with influenza and who then develop illness despite taking oseltamivir," said the UN agency.

Oseltamivir is more commonly known as Tamiflu, and is the drug recommended by the WHO in swine flu treatments.

The UN agency said that 12 out of 28 cases of drug resistance to Tamiflu has been linked to prophylactic use.

Alternative anti-viral available

Six other resistance cases occurred in patients with severe immunosuppression and four occurred in those who were using Tamiflu as a treatment.

A further two resistance cases were identified in people who were neither using Tamiflu for prophylactic nor treatment, said the WHO, which added that those who show resistance to Roche's Tamiflu should then take an alternative anti-viral, GlaxoSmithKline's Relenza.

Overall, the number of drug-resistance cases were "sporadic and infrequent," said the WHO.

"In general, WHO does not recommend the use of anti-viral drugs for prophylactic purposes," it added.

"For people who have had exposure to an infected person and are higher risk of developing severe or complicated illness, an alternative option is close monitoring for symptoms, followed by prompt early anti-viral treatment should symptoms develop," it said.

 

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