Antiviral Drugs

Ireland has a stockpile of Oseltamivir (trade name Tamiflu) which is taken in tablet form, and also a smaller amount of Zanamivir (trade name Relenza) which is taken in inhaler form. Enough antiviral medications have been purchased to cover 55% of the population. In addition, the CMO’s Office has assisted the Department of Foreign Affairs in sourcing Tamiflu supplies for Irish embassies in developing countries, where antivirals may not be available.

The HSE has moved from a policy of disease containment to disease mitigation. This means that doctors are in general no longer offering preventative antiviral treatment to people who have come into contact with an infected person either at home or work. Antiviral treatments are being prescribed to individuals who are infected and who are either experiencing a more severe infection than normal or have an underlying illness/vulnerability that makes them especially susceptible.

If you require Tamiflu, ideally it should be taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. The recommended treatment dose for adults is 75mg twice daily for 5 days, although this may vary in persons with underlying medical conditions such as kidney failure. The drug has been shown to reduce the duration of influenza as well as reducing the severity of symptoms. It also reduces the risk of developing secondary complications such as pneumonia. The protection against influenza only lasts for as long as Tamiflu is taken, and it is not a substitute for vaccination.

Potential side effects of the drugs in adults are generally mild and include nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, which may be lessened by taking tablets with food. Dizziness, headaches and fatigue have been reported infrequently, and there does not appear to be any major drug interaction between Tamiflu and other medications.

According to the current advice from the Irish Medicines board, Tamiflu is believed to be safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women to take.

Antibiotics are of no use in the treatment of influenza, as it is a viral and not a bacterial infection. However, antibiotics may be prescribed if you develop a secondary bacterial lung infection.

A very detailed description of both Tamiflu and Relenza is available on the Irish Medicines Board website (www.imb.ie). The Irish Medicines Board strongly advises against the purchase of antiviral medications on the internet, as they are of unknown quality and may be counterfeit.