Tamiflu, Relenza: H1N1 Swine Flu
News items from Nature Journals as governments build supply of millions of doses of Tamiflu.
At least some strains of H1N1 influenza virus are resistant to the antiflu drug Tamiflu.
These strains might respond better to a second flu drug, Relenza. Furthermore, the available stocks of Tamiflu fall far short of what would be needed in a pandemic.
According to Nature Biotechnology of 31 May 2009, "...this mutation in seasonal H1N1 strains and highlights the possibility of the emergence of Tamiflu-resistant viruses." Nature Biotechnology 27, 510-513 (31 May 2009) doi:10.1038/nbt0609-510
"Tests have shown that the new H1N1 virus is susceptible to the neuraminidase inhibitors oseltamivir (Tamiflu; Roche) and zanamivir (Relenza; GlaxoSmithKline (GSK))," says the Nature Reviews Drug Discovery issue of 31 May 2009.
"Fortunately, the new H1N1 strain responds to neuraminidase inhibitors such as olsetamivir (Tamiflu, made by Roche) and zanamavir (Relenza, made by GlaxoSmithKline). Unfortunately, resistance ..." Nature Medicine 15, 585-585 (31 May 2009) doi:10.1038/nm0609-585 Editorial
"Swine flu is currently sensitive to the antiviral drug oseltamivir (Tamiflu), for example, but seasonal H1N1 is resistant. Were the new virus to acquire ... is resistant. Were the new virus to acquire resistance, that would render redundant the Tamiflu stockpiled by many nations as part of their pandemic plans." Nature 459, 490-491 (27 May 2009) doi:10.1038/459490a
"What is the risk that it will reassort with seasonal flu and develop Tamiflu resistance? It is almost a given that at some point this will reassort with ..." Nature News (13 May 2009) doi:10.1038/news.2009.478 News
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