Amantadine: Effective Antiviral Drug Against the Influenza A Virus

Influenza is a disease that is highly communicable by contact and lasts for a short period of time. It may be caused by any of the three types of influenza virus - A, B, or C. Some of the most common symptoms of this disease include fever, chills, aches and pains, loss of appetite, and general weakness. Persons suffering from influenza may also experience nose and pharynx inflammation.

The presence of the influenza virus in the body can weaken the vitality of the nose and pharynx membranes. Once this happens, bacteria - which always exist in both the mouth and pharynx - commonly attack tissues and bring about certain complications, including ear infection, sinusitis, and pneumonia. Of these three secondary conditions, pneumonia is the most serious and may even be fatal.

We know, of course, that antibiotics (such as erythromycin and penicillin) are ineffective against any viral infection, such as the common cold or flu; they are, however, prescribed by doctors for the treatment of post-flu secondary infections. It is the antiviral drugs that are effective against diseases that are caused by viruses. In treating respiratory infections caused by strains of the influenza A virus, the antiviral drug amantadine can be very effective.

Over the years, many antiviral agents - amantadine included - have been developed. Specifically, amantadine has been medically certified as an effective antiviral drug against influenza A, a form of flu. It must be made clear here, though, that the term "flu" is not necessarily the same as influenza. Note that while viral diseases are frequently referred to as flu, not all of these illnesses are necessarily the result of any of the known influenza viruses. Again, amantadine is specifically used in the prevention and treatment of influenza A.

Doctors may prescribe amantadine as a preventive medicine for any one of these subjects: persons who have not had influenza A vaccine and who are in frequent contact with a great number of diverse people (the unvaccinated persons especially referred to here are doctors, nurses, and other medical or hospital personnel); the elderly or those who suffer from certain chronic illnesses and have not received influenza A vaccine; or unvaccinated persons living in the same dwelling with someone who has been infected by influenza A. To ensure the efficacy of amantadine in the treatment of influenza A, it must be given within a couple of days of the onset of the illness.

Like most other drugs, amantadine is not without side effects. Giddiness, restlessness, and the inability to get sufficient sleep are some of the side reactions associated with the use of amantadine. These side effects usually occur within two days of using amantadine and vanish when the use of the drug is discontinued. In some instances, though, the side effects cease to exist even when the use of amantadine is continued. [Read the Original Article]