Table 1 Old and new influenza drugs
Name (major brand) | Effective against | Recommended dose | Use status; adverse drug reactions |
|---|---|---|---|
Amantadine [43] (Symadine, Symmetrel) [43] | Influenza A | Capsule/tablet, syrup; 100 mg amantadine hydrochloride, twice a day. | Mostly discontinued due to resistance; may be recalled in future epidemics. |
Influenza A, B | Capsule (30, 45, 75 mg) twice a day; powder for suspension (6 mg/mL). | Currently in use. Transient nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, neuropsychiatric episodes. | |
Zanamivir (Relenza) [36] | Influenza A, B | Two inhalations (5 or 10 mg each). | Currently in use. Relatively rare adverse drug reactions include nausea, diarrhea, respiratory problems, dizziness. |
Influenza A, B (for example, H1N1, H3N2) | Single inhalation (20 or 40 mg). | Similar to oseltamivir. Approved in Japan, but not yet in the US. | |
Peramivir [52] | Similar to Laninamivir | Intravenous 600 mg once, or 300 mg twice, 5 to 10 days. | Transient nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (similar to oseltamivir). Approved in Japan and Korea. |