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Amantadine Zanamivir Oseltamivir
Antibiotics • Penicillin, aureomycin, sulfonamides,
tetracyclines, chloramphenacol, ampicillin, erythromycin
and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid Pain relievers/ antipyretics
• Acetaminophen, acetyl salicylic acid (ASA) and
ibuprofen Cough suppressants • Codeine and dextromethorphan
(DM) Antihistamines • Chlorpheniramine and diphenhydramine
• Cetirizine, fexofenadine, loratadine and desloratadine
Homeopathy • Oscillicoccinum Echinacea Green tea
extract Home remedies • Chicken soup • Lemon
and honey, ginger, tamarind and eucalyptus
• Inhibitor of M2, a viral surface
protein • Inhibitor of neuraminidase, a viral enzyme
• Orally inhaled formulation • Neuraminidase
inhibitor • Prevents bacterial infections following
the flu by blocking cell wall synthesis and nucleotide
or protein synthesis • Inhibits prostaglandin production
• As pain relievers they decrease sensitivity by
acting on nociceptors and the spinal cord • As
antipyretics, they reset the hypothalamic ‘thermostat’
• Suppress cough reflex in cough centre of medulla
• Antagonist of H1-receptor — counters the
effects of histamine to decrease nasal congestion, helps
with postnasal drainage and relieves sneezing •
“Let like be cured by like” principle; remedy
is manufactured from duck hearts and livers — supposed
reservoirs for the flu virus • Possible stimulator
of natural killer cells and monocyte proliferation •
May prevent adsorption of the virus and uncoating of
the microorganism • Hot fluids increase nasal mucus
velocity • Shortens course by one day if treatment
is initiated within 48 hours of symptom onset •
Approved for prophylaxis • Shortens course by one
day if taken within 48 hours of symptom onset •
Active against influenza A and B • Shortens course
by one day if treatment is initiated within 48 hours
of symptom onset • Active against influenza A and
B • May prevent possible complications, such as
bacterial infections of the upper respiratory tract
• Effective short-term symptomatic relief of headache
and pain • Reduces fever • Codeine has known
antitussive properties • DM has lower toxicity,
sedative and analgesic effects than codeine • Cetirizine
and desloratadine useful for nasal congestion •
Review of seven studies was inconclusive; one showed
therapy reduced length of illness by 0.28 days •
Potentially useful, but requires further study •
One double-blind placebo-controlled study showed a reduction
of number of days with symptoms in patients who received
echinacea tea for five days after first flu symptoms
• In vitro studies using cell lines show that epigallacatechin
gallate, a component of green tea, inhibits the viral
lifecycle at multiple stages • A 1978 study showed
hot fluids, especially chicken soup, increase nasal
mucus clearance, providing symptomatic relief •
Active only against influenza A • Not to be used
in children under one year • Complicated dosing
schedule based on age, renal function and history of
seizure • Side effects (dose related): lightheadedness,
insomnia, irritability, gastrointestinal upset •
Not to be used in children under seven • May cause
bronchospasm • Caution advised for patients with
asthma and COPD • Side effects: nasal/throat irritation,
headache, gastrointestinal upset, bronchitis, cough
• Not to be used in children under one year •
Dosage adjustments needed for renal impairment •
Reports of viral resistance developing in children •
Side effects: nausea, vomiting, insomnia, vertigo, bronchitis,
rash, increased liver enzymes • 10 randomized,
controlled trials and six metaanalyses showed no improvement
in clinical condition in children with symptoms of upper
respiratory tract infection • Use of antibiotics
not supported by the World Health Organization due to
lack of efficacy • Can contribute to antibiotic
resistance • ASA contraindicated in children due
to risk of Reye's syndrome • Studies showing efficacy
are limited and conflicting • Codeine side effects:
drowsiness, nausea, constipation • An analysis
of nine studies reported no clear sign of clinical improvement
in symptoms • Side effects: sedation, headache,
anticholinergic effects • Side effects unknown
• Definitely bad for the duck • Variability
in preparations makes it difficult to gauge quality
and leads to dosing problems • An in vitro study
on adenovirus noted that effective drug concentrations
were well above those found in the serum of tea drinkers
• Good for everyone but the chicken
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