BMJ  2003;326 (7 June), doi:10.1136/bmj.326.7401.0

Neuraminidase inhibitors treat and prevent flu

Neuraminidase inhibitors are clinically effective for treating and preventing influenza, although evidence is limited for certain population groups and for all prevention strategies. Cooper and colleagues (p 1235) conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 17 randomised controlled trials of zanamivir and oseltamivir. They found that treating otherwise healthy adults and children with either drug reduces the duration of symptoms by 0.4-1.0 days. The treatment also lowers the risk of complications that require antibiotics by 29-43% when it is given within 48 hours of onset of symptoms. Given prophylactically, the drugs reduced the odds of developing flu by 70-90%.

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Relevant Article

Effectiveness of neuraminidase inhibitors in treatment and prevention of influenza A and B: systematic review and meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials

Nicola J Cooper, Alexander J Sutton, Keith R Abrams, Allan Wailoo, David Turner, and Karl G Nicholson
BMJ 2003 326: 1235. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

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