By Dr. Brownstein
drbrownstein.com

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new influenza drug called Rapivab (peramivir). Rapivab is given intravenously as a single dose in adults who have been symptomatic with the flu for no more than two days. This drug is in the neuraminidase family of drugs which includes Tamiflu and Relenza, which are oral medications.

I have written extensively about the failures of the oral flu medications in my blog and in my newsletter, Dr. Brownstein’s Natural Way to Health.

The neuraminidase inhibitors, in the best studies, have been found to lessen the symptoms from the flu for less than 24 hours. This new medication showed the same effect. All the neuraminidase inhibitors are associated with serious side effects including nausea, vomiting and headaches. Wait a second—I thought those symptoms were associated with the flu? Tamiflu has been associated with more serious side effects such as psychiatric events and heart rhythm abnormalities. With side effects like those, perhaps a cup of chicken soup is a better option!

A 2014 independent review of the oral flu medications found “…that {anti-flu medications} may be no better than other symptom-relief {treatments} such as drinking clear liquids, gargling with warm salt water, and using over-the-counter pain relievers.” (1)

Folks, the U.S. Government gave almost $235 million dollars in grant money to study Rapivab. I think that money could be better spent studying the effects of vitamin C on the flu. At least vitamin C is not associated with serious side effects.

I would avoid taking all neuraminidase inhibitors. They have little effectiveness. They are too expensive. And, they are associated with severe side effects. We don’t need another ineffective, expensive, and toxic flu drug on the market. I think we would be better off removing all of the neuraminidase inhibitors from the market.

Perhaps we need to remember what our mothers told us when we were sick– take vitamin C and drink chicken soup.

Read the full article and comment here.

Reference

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2014, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD008965. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD008965.pub4 – See more at: http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD008965/regulatory-information-on-trials-of-oseltamivir-tamiflu-and-zanamivir-relenza-for-influenza-in-adults-and-children#sthash.PjOPCMph.dpuf

See Also:

Forbes Reports on Ineffectiveness of Big Pharma Flu Products