Both Relenza and Tamiflu are medications prescribed for the treatment of Influenza A and B. They have been seen to be effective against the fight against swine flu. For the present, before the swine flu vaccine is put out on the market, Relenza and Tamiflu will remain the two medications in use by the doctors to help treat the various symptoms associated with swine flu. Both antiviral medications are in great demand across the world for the treatment against swine flu.
The spread of Influenza
Influenza is a medical condition that is highly contagious. It’s important to know about the spread of the influenza virus and how it targets the body to know just how Relenza or Tamiflu help treat the virus and its symptoms. The flu virus specifically targets the respiratory cells of the body. It infects the lining of the respiratory tract, which leads it to swell and inflame. Its rapid spread is a result of its replication inside the host cell. In a very short time span, hundreds of copies of the virus are produced and the host cell is destroyed. These virus replications then attack the new host cells and again replicate inside the cells.
Relenza
Relenza – its active ingredient as Zanamivir – belongs to a family of medications known as neuraminidase inhibitors and is marketed by GlaxoSmithKline. It is used in the prevention and treatment of the Influenza virus A and B. Its latest use is in the treatment of swine flu. Zanamivir binds itself to the active site of the neuraminidase protein. This restricts the influenza virus to the host cell and limits its spread. As it cannot infect other cells due to the action of Relenza, the spread of influenza is restricted to a particular area. This helps in treating the virus in a successful manner.
Tamiflu
Tamiflu, with the active ingredient oseltamivir, belongs to a family of medications known as neuraminidase inhibitors. Manufactured by Roche, it’s a highly effective drug that is popularly prescribed for the treatment of influenza and swine flu. Like Relenza, this medication also prevents the spread of the influenza virus in the body by restricting its spread from the host cell. To be taken by mouth, the ideal dosage of Tamiflu is the prerogative of the medical experts prescribing it to you. It can be taken with or without food. However, it has been noted that if you take Tamiflu with a light snack, milk, or with your meals, you might not suffer from side effects like nausea or vomiting.
The Difference between Swine flu and Influenza
The fact that swine flu and influenza can both be treated by Relenza and Tamiflu means that the foundation of both the medical conditions remains the same, but there are a few differences. Without a medical confirmation, as a layman you will not be able to distinguish between swine flu and influenza. The symptoms of normal influenza are exacerbated in swine flu. It’s only after specific tests are conducted that swine flu can be identified.
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In children the symptoms of swine flu include:
In adults the symptoms include:
Difference between Tamiflu and Relenza
The primary difference between Tamiflu and Relenza lie in their active agents and mode of intake. Oseltamivir is the active ingredient in Tamiflu, while zanamivir is the active ingredient in Relenza. While Relenza has to be inhaled, Tamiflu is available in the form of pills. Both act in a similar fashion when it comes to preventing the spread of the influenza virus in a person’s body.
There is also a difference between the two when it comes to side effects. The intake of Tamiflu has side effects like nausea and vomiting linked to it. On the other hand the fact that Relenza is inhaled means that nausea and vomiting as side effects do not enter the picture.