What Is It Used For?
The exact way that Peramivir works is still not known. Even in
cases of mice, which were infected with influenza A or B viruses,
oral treatment with peramivir was highly effective in averting
death, besides reducing the symptoms of the disease and in lowering
lung virus. Even in some of the clinical trials done so far with
human beings infected with influenza A or B viruses, oral treatment
with peramivir significantly reduced nasal wash virus with no
adverse effects. It is used for many other purposes other than
those listed in medication guides.
How Is It Used?
According to the BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, after a trial on 1200
people, 2 drug arms of the study -- in which subjects took 800
mg of peramivir once daily for 5 days or 800 mg on day 1 followed
by once-daily 400-mg doses on days 2 through 5 -- achieved only
0.64- and 0.53-day reductions in median time to improvement of
symptoms, respectively.
Are There Possible Side Effects?
In laboratory tests, peramivir has been proved to be a powerful
and a selective inhibitor of influenza A and B neuraminidases
and was found prone to very few side-effects.
Is It Safe?
Same as above, though more information is unavailable at the moment.
What About Interactions With Other Drugs?
No drugs have yet been reported to interact appreciably with Peramivir.
Talk to your doctor before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter
medicines with Peramivir.
What If I Miss A Dose?
If you have missed any dose, use it as soon as you remember. However,
if it is almost time for your next regularly scheduled dose (within
2 hours.), skip the missed dose and use the next one as directed.
Do not use a double dose of this medication. And try to keep your
doses at least 4 hours apart.
How Should It Be Stored?
Peramivir tablets should be stored at room temperature and kept
away from moisture and heat.
Anything Else I Should Know?
Make sure that Peramivir is not a substitute for a flu vaccination.
You should therefore continue receiving an annual flu vaccination.
It is also not known whether this medicine is excreted in human
milk. You should therefore, use this drug only if the potential
benefit justifies the potential risk to the breast-fed infant.
So avoid ribavirin without first talking to your doctor if you
are breast-feeding a baby.
NOTE: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute
for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist,
or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to
indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or
effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before
taking the product.
