Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
 CDC Home Search Health Topics A-Z

CDC Media Relations
Media Home | Contact Us
US Department of Health and Human Services logo and link

Media Relations Links
• About Us
• Media Contact
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Media Site Map

CDC News
• Press Release Library
• Transcripts
• MMWR Summaries
• B-Roll Footage
• Upcoming Events

Related Links
• Centers at CDC
• Data and Statistics
• Health Topics A-Z
• Image Library
• Publications, Software and Other Products
• Global Health Odyssey
Find your state or local health department
HHS News
National Health Observances
Visit the FirstGov Web Site
Div. of Media Relations
1600 Clifton Road
MS D-14
Atlanta, GA 30333
(404) 639-3286
Fax (404) 639-7394

Press Release

For Immediate Release
January 14, 2006
Contact: CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

CDC Announces Change in Recommendations for use of Antivirals;
Clinicians Should Not Prescribe Two Common Antivirals

Read the Transcript

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced today that clinicians should not prescribe two common antivirals (amantadine and rimantadine) to treat or prevent influenza during the 2005-2006 influenza season. Laboratory testing by CDC on the predominant strain of influenza (H3N2) currently circulating in the United States shows that it is resistant to these drugs.

CDC has tested 120 influenza A (H3N2) virus isolates and found that 109 (or 91 percent) were resistant to amantadine and rimantadine. This represents a sharp increase from last year when only 11 percent of isolates tested were resistant and 1.9 percent were resistant the year before that. However, all H3 and H1 influenza viruses tested to date are susceptible to the other commonly used antivirals (oseltamivir and zanamivir).

“This is certainly unexpected news as we now have to remove a few tools from our tool box that we use to combat influenza,” said CDC Director Dr. Julie Gerberding. “Thankfully we still have antivirals available that work but this new development serves as a reminder of the importance of getting people vaccinated to prevent them from getting influenza in the first place.”

During this period CDC recommends oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) be prescribed if an antiviral medication is needed for the treatment or prevention of influenza.

Influenza activity is starting to pick up across the country as eighteen states are reporting either widespread or regional activity. Individuals who have not been vaccinated against influenza can still get vaccinated especially since influenza will continue to circulate for several more months. This year over 80 million doses of vaccine have been distributed but remaining supplies vary from state to state so individuals may have to check with more than one provider to receive vaccine. Also, CDC will have available 3.5 million doses from its stockpile to sell through manufacturers as soon as possible. In addition there are doses of vaccine presently available for sale by manufacturers and distributors.

Testing of influenza isolates for resistance to antivirals will continue throughout the 2005-2006 influenza season and recommendations will be updated as needed. In addition, CDC is working with state and local health departments and clinicians across the country to monitor drug resistance in influenza viruses.

For more information please visit www.cdc.gov/flu.

Department of Health and Human Services
###


Media Home Page | Accessibility | Privacy Policy | Contact Us
CDC Home | Search | Health Topics A-Z

This page last updated January 14, 2006
URL: http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/r060114.htm

United States Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Office of Communication
Division of Media Relations