Experimental swine flu drug used on boy

A Centers for Disease Control (CDC) spokesperson said they only released the experimental antiviral drug due to the critical nature of the situation.

Dr. Huang Li-ming, a pediatrician of infectious diseases who is currently treating the boy at NTUH, said that the child currently requires the use of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) to maintain vital signs and once they receive the Peramivir, they will use it.

Whether or not the intravenous drug can save the boy's life is yet to be determined. Huang said the boy was in stable condition but it is still too early to see the effectiveness of the drug.

The CDC emphasized that Peramivir can only be administered on a case-by-case basis. Currently, the bureau has only 40 shots of the BioCryst Pharmaceuticals developed drug in storage. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has only approvedthe use of Peramivir in cases of hospitalized patients who are unable to receive other methods of treatment.

Such is the case of the ten-year-old boy, who reportedly suffered from organ failure and severe gastrointestinal bleeding after contracting the swine flue virus. Doctors were unable to administer Tamiflu and Relenza to the boy, which are taken orally in capsules or through inhalation. Peramivir is currently the only intravenous option for treating swine flu.

As the experimental drug is in currently undergoing Phase III clinical trials, a doctor must first judge the severity of the patient and then personally apply for the drug. Parental consent is also mandatory; if any problems were to arise, the doctor is absolved of all liability.

Subscribe to The China Post and save 25%. Click here

SharePrintEmail

Write a Comment

Terms

Enter your comments - 3000 characters max

Type in image code

Submit

 Receive China Post promos
 Respond to this email