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Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) has been used by 68 million people worldwide during the last 10 years, according to its manufacturer Roche, and millions more doses have been stockpiled to combat future pandemic influenza outbreaks. One can only assume the drug works. Or does it?
A team of Cochrane reviewers surveyed the literature on safety and efficacy of oseltamivir and its cousin zanamivir (Relenza) and found 8 acceptable prophylaxis trials and 12 acceptable treatment trials. For pre- or postexposure prophylaxis against influenza, both drugs were mildly effective. Treatment trials found that both drugs shortened duration of symptomatic influenza by 12 to 24 hours if taken early in infection.
The reviewers reported difficulty in evaluating the data s…