Avian bird flu - Tamiflu and Ampligen most effective combination

Recent news reports inform that preclinical studies conducted on dsRNA (Double-stranded RNA) based drug Ampligen, being manufactured by Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc. might prove to be the perfect compliment to Tamiflu, the most effective medication for Influenza affliction. Ampligen is an experimental immunomodulator and will hopefully play a potentially pivotal role in improving the efficacy of the present standards of care in influenza prevention as well as treatment of acute diseases.

The first preclinical study which was conducted at the National Institutes of Health at Utah State University, compared the effect of Tamiflu on the avian flu virus (H5N1) when taken alone and then in combination with Ampligen. Different drug combinations were used to measure cell destruction in influenza through in vitro technique. While both drugs proved effective in inhibiting cell destruction by the avian flu virus, but a combination of the two proved to be much more effective in suppressing the virus. To quote from the researchers’ summary report, “The overall assessment is that there was improvement in cell protection when Ampligen was combined with Tamiflu”. Further tests were planned.

Right now, Tamiflu has been found to be highly effective when used within a period of around 48 hours after being exposed to influenza. If the above study stands and the combination of Tamiflu and Ampligen (an immunomodulator) proves effective beyond doubt, then a new approach and mechanism (i.e. immunologic/host defensive immune cascades) may become available to combat the avian virus.

Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) like Ampligen is also known to be specific inducers of broad-spectrum antiviral/immune responses. Recent studies by Japanese researchers has also shown that dsRNA’s increase the effectiveness of influenza vaccines by more than 300% and may also provide cross protection against variant viral strains (mutated strains of influenza virus).