So according to the TV stories I've seen (which are probably totally inaccurate), Tamiflu is effective agains the H5N1 flu virus (the flu that could morph into something that could alledgedly become a pandemic).

Problem is the supply of Tamiflu is severely limited.

So two questions, one is Tamiflu effective, if so how effective?

Second where can one get tamiflu?

You need a prescription RX and $300 per dose. You will need at least 8 doses, so $2400 and then it is only fairly effective.

Quoted: You need a prescription RX and $300 per dose. You will need at least 8 doses, so $2400 and then it is only fairly effective.

you can mail order it from outside the country without a prescription for around $100 for a complete course (10 pills).

If you can get a prescription you can can buy it for $60 a for a course.

See www.drugstore.com for example.

And the virus is mutating to resist.  By the time H5N1 is an issue here the drug may be totally innefective.

"I'm going to figure that number is heavy with the very young, very old, and the sick."


Not true.  The virus os 1918 was more deadly to the healthy.  It's the immunes system's reaction to the flu and the resulting fluids that kill.  In many cases it was a few hours from hospitilization to death for the healthiest people.

Tamiflu is not  panacea. It has to be given early in the course of the illness to be effective. Then it only mitigates the severity or acuity of the flu. In other words, when used properly, it makes your case of flu milder, it doesn`t cure it. Since most people, most particulrly the elderly, can`t always differentiate between the flu and the common upper respiratory infection (ie cold. sinusitis, etc) its use is somewhat problematic.

If such a pandemic comes to pass, know the name of a good pulmnologist/intensivist and remember the name Xigris. This is a drug that interrupts the physiological changes brought about by sepsis. It`s not used as much as it should be because it is tremendously expensive. The last price I recall hearing  was more than $2,500/dose. Basically it trys to buy your body time for the anti virals (in this case) and your immune system to fight back. In the ICU the hope is to keep you off the ventilator or get you off quicker in cases of pnuemonia or respiratory failure secondary to sepsis. It`s use is severely frowned upon because of cost.

To quote Dr. McCoy from Star Trek, "I can do more for you if you eat right and exercise."

what about  Relenza  ??