Tamiflu(Oseltamivir phosphate)seems to be a double-edged sword to some in Asia.While it is counted on againstinfluenza and a feared avian influenza pandemic[1],the drug is also associated with side effects,ranging fro...Tamiflu(Oseltamivir phosphate)seems to be a double-edged sword to some in Asia.While it is counted on againstinfluenza and a feared avian influenza pandemic[1],the drug is also associated with side effects,ranging from neu-ropsychiatric,gastrointestinal,to hyperthennia and skin problems.According to a document from US Food and DrugAdministration in 2005[2],1184 cases of side effects have been reported. Interestingly 69 out of the 75 pediatric caseswere from Japan,including two teen suicides.The situation seemed to have made a gloomier turn recently.It was reportedin February,2007 that two Japanese teenagers jumped from apartment buildings after taking Tamiflu and died,bringingthe total number of deaths after taking Tamiftu in Japan to 54[3,4].Although no direct causal relationship had been es-tablished yet,the Japan Health Ministry warned doctors about giving the drug to teenagers.In comparison,relatively fewcases of severe side effects were reported from America and European countries[5].What is wrong with this picture?Ithas concerned and bewildered many.The pages in this issue[6]offer one fascinating hypothesis that tries to explain themystery using an integrated approach combining structural bioinformatic analysis and enzyme assays.展开更多
文摘Tamiflu(Oseltamivir phosphate)seems to be a double-edged sword to some in Asia.While it is counted on againstinfluenza and a feared avian influenza pandemic[1],the drug is also associated with side effects,ranging from neu-ropsychiatric,gastrointestinal,to hyperthennia and skin problems.According to a document from US Food and DrugAdministration in 2005[2],1184 cases of side effects have been reported. Interestingly 69 out of the 75 pediatric caseswere from Japan,including two teen suicides.The situation seemed to have made a gloomier turn recently.It was reportedin February,2007 that two Japanese teenagers jumped from apartment buildings after taking Tamiflu and died,bringingthe total number of deaths after taking Tamiftu in Japan to 54[3,4].Although no direct causal relationship had been es-tablished yet,the Japan Health Ministry warned doctors about giving the drug to teenagers.In comparison,relatively fewcases of severe side effects were reported from America and European countries[5].What is wrong with this picture?Ithas concerned and bewildered many.The pages in this issue[6]offer one fascinating hypothesis that tries to explain themystery using an integrated approach combining structural bioinformatic analysis and enzyme assays.
