Antiwei to treat influenza
Antiwei is a traditional Chinese prescription used to treat influenza.
Researchers at Sichuan University, in Chengdu, People’s Republic of China report it is effective and well tolerated.
First, the details.
- 480 adults were recruited for the study within 36 hours of onset of influenza-like symptoms.
- 225 patients had confirmed influenza.
- Eligible patients were randomly assigned to a treatment group for 3 days.
- 6 grams of Antiwei twice daily
- Placebo
- All patients recorded their temperature and symptoms on diary cards during treatment.
- Analyses were performed in both the influenza-like population and the influenza-confirmed population.
- Neither the patients nor researchers knew the treatment given — double blind.
And, the results.
- Antiwei treatment was associated with increased recovery by 17% in both the influenza-like and the influenza-confirmed populations compared to placebo — a significant difference
- Antiwei was also associated with a 50% reduction in severity of illness in both the influenza-like and the influenza-confirmed populations compared to placebo — a significant difference.
- The influenza-confirmed patients reported significant reductions in the severity of fever, cough, and expectoration after 1 day of treatment with Antiwei compared to placebo.
- Side effects were similar for Antiwei and placebo.
The bottom line?
The authors concluded, “Antiwei was effective and well tolerated in treatment of natural influenza infection in adults. Antiwei represents a clinically valuable intervention in the management of influenza.”
I believe Antiwei contains a combination of Chinese herbs.
A PubMed search revealed no other studies of Antiwei.
9/23/10 18:47 JR