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