OBJECTIVES To evaluate the efficacy and safety of triple combination regimens comprising of interferon alpha-2b (IFN-alpha) and ribavirin plus either IFN-gamma or amantadine in genotype 3 patients, responders or relapsers to interferon plus ribavirin combination. METHODS Patients were randomized to receive IFN-alpha 3MU thrice a week, ribavirin 800-1200 mg per day with either IFN-gamma 2 MU t...

The influenza virus M2 protein, target of the antiviral drugs amantadine and rimantadine, forms a proton channel which functions during virus uncoating and maturation by modifying the pH in virions as well as in trans-Golgi vesicles. We studied the influence of different ionic gradients on the inhibition of the proton translocation activity of isolated, baculovirus-expressed M2 protein reconsti...

This study examines the effect of amantadine on irritability in persons in the post-acute period after traumatic brain injury (TBI). There were 168 persons ≥6 months post-TBI with irritability who were enrolled in a parallel-group, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial receiving either amantadine 100 mg twice daily or equivalent placebo for 60 days. Subjects were assessed at baseli...

The importance and significance of amantadine- or rimantadine-resistant influenza viruses in immunocompromised patients was studied in a population of adult bone marrow transplant (BMT) recipients and patients with leukemia prospectively cultured for respiratory viruses. Influenza A viruses were isolated from 29 patients with acute respiratory illness (14 BMT recipients and 15 patients with leu...

We describe a gas--liquid-chromatographic method for determining the concentration of amantadine hydrochloride in urine with beta-phenylethylamine as internal standard. The urine sample is made alkaline and extracted with 0.5 mL of chloroform. After centrifugation the aqueous layer is aspirated, and an aliquot of the organic layer is injected directly into the gas chromatograph. Concentration a...