[Use of rimantadine in familial foci during an epidemic of influenza caused by A1 virus].

The therapeutic and prophylactic efficacy of rimantadine in familial foci during influenza A1 outbreaks was studied. The observations included 28 experimental foci and 26 control (altogether 146 subjects varying in ages from 4 to 71 years). The foci were selected at random (the alphabet principle). In the experimental foci the patients were treated with rimantadine given in single doses of 300 mg on the first day, 200 mg on the second, and 100 mg each on the 3rd and 4th days. The contacts were also given rimantadine, 100 mg each for 7 to 10 days. In the control foci the patients received symptomatic drugs and contacts were only observed by physicians. Rimantadine was shown to be effective therapeutically if the treatment was started on the first day of the disease. As compared with the control group, in the treated patients the temperature became normal and the main symptoms of the disease regressed within shorter periods of time. The prophylactic effect was also positive: in experimental foci repeated diseases occurred only in 3 subjects (6%) and in controls 13 subjects (30%). The prophylactic effectiveness of the drug is also indicated by a decline in the number of inapparent forms: in experimental foci 26%, in control 56%. The drug may be recommended for treatment and prevention of influenza in familial foci when the disease is caused by A1 virus.