The effects of peroral or local aerosol administration of 1-aminoadamantane hydrochloride (amantadine hydrochloride) on influenza infections of the ferret
The efficacy of amantadine hydrochloride against influenza infections in the ferret was examined, this drug being administered both perorally and in aerosol form. It was found that twice daily doses of 100 mg/kg of amantadine not only produced toxic effects in the ferret, but also had no demonstrable antiviral activity. However, when administered in aerosol form twice daily, doses of 6 mg/kg of amantadine had no toxic effects and consistently reduced the febrile response and virus shedding, without suppressing the immune response. These indications strongly suggest that aerosols of drugs formulated to alleviate human influenza infections, could not only have enhanced activity, as compared to parenteral administration, but may also be used in much smaller doses than would normally be given systemically, hence affording less toxicity.