Trial of amantadine in epidemic influenza

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Abstract
Amantadine hydrochloride, a chemotherapeutic anti‐influenza compound, was tested for prophylactic and curative effects in double‐blind trials on 794 and 55 prisoner volunteers during an Asian influenza epidemic. Oral 200 mg. doses were given for 10 to 14 days. In the prophylactic trial, 5 of 439 (1.1 per cent) drug‐treated subjects became ill in contrast to 15 of 355 (4.2 per cent) placebo subjects, indicating significant protection. Among unselected drug‐treated subjects, fourfold or greater titer rises occurred in 30 per cent fewer subjects than in the placebo group (p < 0.05). Subjects with initial titers of 40 or less showed a 43 per cent titer rise difference (p < 0.02). Measured by the rises of mean titers, amantadine exerted a 52 per cent protection (p < 0.05). Reduced antibody titer rises accompanying therapeutic drug administration were not significant.