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Antivirals for the common cold.

T O Jefferson1, D Tyrrell

  • 1Health Reviews Ltd, 35 Minehurst Road, Mytchett, Camberley, Surrey, UK, GU16 6JP. toj1@aol.com, tjefferson@cochrane.co.uk

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|November 1, 2001
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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No effective antivirals are currently licensed for the common cold. While interferons show some efficacy, side effects limit their use, necessitating further research into other compounds like Pleconaril.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Pharmacology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • The common cold is a widespread illness with ongoing research into preventive and treatment interventions.
  • Experimental antiviral development has advanced with increased understanding of the disease.
  • This review synthesizes evidence on experimental antiviral compounds for the common cold.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify, evaluate, and synthesize results from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of antivirals for common cold prevention and treatment.
  • To assess both published and unpublished trial data.

Main Methods:

  • Searched electronic databases, contacted researchers, and reviewed archives of the MRC's Common Cold Unit.
  • Included original reports of randomized and quasi-randomized trials involving volunteers with experimentally induced or naturally occurring colds.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Analyzed 241 studies on interferons, interferon-inducers, and other antivirals, comparing results from experimental and community settings.

    • Main Results:

    • Intranasal interferons demonstrated high preventive efficacy against experimental colds but had safety concerns (e.g., blood-tinged nasal discharge).
    • Dipyridamole, ICI 130, 685, Impulsin (palmitate), and Pleconaril showed promising antiviral properties and good tolerability.
    • Evidence for other compounds in treating experimental or natural colds was limited.

    Conclusions:

    • Currently, no licensed effective antivirals exist for the common cold.
    • Interferons are not recommended for general use due to side effects and indistinguishable symptoms from the common cold.
    • Further research on dipyridamole, palmitate, ICI 130, 685, Impulsin, and Pleconaril is warranted, with a future focus on non-virus-specific compounds.