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Constantine Maroulis

Constantine James Maroulis (born September 17, 1975 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American rock singer (tenor), actor, and writer. The lead vocalist of the hard rock band Pray For The Soul Of Betty, he was a finalist on the fourth season of the reality television series American Idol.

Biography

Early years

Maroulis was born in Brooklyn, New York to Greek parents, James Constantine Maroulis and Constance P. Maroulis (born 1938). Older brother Athanasios Demetrios Maroulis (born 1964) is a record producer and sister Anastacia P. Maroulis (born 1968) is a New York schoolteacher. They also have 20 cousins. When Mr. Maroulis was 5 years old his family moved to Wyckoff, New Jersey, a very affluent suburb of New York City. At that time he developed an interest in music education: following his older brother's lead who was performing in professional bands and pursuing a career in the record business; being influenced by the piano; and exposed to records his family listened to[1]. By age eleven he studied the trumpet at Eisenhower Middle School and later sang in high school garage bands (i.e, Lady Rain). He graduated from Ramapo High School in 1993. He moved on to The Boston Conservatory as a young adult, receiving his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2002, majoring in musical theater with a minor in voice performance from Berklee College of Music.

Pre-Idol

Maroulis as he appears on the competitive dating program Elimidate.

Many years prior to Idol, Mr. Maroulis competed on the dating show Elimidate[2] and was an extra in NBC's Law and Order: SVU and the WB's Astro Boy.

He has a cavalcade of off-Broadway roles from the Conservatory, along with a series of independent films. After graduating the Conservatory, Maroulis trained as a director's apprentice at the Williamstown theatre festival[3] in Boston and toured in the Broadway international touring of Rent as the lead role Roger Davis[4]. His role as Roger was non- equity. Since he had no agent representing him, he was allowed on the show American Idol. Since Idol, Maroulis is now represented by the Creative Artists Agency.

American Idol

In August 2004, upon an ex-girlfriend's suggestion, Maroulis traveled to Washington DC to audition for the television show American Idol. He was the first contestant of the season supported by the Vote for the Worst online campaign[5] before the campaign switched focus to Scott Savol, as a result of fan complaints.

Throughout Idol, Maroulis was compared alongside another rocker, Bo Bice.

Maroulis during American Idol's 2005 tour in Syracuse, New York

On April 27, 2005, Mr. Maroulis, who received over 35 million votes over the course of the season, was voted off American Idol after he performed Nickelback's "How You Remind Me" during the 2000's music round. His sixth-place ouster surprised some afficionados, including a tearful Paula Abdul. Less than a week before his elimination, Maroulis's pre-Idol band, Pray For The Soul Of Betty, announced the May 10 release of their epynomic debut of their pre-recorded, self-produced audio compact disc on their own record label, Baby Julius, through a distribution deal with Koch[6]. Maroulis' was featured on the American Idol Season 4: The Showstoppers compilation with "My Funny Valentine" on the American Idol RCA record label, a division of Sony BMG. His rendition of the Queen classic "Bohemian Rhapsody" also earned him the praise of judges, including the usually harsh Simon Cowell. Maroulis later recorded a studio version of the track for Killer Queen: A Tribute to Queen[7], which was released on August 9, 2005 on Queen's label, Hollywood Records, a division of Universal.

Current projects

Mr. Maroulis currently fronts the hard rock band, Pray For the Soul of Betty, based in New York. Contrary to what was portrayed in the fourth season debut, he did not quit his band. He only took a temporarily leave of absence, returning after he was the seventh finalist voted off. He is also working on an upcoming solo album. Before the album release date, he performed in four live shows in Manila, Philippines and New Jersey, USA. His set list included well-known songs he did in the past, from Hedwig and the Angry Inch[8], Rent, Jesus Christ Superstar[9], and American Idol.


In the fall of 2005, he was in negotiations to star in a teleivison sitcom that is loosely based on his upbringing as the youngest of three in a large Greek-American family of New York. Disney's ABC network bought rights to the show, courtesy of Grammnet (of Paramount, owned by former Cheers star Kelsey Grammar).

Facts and stats

  • Height: 6 '3 " (190 cm).
  • Hair: Dark Brown
  • Ethnicity: Greek
  • Nationality: American
  • Eyes: Brown
  • Sign: Virgo
  • Zodiac: Rabbit
  • Born in Brooklyn, raised in Wyckoff
  • Fluent in Greek and English [citation needed]
  • Lead singer of Pray For The Soul Of Betty
  • Placed sixth in American Idol
  • Attended Eisenhower Middle, Ramapo High, Boston Conservatory, Berklee
  • His brother, Athan Maroulis joined the Industrial music group Spahn Ranch in 1993. Spahn Ranch toured throughout the Northern American continent with various other Industrial/Gothic music groups. They also collaborated with David J. (Bauhaus) and Killing Joke members on later albums.

References

  1. ^ Phillipines Tribune
  2. ^ Elimidate episode
  3. ^ Williamstown Theatre Festival
  4. ^ Rent Interview with Constantine in 2003-2004
  5. ^ Vote for the Worst
  6. ^ Koch Records
  7. ^ Hollywood Records
  8. ^ Hedwig and the Angry Inch
  9. ^ Jesus Christ Superstar

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Disney's ABC network bought rights to the show, courtesy of Grammnet (of Paramount, owned by former Cheers star Kelsey Grammar). A scientist investigating avian influenza stated that he and his colleagues have personal stocks of Tamiflu. In the fall of 2005, he was in negotiations to star in a teleivison sitcom that is loosely based on his upbringing as the youngest of three in a large Greek-American family of New York. This argument lacks face validity, since treatment must begin before such tests results would be available anyway.
. A fourth purported problem is that the H5N1 virus can be reliably diagnosed only in a small number of labs around the world; therefore, there is no way for home users to know whether flu-like symptoms are the result of avian flu or a more benign ailment. His set list included well-known songs he did in the past, from Hedwig and the Angry Inch[8], Rent, Jesus Christ Superstar[9], and American Idol. [22][23].

Before the album release date, he performed in four live shows in Manila, Philippines and New Jersey, USA. However, sophisticated criminals could produce convincing fake packaging in the future. He is also working on an upcoming solo album. Roche officials know of only one instance of counterfeit Tamiflu appearing outside of the United States: incorrectly-labeled pills found in Holland, which contained only Vitamin C and lactose. He only took a temporarily leave of absence, returning after he was the seventh finalist voted off. The packages were labeled Generic Tamiflu. Contrary to what was portrayed in the fourth season debut, he did not quit his band. In December 2005, 53 packages of fake Tamiflu pills were intercepted by the US Customs Service in South San Francisco.

Maroulis currently fronts the hard rock band, Pray For the Soul of Betty, based in New York. This is genuinely a potential problem, but, in the face of a shortage, some individuals may be willing to face such a risk. Mr. Another argument is that it would be difficult for home users to determine whether illegally-imported Tamiflu is counterfeit. Maroulis later recorded a studio version of the track for Killer Queen: A Tribute to Queen[7], which was released on August 9, 2005 on Queen's label, Hollywood Records, a division of Universal. Many stockpilers will only have ten 75 mg pills (the current recommended dosage for oseltamivir), but this may be insufficient for the treatment of H5N1 (de Jong 2005). His rendition of the Queen classic "Bohemian Rhapsody" also earned him the praise of judges, including the usually harsh Simon Cowell. In the New England Journal of Medicine, Moscona (2005) argues that the use of personal stockpiles of oseltamivir could result in the administration of low dosages, allowing for the development of drug-resistant virus strains.

Maroulis' was featured on the American Idol Season 4: The Showstoppers compilation with "My Funny Valentine" on the American Idol RCA record label, a division of Sony BMG. Ethical arguments are sometimes made: Why should affluent people (or nations) have preferred access to antiviral medications? Illegal importation may divert the drug from poorer countries where the risk of avian influenza is actually higher. Less than a week before his elimination, Maroulis's pre-Idol band, Pray For The Soul Of Betty, announced the May 10 release of their epynomic debut of their pre-recorded, self-produced audio compact disc on their own record label, Baby Julius, through a distribution deal with Koch[6]. One argument against individual stockpiling is that limited drugs should be kept for more strategic or ethical deployment, that is, to hard-hit areas, to people in critical roles (e.g., healthcare and government workers), to people vulnerable to seasonal flu, or to people who actually have come down with avian influenza. His sixth-place ouster surprised some afficionados, including a tearful Paula Abdul. Several American states, including Massachusetts and Colorado, have issued advisories strongly discouraging this practice. Maroulis, who received over 35 million votes over the course of the season, was voted off American Idol after he performed Nickelback's "How You Remind Me" during the 2000's music round. The short supply of Tamiflu has prompted some individuals to stockpile the drug.

On April 27, 2005, Mr. On the other hand, at least one Democratic Senator has criticized Bush for not planning to buy enough anti-viral drugs [21]. Throughout Idol, Maroulis was compared alongside another rocker, Bo Bice. Previously, Rumsfeld has been implicated in a racketeering lawsuit involving the FDA approval of the artificial sweetner aspartame [20]. He was the first contestant of the season supported by the Vote for the Worst online campaign[5] before the campaign switched focus to Scott Savol, as a result of fan complaints. The rise in Gilead's share prices from $35 to $57 per share will have added between $2.5 million to $15.5 million to Rumsfeld's net worth. In August 2004, upon an ex-girlfriend's suggestion, Maroulis traveled to Washington DC to audition for the television show American Idol. Rumsfeld is a former chairman of Gilead, and federal disclosure forms indicate that he owns between $5 million and $25 million in Gilead stock (Schwartz 2005 [19]).

Since Idol, Maroulis is now represented by the Creative Artists Agency. government's endorsement and planned purchase of oseltamivir, noting Secretary of State Donald Rumsfeld's close ties to Gilead Sciences, rightsholder to the Tamiflu patent. Since he had no agent representing him, he was allowed on the show American Idol. Some commentators (e.g., [18]) question the motives of the U.S. His role as Roger was non- equity. Bush's plan included $1.4 billion for government purchases of anti-viral drugs[17]. After graduating the Conservatory, Maroulis trained as a director's apprentice at the Williamstown theatre festival[3] in Boston and toured in the Broadway international touring of Rent as the lead role Roger Davis[4]. Bush requested Congress to fund $7.1 billion in emergency spending for flu pandemic prepardness (the Senate had already passed an $8.1 billion bill)[16].

He has a cavalcade of off-Broadway roles from the Conservatory, along with a series of independent films. president George W. Maroulis competed on the dating show Elimidate[2] and was an extra in NBC's Law and Order: SVU and the WB's Astro Boy. In November, 2005, U.S. Many years prior to Idol, Mr. The week before, Thai authorities said they would begin producing oseltamivir by February 2006, claiming that Roche had not patented Tamiflu in Thailand[15]. He moved on to The Boston Conservatory as a young adult, receiving his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2002, majoring in musical theater with a minor in voice performance from Berklee College of Music. On November 9, 2005, Vietnam became the first country to be granted permission by Roche to produce a generic version of oseltamivir[14].

He graduated from Ramapo High School in 1993. Roche said it would instead send all supplies to China's health ministry[13]. By age eleven he studied the trumpet at Eisenhower Middle School and later sang in high school garage bands (i.e, Lady Rain). [10][11][12] Sales were suspended in Hong Kong as well, and on November 8, also in China. At that time he developed an interest in music education: following his older brother's lead who was performing in professional bands and pursuing a career in the record business; being influenced by the piano; and exposed to records his family listened to[1]. It said that, when distribution resumes in Canada, the remaining available drug will be saved for use in high-risk settings like long-term care facilities and hospitals. Maroulis was 5 years old his family moved to Wyckoff, New Jersey, a very affluent suburb of New York City. In late-October 2005, Roche announced that it was suspending shipments to pharmacies in the United States and Canada until the North American seasonal flu outbreak began, to address concerns about private stockpiling and to preserve supplies for seasonal influenza.

When Mr. Also in October, it was announced that Roche was in discussions with four generic drug manufacturers about possibly issuing sublicenses to increase production. They also have 20 cousins. Cipla argues that it can legally sell oseltamivir to India and 49 other less-developed countries, possibly as early as January 2006. Maroulis (born 1968) is a New York schoolteacher. Most patent laws allow governments to authorize supply from generic companies, subject to remuneration to patent owners to address public health problems, including emergencies, although Roche has annouced its intention to remain the sole supplier of the drug. Older brother Athanasios Demetrios Maroulis (born 1964) is a record producer and sister Anastacia P. In October 2005, the Indian drug company Cipla announced their plan to begin manufacture of generic oseltamivir without license from Roche.

Maroulis (born 1938). Though significant, the quantities stockpiled would not have been sufficient to protect the entire population of these countries. Maroulis was born in Brooklyn, New York to Greek parents, James Constantine Maroulis and Constance P. In response to the epidemic, various governments – including those of the United Kingdom, Canada, United States and Australia – stockpiled quantities of oseltamivir in preparation for a possible pandemic. . Oseltamivir, otherwise known as Tamiflu, was widely used during the H5N1 avian influenza epidemic in Southeast Asia in 2005. The lead vocalist of the hard rock band Pray For The Soul Of Betty, he was a finalist on the fourth season of the reality television series American Idol. Veterinary investigation of its use for canine parvo [8] and canine flu [9]is ongoing, but many shelters and rescue groups have reported great success employing Tamiflu in the early stages of these illnesses.

Constantine James Maroulis (born September 17, 1975 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American rock singer (tenor), actor, and writer. Tamiflu appears to be active against canine parvovirus, feline panleukopenia, the canine respiratory complex known as "kennel cough," and the emerging disease dubbed "canine flu", an equine virus that began affecting dogs in 2005. (Bauhaus) and Killing Joke members on later albums. In addition, quinic acid, derived from the bark of the cinchona tree of Zaire, is a potential alternative base material for the production of oseltamivir. They also collaborated with David J. Other potential sources of shikimic acid include the ginko tree. Spahn Ranch toured throughout the Northern American continent with various other Industrial/Gothic music groups. An alternative method for production of the acid involves fermentation of genetically-modified bacteria.

His brother, Athan Maroulis joined the Industrial music group Spahn Ranch in 1993. Some academic experts and other drug companies are disputing the difficulty of producing shikimic acid by means other than star anise extraction. Attended Eisenhower Middle, Ramapo High, Boston Conservatory, Berklee. The northern Vietnamese province of Lang Son has 80 km² of star anise.[7]. Placed sixth in American Idol. Ninety percent of the harvest is already used by Roche in making Tamiflu. Lead singer of Pray For The Soul Of Betty. Thirteen grams of star anise make 1.3 grams of shikimic acid, which can be made into 10 Tamiflu capsules.

Fluent in Greek and English [citation needed]. The shikimic acid is extracted from the seeds in a ten-stage manufacturing process. Born in Brooklyn, raised in Wyckoff. Star anise is grown in four provinces in China and harvested between March and May. Zodiac: Rabbit. A shortage of star anise is one of the key reasons why there is a worldwide shortage of Tamiflu (as at 2005). Sign: Virgo. According to Roche, the major bottleneck in oseltamivir production is the availability of shikimic acid, which cannot be economically synthesized and is only effectively isolated from Chinese star anise, an ancient cooking spice; although most autotrophic organisms produce shikimic acid, the isolation yield is low.

Eyes: Brown. (See Pandemic Fears, below). Nationality: American. In early-2005, Roche announced a production shortage. Ethnicity: Greek. (2004) all appeared within individual children after treatment with oseltamivir - the children did not catch the resistant strains in human-to-human transmission. Hair: Dark Brown. It is worth noting that the oseltamivir-resistant strains detected by Kiso et al.

Height: 6 '3 " (190 cm). Second, the development of a robust, resistant virus strain appears to be less likely (Ward et al., 2005). First, these drugs work on a broader spectrum of influenza strains. The lack of variation in neuraminidase gives two advantages to oseltamivir and zanamivir, the drugs that target that enzyme. This means that there are relatively few variations, and there is also evidence that variations that do occur tend to be less "fit." Thus, mutations that convey resistance to oseltamivir may also tend to cripple the virus by giving it an otherwise less-functional enzyme.

The genetic sequence for the neuraminidase enzyme is highly conserved across virus strains. Kiso et al. (2004) suggest that "a higher prevalence of resistant viruses should be expected" during a pandemic. Resistance is of concern in the scenario of an influenza pandemic, since resistance is more likely to develop due to the potentially longer duration of infection by novel viruses. Moscona (2005) gives a good overview of the resistance issue, and says that personal stockpiles of Tamiflu could lead to under-dosage and thus the emergence of resistant strains of H5N1.

They also note that the recommended dosage of oseltamivir does not always completely suppress viral replication, a situation that could favor the emergence of resistant strains. They suggest that the emergence of a resistant strain may be associated with a patient's clinical deterioration. (2005) describe resistance development in two more Vietnamese patients suffering from H5N1, and compare their cases with six others. de Jong et al.

She was being treated with oseltamivir at time of detection (Le et al., 2005; World Health Organization, 2005). High-level resistance has been detected in one girl suffering from H5N1 avian influenza in Vietnam. Third, the dosage regimen in Japan is different from that of other nations, and some children may have been given a suboptimal dosage of oseltamivir. Second, Kiso et al. (2004) claim to have used more rigorous detection techniques than previous studies.

First, children typically have a longer infection period, giving a longer time for resistance to develop. Several explanations were proposed by the authors of the studies for the higher-than-expected resistance rate detected. This rate was similar to another study where resistant isolates of H1N1 influenza virus were found in 16.3% of another cohort of Japanese children (Ward et al., 2005). Mutant H3N2 influenza A virus isolates resistant to oseltamivir were found in 18% of a group of 50 Japanese children treated with oseltamivir (Kiso et al., 2004).

Mutations conferring resistance are single amino acid residue substitutions in the neuraminidase enzyme (Ward et al., 2005). The resistance rate reported during clinical trials up to July 2004 was 0.33% in adults, 4.0% in children, and 1.26% overall. As with other antivirals, resistance to the agent was expected with widespread use of oseltamivir, though the emergence of resistant viruses was expected to be less frequent than with amantadine or rimantadine. Roche has other routes to Tamiflu that do not involve the use of (−)-shikimic acid as a chiral pool starting material, such as a Diels-Alder route involving furan and ethyl acrylate or an isophthalic acid route, which involves catalytic hydrogenation and enzymatic desymmetrization.

It is noted that the synthesis avoids the use of potentially explosive azide reagents and intermediates; however, the synthesis actually used by Roche uses azides. The final product is obtained in high purity (99.7%) and an overall yield of 17-22% from (−)-shikimic acid. Finally, deallylation as above, yielded the freebase of oseltamivir, which was converted to the desired oseltamivir phosphate by treatment with phosphoric acid. Selective acylation with acetic anhydride (under buffered conditions, the 5-amino group is protonated owing to a considerable difference in pKa, 4.2 vs 7.9, preventing acetylation) yields the desired N-acetylated product in crystalline form upon extractive workup.

Acidic hydrolysis then removed the imine. With the librated methanesulfonic acid, the aziridine opens cleanly to yield a diamine that immediately undergoes a second transimination. Mesylation, followed by removal of the solid byproduct triethylamine hydrochloride, results in an intermediate that was poised to undergo aziridination upon transimination with another equivalent of allylamine. The aminoalcohol was converted directly to the corresponding allyl-diamine in an interesting cascade sequence that commences with the unselective imination of benzaldehyde with azeotropic water removal in methyl tert-butyl ether.

Reduction on palladium, promoted by ethanolamine, followed by acidic workup yielded the deprotected 1,2-aminoalcohol. The water-immiscible solvents methyl tert-butyl ether and acetonitrile are used to simplify the workup procedure, which involved stirring with 1 M aqueous ammonium sulfate. Using the inexpensive Lewis acid magnesium bromide diethyl etherate (commonly prepared fresh by the addition of magnesium turnings to 1,2-dibromoethane in benzene:diethyl ether), the epoxide is opened with allyl amine to yield the corresponding 1,2-amino alcohol. The corresponding epoxide is formed under basic conditions with potassium bicarbonate.

Reductive opening of the ketal under modified Hunter conditions (JOC 1993, 58, 6756) in dichloromethane yields an inseparable mixture of isomeric mesylates. The 3,4-pentylidene acetal mesylate is prepared in three steps: esterification with ethanol and thionyl chloride; ketalization with para-toluenesulfonic acid and 3-pentanone; and mesylation with triethylamine and methanesulfonyl chloride. The synthesis commences from naturally available (−)-shikimic acid. The reported azide-free Roche synthesis of tamiflu is summarized graphically below:.

However, it is known that one adverse reaction added to the Japanese list was haemorrhagic Colitis (bloody diarrhoea)[6].. The authors of this section have yet to find Japan's actual listing of adverse reactions linked to oseltamivir. They did recommend adding a warning to prescription information regarding possible rashes. The Committee stated that there was insufficient evidence to claim a causal link between oseltamivir use and the deaths of 12 Japanese children (only two from neurological problems).

On November 18, 2005, a previously-scheduled Advisory Committee to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) met to reconsider the pediatric safety of Tamiflu; a six-page report was issued: Pediatric Safety Update for Tamiflu. Roche points out that 32 million doses have been prescribed worldwide, most of them in Japan, and emphasizes the drug's safety. The two deaths were reported to the Japanese health ministry by Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., a corporation half-owned by Roche, which distributes Tamiflu in Japan (Japan Times November 13, 2005; Reuters Nov 14, 2005). A third teen reportedly attempted to jump from the window of a building.

In February 2005, a 14-year-old male died after falling nine stories from his condominium building. In February 2004, a 17-year-old male jumped in front of a truck and died after taking one capsule of Tamiflu. According to Japan's Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, there were 64 cases of psychological disorders linked to the drug between fiscal years 2000 and 2004. In May 2004, the safety division of Japan's health ministry ordered changes to the literature accompanying oseltamivir to add neurological and psychological disorders as possible side effects, including: impaired consciousness, abnormal behavior, and hallucinations.

The number of adverse reaction reports may be a clue, but these number are not reported by Roche in this document. However, given that forms are voluntary, it may be difficult to determine prevalency rates or whether an actual causal relation exists. Postmarketing studies are advantageous because the drug is effectively "tested" on a larger population, and previously missed adverse reactions may be discovered. According to Roche, in the postmarketing period, voluntary reports have possibly linked oseltamivir to the following other adverse reactions:.

Other adverse reactions were not reported by Tamiflu-treated patients at a markedly higher rate than those treated with placebo. In the clinical trials performed by Roche (comparing roughly 2,700 individuals given Tamiflu with 2,650 given placebo), nausea and vomiting were the most frequent adverse reactions reported. The following information (but not its interpretation) comes from Roche's "Complete Product Information" publication for Tamiflu (intended for the United States). 2002)[4], but was publicized only in October 2005 by a doctor who had reviewed the data (Butler 2005)[5].

The evidence for this interaction comes from a 2002 study by Roche (Hill et al. Probenecid was used in similar fashion during World War II to extend limited supplies of penicillin. 500 mg of probenecid given every six hours doubles oseltamivir's maximum blood concentration and also doubles the time that oseltamivir stays in the blood, multiplying a patient's overall exposure to the drug 2.5-fold. Probenecid reduces excretion of oseltamivir's active metabolite.

It has been suggested that co-administration of oseltamivir with another drug called probenecid could dramatically extend the world's limited supply of oseltamivir. 2005). (de Jong et al. Besides allowing the infection to proceed, such incomplete suppression provides opportunities for drug resistance to develop.

[A]t least in some patients with influenza A (H5N1) virus infection, treatment with the recommended dose of oseltamivir incompletely suppresses viral replication. Doctors in Vietnam concur, noting that. Peter Hobby (of the World Health Organization) has suggested that Vietnam should investigate and test a higher dosage and longer treatment with Tamiflu for patients with avian influenza[2][3]. The above treatment regimes are based upon studies of normal human influenza.

According to prescription information by Roche for the United States[1], Tamiflu usage is indicated for both the treatment and prophylaxis of influenza at the following dosages. Tamiflu is available from Roche in 75mg capsules and as a powder for aqueous suspension of 12 mg/mL. . Production capacity is limited, and governments are stockpiling the drug.

With increasing fears about the potential for a new influenza pandemic, oseltamivir has received substantial media attention. Oseltamivir was developed by Gilead Sciences and is currently marketed by Hoffmann-La Roche (Roche) under the trade name Tamiflu®. Oseltamivir is a prodrug (usually administered as phosphate); it is hydrolysed hepatically to the active metabolite, the free carboxylate of oseltamivir (GS4071). Oseltamivir was the first orally active neuraminidase inhibitor commercially developed.

Like zanamivir, oseltamivir is a neuraminidase inhibitor, acting as a transition-state analogue inhibitor of influenza neuraminidase and thereby preventing new viruses from emerging from infected cells. Oseltamivir (pronounced ah sell TAH mih veer) is an antiviral drug used in the treatment and prophylaxis of both Influenzavirus A and Influenzavirus B. Chimia 2004, 58, 621. Synthesis of Tamiflu.

Chem. 2001, 66, 2044-2051. Org. J. Synthesis of Tamiflu.

Chem. 1998, 63, 4545-4550. Org. J. (Accessed October 12, 2005, at http://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/influenza/WHO_CDS_CSR_GIP_2005_7/en/.).

WHO inter-country-consultation: influenza A/H5N1 in humans in Asia: Manila, Philippines, 6-7 May 2005. World Health Organization. PMID 15709056. J Antimicrob Chemother 2005;55(Suppl 1): i5-i21.

Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and its potential for use in the event of an influenza pandemic. Ward P, Small I, Smith J, Suter P, Dutkowski R. New England Journal of Medicine 2005;353(25):2633-2636. Oseltamivir Resistance - Disabling Our Influenza Defenses [Perspective].

Moscona, Anne. Nature 2005;437(7062):1108. Avian flu: Isolation of drug-resistant H5N1 virus. Le Q M, Kiso M, Someya K, Sakai Y T, Nguyen T H, Nguyen K H L, Pham N D, Ngyen H H, Yamada S, Muramoto Y, Horimoto T, Takada A, Goto H, Suzuki T, Suzuki Y, Kawaoka Y.

PMID 15337401. Lancet 2004;364(9436):759-65. Resistant influenza A viruses in children treated with oseltamivir: descriptive study. Kiso M, Mitamura K, Sakai-Tagawa Y, Shiraishi K, Kawakami C, Kimura K, et al.

(Online at: http://dmd.aspetjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/30/1/13). Drug Metabolism and Disposition 2002;30(1):13-19. The anti-influenza drug oseltamivir exhibits low potential to induce pharmacokinetic drug interactions via renal secretion--correlation of in vivo and in vitro studies. Hill G, Cihlar T, Oo C, Ho E S, Prior K, Wiltshire H, Barrett J, Liu B, Ward P.

(Online at http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/353/25/2667#F1). New England Journal of Medicine 2005;353(25):2667-2672. Oseltamivir Resistance during Treatment of Influenza A (H5N1) Infection. Malik; Hien, Tran Tinh; and Farrar, Jeremy.

de Jong, Menno D.; Thanh, Tran Tan; Khanh, Truong Huu; Hien, Vo Minh; Smith, Gavin J.D.; Chau, Nguyen Vinh; Cam, Bach Van; Qui, Phan Tu; Ha, Do Quang; Guan, Yi; Peiris, J.S. (Accessed on November 2, 2005, at http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v438/n7064/full/438006a.html). Nature 2005;438(7064):6. Wartime tactic doubles power of scarce bird-flu drug [News article].

Butler, D. The New York Times (Accessed on November 5, 2005 at http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/05/business/05tamiflu.html). Is Bird Flu Drug Really So Vexing? Debating the Difficulty of Tamiflu [News article]. Pollack, Andrew.

Fortune (Accessed on Nov 28, 2005 at http://money.cnn.com/2005/10/31/news/newsmakers/fortune_rumsfeld/?cnn=yes). Rumsfeld's growing stake in Tamiflu: Defense Secretary, ex-chairman of flu treatment rights holder, sees portfolio value growing. Oct 31, 2005. Schwartz, Nelson .

Metabolic: Aggravation of diabetes. Neurologic: Seizure, confusion. Cardiac: Arrhythmia. Digestive: Hepatitis, liver function tests abnormal.

General: Rash, swelling of face or tongue, toxic epidermal necrolysis. Safety and efficacy for prophylaxis has not been established for patients under 13 years old. Standard dosage is 75 mg once daily for patients aged 13 and older, which has been shown to be safe and effective for up to six weeks. Tamiflu is indicated for prophylaxis of influenza either during a community outbreak or following close contact with an infected individual.

Dosage for children is by weight. For influenza treatment, the standard dosage for patients 13 years and older is 75 mg twice daily for five days. Tamiflu is indicated for the treatment of influenza in patients 1 year and older who have had symptoms for no more than two days.