The flu drug amantadine, has been shown to cause adverse effects to the central nervous system (CNS) in a nearly 1 out of every 5 patients using it. Confusion was the most common adverse effect, accounting for over half the complaints.
There are currently 2 drugs (amantadine and rimantadine) recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the prevention of certain strains of influenza. This study of 156 nursing home patients examined the rate of adverse reactions in those who received one of these two drugs. The other drug, rimantadine was found to cause adverse CNS effects in just under 2% of users.
Arch Intern Med 2000;160:1485-1488
More documentation of the danger of the drug based model. However, we can use nutrients to smash the viral infections we acquire from not following the eating plan, not getting enough rest, and not having the tools to handle the stresses that life will throw at us.
My favorite is an IV of magnesium and hydrochloric acid (HCl). Folks this is a genuine pearl. I learned this from Dr. Wright and the therapy is over 80 years old. The original treatment involved HCl IV, but I modified it with high doses of magnesium, which seems to make it work even better.
IV Magnesium Usually magnesium sulfate works quite nicely. One could use magnesium chloride, but I have found that most people have elevated chloride levels so I use magnesium sulfate. The magnesium causes the blood vessels to dilate and makes the person very warm; depending on how fast the IV is pushed. I usually use 1500 mg for the average adult. There are nearly two thousand physicians who receive this newsletter so I thought I would post what I use to treat flu and common viral conditions like the cold and viral sore throats. I have seen it work miracles for mono induced sore throats. I typically use this nearly once or twice every day to treat someone. During epidemics I may treat ten or more people a day with the therapy.
IV HCL This can be purchased directly from the Torrance Company, 800 Lenox Ave., Portage, MI 49002 (1-800-327-0722). They also have available for a few dollars a reprint of the original articles from medical journals form the 1920s when this treatment was first introduced. Those are the articles I reviewed before I started using the HCL. My guess is that the HCl tends to correct the typical alkaline blood that is present in most people who are sick. It may also serve as a non-specific stimulus to increase lymphocytes, white blood cells and interferon levels so one can effectively fight the illness.
Indications It works well for most all upper respiratory infections. Particularly if there is chest congestion, pressure around the eyes and or in the ears. It will abort over 95% of migraines before the needle is removed from the arm. It is also helpful for most all cases of acute asthma exacerbations.
Treatment Generally I use about 25 ml of the magnesium sulfate (50 mg/ml) and 5-8 ml of HCL IV. This is administered through a butterfly IV given from 5 to 15 minutes. Generally smaller patients or those who have low blood pressures should be given the solution over a longer time. Just about 100% of patients will feel very warm when the treatment is administered. This is because magnesium is a potent vasodilator. It is most helpful to warn patients of this side effect. I generally tell them they will have never had a feeling like this in their entire life before. It may feel like they are breathing fire and their entire body will be warm from the inside out. It may even feel like they will wet their pants, but they won't. The sensation is temporary and will only last a few moments, but it is a very unusual feeling.
Complications If the solution is injected to quickly the patient will get slightly nauseous and hypotensive. This is easily remedied by decreasing the rate and lying the patient in a recumbent position with their head below their chest. In several minutes they are usually fine.