Washington, Oct 28 : A triple-combo experimental drug has shown promise in treating the resistant H1N1 swine flu virus, says a virology researcher.

In the lab, the triple combination of oseltamivir (Tamiflu), amantadine (Symmetrel) and ribavirin showed a significant capacity to stop flu-virus growth, says Mark Prichard, University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB) virologist.

"These findings suggest strongly that the triple combo is highly synergistic against virus replication, meaning it strikes multiple targets within the H1N1 flu and other strains," Prichard says.

"Only human testing will determine for sure, but this combo has the potential to be the antiviral therapy of choice for serious flu infection and to address Tamiflu resistance," adds Prichard.    

The synergy was seen in swine flu and seasonal flu strains, as well as H3N2 seasonal flu and the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza strain, Prichard says.    

Because flu infection typically lasts for shorter periods of time than many other chronic infections, this anti-viral approach means the circulating strains of flu virus may not have time to develop resistance to the combo, Prichard says.    

"That's why this research is so timely, and why antiviral safety and testing data is crucial. If this triple combo could reduce the impact on families and the health care system that comes from serious flu cases, we would be thrilled."    

The dosing and timing of the combo mixture is protected information by Adamas Pharmaceuticals. The company is starting human testing in the Southern Hemisphere, and has plans to begin human testing in North America once approval is obtained, an UAB release said.    

Prichard presented his data in September at the annual Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy in San Francisco. (IANS)