Influenza (Flu) FAQ : Influenza Antiviral Medications

by CDC

(Page 3 of 6)

What are influenza antiviral medications?

Influenza antiviral medications are drugs that suppress the ability of influenza viruses to reproduce. When used correctly, they can reduce the duration of symptoms and some complications from influenza virus infection.

How are antiviral medications used for influenza?

Antiviral medications are used along with vaccines to prevent and treat influenza. When used for treatment, antiviral drugs that are approved for use in the United States may reduce symptoms, shorten the time you are sick by 1 or 2 days, and make you less contagious to others. They do not cure influenza outright. Antiviral medications most often are used to help control influenza outbreaks in institutions, such as nursing homes or hospitals, where people are at high risk for complications from influenza and are in close contact with each other.

Antiviral medications also are recommended for specific, non-institutional high-risk groups. This includes people 65 years of age and older, children 12-23 months of age, people with chronic medical conditions (for example, heart or lung disease, diabetes), and pregnant women. (Note that none of the antivirals are approved for use in children less than 1 year of age.) Although CDC has provided guidelines for health-care professionals on the use of antiviral drugs, your doctor will decide whether you should receive antiviral drugs this season. The guidelines for use of influenza antivirals are not intended as recommendations for use of these medications in other situations, such as outbreaks caused by new strains of avian influenza virus.

What influenza antiviral medications are approved for use in the United States?

In the United States, 4 antiviral medications (amantadine, rimantadine, oseltamivir, and zanamivir) are approved for treatment of influenza A viruses, although supplies of zanamivir are currently limited. During the 2005-2006 influenza season, CDC recommends against the use of amantadine or rimantadine for the treatment or prophylaxis of influenza in the United States.

How can I receive an antiviral drug for influenza?

The antiviral drugs approved for influenza in the United States all are prescription drugs. These medications may be given in syrups, caplets, or tablets. Consult with your doctor about whether you should take antiviral medications for influenza.

How long should antiviral drugs be taken?

The length of time antiviral drugs should be taken depends on how they are being used. To prevent influenza, antiviral drugs should be taken for as long as influenza viruses are circulating in a given setting. For example, antiviral medications would be taken for the duration of outbreak activity in a nursing home. This could last for several weeks, depending on the extent of the outbreak. To treat influenza, individuals must begin taking an antiviral within 2 days of onset of illness and continue taking the medication for 3-5 days (5 days for oseltamivir and zanamivir).

What side effects are associated with influenza antiviral medications?

Side effects differ widely for each antiviral medication. If an antiviral medication has been prescribed for you, ask your doctor to explain how to use the medication and any possible side effects. Clinicians prescribing influenza antiviral medications should alert patients about adverse events that can develop during the course of treatment or prevention.

Can influenza antiviral drugs help with other illnesses such as the common cold?

No. The 4 influenza antiviral drugs are effective only against influenza viruses. They will not help reduce symptoms associated with the common cold or many other influenza-like illnesses caused by viruses that circulate in the winter.

About the Author

www.cdc.gov
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is one of the 13 major operating components of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which is the principal agency in the United States government for protecting the health and safety of all Americans and for providing essential human services, especially for those people who are least able to help themselves.