Should i take antiviral medicine for the flu

But antiviral drugs can shorten the duration and stop the virus from replicating — helping you to get well sooner. When you've got the flu, all you want is to feel better. And when all the hot chicken soup and fluffy pillows in the world aren't enough to help you feel human again, you might have another option — antiviral drugs. Antiviral drugs are those used to help shorten the duration of flu symptoms — but they're not a flu treatment that will cure you.

They won't make you immediately feel back to normal, and they aren't necessary to help you get over the flu. Preventing replication prevents the spawn of new viruses, which in turn keeps them from invading and infecting other cells throughout the body. What that means is that you start to feel better more quickly because the virus doesn't overwhelm your body, and your symptoms overall may not be as severe. Typically, you will get better only a couple of days earlier than you might have.

Some antivirals can even be taken preventively, to help reduce your risk of getting the flu if you've been in close personal contact with someone who has it. In , the U. Food and Drug Administration FDA approved two antivirals which currently do not have generic equivalents to treat the flu:. But these older antiviral drugs only work on one main type of flu virus, and even then, many of the strains that circulate today are resistant to these drugs, which means these drugs are not effective against them.

However, a negative test does not always rule out the possibility of an influenza virus infection, and positive tests do not exclude the possibility of other illnesses or take the place of clinical evaluation. Complications of influenza can include bacterial infections, viral pneumonia, and cardiac and other organ system abnormalities. People with chronic medical conditions including obesity , children younger than 5 years old and especially children less than 2 years old , patients 65 years and older, residents of long-term care facilities, Native Americans and Alaska Natives and pregnant women may be at increased risk for complications.

Complications of influenza, and other illnesses that resemble influenza, may require different treatment and, in some cases, urgent medical attention. Antiviral drugs do not eliminate the risk of complications.

Some complications can be life-threatening. There have been reports of people with other types of infections that got worse because they were treated only for influenza and not for the other infections. Influenza viruses can become resistant to specific anti-influenza antiviral drugs, and all of these drugs have side effects. If you experience new symptoms during treatment or your symptoms persist or get worse during treatment, see your health care professional.

For more information and public health recommendations about circulating influenza virus, including resistance patterns for specific drugs, go to Flu. There are four FDA-approved influenza antiviral drugs recommended by CDC for use against recently circulating influenza viruses. Two older drugs, amantadine generic and rimantadine Flumadine and generic historically have been approved for treatment and prevention of influenza A virus infection.

But many strains of influenza virus, including the H1N1 influenza virus, are now resistant to these drugs. It is warned that this drug has not been demonstrated to be safe and effective in those at high risk for flu complications due to underlying medical conditions. Xofluza baloxavir marboxil has only been established as safe and effective for those under 12 years of age and older.

Each medication is given in a different way and may not be appropriate for certain groups of people. Your healthcare provider can determine which medication is right for you and your situation.

Oral Tamiflu oseltamivir is the preferred treatment for those who are pregnant as its safety is supported by more studies. If your symptoms worsen while you are on these mediations or after you complete a course, contact your healthcare provider immediately. For example:. There have been rare cases of anaphylaxis and serious skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and erythema multiforme with Tamiflu oseltamivir and Rapivab peramivir.

The prescribing information Tamiflu, Relenza, and Rapivab notes that there have been neurologic and behavioral symptoms reported after these neuraminidase inhibitors were taken. However, these symptoms can also occur during the course of influenza, so a specific tie to drugs' use has not been established.

Manufacturers note that people who take these medications should be monitored for such symptoms. Combining antivirals with other medications may reduce efficacy, so talk to your healthcare provider about everything you are taking before beginning a course. It's recommended that baloxavir not be given along with certain laxatives, antacids, or oral supplements including calcium, iron, magnesium, selenium, or zinc , as these reduce the blood levels and effectiveness of the antiviral medication.

You should not take it along with dairy products or calcium-fortified drinks. These antiviral medications will reduce the effectiveness of the live-attenuated influenza vaccine, so they should not be given at the same time. Antiviral medications can be very useful in helping to prevent or shorten the duration of the flu. However, they should not replace flu vaccination as your primary means of prevention.

Because all of the antiviral medications are available only by prescription, it is important to see your healthcare provider if you believe you have the flu or may need antiviral medications to prevent it.

Only your healthcare provider can determine what is best for you and your situation. Looking to avoid getting the flu? Our free guide has everything you need to stay healthy this season. Sign up and get yours today. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Influenza antiviral medications: Summary for clinicians.

Updated January 15, Wang C, et al. Prompt oseltamivir therapy reduces medical care and mortality for patients with influenza infection. Medicine Baltimore.

Neuraminidase inhibitors for preventing and treating influenza in children published trials only. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Baloxavir marboxil, a novel cap-dependent endonuclease inhibitor potently suppresses influenza virus replication and represents therapeutic effects in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised mouse models.

Mechanism-based covalent neuraminidase inhibitors with broad-spectrum influenza antiviral activity. Clinical practice guidelines by the Infectious Diseases Society of America: update on diagnosis, treatment, chemoprophylaxis, and institutional outbreak management of seasonal influenza.

Clin Infect Dis. Label: Relenza—zanamivir powder. Updated June 21, Food and Drug Administraiton. Label: Xofluza baloxavir marboxil tablets, for oral use. Updated October