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Flu MedicationsThe flu (influenza) is an illness caused by a virus. It attacks the nose, throat, and lungs. The flu can sometimes lead to other problems like pneumonia, ear and sinus problems, dehydration, and worsening of asthma. For most of us, the flu will go away in one-two weeks. Influenza is caused by a virus which attacks our body's cells, resulting in various effects depending on the strain of the virus. The virus mutates all the time and new variations (strains) arise. Unfortunately immunity against one strain (which is conferred by exposure or immunisation) does not protect against other strains. There are three types of influenza virus: A, B, and C. Types A and B are the most severe. The viruses change constantly and different strains circulate around the world every year. Type C causes either a very mild illness, or has no symptoms at all. It does not cause epidemics and does not have the severe public health impact that influenza types A and B do. The flu is caused by a virus, so antibiotics don't work against it. However, there are antiviral medications that can be used to treat the flu and to decrease the severity and duration of a flu attack. There are 4 antiviral drugs for flu. The first 2 are active only against influenza A, the latter 2 are members of a new class of flu drugs that act against both influenza types A and B. Flu medications include:
Amantadine and rimantadine are chemically related antiviral drugs known as adamantanes with activity against influenza A viruses but not influenza B viruses. Zanamivir and oseltamivir are chemically related antiviral drugs known as neuraminidase inhibitors that have activity against both influenza A and B viruses. The four drugs differ in pharmacokinetics, side effects, approved age groups, dosages, and costs. OriginalDrugs.com offers you the following drugs belonging to two classes of antivirals used to treat flu infection: Adamantane Derivatives In 1976, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved amantadine to both treat and prevent influenza type A in adults and children 1 year old or older. Rimantadine was approved in 1993 to treat and prevent influenza infection in adults and prevent influenza in children. These compounds inhibit the activity of the influenza virus M2 protein, which forms a channel in the virus membrane. As a result, the virus cannot make copies of itself after it enters a cell. Neuraminidase Inhibitors In 1999, FDA approved two newer medications for treatment of flu: Relenza (zanamivir) and Tamiflu (oseltamivir), the first of a new class of antiviral drugs called neuraminidase inhibitors. As the flu virus takes hold in the body, it forms new copies of itself and spreads from cell to cell. Neuraminidase inhibitors fight the virus by preventing the release of new copies from infected cells. Antiviral flu drugs are most effective when given within 48 hours of the onset of illness. They can decrease the duration of the disease by 1 day if used within this early time period. They are usually given for a period of about 5-7 days. All four drugs can reduce the duration of flu symptoms by 1 day if taken within 2 days of the onset of the illness. When taken as directed to prevent the flu, Tamiflu (oseltamivir) can significantly reduce your chance of getting the disease if there is a flu outbreak in your family or community. Symmetrel (Amantadine) and Flumadine (Rimantadine) have been reported to prevent the spread of influenza A outbreaks primarily in nursing homes. If someone in your family is diagnosed with flu, taking one of these medications may reduce your chances of getting the disease. None of the four medications has been shown to effectively prevent serious influenza-related complications such as bacterial or viral pneumonia. |
