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Anti-viral drugs and influenza

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

According to the chemical properties and spectrum of activity against influenza viruses, the drugs can be divided into:

  • adamantane derivatives - amantadine (not currently recommended for treatment of, and rimantadine
  • neuraminidase (NA) inhibitors - zanamivir and oseltamivir (1)

In terms of chemoprophylaxis:

  • treatments likely to be beneficial include:
    • oral oseltamivir (prevention of symptoms in influenza A and B)
    • orally inhaled zanamivir (prevention of symptoms in influenza A and B)
  • treatments likely to be ineffective or harmful
    • oral amantadine
    • oral rimantadine

In terms of antiviral treatment for cases of influenza:

  • treatments likely to be beneficial
    • oral oseltamivir for early treatment of influenza A and B (evidence reveals that there is a reduction in duration of symptoms and incidence of complications)
    • orally inhaled zanamivir for early treatment of influenza A or B (reduction in duration of symptoms and incidence of complications)
  • treatments likely to be ineffective or harmful
    • oral amantadine for early treatment of influenza A
    • oral rimantadine for early treatment of influenza A

Reference:


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