Medications & Antivirals

What are antivirals and what are their benefits? Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that can be used for prevention or treatment of flu viruses. More…
Which antivirals may be effective for H1N1? Two types of antivirals, Oseltamivir (TAMIFLU®) and Zanamivir (RELENZA®) may be effective against the H1N1 flu. In addition, PERMAVIR IV has been authorized to treat certain patients. More…
What antivirals can be given to my child? More…
H1N1 clinical and antiviral guidance is currently available. More…

Influenza Round Table: Antiviral Drugs

Many people believe that there is no treatment for a virus and that you have to let it run its course. But when it comes to influenza, there are prescription drugs that can be used for treatment.

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What are Antivirals?

Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that can be used to treat H1N1 (Swine) flu, or to prevent infection with H1N1 flu viruses. These medications must be prescribed by a health care professional.
If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious influenza complications. The sooner a sick person is treated with an antiviral, the greater effect it will have on the patient’s recovery.
Influenza antiviral drugs also can be used to prevent influenza when they are given to a person who is not ill, but who has been or may be near a person with influenza. When used to prevent the flu, antiviral drugs are about 70% to 90% effective.
There are four influenza antiviral drugs approved for use in the United States (oseltamivir, zanamivir, amantadine and rimantadine). Among these, Oseltamivir (TAMIFLU®) and zanamivir (RELENZA®) are effective in treating the 2009 H1N1 flu. A fifth drug, PERAMIVIR IV, has been authorized under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to treat certain patients with suspected or confirmed 2009 H1N1 influenza virus infection.

More on the Benefits of Antiviral Drugs

Factsheet on Antiviral Drugs

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Antivirals and H1N1

Clinicians should consider treating any person with confirmed or suspected H1N1 flu with an antiviral drug. Visit: Interim Guidance on Antiviral Recommendations.
Oseltamivir (TAMIFLU®) and zanamivir (RELENZA®) have shown to be effective in treating the 2009 H1N1 flu. In addition, PERAMIVIR IV, has been authorized under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to treat certain patients with suspected or confirmed 2009 H1N1 influenza virus infection.

General information on Oseltamivir (TAMIFLU®), Zanamivir (RELENZA®) and Peramivir.

General Information on Oseltamivir (TAMIFLU®)
General Information on Zanamivir (RELENZA®)
Oseltamivir (TAMIFLU®) is approved to both treat and prevent influenza A and B virus infection.
Zanamivir (Relenza ®) is approved to treat and, in some cases, prevent influenza A and B virus infection.
Oseltamivir (TAMIFLU®) is effective in people 1 year of age and older.
Zanamivir (Relenza ®) is effective in people 7 years and older and can prevent influenza A and B virus infection in people 5 years and older.
Oseltamivir (TAMIFLU®) comes in capsule form and in liquid form that can be measured for proper dosage.
Zanamivir (Relenza ®) is packaged in a medicine disk called a Rotadisk® and is inhaled by mouth using a delivery device called a Diskhaler®.
What are the possible side effects from taking TAMIFLU®?
The most common side effects of TAMIFLU® are nausea and vomiting. These are not usually severe and usually happen in the first 2 days of treatment.
More information and recommended dosage, side effects and warnings (PDF)
What are the possible side effects from taking (Relenza ®)?
People should be aware of the risk of increased difficulty breathing, especially among people with a history of underlying breathing problems. If patients have increased difficulty breathing, they should stop Relenza and get medical attention right away.
More information and recommended dosage, side effects and warnings

General Information on PERAMIVIR IV
Peramivir IV is an experimental drug, used to treat certain people in the hospital with 2009 H1N1.
Specifically, Peramivir IV is authorized for the following patients who are admitted to a hospital:
Adult patients for whom therapy with an IV agent is clinically appropriate, based upon one or more of the following reasons:
patient is not responding to either oral or inhaled antiviral therapy, or
drug delivery by a route other than IV (e.g. enteral oseltamivir or inhaled zanamivir) is not expected to be dependable or is not feasible, or
the clinician judges IV therapy is appropriate due to other circumstances.
Pediatric patients for whom an IV agent is clinically appropriate because:
patient not responding to either oral or inhaled antiviral therapy, or
drug delivery by a route other than IV (e.g. enteral oseltamivir or inhaled zanamivir) is not expected to be dependable or is not feasible
Peramivir IV is given to you through a vein (intravenous or IV) one time each day for 5 days or more depending on what your health care provider thinks is best for you.
What are the possible side effects from taking Peramivir IV?
Possible side-effects include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and a decrease in white blood cell count.
Antiviral Treatment Options, including Intravenous Peramivir, for Treatment of Influenza in Hospitalized Patients for the 2009-2010 Season

Fact Sheet for Patients and Parents/Caregivers (PDF - 29.1 KB)

Fact Sheet for Patients and Parents/Caregivers - Spanish (PDF-29.1 KB)

General Information on Amantadine
General Information on Rimantadine
Amantadine is not effective against H1N1 flu.
Rimantadine is not effective against H1N1 flu.

Learn about non-prescription medications to help lessen symptoms of the flu.

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Antiviral Medications and Children

If your child gets sick, antiviral drugs can make the illness milder and make him or her feel better faster. They may also prevent serious influenza complications. Most people do not need these antiviral drugs to fully recover from the flu.

Children younger than 5 years old and children with chronic medical conditions, such as asthma and diabetes, might benefit from antiviral medications. Ask the doctor about any special treatment requirements.
Even if the child is feeling a little better, he or she should continue taking antiviral medication as directed by the doctor.

Mixing Tamiflu^® with Sweet Liquids

If your doctor prescribes Tamiflu^® capsules for your child and your child cannot swallow them, the prescribed capsules may be opened and mixed with a sweet thick liquid.

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Oseltamivir (Tamiflu ®)

Zanamivir (Relenza ®)

Oseltamivir (Tamiflu ®) is approved to both treat and prevent H1N1 flu in children 1 year old and older. An emergency use authorization allows use of the drug in children younger than 1 year old. See Children Under 1 Year of Age
Oseltamivir comes in capsule form and in liquid form that can be measured for proper dosage.
For children who cannot swallow capsules, especially children less than 1 year old, the liquid form is preferred.
If the liquid form is not available, and a child cannot swallow capsules, the recommended dose of the capsule can be given by opening the capsule and mixing the powder with sweetened liquids, such as chocolate syrup.
If your child experiences nausea and vomiting, or any other side effects that concern you, stop taking oseltamivir and report this to the doctor.

Find more information and recommended dosage of oseltamivir at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/eua/pdf/tamiflu-patients.pdf

Zanamivir (Relenza ®) is approved for treatment of children aged 7 years and older, and for prevention in children aged 5 years and older.
Zanamivir is inhaled by mouth using a device called a Diskhaler®.
Follow your doctor’s instructions on how to use the Diskhaler®.
Step-by-step instructions for using the Diskhaler®.
Children should NOT take zanamivir if they have ever had a severe allergic reaction to it or to lactose.
Zanamivir is not recommended for people with chronic lung disease such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
If your child has difficulty breathing, or any other side effects that concern you, stop taking zanamivir and report this to the doctor.

Find more information and recommended dosage of zanamivir at
http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/Drug
Safety/InformationbyDrugClass/UCM143860.pdf

PERAMIVIR IV

PERAMIVIR and Pediatric Patients
Peramivir IV is authorized for the following pediatric patients who are admitted to a hospital:

Pediatric patients for whom an IV agent is clinically appropriate because:
- patient not responding to either oral or inhaled antiviral therapy, or
- drug delivery by a route other than IV (e.g. enteral oseltamivir or inhaled zanamivir) is not expected to be dependable or is not feasible

PERAMIVIR and Nursing Mothers
There is no experience giving PERAMIVIR to pregnant women or nursing mothers. For a mother and fetus, the benefit of receiving PERAMIVIR may be greater than the risk from the treatment. If you are pregnant or nursing, discuss your options and specific situation with your doctor.

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Guidance for Antiviral Drugs and the Flu

The following H1N1 clinical and antiviral guidance is currently available:

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Videos and Podcasts

- Antiviral Drugs for the 2009-2010 Influenza Season - Podcast for Clinicans
  (7:04 | 10/19/2009 | CDC)
  This podcast discusses the use of antiviral drugs for the treatment and prevention of influenza, including 2009 H1N1, during the 2009-2010 influenza season.

	Mixing Tamiflu^® with Sweet Liquids If your doctor prescribes Tamiflu^® capsules for your child and your child cannot swallow them, the prescribed capsules may be opened and mixed with a sweet thick liquid.

	H1N1 Flu and Antiviral Drugs This video discusses the use of antiviral drugs for treating and preventing the H1N1 flu virus.

	Influenza Round Table: Antiviral Drugs Many people believe that there is no treatment for a virus and that you have to let it run its course. But when it comes to influenza, there are prescription drugs that can be used for treatment.

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H1N1 Fraudulent Products

Prevention & Treatment

Medications & Antivirals

What are Antivirals?

Antivirals and H1N1

Antiviral Medications and Children

Guidance for Antiviral Drugs and the Flu

Videos and Podcasts

General Information on Oseltamivir (TAMIFLU®)	General Information on Zanamivir (RELENZA®)
Oseltamivir (TAMIFLU®) is approved to both treat and prevent influenza A and B virus infection.	Zanamivir (Relenza ®) is approved to treat and, in some cases, prevent influenza A and B virus infection.
Oseltamivir (TAMIFLU®) is effective in people 1 year of age and older.	Zanamivir (Relenza ®) is effective in people 7 years and older and can prevent influenza A and B virus infection in people 5 years and older.
Oseltamivir (TAMIFLU®) comes in capsule form and in liquid form that can be measured for proper dosage.	Zanamivir (Relenza ®) is packaged in a medicine disk called a Rotadisk® and is inhaled by mouth using a delivery device called a Diskhaler®.
What are the possible side effects from taking TAMIFLU®? The most common side effects of TAMIFLU® are nausea and vomiting. These are not usually severe and usually happen in the first 2 days of treatment. More information and recommended dosage, side effects and warnings (PDF)	What are the possible side effects from taking (Relenza ®)? People should be aware of the risk of increased difficulty breathing, especially among people with a history of underlying breathing problems. If patients have increased difficulty breathing, they should stop Relenza and get medical attention right away. More information and recommended dosage, side effects and warnings

General Information on Amantadine	General Information on Rimantadine
Amantadine is not effective against H1N1 flu.	Rimantadine is not effective against H1N1 flu.