Antiviral Drugs For Flu

Penicillin is of no use to treat flu as it is an antibiotic to treat bacterial diseases and infections. So, when it comes to flu only an antiviral drug that will help a person. An antiviral is required to prevent the virus from spreading in the infected body.

The two most commonly prescribed antiviral drugs for flu are Oseltamivir, also known as Tamiflu, and Zanamivir. However, there are other antiviral drugs for flu besides these.

Oseltamivir is taken orally while Zanamivir is taken in through an inhaler. But how comfortable will a patient be inhaling a drug depends on the person, as it could possibly lead to some difficulty in breathing. So it is the oral drug that is preferred usually. These antiviral are taken twice a day for five days when there is fever and cough during the flu season or any symptoms of flu with the doctor’s consultation, but within 48 hours of on strike. Incomplete dosages may allow other new virus take charge.

It is even taken as a preventive measure. In that case the dosage would be once in a day for five days. But during pandemic the prevention could prolong for several weeks. Although it is the preventive measure primarily, it is equally an important drug to arrest and keep the influenza under control.

Amantadine and Rimantadine are the two antiviral drugs that are primarily used to treat Influenza A; whereas Zanamivir and Oseltamivir are for both Influenza A and B.

While Zanamivir could lead to complications with breathing, Oseltamivir can cause nausea or vomiting initially if taken in empty stomach. That is why it is important to get a doctor to prescribe the correct antiviral drug for flu.

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Antiviral Drugs For Flu