what medicine is good for the treatment of influenza

Medication

Oseltamivir, sold under the brand name Tamiflu, is an antiviral medication used to treat and prevent influenza A and influenza B (flu). Many medical organizations recommend it in people who have complications or are at high risk of complications within 48 hours of first symptoms of infection. They recommend it to prevent infection in those at high risk, but not the general population.

Self-care

What to Know About the Flu Shot

• History of the Flu Shot. The flu vaccine has been used for more than 80 years. ...
• Common Myths About the Flu Shot. Although the flu vaccine has been used for decades in millions of Americans, there are many misconceptions.
• Flu Shot Ingredients. ...
• Flu Shot Side Effects. ...
• Importance of Getting a Flu Shot. ...
• Summary. ...
• A Word From Verywell. ...

Nutrition

Natural Remedies for Combating the Flu

• Elderberry. Elderberry ( Sambucus nigra) is an herb that has a long history of use as a folk remedy for colds, sinus infections, and the flu.
• Oscillococcinum. ...
• Echinacea. ...
• Ginseng. ...
• Natural Flu Prevention Tips. ...

What medication is used for influenza?

The generic antitussive dextromethorphan is in many OTC medicines, including: 9

• Delsym
• Robitussin DM
• Mucinex DM
• Tussin DM

What is the best treatment for influenza?

What is the best remedy for the flu?

What is the best OTC medicine for the flu?

What is the best treatment for influenza?

Currently, there are three antiviral drugs recommended for treating the flu: oseltamivir (Tamiflu®), zanamivir (Relenza®), and peramivir (Rapivab®). These drugs work by interrupting the function of neuraminidase on the virus surface and preventing the release of viral particles from infected host cells.

What is the most common medicine for the flu?

Which Antiviral Drugs Are Recommended for Both Treatment and Prevention of the Flu? The CDC recommends the antiviral drugs baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza), oseltamivir (Tamiflu), and zanamivir (Relenza) for both flu prevention and treatment..

Is there antibiotic for flu?

Antibiotics cannot help flu symptoms. The flu is caused by a virus, and antibiotics only treat bacterial infections. Taking antibiotics needlessly may increase your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.

Is paracetamol good for flu?

"Paracetamol will not ease the symptoms of flu, according to a study by doctors in New Zealand," The Times reports. A small study suggests the widely used painkiller does not help combat the overall effects of infection.

Which treatments should I take for flu symptoms?

The flu treatment you should take depends on your symptoms. For example, if you have nasal or sinus congestion, then a decongestant can be helpful.

Which treatment should I use for nasal congestion?

If you need immediate relief for swollen, congested nasal passages, you may get relief with an over-the-counter decongestant nasal spray. It is important to stop using decongestant nasal sprays after three days to avoid the development of rebound congestion.

Is it safe to take a decongestant if I have high blood pressure?

Decongestants can increase blood pressure and heart rate. Pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine are oral decongestants commonly available in over-the-counter products. Check with your doctor or pharmacist about safety.

Which flu treatment works best for my cough?

An occasional cough may clear the lung of pollutants and excess phlegm. A persistent cough should be diagnosed and treated specifically. On the pharmacy shelf, you'll find numerous cough medicines with various combinations of decongestants, antihistamines, analgesics/antipyretics, cough suppressants, and expectorants.

Which flu treatment should I take to lower my fever and body aches?

Children under 19 should avoid aspirin. Acetaminophen ( Tylenol) or medicines like ibuprofen ( Advil, Motrin) and naproxen ( Aleve) are over-the-counter options for fever and pain relief. Each medication has risks. Check with your doctor or pharmacist as to which medication may be suitable for you.

Which flu treatment is best for my sore throat?

Drinking lots of fluids and using salt water gargles (made by combining a cup of warm water and a teaspoon of salt) can often be helpful for easing the pain of a sore throat. Over-the-counter pain relievers and medicated lozenges and gargles can also temporarily soothe a sore throat.

Is an antiviral drug a commonly used flu treatment?

Antiviral flu drugs are taken to decrease the severity and duration of flu symptoms. In some cases they may be used to prevent flu. They include baloxavir marboxil ( Xofluza ), oseltamivir ( Tamiflu ), peramivir ( Rapivab ), or zanamivir ( Relenza ).

Drugs used to treat Influenza

The following list of medications are in some way related to, or used in the treatment of this condition.

Alternative treatments for Influenza

The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for Influenza. Their efficacy may not have been scientifically tested to the same degree as the drugs listed in the table above. However there may be historical, cultural or anecdotal evidence linking their use to the treatment of Influenza.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

What is the best antiviral for the flu?

What antiviral drugs are recommended this flu season? 1 oseltamivir phosphate (available as a generic version or under the trade name Tamiflu®), 2 zanamivir (trade name Relenza®) 3 peramivir (trade name Rapivab®), and 4 baloxavir marboxil (trade name Xofluza®).

What is the CDC's recommendation for treating a flu?

CDC recommends prompt treatment for people who have flu infection or suspected flu infection and who are at high risk of serious flu complications, such as people with asthma, diabetes (including gestational diabetes), or heart disease.

How long does zanamivir last?

To treat flu, oseltamivir or inhaled zanamivir are usually prescribed for 5 days, or one dose of intravenous peramivir or oral Baloxavir for 1 day. Oseltamivir treatment is given to hospitalized patients, and some patients might be treated for more than 5 days. Top of Page.

How often is zanamivir given?

Oseltamivir and zanamivir are given twice a day for 5 days. Peramivir is given once intravenously by a health care provider and is approved for early treatment of flu in people 2 years and older. Baloxavir is a pill given as a single dose by mouth and is approved for early treatment of flu in people 12 years and older.

How long should you take antiviral medication for a child?

For treatment, influenza antiviral drugs should ideally be started within 2 days after becoming sick and taken for 5 days.

What are the symptoms of the flu?

Flu signs and symptoms can include feeling feverish or having a fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Your doctor may prescribe antiviral drugs to treat your flu illness.

Is Tamiflu a generic?

oseltamivir phospha te (available as a generic version or under the trade name Tamiflu ®), baloxavir marboxil (trade name Xofluza®). and Tamiflu® are available as a pill or liquid suspension and are FDA approved for early treatment of flu in people 14 days and older.

Prescription Flu Medicine

If you can see your healthcare provider within 48 hours of your flu symptoms appearing, they may treat you with prescription flu medicine, also known as antiviral medications. These flu medicines fight the virus in the body, which may lessen symptoms and shorten the time that you are sick.

Over-the-counter flu medicine

There is nothing you can get over the counter (OTC) to treat the flu. There are, however, some over-the-counter flu medicines you can get to help manage flu symptoms.

Flu medicine for children

Children can take some types of flu medicine, but other types may be unsafe. Children can take prescription flu medicines based on their age, as listed above for each of the four FDA-approved antiviral medications approved.

Will an antibiotic cure me of the flu?

No, antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections and do not work on viral infections like the flu. This is another common myth about the flu and possible flu medicine used to treat it.

How is the flu virus spread?

The flu virus is spread by respiratory droplets from sneezing, coughing, talking, or touching. Experts say that the flu can be spread from person to person up to 6 feet away.

The bottom line

There are both prescription and OTC flu medicines that can treat the flu. Antiviral prescription medications such as Tamiflu, Xofluza, Rapivab, and Relenza can help shorten the flu, while OTC medications mainly treat symptoms.

What is the best medicine for the flu?

The CDC recommends the antiviral drugs baloxavir marboxil ( Xoflu za ), oseltamivir ( Tamiflu ), and zanamivir ( Relenza) for both flu prevention and treatment.. Baloxavir marboxil is taken orally and is approved for use in treatment of children 12 years of age and older.

What are the best ways to prevent the flu?

Antiviral Drugs. Antibiotics. Natural Treatments. Antiviral drugs are prescription medications that may help prevent flu complications or shorten the severity and duration of flu once you have it. Here are the latest antiviral drug recommendations.

What is antiviral medicine?

What Are Antiviral Drugs? Antiviral drugs are medicines that decrease the ability of flu viruses to reproduce. When used as directed, antiviral drugs may help reduce the duration of flu symptoms in otherwise healthy children and adults and may reduce the severity of common flu symptoms.

How long does it take for Relenza to work?

Relenza is inhaled through the mouth. All four antivirals are most effective when given within 48 hours of the onset of flu symptoms, although they may still prevent severe flu complications when given more than 48 hours after symptoms appear. For in-depth information, see WebMD's Flu Prevention Strategies.

How long does it take for antiviral medication to work?

Antiviral drugs work best when taken within 48 hours of onset of flu symptoms, but they may still offer benefits when taken later. These medications may reduce the duration of flu by one to two days and prevent severe flu complications.

Can you take antiviral if you have the flu?

Your doctor may prescribe an antiviral if you come in close contact with family members or others who have the flu and you want to try to avoid getting sick. However, the CDC discourages this as a routine practice, as it can lead to drug-resistant strains of the virus.

What to take for achiness from influenza?

Consider pain relievers. Use an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), to combat the achiness associated with influenza.

How to help a person with the flu?

If you do come down with the flu, these measures may help ease your symptoms: Drink plenty of liquids. Choose water, juice and warm soups to prevent dehydration. Rest. Get more sleep to help your immune system fight infection. You may need to change your activity level, depending on your symptoms.

How long should you stay home with a fever?

To help control the spread of influenza in your community, stay home and keep sick children home until fever has been gone for 24 hours. Avoid being around other people until you're feeling better, unless you're getting medical care. If you do need to leave your home and get medical care, wear a face mask.

Do you need to be tested for influenza?

During times when influenza is widespread, you may not need to be tested for influenza. Your doctor may diagnose you based on your signs and symptoms. In some cases, your doctor may suggest that you be tested for influenza. He or she may use various tests to diagnose influenza. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing is becoming more common in many ...

Can you take zanamivir with asthma?

Oseltamivir is an oral medication. Zanamivir is inhaled through a device similar to an asthma inhaler and shouldn't be used by anyone with certain chronic respiratory problems, such as asthma and lung disease.

Can amantadine cause nausea?

Antiviral medication side effects may include nausea and vomiting. These side effects may be lessened if the drug is taken with food. Most circulating strains of influenza have become resistant to amantadine and rimantadine (Flumadine), which are older antiviral drugs that are no longer recommended.

What are the other drugs used to treat flu?

Two other drugs, rimantadine (Flumadine®) and amantadine (Symmetrel®), were used to treat flu infection in the past. They worked by disrupting ion channels in the wall of the virus, preventing the virus from replicating during the initial stages of infection, soon after its been taken inside a human cell. However, rimantadine and amantadine are only effective in treating Influenza A, and several strains of flu have already developed resistance to them. Thus, the two medicines are no longer recommended in the United States for treating the flu.

Why are antiviral medications important?

Antiviral medicines are an important tool in both controlling influenza by treating the patient’s infection and helping to prevent severe illness that can result from flu, including bacterial pneumonia.

When was Peramivir approved?

For example, NIAID supported the initial Phase 1 clinical studies of peramivir, which was approved in 2014 by the Food and Drug Administration to treat flu infection in adults.

How does neuraminidase work?

These drugs work by interrupting the function of neuraminidase on the virus surface and preventing the release of viral particles from infected host cells. These drugs can treat cases of both influenza A and B and have the biggest impact when taken within 48 hours of the onset of flu symptoms, so rapid diagnosis and treatment are important.

What is the drug class of Tamiflu?

Tamiflu (oseltamivir) Drug class: Neuraminidase Inhibitors. Tamiflu ( Oseltamivir) is a moderately priced antiviral medicine. It is used to prevent and to treat some kinds of influenza or the flu. This drug is more popular than comparable drugs. It is available in generic and brand versions. The most common version of Tamiflu is covered by 68% ...

What is the class of amantadine?

amantadine. Drug class: Influenza A Inhibitors. AMANTADINE is an antiviral drug. It is used to prevent and to treat a specific type of flu called influenza A. It will not work for colds, other types of flu, or other viral infections. This drug is also used to treat Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders.

Does rimantadin work for colds?

RIMANTADINE is an antiviral drug. It is used to prevent and treat a specific type of flu called influenza A. It will not work for colds, other types of flu, or other viral infections.

Is Xofluza a generic?

Xofluza. Drug class: Endonuclease Inhibitors. Xofluza is used to treat the flu. It will not work for colds or other viral infections. There are currently no generic alternatives to Xofluza. GoodRx has partnered with InsideRx and Genentech to reduce the price for this prescription.

What to eat when you have the flu?

The best foods to eat when you have the flu soothe symptoms and help you feel better faster. Good foods to eat with the flu include popsicles, turkey, vegetable juice, chicken soup, garlic, ginger, hot tea, bananas, toast, meal replacement drinks, oranges, pumpkin seeds, and carrots.

What are the symptoms of the flu?

Influenza (flu) is a respiratory illness caused by a virus. Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches. The flu may be prevented with an annual influenza vaccination.