How Influenza Medications Work

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a viral respiratory infection caused by the influenza virus. The goal of antiviral medications for influenza is to inhibit the replication of the virus in the body.

Gold Standard: Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)

Oseltamivir, also known as Tamiflu, is considered the gold standard for treating influenza. It belongs to a class of medications called neuraminidase inhibitors, which work by blocking the release of new virus particles from infected cells.

How Neuraminidase Inhibitors Work

• The influenza virus has a protein on its surface called neuraminidase, which is responsible for releasing new virus particles from infected cells.

• Oseltamivir binds to the neuraminidase protein, preventing it from functioning properly and thereby inhibiting the release of new virus particles.

• This reduces the amount of virus in the body, allowing the immune system to recover more quickly.

Alternatives to Oseltamivir

Other antiviral medications that can be used to treat influenza include:

• Zanamivir (Relenza), another neuraminidase inhibitor with a similar mechanism of action as oseltamivir.

• Peramivir (Rapivab), an intravenous neuraminidase inhibitor that is used in hospitalized patients or those who cannot take oral medications.

• Amantadine (Symmetrel), a medication that works by blocking the replication of the influenza virus, but it has fallen out of favor due to widespread resistance among circulating strains.