Flu antivirals are more effective in treating flu than over-the-counter flu medications. Preparations used in antiviral treatment reduce not only the severity of symptoms, but also the frequency of complications. What drugs are used for antiviral treatment? How do antiviral flu drugs work? How long does treatment with this type of drug take?

Influenza antiviral drugsare used for causal treatment because they destroy viruses that have infected the body. There are currently two classes of antiviral drugs targeting the influenza virus:

  • old-generation drugs : amantadine and rimantadine - they only work against the influenza A virus. They can cause many side effects and also cause drug resistance. Therefore, these drugs are not recommended for both prevention and treatment of seasonal flu;
  • new generation drugs- neuraminidase inhibitors (oseltamivir, zanamivir). They work against influenza virus type A and B. Compared to the old generation drugs, they are characterized by a lower number of side effects and a lower risk of rapid emergence of drug resistance against influenza viruses. Therefore, they are the most commonly used drugs in anti-influenza therapy.

The newest preparation from the group of neuraminidase inhibitors is peramivir. The latter preparation is not registered in Poland, but is available for final import. It is given when severe flu symptoms persist, despite treatment.

How do antiviral flu drugs work?

Influenza antiviral drugscontain oseltamivir and zanamivir, substances that are chemically similar to the natural substrate of neuraminidase and are selective inhibitors of it. Neuraminidase is an enzyme produced by influenza A and B viruses. It is responsible for releasing the virus from an infected cell. It also facilitates its penetration into the respiratory epithelium. Drugs that inhibit this enzyme inhibit the release of the virus from infected cells and its penetration into the respiratory mucosa, preventing the spread of infection. It should be emphasized, however, that these types of preparations work against new viruses - those that multiply, and not those that have undergoneno longer replication.

Oseltamivir is available as tablets and is administered by the oral route. In turn, zanamivir is administered by inhalation - in the form of inhalation of a dry powder from a diskhaler device.

Who is flu antiviral medication for?

Not everyone with flu needs treatment with flu antiviral drugs. Research has shown that most people who develop the typical flu symptoms recover without taking antiviral medications or receiving hospital treatment.

Influenza antiviral drugscan be used in people who have been diagnosed with severe flu (the patient complains of high fever, severe weakness, shortness of breath). Causal drugs can also be administered to people with the so-called high-risk groups, which include:

  • pregnant women
  • children under 5
  • people over 65
  • people with chronic diseases such as asthma, COPD and heart failure
  • he althcare workers, kindergartens, nursing homes, etc.

Drugs can also be used in people who are not in the so-called high-risk group, but only if their condition rapidly deteriorates.

How long is treatment with flu antiviral drugs and is it effective?

The effectiveness of flu antiviral medications depends on when you start taking the flu. For the drug to work as intended, it should be administered 36 to 48 hours after the first symptoms appear.

Treatment of seasonal influenza with neuraminidase inhibitors should last 5 days (longer, unjustified treatment may favor the emergence of resistant strains).

Inhibitors work against viruses that multiply, not against viruses that have already replicated (the virus reaches its maximum activity in the airways between 24 and 72 hours after infection). When given early enough, they shorten the duration of disease symptoms (especially fever), and also prevent complications and reduce the number of antibiotics used. However, this is not always possible as most infections are associated with non-specific symptoms. Symptoms similar to each other occur in the case of flu, parainfluenza or a cold.

The use of neuraminidase inhibitors should be preceded by laboratory tests confirming infection with the influenza virus.

Important

Flu antivirals are not an alternative to flu immunization, but they can play an important role in preventing seasonal flu. These types of preparations canbe used in the prevention of influenza in people who are not immune after contact with sick people or at high risk of post-influenza complications.

Flu antiviral drugs - side effects

Among the side effects the most commonly observed are:

  • vomiting
  • nausea
  • diarrhea
  • stomach pains
  • bronchitis
  • acute bronchitis
  • dizziness
  • feeling tired
  • headache
  • insomnia
  • nasal discharge
  • indigestion

Symptomatic flu treatment is also important!

In the course of flu, symptomatic treatment, i.e. combating the symptoms of the disease, is also very important. It involves administeringover-the-counter flu medicationsto relieve pain, runny nose, fever and cough. In order to achieve a significant improvement in he alth, use multicomponent drugs that will eliminate the bothersome symptoms of a viral infection.

Bibliography

A. Nitsch-Osuch, L.B. Brydak, A.K. Wardyn,Neuraminidase inhibitors in the prevention and treatment of influenza,„Pol. Merk. Bow.". XXV (145), pp. 67-73, 2008

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This question is answered by our expert Arkadiusz Miller, internist of the Lux Med group.

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