Antivirals (influenza)
- Work best when started early
- Oseltamivir is the most broadly used
- Zanamivir inhaled; avoid with airway disease
- Baloxavir is single-dose cap-dependent inhibitor
- Treat severe/hospitalized influenza regardless time
- Resistance/host factors affect choice
- Amantadine is obsolete from resistance
Class at a glance
- Work best when started early
Pharmacology
- Baloxavir is single-dose cap-dependent inhibitor
Clinical role
- Oseltamivir is the most broadly used
- Treat severe/hospitalized influenza regardless time
- Resistance/host factors affect choice
- Amantadine is obsolete from resistance
Safety / monitoring
- Zanamivir inhaled; avoid with airway disease
Self-check
- Should severe or hospitalized influenza be treated regardless of time since onset?
Yes. - Which influenza antiviral should be avoided with airway disease?
Inhaled zanamivir.
Drugs in this class (2)
Antivirals (influenza) prescription history
Animated chart of estimated U.S. prescriptions per year, Antivirals (non-HIV) (1966–2026). Influenza highlighted from 1966.
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