TECHNICAL PRESENTATION

TOPIC- ANTIVIRAL DRUGS

DONE BY
SHURUTHI SJ
18BMB050
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.
ANTIVIRAL DRUGS ARE PRESCRIPTION MEDICINES (PILLS, LIQUID, AN INHALED POWDER, OR AN INTRAVENOUS
SOLUTION) THAT FIGHT AGAINST FLU VIRUSES IN YOUR BODY. ANTIVIRAL DRUGS ARE NOT SOLD OVER-THE-
COUNTER. YOU CAN ONLY GET THEM IF YOU HAVE A PRESCRIPTION FROM A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER. ANTIVIRAL
DRUGS ARE DIFFERENT FROM ANTIBIOTICS, WHICH FIGHT AGAINST BACTERIAL INFECTIONS.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ANTIVIRAL DRUGS?

 Antiviral treatment works best when started soon after flu illness begins. When treatment is
started within two days of becoming sick with flu symptoms, antiviral drugs can lessen fever and
flu symptoms, and shorten the time you are sick by about one day. They also may reduce the risk
of complications such as ear infections in children, respiratory complications requiring antibiotics,
and hospitalization in adults.  For people at high risk of serious flu complications, early treatment
with an antiviral drug can mean having milder illness instead of more severe illness that might
require a hospital stay.  For adults hospitalized with flu illness, some studies have reported that
early antiviral treatment can reduce their risk of death.
TABULATION
 WHEN SHOULD ANTIVIRAL DRUGS BE TAKEN FOR TREATMENT?

 Studies show that flu antiviral drugs work best for treatment when they are started within two days
of getting sick. However, starting them later can still be beneficial, especially if the sick person is at
high risk of serious flu complications or is in the hospital with more severe illness.  Follow
instructions for taking these drugs.
WHAT ANTIVIRAL DRUGS ARE RECOMMENDED THIS FLU SEASON?

 There are four FDA-approved antiviral drugs recommended by CDC to treat flu this season.

• oseltamivir phosphate (available as a generic version or under the trade name Tamiflu®),
• zanamivir (trade name Relenza®)
• peramivir (trade name Rapivab®), and
• baloxavir marboxil (trade name Xofluza®).
 Generic oseltamivirexternal icon 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. Zanamivir is a powder that is inhaled and approved for early treatment of
flu in people 7 years and older. (Note: Zanamivir (trade name Relenza®) is administered using an inhaler device and is
not recommended for people with breathing problems like asthma or COPD.) Peramivir is given 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. (Note: Baloxavir (trade name
Xofluza®) is not recommended for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, outpatients with complicated or progressive
illness, or hospitalized patients because there is no information about use of baloxavir in these patients.)
HOW LONG SHOULD ANTIVIRAL DRUGS BE TAKEN?

 Duration of treatment varies depending on the antiviral drug prescribed. Oseltamivir and
zanamivir are usually prescribed to be taken twice daily for 5 days, although people hospitalized
with flu may need antiviral treatment for longer than 5 days. Peramivir is given one time
intravenously over a period of 15 to 30 minutes. Baloxavir is given as a single oral dose.
WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF ANTIVIRAL DRUGS?

 Side effects vary for each medication. The most common side effects for oseltamivir are nausea
and vomiting. Zanamivir can cause bronchospasm, and peramivir can cause diarrhea. Other less
common side effects also have been reported. Your health care provider can give you more
information about these drugs or you can check the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website
external icon for specific information about antiviral drugs, including the manufacturer’s package
insert.
DRUG DELIVERY