Medications/Antivirals

Research continues into effective antivirals, seeking medications that can reduce the severity of an influenza attack. Antivirals are drugs that are used to prevent or cure a disease caused by a virus, by interfering with the ability of the virus to multiply in number or spread from cell to cell.  Recent increases in the number and promotion of antiviral drugs for influenza have increased interest in the role of specific antiviral drugs for treatment during a possible influenza pandemic.  Use of antiviral drugs does not eliminate the risk of complications, and some complications can be life threatening.

• Guidance on Antiviral Drug Use during an Influenza Pandemic
• Considerations for Antiviral Drug Stockpiling by Employers in Preparation for an Influenza Pandemic

• Flu Drugs (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)
  Learn about current medications to treat influenza.

• Influenza (Flu) Antiviral Drugs and Related Information (Food and Drug Administration)
  
  Review additional information, including product labels, on current flu medications.
• Anti-Viral Drug Distribution and Use (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services)
  
  Read a summary of public health roles and responsibilities for antiviral distribution and use.
• National Stockpile
  • Antivirals - State Allocations
    Chart showing the individual state allocations of antivirals from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services stockpile.
• Development of New Antivirals
  • HHS Pursues Advance Development of New Influenza Antiviral Drug, Peramivir  (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
    
    In laboratory studies to date, peramivir has shown effectiveness against a number of influenza strains. Funding provided under the new contract will support further studies to determine if peramivir can be an effective treatment for seasonal and life-threatening influenza, including highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza.
  • Emerging Viral Infections (Food and Drug Administration)
    
    Learn about the development of medicines for new types of viral infections.

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