Treatment

Prescription

Despite the common misconception that nothing can be done to treat the flu, there are several prescription medications approved for the treatment of influenza. Drugs used to treat only influenza type A have been approved since 1976, and drugs which can be effective against both type A or B have been approved for treatment since 1999.1

With the wide availability of the QuickVue Brand Influenza tests by Quidel, more doctors can now prescribe antivirals, with confidence, for their patients.

Four antiviral drugs have been approved for treatment of the flu. All of these must be prescribed by a doctor. Antiviral treatment lasts for five days and are most effective when be started within the first two days of illness.2

  • amantadine
  • rimantadine
  • zanamavir (Relenza®)
  • oseltamivir (Tamiflu®)

Relenza® is a registered trademark of Glaxo Wellcome Inc.
Tamiflu® is a registered trademark of Roche Laboratories Inc.

1Source: CDC/MMWR, 28 May 2004 53 (RR06) 1-40.
2CDC/Updated Interim Recommendations for the Use of Antiviral Medication in the Treatment and Prevention of Influenza for the 2009-2010 Season, 8 September 2009