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.

FDA Warns Firms to Stop Sales of Phony Bird Flu Drugs (Food and Drug Administration)

Actions the FDA is taking to protect the public from fraudulent avian flu therapies.

FDA Approves Second Drug for Prevention of Influenza A and B (Food and Drug Administration)

Relenza, already approved for the treatment of influenza A and B virus infections in adults and children, provides another option for the prevention of influenza A and B infections.

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.
HHS Buys Additional Antiviral Medication as Preparations for Potential Influenza Pandemic Continue

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.
President Meets with Vaccine Industry Representatives to Discuss Avian Flu (The White House)

Press briefing from October 2005 with comments from Secretary Michael Leavitt, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and Dr. Anthony Fauci, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.