Influenza Antiviral Medications
Antiviral medications are an important adjunct to influenza vaccine in the control of influenza.
The information on this page should be considered current for the current influenza season for clinical practice regarding the use of influenza antiviral medications.
There are prescription antiviral drugs that can treat flu illness
Additional Information
Influenza Virus Prevention and Control Among Specific Populations
Each year, ACIP provides general information regarding the prevention and control of influenza with vaccines.
- Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices – United States, 2023-2024 Season [480 KB, 28 pages]
- COMMITTEE ON INFECTIOUS DISEASES. PEDS2023063773_proof.pdf (silverchair.com) [735 KB, 10 pages] American Academy of Pediatrics. 2023;e2023063772. doi:10.1542/peds.2023-063772.
Below additional guidance on antiviral treatment of influenza and other reports related to prevention and control of influenza among specific populations (e.g., immunocompromised persons, health care personnel, hospital patients, pregnant women, children, and travelers) are available:
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Committee on Obstetric Practice. ACOG Committee. Opinion No. 732: Influenza Vaccination During Pregnancy. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2018 Apr;131(4):e109-e114. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000002588. PubMed PMID 29578985
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Immunization of health-care personnel: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Morbidity and mortality weekly report: Recommendations and reports. 2011;60(Rr-7):1-45. Epub 2011/11/24. PubMed PMID: 22108587.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevention Strategies for Seasonal Influenza in Healthcare Settings.
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Expert opinion on neuraminidase inhibitors for the prevention and treatment of influenza – review of recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses. 2017; Stockholm: ECDC; 2017.
- Food and Drug Administration. Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations
- Food and Drug Administration. Influenza (Flu) Antiviral Drugs and Related Information.
- National Institutes of Health. http://Clinicaltrials.govRegistry of federally and privately supported clinical trials conducted in the United States and around the world.
- Tablan OC, Anderson LJ, Besser R, Bridges C, Hajjeh R. Guidelines for preventing health-care–associated pneumonia, 2003: recommendations of CDC and the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee.Morbidity and mortality weekly report: Recommendations and reports. 2004;53(Rr-3):1-36. Epub 2004/03/30. PubMed PMID: 15048056.
- World Health Organization. WHO Guidelines Approved by the Guidelines Review Committee. WHO Guidelines for Pharmacological Management of Pandemic Influenza A(H1N1) 2009 and Other Influenza Viruses. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2010.
Archived Resources
- CDC Expert Commentary on Medscape: High-Risk Patient with Possible Flu? Start Those Antiviral (Video, password required) April 20, 2015
- Review the references cited in the Guidance on the Use of Influenza Antiviral Agents
- Medical Office Telephone Evaluation of Patients with Possible Influenza January 27, 2015
- CDC Health Update Regarding Treatment of Patients with Influenza with Antiviral Medications Distributed via the CDC Health Alert Network, January 9, 2015, 11:00 ET, CDCHAN-00375
- CDC Health Advisory Regarding the Potential for Circulation of Drifted Influenza A (H3N2) Viruses. Distributed via the CDC Health Alert Network, December 3, 2014, 16:00 ET (4:00PM ET), CDCHAN-00374
- Have You Heard: CDC Recommendations for Influenza Antiviral Medications Remain Unchanged April 10, 2014
- Clinician Misperceptions Related to Influenza Testing and Treatment January 23, 2014
- Have You Heard: CDC Influenza Antiviral Statement February 7, 2012
- FDA Drug Safety Communication: Important safety changes to the influenza drug Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate) for oral suspension July 11, 2011