Antivirals as an Alternative

For some high-risk individuals who don’t get their flu shot until later this month, antiviral medication taken preventively may be an option.

If a patient is at high risk for developing life-threatening complications from the flu, a doctor or other health-care provider may prescribe one of three federally approved antivirals. These should be taken for two weeks after a person receives a flu shot until the immunity from the vaccine has kicked in.

Amantadine and rimantadine are approved for the treatment and prevention of type A flu strains. Two newer antiviral medications--zanamivir (Relenza) and oseltamivir (Tamiflu)--were approved last year to treat flu strains A and B. Last month, the FDA also approved Tamiflu for preventive use.

For those who have not received--or only recently received--a shot, studies show the antivirals can lessen the severity of symptoms should you catch the virus. More often, however, patients take antivirals to treat the flu after they catch it. In the latter case, patients must take the antivirals within 24 hours of their first flu symptoms.

The Centers for Disease Control, however, does not recommend antivirals as a preventive measure because of their side effects, said Chuck Fallis, an agency spokesman. Side effects include flu-like symptoms and central nervous system problems, such as dizziness. Finally, for many patients, the cost of these medications is prohibitive.

Generic amantadine taken preventively costs $3 to $4 a day, according to pharmacists. Tamiflu would cost $10 to $15 a day when used to prevent the flu.