title: [Antivirals for influenza].
abstract: This paper describes antivirals active against Myxovirus influenzae (influenza vaccine excluded), together with their indications in inter-pandemic and pandemic situations. Three kinds of antiviral drug, with different mechanisms of action, are active against Myxovirus influenzae: the adamantanes (amantadine and rimantadine); ribavirin; and neuraminidase inhibitors (zanamivir and oseltamivir). Amantadine is available in France but its indications are limited by its inactivity against influenza B virus, its adverse effects, and rapid onset of resistance. Ribavirin is administered by nebulization, exclusively in hospital, for severe cases. Neuraminidase inhibitors are effective on benign influenza; they are also well tolerated, active against subtypes A and B, and rarely elicit resistant mutants in vivo (exclusively seen with oseltamivir, mainly among children). According to their licensing terms, antivirals may be prescribed during epidemics, within 24-48 hours of typical symptom onset. They must not be used prophylactically in place of influenza vaccine, but may be useful when there is a familial or institutional index case, or during pandemics. Use in this latter situation would raise supply problems and, thus, the question of who should be treated first.
authors.affiliation: Clinique des Voies Respiratoires, Hopital Larrey, 24, Chemin de Pouvourville, TSA 30030-31059 Toulouse.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Leophonte
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009439:Neuraminidase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D009976:Orthomyxoviridae Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D009439:Neuraminidase