According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most people with flu will get better with no treatment at all. However, in some cases, your doctor may prescribe medication that prevents you from getting the flu after you have been exposed. This is called "prophylaxis." The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved two prescription medications, oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza), for this purpose.
Who Needs Them
The CDC warns that some people are at increased risk of serious flu-related complications. This includes children under five years old, adults 65 years and older, women who are pregnant and up to two weeks post-partum, people with chronic medical problems and people under 19 who are taking aspirin. These people should contact their doctors as soon as they suspect they have been exposed to the influenza virus. Taken before the onset of symptoms, oseltamivir and zanamivir can prevent a person from getting sick in the first place. Taken after symptoms appear, the drugs can reduce the duration of symptoms and decrease the risk of complications such as pneumonia.
Oseltamivir
According to MedlinePlus, Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) is the only medication that has been approved for the prevention of flu in people of all ages, including infants and children. It is taken by mouth, either as a pill or a liquid for people who have trouble swallowing pills. In cases where there is a shortage of the liquid, a pharmacist can improvise by crushing the pills and mixing them with a liquid base. The most common side effect of oseltamivir is upset stomach, which may be reduced by taking the medication with food.
Zanamivir
According to MedlinePlus, zanamivir (Relenza) is approved for the prevention of flu in people five years and older. Zanamivir comes as a powder that is inhaled through the mouth using an included plastic device known as a "diskhaler." People who have not taken zanamivir before should ask their pharmacist for help using the diskhaler. Zanamivir can trigger wheezing and, therefore, it is contraindicated in people with lung problems, such as asthma and certain kinds of heart problems, such as heart failure. One of the ingredients in zanamivir is lactose, a component of milk, so people with milk allergies should share this information with their healthcare providers prior to taking zanamivir.
