Clinical use of approved influenza antivirals: therapy and prophylaxis.

Currently, there are two commonly used classes of antiviral agents approved for the prevention of and treatment for influenza: the M2 Inhibitors (amantadine and rimantadine) and the neuraminidase inhibitors (oseltamivir, laninamivir, peramivir and zanamivir). These agents have been proven to be safe and effective alone or in combination for the treatment of uncomplicated influenza in otherwise healthy individuals. Although there are few prospective, randomized studies of these antivirals for the treatment of pregnant women, hospitalized patients, and immunocompromised patients infected with seasonal, pandemic, or avian H5N1 influenza, these agents are widely used for these indications. This article reviews the pharmacokinetics and clinical data available relative to the use of commercially available antiviral agents for the prevention of and treatment for influenza.