Antiviral Medications for Viral Infections

Antiviral medications are pharmaceutical drugs designed to treat viral infections by inhibiting the development of viruses within the body. They are often prescribed to reduce the severity and duration of viral illnesses.
Category
Drug
Where to get
Available by prescription from healthcare providers and pharmacies.
Applicable for
Influenza | Herpes | HIV
Types
Nucleoside analogues, Protease inhibitors, Neuraminidase inhibitors
Side_effects
Nausea, headache, fatigue
Prepared by Shruti Sahoo, reviewed by Dr. Eugene Smith

Antiviral Medication FAQ


Image credit: britannica.com

What are antiviral drugs?

Antivirals are medications that help your body fight off certain viruses that can cause disease. Antiviral drugs are also preventive. They can protect you from getting viral infections or spreading a virus to others. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission.

When do Antiviral medicines work?

Antiviral medicines work best if taken as soon as possible, and within 5 days from when your symptoms start. If your doctor says you are eligible for antiviral medicines, they will send you a prescription (online or paper copy).

What are some examples of antiviral drugs?

Examples of antiviral drugs include oseltamivir (Tamiflu), which tackles influenza, and acyclovir (Zovirax), which treats herpes and chickenpox. In addition to prescribing antiviral medications, doctors may recommend vaccinations. These differ from antivirals but are another safe and effective way to combat viral infections.

Antiviral Medication References

If you want to know more about Antiviral Medication, consider exploring links below:

What Is Antiviral Medication

  1. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/21531-antivirals
  2. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/covid-19/medications
  3. https://www.health.gov.au/health-alerts/covid-19/treatments/eligibility
  4. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/antiviral
  5. https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/testing-managing/antiviral-medicines
  6. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antiviral_drug
  7. https://www.britannica.com/science/antiviral-drug
  8. https://www.verywellhealth.com/brief-guide-to-antiviral-drugs-1124123
  9. https://www.webmd.com/covid/antivirals-covid-19
  10. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/21/well/what-are-antiviral-drugs.html

Antiviral Medication Information

  1. https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/racf-antiviral-treatments-and-prophylaxis.aspx

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Read 17 answer(s)
2024-Apr-02 22:34