Antiviral Treatments for Influenza

Abstract

Influenza is an acute respiratory illness caused by the influenza A, B, and C viruses. It can occur in local outbreaks or seasonal epidemics, with possibility to spread worldwide in a pandemic when a novel strain with significant antigenic differences emerges. During the past years, several new drugs have become available, with different accessibility related to specific countries' approval. We have conducted a review of literature, analyzing the most recent data on efficacy and safety of drugs currently available to treat influenza, with a particular attention toward special populations. Efficacy and safety profile of neuraminidase inhibitors (oseltamivir, zanamivir, laninamivir, peramivir) and recently approved cap-dependent endonuclease inhibitor baloxavir marboxil are reported in literature, but still little information is available about special populations such as critically ill patients and patients with a history of chronic respiratory disease. Moreover, the emergence of strains with reduced or no susceptibility to current drugs is a matter of concern, suggesting the need of constant monitoring of viral variants.

Keywords

influenza - antiviral treatments - neuraminidase inhibitors - influenza cap-dependent endonuclease

Authors' Contributions

A.L., E.P., and A.G. conceived the study. E.P., V.C., G.R., and A.L. wrote the first draft of the manuscript. All the authors revised the final version of the manuscript.

Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
16. Dezember 2021

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