Oseltamivir is an antiviral medication used to treat and prevent influenza A and influenza B, the viruses that cause the flu, taken by mouth. It works as a neuraminidase inhibitor: because the drug resembles sialic acid, the influenza virus's neuraminidase enzyme binds to it instead of its natural target, which prevents newly formed viral particles from being released from infected cells. Scientists at Gilead Sciences discovered oseltamivir using shikimic acid as a starting material, then licensed their patents exclusively to Roche in 1996; the United States Food and Drug Administration approved oseltamivir phosphate for treating influenza in adults in 1999, the first neuraminidase inhibitor available in oral form, with the European Medicines Agency approving it in 2002 and a generic version reaching FDA approval in 2016.
Facts
Drug ClassNeuraminidase inhibitor antiviral 1 Mechanism of ActionCompetitive inhibitor of influenza neuraminidase, preventing new virions from exiting the cell 1 Approved UseTreatment and prevention of influenza A and influenza B 1 First Approved / Isolated Year Significant RiskPsychiatric symptoms and seizures 1 Classification
Approval Status ATC ClassSourced to the subject's own accountJ: Antiinfectives for Systemic Use 2 Route of Administration WHO Essential MedicineSourced to the subject's own account FAQs
How much does oseltamivir shorten the flu, and when is it meant to be started?
Studies suggest it shortens symptoms by 0.5 to 1.0 day, and it is recommended within 48 hours of first symptoms for people at high risk.
Published studies, as summarized in the Wikipedia article on oseltamivir, suggest that it reduces the duration of symptoms by 0.5 to 1.0 day. The same article says many medical organizations recommend it for people who have complications or are at high risk of complications, within 48 hours of the first symptoms of infection. This is a record of what the sources report, not medical advice.
Sources
1. Oseltamivir (Wikipedia)
Lead section, paragraph 4, starting at character 60
It was the first neuraminidase inhibitor available by mouth.
Section: Mechanism of action, starting at character 0
Oseltamivir is a neuraminidase inhibitor, a competitive inhibitor of influenza's neuraminidase enzyme.
Lead section, paragraph 1, starting at character 0
Oseltamivir, sold under the brand name Tamiflu among others, is an antiviral medication used to treat and prevent influenza A and influenza B, viruses that cause the flu.
Lead section, paragraph 4, starting at character 0
Oseltamivir was approved for medical use in the US in 1999.
Lead section, paragraph 3, starting at character 80
Other side effects may include psychiatric symptoms and seizures.
Lead section, route-of-administration statement
It is taken by mouth, either as a pill or liquid.
- Regulatory approval status
View the Source2. Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System (Wikipedia)
WikipediaFirst-level anatomical group codes, Code JQuote, First-level anatomical group codes, Code J
Antiinfectives for systemic use
3. WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (Wikipedia)
WikipediaWHO Model List of Essential Medicines, Other antivirals sectionQuote, WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, Other antivirals section
Oseltamivir
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