{"id":16143,"date":"2020-10-13T09:45:38","date_gmt":"2020-10-13T13:45:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=16143"},"modified":"2024-05-22T14:41:29","modified_gmt":"2024-05-22T18:41:29","slug":"flu-medicine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/flu-medicine\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s the best flu medicine?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Since the flu is a virus, rest and fluids are usually the first line of defense\u2014not antibiotics. \u201cThe flu is not curable; however, available medications can shorten the duration of symptoms,\u201d says Elizabeth Bald, Pharm.D., an assistant professor (clinical) in the department of pharmacotherapy at the University of Utah.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re diagnosed with the flu, chances are that your healthcare provider\u2019s treatment plan will only recommend that you drink plenty of water and stay in bed. However, some over-the-counter and prescription medications can alleviate symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Flu symptoms 101<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Over-the-counter flu medicine\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

No over-the-counter (OTC) medication will cure the flu. Medication branded for cold and flu treatment can simply help ease certain symptoms\u2014so make sure to get the one specifically for the aches and pains you\u2019re actually experiencing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The flu can cause a range of issues, from sore throat to upset stomach. If you just have a fever, a dose of Tylenol (acetaminophen) may suffice. For a nighttime cough with body aches, a combination medication could do the trick. If you\u2019re on the road to recovery and just feeling all stuffed up, a decongestant might be the best option.<\/span><\/p>\n

It can be difficult to know which flu medicine is the best, especially when you\u2019re feeling ill. Use this table to compare these medications that you can take to treat your symptoms. Then, combine them with lots of rest and fluids.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Symptom<\/b><\/td>\nDrug class<\/b><\/td>\nDrug name(s)<\/b><\/td>\nRestrictions and side effects\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\nSingleCare savings<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fever and pain relief<\/span><\/td>\nAnalgesics<\/span><\/td>\nTylenol (acetaminophen); Motrin, Advil (ibuprofen)<\/span><\/td>\nAvoid giving Aspirin to kids because of the risk of <\/span>Reye\u2019s syndrome<\/span><\/a>. Some combination flu medications also contain acetaminophen; be careful not to take more than 4,000 mg of acetaminophen in a day.<\/span><\/td>\nGet Tylenol coupon<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Get Motrin coupon<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Get Advil coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Cough<\/span><\/td>\nCough suppressants<\/span><\/td>\nRobitussin, Robafen Cough (dextromethorphan)<\/span><\/td>\nDo not combine with alcohol. Avoid driving until you know how this drug affects you. This medication can cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision.<\/span><\/td>\nGet coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sore throat<\/span><\/td>\nThroat lozenges<\/span><\/td>\nCepacol (benzocaine\/menthol)<\/span><\/td>\nConsuming too many can lead to stomach problems or diarrhea\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nGet coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nasal congestion or stuffy nose<\/span><\/td>\nDecongestants<\/span><\/td>\nSudafed (pseudoephedrine); Sudafed PE (phenylephrine)<\/span><\/td>\nIf you are pregnant, or have high blood pressure, you should avoid these drugs. Some combination flu medications also contain decongestants, be careful not to take too much.<\/span><\/td>\nGet coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Expectorant (to loosen mucus)<\/span><\/td>\nMucinex (guaifenesin)<\/span><\/td>\nMucinex is not used to relieve coughing from long-term conditions like asthma, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis. Check with a doctor if you are pregnant or nursing.<\/span><\/td>\nGet coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Runny nose<\/span><\/td>\nAntihistamines\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nBenadryl (diphenhydramine); Claritin (loratadine)<\/span><\/td>\nThese medications can cause drowsiness.<\/span><\/td>\nGet Benadryl coupon<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Get Claritin coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Steroid nasal spray<\/span><\/td>\nFlonase (fluticasone propionate)<\/span><\/td>\nSteroid nasal sprays may cause nasal burning or irritation.<\/span><\/td>\nGet coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
All of the above<\/span><\/td>\nCombination medication<\/span><\/td>\nDayquil (acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, phenylephrine); Nyquil (acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, doxylamine); Theraflu (acetaminophen, pheniramine, and phenylephrine)<\/span><\/td>\nBe especially cautious with dosing for combination medications. Taking too much acetaminophen can lead to liver damage or death.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nGet Dayquil coupon<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Get Nyquil coupon<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Get Theraflu coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Diarrhea<\/span><\/td>\nAntidiarrheal<\/span><\/td>\nImodium (loperamide); Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate (bismuth subsalicylate)<\/span><\/td>\nConsult your doctor if diarrhea lasts more than 2 days while taking these medications. Bismuth subsalicylate should be avoided in those with a history of bleeding problems. Check with a doctor if you are pregnant or nursing.<\/span><\/td>\nGet Imodium coupon<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Get Pepto-Bismol coupon<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Get Kaopectate coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Non-drowsy Benadryl\u2014what are my options?<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Prescriptions for the flu<\/span><\/h2>\n

Immunizations and prescription anti-flu medications are available to prevent and treat the flu.<\/span><\/p>\n

Vaccination<\/span><\/h3>\n

The best treatment for the flu is to avoid getting it at all. The flu vaccine is an important first line of defense. \u201cThis vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and others from the flu,\u201d says Dr. Bald.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGetting a flu shot is extremely important this year as symptoms of the flu can easily be confused with symptoms of coronavirus, and our health system is already burdened caring for patients with COVID-19,\u201d says Dr. Bald.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Why the flu shot is more important than ever<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Antivirals<\/span><\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re at high risk for <\/span>flu complications<\/span><\/a>, the <\/span>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/span><\/a> (CDC) recommend an antiviral medication to reduce severity of symptoms and duration of illness.\u00a0 \u201cWhen initiated promptly, these antiviral medications have been shown to shorten the duration of flu symptoms by one-half to three days,\u201d explains Dr. Bald.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>How long does the flu last?<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

There are six FDA-approved antiviral medications that your healthcare provider may prescribe.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Drug name<\/b><\/td>\nStandard dosage<\/b><\/td>\nSingleCare savings<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tamiflu (oseltamivir)<\/span><\/td>\n75 mg by mouth twice daily for 5 days<\/span><\/td>\nGet coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rapivab (peramivir)<\/span><\/td>\n600 mg IV infusion over 15-30 minutes administered by a healthcare professional<\/span><\/td>\nGet Rx card<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Relenza (zanamivir)<\/span><\/td>\n10 mg (two 5 mg inhalations) twice daily for 5 days<\/span><\/td>\nGet coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Xofluza (marboxil)<\/span><\/td>\n40 mg by mouth as a single dose<\/span><\/td>\nGet coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Symmetrel (amantadine)<\/span><\/td>\n200 mg by mouth as a single dose or in 2 divided doses<\/span><\/td>\nGet coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Flumadine (rimantadine )<\/span><\/td>\n100 mg by mouth twice daily for 7 days<\/span><\/td>\nGet coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

If you think you may have the flu, time is of the essence. \u201cAntiviral treatment can be used in non-high-risk outpatients if it is started within 48 hours of symptom onset,\u201d Dr. Bald says. \u201cCertain antiviral treatments can also be used for prevention of influenza in patients … who have had close contact with a person with confirmed or suspected influenza in the past 48 hours.\u201d Additionally, antiviral drugs might have some benefits in patients with severe, complicated, or progressive illness, and in hospitalized patients even if therapy is started 48 hours after illness onset\u2013so it\u2019s important to see a doctor and get a treatment plan regardless.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Clearly, there\u2019s no one-size-fits-all treatment plan. Each flu case is unique, and so is the plan required to treat it. Dr. Bald explains that, normally, oseltamivir is recommended as the first-line treatment for patients in the hospital with suspected or confirmed influenza, for outpatients with complications or progressive disease and suspected or confirmed influenza, and for patients who are breastfeeding. \u201cTamiflu is worth taking to make the illness milder and shorter and to reduce the risk of complications in severe or high-risk cases,\u201d Dr. Bald says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Flu medicine FAQs<\/span><\/h2>\n

Because every flu season\u2013and every flu medication\u2013is very different, it can be difficult to feel like you have enough up-to-date knowledge to know how to treat the flu. But there is some info you can brush up on now that will help you protect yourself and stay healthy. Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions (and misconceptions) about treating the flu.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Is the flu curable?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Over-the-counter medications can help with symptom relief, but not even prescription antiviral medications can cure the flu.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe above medications can decrease the duration and severity of influenza, but it isn\u2019t a cure,\u201d says <\/span>James Wilk, MD<\/span><\/a>, internal medicine physician at UCHealth Primary Care – Steele Street in Denver. \u201cFortunately, influenza runs its course within a week or two.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

What\u2019s the best medicine for the flu?\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

This is a tricky question because the answer can change wildly depending on the circumstance. \u201cWhat\u2019s \u2018best\u2019 depends on the clinical situation\u2014whether the patient needs IV or inhaled treatments,\u201d Dr. Wilk says. \u201cIt also depends on the presence of oseltamivir-resistant flu strains in the community. If there isn\u2019t a resistant strain, oseltamivir is an excellent choice for most people.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Can the doctor give you something for the flu?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Because of the prevalence of COVID-19 (and its similarities to the flu), doctors are encouraging patients to be even more vigilant about flu-like symptoms this year. \u201cThis year, COVID-19 throws us all a curveball,\u201d Dr. Wilk says. \u201cBecause influenza and COVID-19 present with nearly identical symptoms, it\u2019s important for anyone with flu-like symptoms\u2014<\/span>fever<\/span><\/a>, chills, headache, muscle aches, cough, feeling unwell and others\u2014to contact their primary care provider to be tested for the flu and for COVID-19 and not wait it out at home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Will an antibiotic work for the flu?<\/span><\/h3>\n

The short answer is simply this: no. <\/span>\u201cThe flu is caused by a virus,\u201d Dr. Blad says. \u201cAntibiotics are utilized for treating infections caused by bacteria and are not effective for treating the flu.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Wilkes agrees, and adds that \u201cantiviral medications\u2014like the ones listed above\u2014can improve symptoms and decrease the severity and duration of influenza.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Is Tamiflu worth taking?<\/span><\/h3>\n

It can be. Most people do not need medication if they get the flu; however, if you are in a high-risk group, are very sick, or are worried about your illness, antiviral medications (including Tamiflu) are worth taking to make the illness milder and shorter and to reduce the risk of complications. And it\u2019s important to remember that Tamiflu \u201c<\/span>works best if you start taking it within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms, which is why seeking early medical attention is so important,\u201d Dr. Wilkes says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Is Tamiflu safe?<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

What happens if the flu is untreated?<\/span><\/h3>\n

The flu often resolves on its own after seven to 14 days, but some people develop more severe illness. \u201cWhile most people recover uneventfully, many people develop pneumonia afterward and a few develop heart problems or neurological problems, such as Guillain-Barre syndrome,\u201d explains Dr. Wilks. \u201cSome 30,000 to 50,000 Americans die each year from influenza. Treatment with oseltamivir or other drugs may decrease the risk of requiring hospitalization and death.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Since the flu is a virus, rest and fluids are usually the first line of defense\u2014not antibiotics. \u201cThe flu is not curable; however, available medications can shorten the duration of symptoms,\u201d says Elizabeth Bald, Pharm.D., an assistant professor (clinical) in the department of pharmacotherapy at the University of Utah. If you\u2019re diagnosed with the flu, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":94,"featured_media":16007,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4589],"tags":[11169,10708,4350,8905],"coauthors":[8722],"class_list":["post-16143","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drug-info","tag-cold-flu","tag-over-the-counter-medications","tag-prescription-savings","tag-seasonal","wpautop"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhat\u2019s the best flu medicine?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The best flu medicine depends on when you are diagnosed\u2014and your symptoms. 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