{"id":8763,"date":"2020-02-10T09:00:47","date_gmt":"2020-02-10T14:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=8763"},"modified":"2020-10-17T18:14:08","modified_gmt":"2020-10-17T22:14:08","slug":"popular-drugs-singlecare-february","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/popular-drugs-singlecare-february\/","title":{"rendered":"The most popular drugs on SingleCare in February"},"content":{"rendered":"

Valentine\u2019s chocolates, flowers, and tax software\u2014these are just a few of the things U.S. consumers shop for in February.<\/span><\/p>\n

What\u2019s also popular? Antiviral drugs that help the body fight off illness caused by viruses. Prescriptions for these medications make up 19.1% of prescriptions filled with SingleCare in February. That\u2019s compared to only 12.7% in January, and 13.36% in March, according to SingleCare data.<\/span><\/p>\n

The most prescribed antiviral drugs are:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Oseltamivir phosphate<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  2. Acyclovir<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  3. Valacyclovir HCL<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  4. Tamiflu<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  5. Famciclovir<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Though they\u2019re in the same drug class, they treat different conditions, namely <\/span>influenza<\/span><\/a> and herpes.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Oseltamivir phosphate, aka Tamiflu<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Oseltamivir, commonly known by its brand name, <\/span>Tamiflu<\/span><\/a>, \u201cis an <\/span>oral antiviral drug approved for the treatment of acute, uncomplicated influenza in patients two weeks of age and older whose flu symptoms have not lasted more than two days,\u201d says <\/span>Laren Tan, MD<\/span><\/a>, an internal medicine physician at <\/span>Loma Linda University Health<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    These medications are commonly prescribed during flu season. It makes sense that these prescriptions spike in February, just as flu season peaks. \u201cThe increase in antiviral prescription follows the historical flu season, although the peak months may vary depending where you are in the U.S.\u201d <\/span>Dr. Tan says.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u201cThe uptick in what is seen is very likely due to awareness that antibiotics do not treat viral infections and also the more readily rapid flu diagnostic testing available,\u201d Dr. Tan explains. \u201cThis can be done in clinics and thus patients are able to receive appropriate therapy in a timely fashion.\u201d In other words, when you find out you have the flu quickly, your healthcare provider is more likely to prescribe oseltamivir to treat it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    RELATED: <\/b>Tamiflu vs. Xofluza<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

    Acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir treat infections caused by herpes viruses such as genital herpes or cold sores (herpes simplex) and <\/span>shingles<\/span><\/a> (herpes zoster). There\u2019s an \u201cassociation of herpes outbreaks and shingles during winter time, which makes sense based on the science of these diseases,\u201d says Amir Nasseri, MD, an OB-GYN at <\/span>Her Choice Clinic<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    There are certain circumstances that can bring on a flare-up of symptoms. \u201cUsually our cells, aided by our immune system help to keep the virus in check, and it stays dormant,\u201d explains Dr. Nasseri. \u201cIf anything upsets that balance and weakens the immune system then the virus may get the upper hand … and cause an outbreak. Therefore, anything that makes the immune system weak puts the person at risk of an outbreak.\u201d The post-holiday season is full of factors that could make your immune system weaker than normal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    According to Dr. Nasseri, the factors most likely to increase susceptibility to infections during winter months include:<\/span><\/p>\n