Can the "miracle drug" oseltamivir really prevent influenza? Experts: The claim is not rigorous

Audit expert: Peng Guoqiu

Deputy Chief Physician, Fourth Medical Center, PLA General Hospital

It is the peak season for respiratory infectious diseases such as influenza A. The drug "oseltamivir" has once again appeared in the public's field of vision. Some people believe that "taking oseltamivir in advance can prevent influenza". Is this true? Can it be taken for all influenza symptoms?

1. Oseltamivir - the "miracle drug" against influenza?

Oseltamivir can be said to be a "miracle drug" against influenza in people's minds. Is it really that magical?

Oseltamivir

Oseltamivir is a drug with antiviral activity against influenza A and B, which can inhibit the release of viruses from infected cells and reduce the spread of the virus.

Is Oseltamivir a “miracle drug”?

Now we know that oseltamivir is a drug for influenza virus, and it is ineffective in treating non-influenza virus infections. As the saying goes, "all medicines are poisonous", when it comes to non-influenza virus infections, such as the common cold and bacterial infections, taking oseltamivir is not only ineffective, but may also cause adverse reactions, such as nausea, vomiting, headache, etc.

Can I take oseltamivir at will when I have the flu?

If you take drugs at random without looking at the symptoms, or use a large amount of drugs or use them irrationally, the body will develop drug resistance. Of course, if you are infected with influenza virus, taking oseltamivir when you have influenza usually will not cause drug resistance, but you should also take it according to the instructions or as prescribed by your doctor.

2. Can oseltamivir prevent influenza?

In fact, the statement that "taking oseltamivir in advance can prevent influenza" is not rigorous.

There is a clear history of contact

Experts say that oseltamivir has a preventive effect, but its role is mainly in early treatment and post-exposure prevention. Currently, the recommended preventive medication is mainly for people who have close contact with influenza A and B patients. Before taking it, you must make sure that you are a close contact of influenza patients. Preventive medication is more effective within 48 hours after close contact. In addition, for high-risk groups such as the elderly, pregnant women, and people with weakened immunity, short-term use of oseltamivir can reduce the risk of infection.

Experts say that when oseltamivir is used to treat influenza A and B, the sooner it is used after the onset of influenza symptoms, the better. Taking it within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms can significantly reduce the incidence of severe influenza and death.

The preventive effect is not sustainable

We also need to be clear that the preventive effect of oseltamivir is not sustainable.

In other words, taking oseltamivir may prevent influenza, but once you stop taking it, the preventive effect will no longer last. The entire flu season lasts for several months, during which each of us may become a close contact with the flu. It is obviously unscientific for everyone to take oseltamivir every day to prevent influenza.

Therefore, the answer to the question of whether oseltamivir can prevent influenza is yes, but long-term medication is not recommended to prevent influenza. It is more important to get the influenza vaccine in time and develop healthy living habits.

3. Taking oseltamivir may affect influenza vaccination

As we all know, timely vaccination is very necessary to prevent influenza, so everyone can't help but ask, will there be a conflict between taking medicine and vaccination? In fact, inactivated influenza vaccines have nothing to do with oseltamivir, but if it is a live attenuated vaccine, you need to pay attention.

Oseltamivir has an inhibitory effect on viruses. If you have received a live attenuated vaccine within two weeks, you should not take oseltamivir. If you have taken oseltamivir first, you need to wait 48 hours before receiving a live attenuated vaccine.

At present, actively getting influenza vaccination is still the safest and most effective means of preventing influenza, which can significantly reduce the risk of contracting influenza and developing serious complications.