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There are two principal classes of antivirals licensed for prophylaxis and treatment of influenza, those targeted against the M2 proton channel and those against the neuraminidase.

Amantadine (Symmetrel^®), developed in the 1960s, and rimantadine (Flumadine^®) inhibit the function of the M2 protein of influenza A in virus uncoating, but are not effective against influenza B.  They have not been widely used and resistance of currently circulating A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) viruses has removed their usefulness against seasonal influenza.

Zanamivir (Relenza^®) and oseltamivir (Tamiflu^®) were developed in the 1990s against the neuraminidase, which is involved in the release and spread of progeny virus.  They are effective against both influenza A and B viruses, and are widely available.  Whereas zanamivir is administered by inhalation, oseltamivir is administered orally and has proved to be more widely accepted, and has been the principal choice for antiviral stockpiles as a component of pandemic preparedness.  However resistance to oseltamivir has occurred more frequently than resistance to zanamivir. Two other neuraminidase inhibitors have been licensed more recently: laninamivir (Inavir^®) a long-lasting analogue of zanamivir, administered by inhalation as a single therapeutic dose, has been licensed in Japan; peramivir, which possesses the active moieties of both zanamivir and oseltamivir has been licensed in Japan and Korea for intravenous administration.

Arbidol falls within a third class of antivirals, which targets the membrane fusion activity of the HA in vitro.  It exhibits a broad spectrum of antiviral activity in vitro, including against influenza A and B, and has been shown to have immunomodulatory activity in vivo; the basis of its clinical efficacy against influenza has therefore yet to be established.  Arbidol was initially licensed for use against influenza in Russia and has since been licensed in China and a number of other countries.