Relenza (zanamivir) has been shown to be safe for pregnant and breastfeeding animals during animal testing, but has not yet been proven safe through human trials. Pregnant and breast-feeding women may want to find an alternative to Relenza, especially if it is advised by their doctors. It is likely that Relenza could be passed through the breast milk to a nursing child, so breastfeeding women who have no other option may choose to stop breastfeeding while they use Relenza.
Antiviral
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See All 2 AnswersWhen used for to treat the flu, antiviral drugs can lessen symptoms and shorten the time you are sick by one or two days. They also can prevent serious flu complications, such as pneumonia. For people at high risk of serious flu complications, treatment with an antiviral drug can mean the difference between having milder illness instead of very serious illness that could result in a hospital stay.
Studies show that flu antiviral drugs work best for treatment when they are started within two days of getting sick. However, starting them later can still be helpful, especially if you are at high risk of serious flu complications or are very sick from the flu. Follow instructions for taking these drugs.
The presence of the CDC logo and CDC content on this page should not be construed to imply endorsement by the US Government of any commercial products or services, or to replace the advice of a medical professional. The mark “CDC” is licensed under authority of the PHS. -
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See All 2 AnswersAntiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid, an inhaled powder, or an intravenous solution) that fight the flu virus in your body. Antiviral drugs are not sold over-the-counter. You can only get them if you have a prescription from your doctor or health care provider. Antiviral drugs are different from antibiotics, which fight bacterial infections.
Antiviral drugs are not a substitute for getting a flu vaccine. While flu vaccine can vary in how well it works, a flu vaccine is the first and best way to prevent seasonal influenza. Antiviral drugs are a second line of defense to treat the flu (including seasonal flu and variant flu viruses) if you get sick.
If you get the flu, antiviral drugs are a treatment option. Check with your doctor promptly if you are at high risk of serious flu complications. Flu symptoms can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Your doctor may prescribe antiviral drugs to treat your flu illness.
The presence of the CDC logo and CDC content on this page should not be construed to imply endorsement by the US Government of any commercial products or services, or to replace the advice of a medical professional. The mark “CDC” is licensed under authority of the PHS. -
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Reston Hospital Center answeredSee All 3 AnswersHarvoni (ledipasvir and sofosbuvir) appears to have few side effects. In clinical trials, the most common adverse reactions were fatigue and headache. Some people also reported nausea, diarrhea and insomnia. Fewer than 1% of people stopped taking Harvoni because of these problems. However, Harvoni can interact with other medications, and in some cases this can worsen the side effects caused by those drugs. For example, Harvoni can raise the levels of rosuvastatin (Crestor) in the blood, increasing the risk of muscle pain and damage. This, in turn, can lead to liver and kidney problems.
While you are taking Harvoni, if you develop any side effects that concern you or don't go away, be sure to tell your doctor. -
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Reston Hospital Center answeredSee All 3 AnswersHarvoni (ledipasvir and sofosbuvir) can interact with many different types of medications. These include:
- acid-blocking drugs used for heartburn (such as Pepcid, Tagamet and Zantac)
- antacids containing aluminum or magnesium
- the heart medication digoxin (Lanoxin)
- anti-seizure drugs (such as Trileptal, Luminal and Dilantin)
- the antibiotics rifampin, rifabutin and rifapentine
- HIV medications
- the hepatitis C drug simeprevir (Olysio)
- the cholesterol drug rosuvastatin (Crestor)
- the herbal supplement St. John's wort
Before starting Harvoni or any new medication, be sure your doctor is aware of all other prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs or supplements you are taking. -
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Reston Hospital Center answeredSee All 3 AnswersClinical trials suggest that Harvoni (ledipasvir and sofosbuvir) is a remarkably safe drug. The only side effects reported were fatigue, headache, stomach upset and trouble sleeping. Harvoni has no contraindications, meaning doctors haven't found the drug to be unsafe for any groups of people. The safety and effectiveness for children under 18 haven't been tested, though. No studies have looked at whether Harvoni is safe for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding, but animal studies didn't find any risks. However, pregnant or nursing women should take Harvoni only if the benefits outweigh any possible risks.
Harvoni can interact with a wide variety of drugs, including antacids, cholesterol-lowering drugs, anti-seizure drugs, HIV medications, the heart rhythm drug digoxin and St. John's wort. These interactions can decrease the effectiveness of Harvoni or the other drugs, or increase the side effects caused by the other drugs. Before you take Harvoni, make sure your doctor is aware of all medications and supplements you are taking.
In more than 90% of people who take Harvoni, the hepatitis C virus is no longer detectable after eight to 24 weeks. Doctors consider this a cure. However, it isn't known if Harvoni can prevent you from infecting another person while you are taking the drug. Talk with your doctor about ways to prevent spreading the virus to others. -
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Reston Hospital Center answeredSee All 3 AnswersHarvoni (ledipasvir and sofosbuvir) is a medication used to treat chronic hepatitis C infection, specifically caused by subtypes of the virus called genotypes 1, 4, 5 and 6. Harvoni is the first hepatits C medication to combine two drugs into the same pill. It's also the first hepatitis C treatment approved for use without interferon and ribavirin, two drugs that had long been a standard treatment for the infection. Both drugs in Harvoni stop the virus from multiplying, but in different ways. Sofosbuvir is also sold as Sovaldi, and is commonly used with other drugs to treat hepatitis C.
In clinical trials done prior to approval, 94% of those who took Harvoni for eight weeks and 96% of those who took it for 12 weeks were considered cured, because the virus was no longer detectable in their blood. Among people who didn't have cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver caused by the infection, 99% were cured after 12 weeks. The most common side effects were fatigue and headache. Harvoni is typically taken once a day with or without food, for eight to 24 weeks. -
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Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answeredIf you are taking any of the following drugs, you should not take Technivie:- alfuzosin
- carbamazepine
- colchicine
- a moderate or strong CYP3A4 inducer
- efavirenz
- an ergot derivative
- ethinyl estradiol
- midazolam
- phenobarbital
- phenytoin
- sildenafil for pulmonary arterial hypertension
- pimozide
- rifampin
- lovastatin
- simvastatin
- triazolam
If you are taking a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, ribavirin may not be a good option for you.
If you take Technivie, you should not take St. John's wort.
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Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answeredSide effects may include fatigue, general weakness, headache, anxiety, flu-like symptoms, insomnia, cough, shortness of breath, hair loss, skin rash, itching, muscle or joint pain, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Technivie can raise liver enzymes. Ribavirin may cause hemolytic anemia, usually within 2 weeks after starting treatment. This can cause or worsen heart disease.
This answer was adapted from Sharecare's award-winning AskMD app. Start a consultation now to find out what's causing your symptoms, learn how to manage a condition, or find a doctor. -
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Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answeredIf you are taking cobicistat, conivaptan, fusidic acid, idelalisib, ketoconazole, or pimozide, Zepatier can lead to side effects and should be avoided.
If you are taking carbamazepine, cyclosporine, efavirenz, phenytoin, a protease inhibitor, or rifampin, you should not take Zepatier.
If you are taking atorvastatin or rosuvastatin, Zepatier can lead to side effects and should be avoided.
This answer was adapted from Sharecare's award-winning AskMD app. Start a consultation now to find out what's causing your symptoms, learn how to manage a condition, or find a doctor.