Tis’ the season .. for the flu? Hopefully not and considering the Food and Drug Administration’s latest drug approval — there might just be a new way to treat the flu if you happen to be one of its victims this holiday season. The FDA approved a drug called Xofluza — an oral medication that can treat the flu just as well as Tamiflu with just one dosage.
In a recent press release, Scott Gottlieb, MD, FDA commissioner stated, "With thousands of people getting the flu every year, and many people becoming seriously ill, having safe and effective treatment alternatives is critical. This novel drug provides an important, additional treatment option.”
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Xofluza has been the first FDA approved flu drug in roughly 20 years — prior to Zofluza, Tamiflu was the only drug available to treat the flu. Tamiflu is a twice-daily pill that reduces flu symptoms in five days.
According to the pharmaceutical company that makes Xofluza, Genentech, the new drug works by blocking an enzyme within the influenza virus which is called the endonuclease enzyme. If Xofluza is taken within 48 hours of having the initial symptoms, Xofluza can stop the virus from replicating, spreading and infecting other cells.
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During the Xofluza clinical trials, those who were on Xofluza had flu symptoms that lasted an average of 54 hours compared to those whose symptoms lasted 80 hours on a placebo. Some flu symptoms can include fever, runny nose, muscle aches, sore throat, cough and fatigue, making Xofluza a breakthrough drug.
If you start to feel flu symptoms coming on, you can ask your doctor or healthcare provider about trying Xofluza. According to Refinery29, Xofluza costs $30 for patients with healthcare and can cost about $90 for those without it. It’s important to keep in mind that due to the newness of Xofluza, some doctors may not be willing to prescribe it to their patients.
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Xofluza is not for those that are pregnant and/or breastfeeding due to it harming unborn babies and can transfer into breastmilk. There are also side effects to Xofluza that include diarrhea, bronchitis, cold symptoms, headaches and bronchitis.
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