What are Tamiflu and Relenza?
There are two different antiviral medications that can be used to treat swine influenza. One is called oseltamivir, also known as Tamiflu, and the other is known as zanamivir, also known as Relenza. Both of those are what are called neuraminidase inhibitor medications. They work by preventing the release of infectious influenza virus from the cells, effectively stopping the infection. These medications will be given sparingly and to those with influenza A when and if the symptoms are severe enough to warrant hospitalization or medical care to avoid using all of the stockpiles of these antivirals up for what is otherwise going to be very mild symptoms or very mild illness.