The FDA has just approved the first new flu drug in 20 years. Here's what you need to know.

Our arsenal in the never-ending, shifting and ever-changing battle against the flu virus has just increased slightly. The Food & Drug Administration has just announced that it has approved the aptly named Xofluza, the first new antiviral drug in two decades, designed to relieve the symptoms of an influenza infection.

Last year, about 80,000 people died of the flu, including many complications that antivirals can help fight. But antivirals, including Xofluza, are not for everyone – here's what you need to know as you approach this year's flu season.

Is this medicine different from Tamiflu?

The FDA has given priority to Xofluza's review by the fact that it operates according to a mechanism different from that of Tamiflu. Both are antivirals, which means that they prevent replication of the virus, but they work at different stages of this process.

First, a brief introduction to how viruses infect you: A virus is essentially a bundle of genetic material that injects into a cell and diverts the cell's normal replication mechanism, causing it to produce millions of copies of the virus. A protein called viral neuraminidase allows these copies to come out of the cell and infect new parts of your body. Most of our effective antivirals are neuraminidase inhibitors – the virus can still replicate, but is prevented from escaping.

Xofluza works by preventing viral replication in the first place. It blocks viral polymerase, an enzyme that helps replicate invasive genetic material. That does not necessarily make it better or more effective – the FDA notes that early trials suggest that it is about as effective as Tamiflu – but as pointed out FDA Commissioner, Scott Gottlieb, in a press release, "Having more treatment options that work differently than attacking the virus is important because the flu virus can become resistant to antiviral drugs."

Can Xofluza prevent me from getting really sick?

Perhaps! Tamiflu and Xofluza both reduce the average duration of illness from seven days to about five, and may alleviate some of the worst symptoms, but this usually depends on taking medication within 48 hours of developing the flu. If you've been sick for a week and you're just tired of it, neither of the two drugs will probably help you. It would be great if we had this type of medicine, but the real value of these antivirals is to relieve symptoms in people at high risk of complications or people with severe flu.

You see, when most of us think of "the flu," we think of a nasty cold. The reality is that the flu in its own right is serious and possibly deadly – and these are the cases that need an antiviral. If you are hospitalized with the flu, you will probably have one of these medications. Otherwise, they are usually reserved for high-risk cases – children under five, adults over 65, pregnant women and asthma patients, certain types of heart disease and chronic lung problems (see full list). right here). The symptoms of the flu can lead to complications for these people. An antiviral that alleviates the worst of them can therefore be vital. The average healthy people may also be prescribed Tamiflu or Xofluza by their doctor, but as the Centers for Disease Control points out, "Most healthy people who contract the flu do not need it. to be treated with antiviral drugs. "

Does this mean that I do not need a flu shot?

Absolutely not. Go get a flu shot now if you have not done so already. As we have already noted, antivirals only mitigate the effects of the flu – they can not prevent you from getting sick or sick. And besides, all drugs have side effects. Xofluza can cause diarrhea and bronchitis, while Tamiflu can cause nausea and vomiting. In addition, the treatment costs money. Xofluza can pay you $ 150 (although some insured people can get a coupon to bring the cost down to $ 30) and Tamiflu, about $ 100. Most people can receive flu vaccines free of charge through their insurance, employer or county health department. Vaccinations cost only 20 to 40 dollars in various pharmacies.

More importantly, being vaccinated against the flu helps protect these people. around you have the flu too. Xofluza is not even approved for children under 12 years of age (although Tamiflu can be given to anyone over two weeks old), who are among the most vulnerable to deadly influenza infections. Last year, 183 children died of the flu. Do not make the mistake of thinking that an antiviral will save a life – vaccines will save a lot more. Get yours now.