Which influenza antiviral is an oral neuraminidase inhibitor?

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Multiple Choice

Which influenza antiviral is an oral neuraminidase inhibitor?

Neuraminidase inhibitors work by preventing the release of new influenza virions from infected cells, slowing the spread of the virus within the host. The agent given by mouth that inhibits neuraminidase is oseltamivir. It’s a prodrug taken orally and is converted in the body to an active form that blocks neuraminidase in influenza A and B, reducing viral replication and illness duration. Zanamivir also inhibits neuraminidase but is delivered by inhalation, not orally. Baloxavir blocks the viral RNA polymerase endonuclease, affecting viral transcription rather than neuraminidase. Amantadine targets the M2 ion channel involved in viral uncoating, not neuraminidase. So oseltamivir is the correct choice because it is the oral neuraminidase inhibitor.

Neuraminidase inhibitors work by preventing the release of new influenza virions from infected cells, slowing the spread of the virus within the host. The agent given by mouth that inhibits neuraminidase is oseltamivir. It’s a prodrug taken orally and is converted in the body to an active form that blocks neuraminidase in influenza A and B, reducing viral replication and illness duration. Zanamivir also inhibits neuraminidase but is delivered by inhalation, not orally. Baloxavir blocks the viral RNA polymerase endonuclease, affecting viral transcription rather than neuraminidase. Amantadine targets the M2 ion channel involved in viral uncoating, not neuraminidase. So oseltamivir is the correct choice because it is the oral neuraminidase inhibitor.

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