Internal Medicine

Answer 2 Rimantadine causes significantly fewer side effects than does amantadine. Rimantadine causes side effects in 3% to 8% of patients, but side effects of amantadine occur in 11% to 19% of patients. Antiviral medications decrease the duration of influenza by an average of 1 to 2 days. Some studies suggest that antiviral medications may decrease influenza complications, but this has not yet been proven. Antiviral medications for treatment of patients with influenza may be administered up to 48 hours after illness onset. Zanamivir and oseltamivir appear to be equally effective in treating patients with influenza. Click here to return to the questions

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