How do oseltamivir, zanamivir, and peramivir limit the spread of influenza virus in the body?

Oseltamivir, zanamivir, and peramivir are classified as neuraminidase inhibitors. These drugs function by targeting neuraminidase, a glycoprotein found on the surface of influenza A and B viruses.21

Normally, after a virus replicates within a host cell, the newly formed viral particles remain tethered to the cell surface by binding between hemagglutinin and sialic acid. Neuraminidase acts as an enzyme that cleaves this sialic acid, effectively freeing the virus to infect other cells.1

By inhibiting this enzyme, these medications limit the spread of the virus in the body through three primary mechanisms:
* They decrease the release of new virus particles from infected cells.234
* They promote the formation of viral aggregates, which prevents the virus from effectively dispersing.234
* They reduce the overall spread of the virus throughout the host organism.234

When administered early in the course of an infection, these drugs can effectively shorten the duration of the illness.24