peramivir

drug

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Last updated

July 19, 2026

Quick Summary

Peramivir is an antiviral drug used to treat influenza A and B viruses. It belongs to a class of drugs called neuraminidase inhibitors. These drugs work by inhibiting neuraminidase, a protein on the surface of the influenza virus. This action reduces the release of the virus from infected cells, helping to prevent its spread throughout the body. Peramivir is administered intravenously and, when taken within 30 hours of symptom onset, can shorten the duration of the illness. Antiviral drugs are challenging to develop because viruses must infect host cells to replicate, making it difficult to target the virus without harming the host cells.123

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influenza pandemic (H1N1) of 2009
Treatment and prevention
…intravenously administered antiviral known as peramivir, though not formally approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), was given emergency-use authorization for the treatment of hospitalized H1N1 patients who had not responded to oral or inhaled antivirals or who had life-threatening illness.
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…intravenously administered antiviral known as peramivir, though not formally approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), was given emergency-use authorization for the treatment of hospitalized H1N1 patients who had not responded to oral or inhaled antivirals or who had life-threatening illness.
Read More