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4 Best Medications and Drugs for Treating Flu

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Flu, also known as influenza, is considered a viral infection that affects your respiratory system in a negative way. It is important to note that stomach flu viruses are not the same as influenza. Mayoclinic.com states that young children, individuals with weakened immune systems or chronic illnesses and older adults are at an increased risk of suffering from flu.

Flu

If you suffer from this condition, several medications may prove beneficial in dealing with its symptoms. Given below is a list of best medications for treating flu. Make sure to consult your physician before making use of these medicines.

Medications To Treat Flu

Acuflex

Acuflex is a medicinal drug that possesses acetaminophen and phyltoloxamine. Acetaminophen is known to be helpful in reducing pain as well as fever, whereas, phenyltoloxamine is an antihistamine that helps in decreasing histamine levels in the body. Histamine is the chemical that is responsible for triggering symptoms of watery eyes, itchiness, runny nose and sneezing.

Drugs.com notes that this medication is used in the treatment of symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, pain and fever associated with common cold, allergic reactions or flu. Before using this medication in the treatment of flu, it is advisable that you seek medical advice from your physician, especially if you suffer from liver disease, kidney disorders, heart disease, peptic ulcers, glaucoma or diabetes.

Drugs.com recommends that you consume no more than 1000 mg of this medicine per dose and a maximum of 4000 mg a day. This is due to the fact that excess acetaminophen has a detrimental effect on the liver. Use this medication only as prescribed by your doctor. Mild side effects associated with Acuflex include dry mouth, dizziness, decreased urination, restlessness, deterred vision and dry eyes. Serious side effects include rapid heartbeat, black or dark stools, fever, chills, weakness, jaundice and grey-coloured stools.

Acuflex

Tamiflu

Tamiflu is classified as an antiviral medication that is helpful in deterring the activity of type A and B Influenza virus. Flu is known to occur as a result of the presence of this virus in the body. Drugs.com notes that this medication is administered to patients with flu, who have not suffered from it for over two days. This website further adds that Tamiflu is also used as a preventive measure for those who been exposed to this virus, but have not contracted it.

It is important to note that this medication is not used for common cold treatment. Prior to using this medication, seek medical advice if you suffer from lung conditions, heart disease, kidney disorders or any other serious health condition. Drugs.com recommends that you do not use this medication if you suffer from an allergic reaction to oseltamivir. This website also states that you can take this medication, with or without food or you could take it along with some food to deal with an upset stomach.

Drugs.com recommends the use of this mediation twice daily, at intervals of 12 hours for five days. Mild side effects of this medication include nosebleeds, cough, sleep disorders, redness of eye, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. The website Drugs.com recommends that you seek immediate medical help if you suffer from side effects such as confusion, hallucinations, unusual behaviour or facial swelling.

Tamiflu

Percogesic

Percogesic is a medicinal drug that contains acetaminophen and phenyltoloxiamine. Acetaminophen helps in decreasing fever as well as pain and phenyltoloxamine helps in decreasing histamine levels in the body. Drugs.com notes that this medication is used in the treatment of symptoms such as pain, fever, headache and congestion associated with cold, flu and allergies. Before using this medication for treating flu symptoms, it is advisable that you inform your doctor if you suffer from liver disease, kidney disorders, glaucoma, diabetes, high blood pressure or difficulty in urinating.

If you consume more than three alcoholic drinks in a day or suffer from liver disease caused by alcohol consumption, it is advisable that you inform your doctor prior to taking this medication for flu symptoms. Drugs.com notes that individuals older than 60 years of age are more prone to suffering from side effects associated with this medication. You should only take this medication as prescribed by your physician and never exceed 4 grams (4000mg) in a day, as acetaminophen has a negative effect on the liver.

Drugs.com notes that if your symptoms do not clear up within 10 days or if they seem to get worse, seek medical help immediately. This website also states that you should not consume this medication if you have taken monoamine oxidase inhibitors in the past two weeks as it can result in a severe drug interaction. Mild side effects associated with Percogesic include deterred vision, dry eyes, drowsiness, restlessness and difficulty in urinating, among many other symptoms. Serious side effects of this medication include liver damage, blood sugar problems or allergic symptoms. If you experience any of these serious side effects, consult your physician immediately and discontinue using this medication as well.

Percogesic

Alpain

Alpain is a medicinal drug that possesses acetaminophen and phenyltoloxamine. Acetaminophen is known to be helpful in decreasing pain as well as fever. Phenyltoloxamine plays the role of an antihistamine that helps in suppressing the effects of histamine. Drugs.com notes that this medication is used in the treatment pain, fever, runny nose and sneezing associated with flu, cold and allergies. If you suffer from liver cirrhosis or if you consume high amounts of alcohol on a daily basis, it is advisable that you do not use this medication unless you seek approval from your physician.

If you suffer from kidney problems, liver disease, urination problems, stomach ulcers, hypothyroidism, heart disease or glaucoma, consult your physician before using this medication. Drugs.com strongly advises against the administration of this medication to children below the age of four, unless prescribed by your physician. Mild side effects associated with Alpain include blurred vision, stomach pain, constipation, dry mouth and drowsiness.

Serious side effects of Alpain include rapid heartbeat, nausea, bruising, fever, chills, restlessness and hallucinations. If you begin to experience these serious side effects, seek medical help immediately. In such cases, it is also important to discontinue the use of this medication immediately as it helps to reduce the severity of these side effects.

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