Which Influenza Antiviral Medicine is Best

A recent study aimed to compare the positive benefits between two U.S. FDA-approved influenza antiviral medications.

Published in the journal Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses on May 6, 2024, this study concluded that Xofluza (baloxavir marboxil, BMX) appears to be more effective than Tamiflu (oseltamivir, OTV) in lowering the secondary attack rate.

The Poisson regression modeling showed that in those cases treated with BXM and OTV, the benefits were 10.8% and 18.5%, respectively; the adjusted relative reduction was 41.8% (95% confidence interval: 1.0%–65.7%, p = 0.0456) greater with BXM than OTV. 

These researchers wrote that one reason for this result may have been the difference in administration: a single dose of BXM versus twice daily for five days for OTV. Thus, BXM is expected to have higher compliance than OTV in children.

In summary, this post hoc analysis found that the secondary influenza illness attack rate was lower in household contacts exposed to BXM-treated than OTV-treated index cases.