Which antiviral is no longer recommended by the CDC for flu due to resistance?

Amantadine is the antiviral that is no longer recommended by the CDC for the treatment of influenza due to the widespread emergence of influenza virus strains that are resistant to it. Initially, amantadine was used to treat and prevent influenza A infections, but over time, the effectiveness of this drug has significantly diminished as various strains of the virus have developed resistance mechanisms.

Consequently, public health guidelines shifted, emphasizing alternative antiviral agents that maintain efficacy against prevalent strains of the virus. Oseltamivir and zanamivir, which are neuraminidase inhibitors, are still recommended by the CDC as they continue to be effective against most circulating influenza viruses. Ribavirin, while an antiviral, is primarily used for different viral infections, such as hepatitis C or RSV, rather than for influenza, which does not factor into the current recommendations for flu treatment. This context illustrates why amantadine is no longer advised for the treatment of influenza in light of resistance issues.