Xofluza was recently approved to treat the flu in higher-risk populations – people with diabetes or other chronic conditions, and people over age 65 – and to prevent further health complications
Flu season is quickly approaching – the best way to protect yourself and those around you is to get a flu shot. A flu shot is not 100% preventative, but there’s good news: if you do get the flu, a new medication called Xofluza can help treat it.
Genentech’s Xofluza was just FDA approved for treating the flu in “high-risk populations” – including people with diabetes, heart disease, asthma, and people over 65. These groups often have a higher risk of developing health complications from the flu due to weakened immune systems.
Xofluza, a single-dose pill, was first approved in 2018 to treat the flu in anyone older than 12. It is best taken within 48 hours of developing flu-like symptoms. With this expanded approval, Xofluza is the first flu drug specifically approved for people at high-risk for flu complications.
As with all medications that fight viruses, Xofluza works best early on, at the beginning of the illness. If you have diabetes and think you may have the flu, talk to your doctor immediately. To learn more about the flu and diabetes, click here.
In the United States, flu season typically begins in late October and lasts into the spring. Ways to stay healthy during flu season include:
- Getting a flu shot
- Washing your hands regularly
- Eating healthy food and drinking lots of water
- Exercising regularly
