Antiviral medication prescriptions available online

Learn how antivirals can help treat viral infections with a consultation from one of our board-certified doctors online. Get a new prescription or refill an existing prescription for antiviral medications from a board-certified primary care doctor online.*

Reduce symptoms and prevent viral spread Effective antivirals for influenza, COVID-19, and more Telehealth solutions for antiviral prescriptions

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About antivirals

Antiviral medications are designed to prevent and treat viral infections. They are often prescribed to help treat influenza, COVID-19, herpes simplex virus (HSV), and other viruses. They may also be prescribed in some circumstances to help prevent viral infections, such as influenza or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

What antivirals treat

Antiviral medicines are designed to fight off harmful viruses and reduce the severity of symptoms. Antivirals also lower the risk of spreading a viral infection to others. They are ineffective against bacterial infections.

Viruses commonly treated with antiviral therapy include flu viruses such as influenza A or B, H1N1 swine flu, or Avian flu, as well as herpes, HIV, and COVID-19.

The most common condition treated with antivirals is influenza, also known as the flu. Antivirals do not entirely eliminate flu symptoms, but they can reduce the severity of symptoms. People who are mildly ill or have little risk factors for developing complications usually do not need to take an antiviral agent.

The CDC recommends prompt treatment for people who have the flu or suspected flu. Those with conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease are at higher risk of developing flu complications. Children and adults can take influenza antiviral drugs.

Covid medications, such as Paxlovid, are used to treat patients at high risk of developing severe symptoms or complications from COVID-19. Paxlovid is administered twice daily for five days as soon as possible after a COVID-19 diagnosis. This antiviral can help treat mild to moderate cases of COVID-19.

Herpes antivirals and HIV antivirals slow the replication and growth of these viruses in the body. Although they will not cure these conditions, these antivirals can reduce symptoms and prevent the diseases from progressing further.

Types of antivirals available online

Some of the main types of antiviral therapies include reverse transcriptase inhibitors, nucleoside analogs, protease inhibitors, and neuraminidase inhibitors.

Reverse transcriptase inhibitors

These drugs target the enzyme reverse transcriptase, which retroviruses like HIV use to convert viral RNA into DNA. There are two main reverse transcriptase inhibitors: nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). These drugs block the HIV virus from replicating itself, preventing it from spreading. NRTIs and NNRTIs are sometimes taken with other medications used to treat HIV.

Examples of reverse transcriptase inhibitors include:

Truvada (emtricitabine and tenofovir) Descovy

Nucleoside and nucleotide analogs

These drugs mimic the building blocks of DNA or RNA, which are essential for viral replication. When incorporated into the viral genetic material, they can disrupt the replication process. Examples include:

Molnupiravir (Lagevrio)

Zovirax (acyclovir) Famvir (famciclovir) Valtrex

Protease inhibitors

Protease inhibitors inhibit the activity of viral proteases, enzymes necessary for producing functional viral proteins. By blocking protease activity, the growth of new viral particles is prevented. Protease inhibitors are commonly used in the treatment of HIV and COVID-19.

Examples of these drugs include:

Paxlovid

Neuraminidase inhibitors

Neuraminidase inhibitors are most often used to treat influenza A or B. These drugs block the influenza virus from copying itself in the body, reducing the duration of time that symptoms are felt.

These antivirals are primarily used to treat influenza viruses by blocking the action of the neuraminidase enzyme, which allows the virus to be released from infected cells. Examples include:

Tamiflu (Oseltamivir)

How antivirals work

Antiviral medications work by preventing a virus from duplicating or attaching to a host cell. By doing so, they inhibit the cellular interactions and functions that the virus needs to make copies of itself and survive.

The benefits of antiviral treatment include reducing symptoms of viral infections as well as reducing the risk of spreading the virus.

Side effects of antivirals

When taken as prescribed, antivirals are generally well tolerated. However, they can still cause some side effects.

The more common side effects of antivirals include:

Nausea and vomiting Diarrhea

Change in taste

Muscle pain

In rare cases, antivirals may cause serious side effects. These can include:

Rash, hives, itching

Anemia

Increased liver enzymes

Hoarseness, wheezing, tightness in the chest

Antiviral risks

Antivirals are generally safe, but there are some risks if you have certain medical conditions or take certain medications.

Before you take a prescribed antiviral, be sure to tell your doctor about any of the following conditions or issues:

Other prescription medications

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications, supplements, and vitamins

HIV or hepatitis infections

Hormone-based birth control

Antiviral drug interactions

When you begin a new medication, make sure to tell your doctor about any other medications, supplements, or herbs you’re taking. Some medications that might interact with an antiviral may include:

Immune modulating medications

Antifungal medications

Blood thinners

Antibiotics

Oral contraceptives

Statins

Antiviral FAQs

What is the use of antiviral drugs?

Antivirals are used to treat, prevent and reduce the symptoms of viral infections, such as HIV, herpes, COVID-19, and influenza. Antiviral drugs are not sold over the counter.

How long does it take for antivirals to work?

Most antivirals begin to work within one to six hours after taking them, though symptoms may not improve for a bit longer. Studies show that the flu antiviral drugs work best for treatment when they are started within two days of getting sick. If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.

How should I take antivirals?

Every antiviral has its own directions, so read your prescription carefully. If you are taking capsules, store at room temperature in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom. If you are taking a liquid suspension, store liquid in a refrigerator. Do not freeze. Keep your antivirals in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of reach of children and pets. Take each dose as scheduled. Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it. If it is less than 2 hours until your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time. Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

Who shouldn’t take antivirals?

If you are allergic to antivirals or other drugs, substances, or foods, tell your doctor. Let your doctor know if you have kidney disease, as some antivirals can make kidney function worse. If you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding, let your doctor know before taking antivirals. Some antivirals can affect your unborn baby or pregnancy. Antivirals should not be taken if you have recently received vaccinations such as the COVID-19 or influenza vaccines.

What should I avoid with antivirals?

You should avoid drinking alcohol while taking antivirals. Alcohol can reduce the effectiveness of certain medications as well as increase the risk of side effects, such as nausea and dizziness. Certain over-the-counter medications can affect antivirals as well. Make sure to tell your doctor about all prescription medications or supplements you take.

Can I get antiviral meds over the counter?

Antiviral medications are available only by prescription, not over the counter. Only a doctor can diagnose the underlying cause of your illness (bacterial vs. viral infection) and determine if an antiviral medication is the right treatment for you. Using antivirals for bacterial infections or the wrong type of virus will not treat your virus and can delay getting the right treatment.

Schedule a telemedicine appointment with one of our online doctors to assess your symptoms and create a treatment plan.

Step 1

Book an appointment to discuss antivirals

Book a same day appointment from anywhere.

Step 2

Talk to your doctor online about antivirals.

Visit with a doctor on your smartphone or computer.

Step 3

Pick up your antiviral treatment.

We can send prescriptions to any local pharmacy.

How to talk to your doctor about antiviral medications: helpful questions to ask

Whether you choose one of our doctors or see a local provider, it’s important to feel comfortable that you understand the scope of your virus treatment plan. Here are some questions that you and your doctor may find helpful to discuss about any antiviral medications that may be prescribed:

Should I take my antiviral medications with food?
What time of the day should I take my prescription?
What should I do if I miss a dose?
Are there any food, drinks or supplements I should avoid?
Are there any activities I should avoid during my antiviral treatment plan?
When can I expect to start feeling better?
What should I do if my symptoms don’t go away with antiviral medication?
Will this medication help to prevent potential future outbreaks?

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