Anti Viral meds for flu season

[Guest guest]

Our doc would like to see us have anti viral meds on hand for when

has exposure to a viral illness or someone in the house has a viral

infection (such as the flu). He has given us 4 refills of Tamiflu (o

seltamivir) which is crazy expensive through our insurance. So is Relenza (z

anamivir).

My questions:

1. How did Tamiflu become the gold standard for viral/flu infections?

(Besides pharma marketing)

2. The pharmacy says there are other alternatives, such as Amantadine and

Rimantadine

3. The pharmacist says she is not aware of any studies to identify the

effectiveness of one viral med over the other to treat flu symptoms

4. Does anyone have personal experience, or knowledge?

5. Like broad spectrum antibiotics, are there also broad spectrum

anti-virals? Does one cover more viral infections than the other?

Amantadine and Rimantadine are less expensive because there are generic

versions available. We are talking more than a $60 co-pay difference between

Tamiflu and Relenza vs.Amantadine and Rimantadine. This difference was also

taking into consideration the cost difference at various pharmacies too (in

my neck of the woods, there was only about a $3.00 difference between

stores).

Thank you as always!!!!