For the 2024-2025 flu season, the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend antiviral drugs for children who have the flu when they are at risk for serious flu complications. This includes children who have severe, complicated, or progressive illness, or who are hospitalized. Other children who are at increased risk include children younger than age 5 (especially those younger than age 2) and any child with certain chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart or lung disease.
Four antiviral medicines have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in children:
Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) is approved for treatment of flu in children 14 days old and older.
Zanamivir (Relenza) is approved for treatment of flu in children ages 7 and older. It is not recommended for use in children with asthma and other lung problems.
Peramivir (Rapivab) is given by vein and can be used in children ages 6 months and older.
Baloxavir (Xofluza) is a pill that is given as a single dose by mouth and is approved to treat the flu in children between ages 5 and 12 who do not have any chronic medical conditions, and for all children ages 12 years and older.
