Influenza prevention
Influenza prevention is based on annual vaccination, hand hygiene, and social distancing during epidemics. WHO and CDC do not recommend intranasal interferons or 'immunomodulators' for mass prophylaxis.
ICD-10 Z25.13 drugs
Also known as: Influenza prophylaxis
Drugs used for this condition
Marketing claims without evidence base
The drug is promoted for these uses outside international guidelines. Each entry below is analyzed against AEMPS, FDA, EMA, Cochrane and major RCTs.
- FInterferon alpha-2b (nasal formulations)Not recommended · Other topical nasal preparations (local classification)For influenza prevention, international recommendations (WHO 2024, CDC ACIP) list annual vaccination, hand hygiene, and social distancing during epidemics. Nasal interferon formulations are not among the recommended prevention measures.
- FInterferon α-2b in suppositoriesNot recommended · Interferons (suppositories, local classification)Viferon for influenza prevention is not mentioned in international sources. Proven prevention is annual influenza vaccination per WHO and CDC.
How to read tiers A–F
Evidence tiers belong to the drug-indication pair, not to the drug as a whole: the same substance can be A for one condition and F for another.
- AStrong evidence – first or second line in international guidelines
- BRecommended in selected cases
- CStudy data contradict each other
- DBenefit not proven, no documented harm
- FDocumented harm, or risk without benefit