How long does it take for Xofluza to work?
In general, it takes about 1 to 2 days in adults for their flu symptoms to downgrade to the mild or absent level after taking Xofluza (baloxavir marboxil).
Xofluza can reduce the amount of time a person is sick by one day or more.
Xofluza is an antiviral medicine used to:
- treat the flu (influenza) in people who have had flu symptoms for no more than 48 hours and who are otherwise healthy adults and children 5 years of age and older, or adults and children 12 years of age and older who are at high risk of developing problems from the flu.
- prevent the flu in people 5 years of age and older following contact with a person who has the flu (post-exposure prophylaxis).
In clinical studies with Xofluza, investigators looked at alleviation of acute uncomplicated flu symptoms such as:
- cough
- sore throat
- nasal congestion
- headache
- feverishness
- muscle aches
- fatigue.
"Time to alleviation" of these 7 symptoms was defined as the time it took to be rated by the patient as none or mild for at least 21.5 hours.
- In adults, time to alleviation of symptoms with a single, oral dose of Xofluza 40 mg occurred in a median of 50 hours (with a range 45 to 64 hours) compared to 78 hours (range 68 to 89 hours) in those receiving a placebo (inactive pill).
- In children 12 and older, a single dose of Xofluza (40 or 80 mg, based on weight) resulted in time to alleviation of symptoms in 54 hours (range 50 to 59 hours) compared to 80 hours (range 73 to 87 hours) in the placebo group.
- In both studies, Xofluza treatment at these doses resulted in a statistically significant shorter time to alleviation of symptoms compared with placebo.
- When Xolfuza was compared to Tamiflu (oseltamivir), another FDA-approved flu antiviral treatment taken twice a day for 5 days, there was no difference in the time to alleviation of symptoms (a median of 54 hours for each group).
- Xofluza must be taken within the first two days (48 hours) after flu symptoms begin.
- The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) strongly recommends that everyone over the age of six months get a flu vaccine to help prevent the flu as soon as it is available each fall.
Related questions
Read next
COVID-19 vaccines and variants: What you should know
The top 3 SARS-CoV-2 variants in the U.S. in early December 2023 are all of Omicron lineage and include: HV.1 (30%), JN.1 (21%) and EG.5 (9%). Currently the JN.1 variant is increasing, while HV.1 seems to be decreasing. These percentages are based on modeled predictions of variant proportions. Continue reading
Can you overdose on Nyquil?
Yes, you can overdose on Nyquil if you take more than recommended, give a child more than is recommended, or you give Nyquil to a child who is under the age of 6 years. Continue reading
Phenylephrine vs Pseudoephedrine - How do they compare?
The most important difference between phenylephrine (PE) and pseudoephedrine is that phenylephrine is ineffective at relieving nasal congestion, whereas there is some evidence that oral pseudoephedrine is effective. Continue reading
Related medical questions
- What are the side effects of the flu vaccine?
- How long is the flu contagious for?
- Should I wear a face mask to protect myself from COVID-19?
- How long does the flu last for?
- Can Ivermectin be used to treat COVID-19?
- Can you take Ibuprofen if you have COVID-19 (coronavirus)?
- What antibiotics kill Covid-19 (coronavirus)?
- What's the difference between Bacteria and Viruses?
- How do I Treat Nasal Congestion with COVID-19?
- Can vitamin C prevent or treat COVID-19 (coronavirus)?
- How long does it take for Tamiflu to work?
- Can you take expired NyQuil?
- Does NyQuil put you to sleep?
- Does NyQuil have alcohol in it?
- How long does the cold/flu virus live on surfaces?
- How long does it take for NyQuil to kick in?
- Does Mucinex help with a sore throat?
- Can Colchicine be used to treat COVID-19 (coronavirus)?
- Does the BCG vaccine for TB help with COVID-19 (coronavirus)?
- Is Nyquil safe to take while breastfeeding?
- How and where is a flu shot injection given?
- What flu vaccine can I use with an egg allergy?
- How long can the Coronavirus survive on surfaces?
- FluMist or Flu Shot: Which is more effective?
- Can Remdesivir be used to treat COVID-19 (coronavirus)?
- What Do Over the Counter Cold Remedies Do?
- Why was amantadine discontinued for flu?
- Cold, flu, hay fever, or COVID - Which one do I have?
- What are the side effects of the flu shot?
- Is pink eye (conjunctivitis) a sign of COVID-19?
Drug information
Related support groups
- Baloxavir Marboxil (2 questions, 3 members)
- Xofluza (2 questions, 3 members)
- Influenza (113 questions, 98 members)