Antivirals for Chemoprophylaxis

• Prophylaxis is 82-84% effective at preventing influenza

• Indications

• Zanamivir (Relenza®)

• Ostelamivir (Tamiflu®)

• Use of amantadine and rimantadine for prophylaxis is NOT recommended.

More Details       Back

Zanamivir Chemoprophylaxis

• 1-4 yrs: not applicable

• 5+ yrs: 10 mg (two inhalations) once daily

• Cost

• Side effects

  • May cause worsening in patients with underlying airway disease (avoid in these patients)

  • No side effects were more common than in placebo

Back to Top

Ostelamivir Chemoprophylaxis

• 1-12 yrs: weight-based dosing

  • <= 15 kg: 30 mg PO once daily

  • 15-23 kg: 45 mg PO once daily

  • 23-40 kg: 60 mg PO once daily

  • >40 kg: 75 mg PO once daily

• 13+ yrs: 75 mg PO once daily

• Cost

• Side effects

  • Nausea/vomiting

  • Transient neuropsychiatric events (self-injury or delirium) have been reported

Back to Top