Antivirals for Treatment

• Reduces the duration of illness by approximately 1 day compared with placebo.

• Oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) approved for treatment of persons aged >1 year

• Zanamivir (Relenza®) approved for treatment of persons aged >7 years

• Use of amantadine and rimantadine for treatment is NOT recommended - widespread resistance

• Should be started within 2 days of illness onset

• Duration of treatment: 5 days

• Reduces duration of illness by 1 day

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Ostelamivir (Tamiflu®) Treatment

• Dosing

• Cost

• Side effects

  • nausea/vomiting

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

Dosing

• 1-12 yrs: weight-based dosing

  • <= 15 kg: 30 mg PO twice a day

  • 15-23 kg: 45 mg PO twice a day

  • 23-40 kg: 60 mg PO twice a day

  • >40 kg: 75 mg PO twice a day

• 13+ yrs: 75 mg PO twice daily

(*) - A reduction of the dose of oseltamivir is recommended for persons with creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min.

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Zanamivir (Relenza®) Treatment

• Dosing

  • 1-6 yrs: not applicable

  • 7+ yrs: 10 mg (two inhalations) twice daily

• Administered through oral inhalation by using a plastic device included in the medication package.

• Patients will benefit from instruction and demonstration of the correct use of the device.

• Not recommended for those persons with underlying airway disease.

• 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

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