Antimicrobials
Oseltamivir

Oseltamivir

None
Excellent
$

Spectrum of Activity

Dosing

General Information

Treatment and prophylaxis of influenza.

Reference:

Aoki FY, Allen UD, Stiver HG, et al. The use of antiviral drugs for influenza: A foundation document for practitioners. AMMI Canada Guideline. Canadian Journal of Infectious Disease and Medical Microbiology; (24); Suppl C. 2013.

  • GI upset common

  • Rare - Stevens Johnson

  • Neuropsychiatric side effects reported

No significant interactions

LU code for outpatient use

LU 371 For the prophylaxis (max: 75mg daily) of institutionalized individuals during confirmed* outbreaks of Influenza A or Influenza B (Note: Network will limit supply to 6 weeks) LU Authorization Period: 1 year

LU 372 For the treatment (max: 75mg BID) of institutionalized individuals during confirmed* outbreaks due to: Influenza B or, Influenza A (as an alternative to amantadine) or, Influenza A where new cases have developed despite amantadine prophylaxis. (Note: Network will limit supply to 5 days) LU Authorization period: 1 year

*The outbreak must be confirmed by Public Health

LU 639 For treatment of individuals during the 2022-2023 Influenza season who are at high risk* of complications from influenza infection and have either:

  1. Laboratory- confirmed Influenza A or Influenza B infection; OR
  2. Illness consistent with influenza A or Influenza B infection

*High risk of complications from influenza infection is defined by the presence of one or more of the following;

  • Asthma or other chronic pulmonary diseases, including bronchopulmonary dysplasia, cystic fibrosis, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema
  • Cardiovascular disease (excluding isolated hypertension), including congenital and acquired heart disease, such as heart failure and symptomatic coronary artery disease
  • Renal disease
  • Chronic liver disease
  • Diabetes mellitus and other metabolic diseases
  • Anemia and hemoglobinopathies, such as sickle cell disease
  • Cancer, immunosuppression, or immunodeficiency due to disease (e.g., HIV infection, especially if CD4 is less than 200 per microlitre) or management of underlying conditions (e.g., solid organ transplant or hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients, those receiving immunosuppressive therapies for autoimmune conditions or other disorders)
  • Neurological disease and neurodevelopmental disorders that compromise handling of respiratory secretions (cognitive dysfunction; spinal cord injury; neuromuscular, neurovascular, neurodegenerative, and seizure disorders; cerebral palsy; metabolic disorders)
  • Children aged younger than 5 years
  • Individuals aged 65 years or older
  • Individuals of any age who are residents of nursing homes or other chronic care facilities
  • Pregnancy and up to 4 weeks postpartum regardless of how the pregnancy ended
  • Obesity with BMI greater than or equal to 40 or BMI greater than 3 z-scores above the mean for age and gender
  • Children and adolescents aged younger than 18 years undergoing treatment for long periods with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)
  • Indigenous people

Maximum dosage: 75mg BID for 5 days

Treatment should be initiated as soon as possible (ideally no more than 48 hours) after onset of symptoms to achieve optimal benefits.

LU Authorization Period: 6 months

Antimicrobial class: Antiviral - Neuraminidase inhibitor

Pregnancy category: C

Average serum half life: 2 hours

Lung penetration: Therapeutic