Oseltamivir Brand Name– Tamiflu
What is Oseltamivir
Oseltamivir is an oral neuraminidase inhibitor (NAI) indicated for the treatment and prevention of acute, uncomplicated seasonal influenza infections.
Like other NAIs (zanamivir and peramivir), oseltamivir has activity against both influenza A and B viruses; whereas adamantanes (amantadine and rimantadine) are active against influenza A only.
Clinical benefit from antiviral therapy is greatest when initiated early; therefore, the FDA-approved labeling recommends initiating oseltamivir within 48 hours of influenza symptom onset (for treatment) or close contact with an infected individual (post-exposure prophylaxis).
However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), specific patient populations (including those with severe, complicated, or progressive illness, pregnant women of any trimester, and hospitalized patients) may still receive benefit from antiviral treatment if initiated after 48 hours of illness onset.
Oseltamivir is not considered a substitute for annual influenza virus vaccination.
Instead, NAI antiviral drugs are considered adjuncts to the prevention and control of influenza; annual influenza vaccination remains the main option for reducing the impact of influenza.
Indications
- avian influenza A virus infection
- avian influenza prophylaxis
- influenza A virus infection
- influenza B virus infection
- seasonal influenza prophylaxis
Side Effects
- agitation
- anaphylactic shock
- anaphylactoid reactions
- angioedema
- anxiety
- colitis
- confusion
- delirium
- diarrhea
- dyspepsia
- elevated hepatic enzymes
- emotional lability
- erythema multiforme
- GI bleeding
- hallucinations
- headache
- hepatitis
- hyperglycemia
- hypothermia
- laryngeal edema
- nausea
- nightmares
- psychosis
- rash
- seizures
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome
- toxic epidermal necrolysis
- urticaria
- vomiting
Monitoring Parameters
- laboratory monitoring not necessary
Contraindications
- asthma
- breast-feeding
- bronchitis
- cardiac disease
- children
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- emphysema
- hepatic disease
- hereditary fructose intolerance
- immunosuppression
- infants
- infection
- neonates
- pregnancy
- psychosis
- pulmonary disease
- renal failure
- renal impairment
- Reye’s syndrome
- vaccination
- viral infection
Oseltamivir is contraindicated in any patient who is hypersensitive to the drug or to any component of the formulation.
Interactions
- Colchicine; Probenecid
- Dichlorphenamide
- Intranasal Influenza Vaccine
- Probenecid
