{blacktriangledown}Oseltamivir for influenza

doi:10.1136/dtb.2002.401289

Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin 2002;40:89-91; doi:10.1136/dtb.2002.401289

${blacktriangledown}$ Oseltamivir for influenza

${blacktriangledown}$ Oseltamivir (pronounced os-el-ta-mi-veer; Tamiflu-Roche), anoral anti-influenza drug that inhibits influenza virus neuraminidase,is now available in the UK. It has recently been licensed throughoutthe EU for use, when influenza is circulating in the community,in the treatment of patients with early influenza-like symptoms,and for prophylaxis in people who have had close contact withsomeone with influenza.^1,2 Oseltamivir is the second neuraminidaseinhibitor to be licensed in the UK, the other being zanamivir(Relenza - GlaxoSmithKline), which is taken by inhalation andlicensed only for treatment. Previously, we concluded that therewas insufficient evidence that treatment with zanamivir preventedserious complications in people most at risk from influenzato recommend its use.^3,4 Here we review the efficacy and safetyof oseltamivir and discuss its role in the management of influenza.