Flustad 75

Rx

Indications

When influenza virus is circulating in the community:

• Treatment of influenza in adults and children (including full term neonates).
• Prevention of influenza in adults and children ≥ 1 year of age (> 40 kg) following contact with an infected person influenza (In exceptional situations (e.g. in case of a mismatch between the circulating and vaccine virus strains, and a pandemic situation) seasonal prevention could be considered.

Flustad 75 is not a substitute for influenza vaccination.

The use of antivirals for the treatment and prevention of influenza should be determined on the basis of official recommendations. Decisions regarding the use of oseltamivir for treatment and prophylaxis should take into consideration what is known about the characteristics of the circulating influenza viruses, available information on influenza drug susceptibility patterns for each season and the impact of the disease in different geographical areas and patient populations.

Dosage

Treatment should be initiated as soon as possible within the first two days of onset of symptoms of influenza/contact with an infected influenza.
Treatment: 75 mg oseltamivir twice daily for 5 days (10 days in immunocompromised adults).
Prevention following close contact with an infected influenza: 75 mg oseltamivir once daily for 10 days.
Prevention during an influenza epidemic in the community:

• Adults and adolescents 13 years and over: 75 mg oseltamivir once daily for up to 6 weeks (12 weeks in immunocompromised patients).
• Children below 12 years of age: Has not been studied.
• Hepatic impairment: Dose adjustment is recommended for adults and adolescents (13 – 17 years of age) with moderate or severe renal impairment.

Usage

Flustad 75 is administered orally.

Hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients.

Very common

• Headache, nausea.

Common

• Bronchitis, Herpes simplex, nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infections, sinusitis; insomnia;
• Cough, sore throat, rhinorrhea;
• Vomiting, abdominal pain (incl. upper abdominal pain), dyspepsia;
• Pain, dizziness (incl. vertigo), fatigue, pyrexia, pain in limb.

• Oseltamivir is not a substitute for influenza vaccination, must not affect the must not affect the evaluation of individuals for annual influenza vaccination. Should take into account the most recent information available on oseltamivir susceptibility patterns of the currently circulating viruses when deciding whether to use oseltamivir.
• Severe concomitant condition (no information is available regarding the safety and efficacy).
• Immunocompromised patients or cardiac/respiratory disease (efficacy has not been firmly determined/has not been established);
• No data allowing a dose recommendation for premature children (< 36 weeks post-conceptual age) are currently available.
• Infants and children (1 year of age or older) with renal impairment (there is insufficient clinical data available).
• Neuropsychiatric events: Patients should be closely monitored for behavioural changes, and the benefits and risks of continuing treatment should be carefully evaluated for each patient.
• Pregnancy/Lactation: The use of oseltamivir may be considered after considering the available safety and benefit information and the pathogenicity of the circulating influenza virus strain.
• Patients should be aware of how they react to drug before driving or operating machinery.