Influenza viruses cause serious, sometimes fatal, disease in immunocompromised patients, including HIV infected infants, toddlers, and young children.
Currently, Relenza is approved to treat acute uncomplicated illnesses due to influenza in adults and children 7 years and older who have been symptomatic for less than two days, and for the prevention of influenza in adults and children 5 years and older. Tamiflu is approved for the treatment and prevention of influenza in patients 1 year and older.
The EUAs allow for Tamiflu also to be used to treat and prevent influenza in children under 1 year, and to provide alternative dosing recommendations for children older than 1 year. In addition, under the EUAs, both medications may be distributed to large segments of the population without complying with the label requirements otherwise applicable to dispensed drugs, and accompanied by written information pertaining to the emergency use. They may also be distributed by a broader range of health care workers, including some public health officials and volunteers, in accordance with applicable state and local laws and/or public health emergency responses.
These temporary extensions of the indication, which will terminate when the emergency no longer exists, are summarized below:
1. Use of Tamiflu for treatment and prophylaxis of influenza in infants <>
The Tamiflu Oral Suspension bottle comes with a dispenser marked for 30, 45, or 60 mg. For children who weigh more than 40 kg (or 88 lbs) or adults who can’t swallow capsules, you will need to measure out a dose of 30 mg plus another dose of 45 mg. For infants less than 1 year old, a different measuring device must be used that will dispense 2 mL (about 25 mg), 1.6 mL (about 20 mg) or 1 mL (12 mg).
Doses for prevention of the novel 2009 H1N1 are the same for each weight group, but doses are administered only once per day rather than twice. Prevention dosages should be taken for 10 days following close contact with an infected person or during a community outbreak.
2. Use of Tamiflu and Relenza in patients not included in the current labeling. These drugs are currently indicated for use in patients with acute, uncomplicated influenza who have had symptoms for <>
More detailed information about Influenza Antiviral Drugs is available on the FDA web site at http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/antivirals/influenza/default.htm
The TAMIFLU® FACT SHEET FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS contains information specific to the expanded pediatric dosing recommendations for Tamiflu.
NOTE: 75mg once daily for 10 days is the prophylactic dose of Tamiflu, for adults,recommended by USFDA for Swine flu.
Richard Klein
Office of Special Health Issues
Food and Drug Administration
Kimberly Struble
Division of Antiviral Drug Products
Food and Drug Administration
