Influenza A and B

The neuraminidase inhibitor oseltamivir phosphate (Tamiflu) was approved for the treatment of uncomplicated acute illness caused by influenza A and B infection in adults who have been symptomatic for < 2 days. Approval was based on two phase-III, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of 1,355 patients who received oseltamivir, 75 mg bid for 5 days, within 40 hours of symptom onset. Median time to improvement was 1.3 days for participants in the active treatment group. The recommended dose is 75 mg bid, and treatment should begin within 2 days of symptom onset. The most common adverse events were nausea and vomiting, but these were mild to moderate in nature and typically occurred during the first 2 days of treatment.