Tamiflu

From WikiCover

A new retrospective analysis of a pivotal pediatric study indicates that earlier initiation of treatment with Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate) is associated with greater reduction in illness duration, symptom severity and secondary complications in children with influenza. According to the data, treatment initiated within 24 hours of symptom onset provides clinically meaningful improvements, compared with treatment initiated within 24 - 48 hours. Tamiflu, the leading prescription antiviral flu medication, is indicated for the prevention and treatment of influenza types A and B in patients one year and older.

Researchers at Roche, which makes Tamiflu, collaborated with researchers at the University of Alabama (Birmingham) and Primary Physicians Research in Pittsburgh to conduct additional analysis of data from an earlier study, "Oral Oseltamivir Treatment in Children," to explore the impact of time-to-treatment initiation. The new findings were presented today at the Options for the Control of Influenza VI conference in Toronto during the "Clinical Guidance and Policies" workshop.

"Children bear a disproportionately high burden of influenza and are at particular risk of flu-related complications," said Regina Dutkowski, PhD, Clinical Director at Roche, who presented the data. "There is a crucial 48 hour window of opportunity to initiate antiviral therapy, and this analysis further underscores the importance of treating influenza in children at the first sign of symptoms."