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Interim Guidance for Clinicians to Prioritize Antiviral Treatment of Influenza in the Setting of Reduced Availability of Oseltamivir

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Advisory to provide guidance on antiviral treatment of influenza in the setting of reduced availability of oseltamivir.

The the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not indicated shortages of oseltamivir (generic or Tamiflu) in any of its forms (capsules, oral suspension). CDC has received numerous anecdotal reports of availability issues for generic oseltamivir in some locations; however, the CDC provides guidance for prioritizing oseltamivir for treatment and information on other influenza antivirals that are recommended for treating influenza in areas where oseltamivir is temporarily unavailable.

General Recommendations for Clinicians and Public Health Practitioners

Hospitalized Patients

  • Prioritize oseltamivir treatment as soon as possible for hospitalized patients with suspected or laboratory-confirmed influenza.

Outpatients

  • Patients at increased risk of influenza complications and who test positive for influenza within 2 days of illness onset.
  • Patients who have progressive or severe influenza not requiring hospitalization, even if they test positive for influenza more than 2 days from illness onset.
  • Patients who are pregnant, less than 2 weeks postpartum, or immunocompromised.
  • Children less than 5 years of age.

For more information, please consult the complete CDC Health Advisory Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov .