Can Tamiflu be used prophylactically?

Can Tamiflu be used prophylactically?

Tamiflu is used to treat people 2 weeks of age and older who have the flu (influenza A and B viruses). Tamiflu is also sometimes used for prevention (prophylaxis) of the flu in people 1 year of age and older, but it is not a substitute for getting the flu vaccine.

Can Tamiflu be given to infants?

The FDA expanded its approval today for Tamiflu to include infants under age 1 who have had symptoms of the flu, such as stuffy nose, cough, sore throat, fever, and body aches, for no longer than two days. It is not approved to prevent flu infection in this age group.

When should you take Tamiflu prophylactically?

Tamiflu is good at its job, but it’s best when you take it at the optimal time: within 48 hours of your first flu symptoms. Some healthcare providers won’t prescribe Tamiflu if you’ve had symptoms for longer than 48 hours since it won’t be as helpful in those cases.

How long can you take Tamiflu prophylactically?

* The recommended duration for post-exposure prophylaxis is 10 days and the recommended duration for community outbreak (seasonal/pre-exposure) prophylaxis is up to 6 weeks (or up to 12 weeks in immunocompromised patients).

Who needs influenza prophylaxis?

Prophylaxis should be provided (1) to high-risk children who have not yet received immunization and during the 2 weeks after immunization, (2) to unimmunized family members and health care professionals with close contact with high-risk unimmunized children or infants who are younger than 6 months, and (3) for control …

What is antiviral prophylaxis?

Antiviral prophylaxis involved the administration of antiviral agents such as acyclcovir, gancylcovir, and valacyclovir to patients at risk for certain viral infections or reactivation of viral infection. A variety of antiviral agents have been studied.

Should I give my child Tamiflu?

Who Should Get Tamiflu? “Tamiflu should be considered for children who are at high-risk for developing complications of the flu or for those children exhibiting severe symptoms,” says Dr. Sterkel.

Can you take Tamiflu while breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding Patients Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) is probably compatible with breastfeeding. Levels of oseltamivir in milk (39 ng/mL) are very low and would be subclinical to an infant. The infant would receive only about 0.5% of the mothers dose. The CDC considers oseltamivir safe to use in breastfeeding mothers.

What happens if you take Tamiflu and don’t have the flu?

Dr. Chittick says there is no benefit to taking Tamiflu if you don’t have influenza. He explained taking antibiotics or antiviral drugs unnecessarily could lead to bacteria and viruses becoming more resistant.

What is influenza prophylaxis?

Prevention of infection is most effectively accomplished by vaccination. Vaccination with the inactivated, intramuscular influenza vaccine has been clearly demonstrated to reduce serious morbidity and mortality associated with influenza infection, especially in groups of patients at high risk (e.g. the elderly).

Is Tamiflu effective after 72 hours?

One randomized clinical trial in children with uncomplicated influenza demonstrated a modest reduction in duration of symptoms and influenza virus shedding in patients initiating treatment after 48 hours; post hoc analysis suggested that oseltamivir treatment initiated 72 hours after illness onset reduced symptoms by …