Effectiveness of a new bioequivalent formulation of oseltamivir (Enfluvir®) on 2010-2011 seasonal influenza viruses: an open phase IV study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this multicenter prospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of a new bioequivalent formulation of oseltamivir for the treatment of influenza A, influenza B, and H1N1 during the 2010-2011 influenza season.


METHODS
We compared the symptoms and signs of 300 pediatric patients presenting to three university hospitals with an influenza-like illness between January and March 2011. Nasal swab specimens were collected from all children and tested by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for influenza viruses. After randomization, half of the participants were prescribed oseltamivir, while the other half were observed conservatively. Forty patients who were followed-up for influenza prior to the study were also included in the evaluation.


RESULTS
Influenza was confirmed by RT-PCR in 129 children, 71 of whom were prescribed oseltamivir. The durations of the symptoms fever, cough, nasal congestion, and rhinorrhea were significantly shorter for patients who were treated with oseltamivir compared with untreated patients (p<0.002 for all symptoms). Early initiation of oseltamivir therapy (within 48 h of the onset of symptoms) was associated with more favorable outcomes and an earlier recovery than in patients for whom treatment was delayed (beyond 48 h). Thirty-seven patients (28.7%) had H1N1, 44 (34.1%) had influenza A, 46 (35.7%) had influenza B, one (0.8%) had H1N1 plus influenza A, and one (0.8%) had influenza A plus influenza B viruses. In the comparison of the duration of symptoms according to the different virus types, a statistically significant difference was only observed in patients with influenza B who had a longer duration of cough (p<0.001), nasal congestion (p<0.001), and rhinorrhea (p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Oseltamivir is an effective treatment for the management of seasonal influenza and H1N1, and should be initiated immediately without waiting for laboratory confirmation of diagnosis.
Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Infectious Disease Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
Mehmet
M
Ceyhan
Eda
E
Karadag Oncel
Selim
S
Badur
Meral Akcay
MA
Ciblak
Emre
E
Alhan
Umit Sızmaz
US
Celik
Zafer
Z
Kurugol
Eylem Ulas
EU
Saz
Yasemin
Y
Ozsurekci
Melda
M
Celik
Aslınur Ozkaya
AO
Parlakay
D000293:Adolescent; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D053139:Oseltamivir / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D053139:Oseltamivir