Please refer to Upper respiratory tract infections, for guidance on the prescribing of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and prophylaxis of influenza, and including NICE guidance.

Oseltamivir

• Capsules 30mg, 45mg, 75mg (£7.71 = 10 x 30mg)
• Oral suspension sugar free 6mg/ml (£10.27 = 65ml)

Indications

• Prophylaxis and treatment of influenza

Notes

1. NICE TA158: Oseltamivir, amantadine (review) and zanamivir for the prophylaxis of influenza (September 2008)
2. NICE TA168: Amantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir for the treatment of influenza (February 2009)
3. Use oseltamivir in all cases except in the severely immunocompromised where the predominate circulating strain is H1N1 or the infection is with an oseltamivir resistant strain (Public Health England (PHE) Influenza Advice)

Zanamivir

• Inhalation powder blisters with device 5mg (£16.36 = 20 blister units)

Indications

• Prophylaxis and treatment of influenza

Notes

1. NICE TA158: Oseltamivir, amantadine (review) and zanamivir for the prophylaxis of influenza (September 2008)
2. NICE TA168: Amantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir for the treatment of influenza (February 2009)
3. Use oseltamivir in all cases except in the severely immunocompromised where the predominate circulating strain is H1N1 or the infection is with an oseltamivir resistant strain (Public Health England (PHE) Influenza Advice)

NICE does not recommend Amantadine for the treatment and prophylaxis of influenza (See NICE TA158 and NICE TA168).