Work

Characterizing Oseltamivir Use among Community-Dwelling Patients Diagnosed with Influenza Virus Infection, 2023-2025

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background Oseltamivir is an antiviral medication for influenza that can reduce the duration of symptoms and may lower the risk of some complications. Recommendations for use of oseltamivir include in the outpatient setting for individuals at higher risk of developing influenza complications. Objectives To describe oseltamivir initiation and treatment completion among influenza-positive outpatients and identify factors associated with each. Methods In a U.S. outpatient household transmission study, index participants with laboratory-confirmed influenza provided up to 12 days of detailed information on medication use. We described oseltamivir initiation among index cases and treatment course completion of ≥ 10 doses among cases who initiated oseltamivir. We used adjusted logistic regression to identify factors associated with initiation and course completion. Results Among 823 enrolled index cases, 324 (39%) initiated oseltamivir treatment. Of 406 persons at higher risk for influenza complications, 172 (42%) initiated treatment. Oseltamivir initiation was lowest among children aged 2-4 years (19%) compared to all other age groups. After excluding the likely censored cases, 133/313 cases (42%) completed the recommended treatment course. Among 163 individuals at higher risk of influenza complications, 69 (42%) completed the recommended treatment course. Children < 2 years were significantly less likely to complete treatment compared to adults aged 18-50 years (aOR: 0.21, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.78, p=0.030); reasons for discontinuation could not be determined. Conclusions In this population in the outpatient setting, fewer than half of persons at higher risk for influenza complications initiated oseltamivir treatment, and fewer than half of those who initiated completed treatment.

Source: Open Forum Infectious Diseases

DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofag587