Variability Seen in Use of Influenza Antiviral Agents in Children

Follow Drugslib on

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Nov 13, 2023.

By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter

MONDAY, Nov. 13, 2023 -- Considerable variability is seen in the use of influenza antiviral agents in children, with low use among young children at high risk for complications, according to a study published online Nov. 13 in Pediatrics.

James W. Antoon, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., from the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, and colleagues conducted a cross-sectional study of outpatient and emergency department prescription claims in individuals younger than 18 years. The rate of antiviral dispensing per 1,000 enrolled children was examined as the primary outcome.

A total of 1,416,764 unique antiviral dispensings between 2010 and 2019 were included in the analysis. The researchers found that the most frequently prescribed antiviral was oseltamivir (99.8 percent). The rate of dispensing varied from 4.4 to 48.6 per 1,000 enrolled children. The highest treatment rates were seen for older children (12 to 17 years), during the 2017 to 2018 influenza season, and in the East South Central region. Among young children (younger than 2 years of age) at a high risk for influenza complications, guideline-concordant antiviral use was low (<40 percent). For prescriptions, the inflation-adjusted cost was $208,458,979, and the median cost varied from $111 to $151.

"Although we must improve influenza vaccination rates, antiviral agents also must play a larger role in the prophylaxis and treatment of influenza infection," Pia S. Pannaraj, M.D., M.P.H., from the University of California in San Diego, writes in an accompanying editorial. "When it comes to influenza, we should be using all the tools in our toolbox."

One author disclosed ties to Merck, and a second disclosed ties to Biomerieux.

Abstract/Full Text

Editorial

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

Source: HealthDay

Posted : 2023-11-14 01:13

Read more

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Popular Keywords