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Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Influenza Outbreaks in Residential Care Facilities for Public Health Units in Australia

Appendix 12: Antiviral medications for treatment and prophylaxis of influenza

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(this information was correct at the time of printing)

Antiviral agent
Dose

 

Amantadine1

Treatment

 

Prophylaxis*

 

 

Not recommended

 

5 – 9 years:  5 mg / kg / day in 2 divided doses, up to 150 mg / day

10 – 64 years:  100 mg twice daily

≥ 65 years: 100 mg once daily

 

Oseltamivir2

Treatment

 

 

 

 

Prophylaxis*

 

 

1-13 years:   ≤ 15 kg:          30 mg twice daily

                     >15 to 23 kg:  45 mg twice daily

                     >23 to 40 kg:  60 mg twice daily

                     > 40 kg:          75 mg twice daily

 

≥ 13 years:  75 mg twice daily for 5 days

≥ 13 years:  75 mg once daily for 7 days

 

Zanamivir3

Treatment

 

Prophylaxis

 

 

≥ 5 years:  10 mg twice daily for 5 days

 

≥ 5 years:  10 mg once daily for 10 days

(may continue to 28 days of necessary)

  1. The Product Information should be consulted for dosage recommendations in renal impairment.
  2. A reduction in the dose of oseltamivir is recommended for persons with creatinine clearance <30 ml/min or weight <40 kg.
  3. Zanamivir is administered through inhalation by using a plastic device included in the medication package. Patients will benefit from instruction and demonstration of correct use of the device.

* In an outbreak situation prophylaxis should be continued till the outbreak is declared over

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Table of Contents
Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Influenza Outbreaks in Residential Care Facilities for Public Health Units in Australia
  Disclaimer
  Acknowledgements
  Preface
  How to use this document
  Summary Flow Chart
  Chapter 1: Introduction
   1.1 Influenza
   1.2 Linkages with other documents and the internet
  Chapter 2: Preventing Outbreaks
   2.1 Vaccination
   2.2 Infection Control Precautions
  Chapter 3: Outbreak and Case Definitions
   3.1 Introduction
   3.2 Respiratory Disease Outbreak Definition
   3.3 Case definition
   3.4 Outcome definitions
  Chapter 4: Investigation and Management of Outbreaks
   4.1 Assess the Suspected Outbreak
   4.2 Outbreak Investigation and Management Team
   4.3 The Investigation
   4.4 Diagnostic tests
   4.5 Documents for communication with the facility
   4.6 Outbreak control measures
   4.7 Monitoring the outbreak
   4.8 Declare that the outbreak is over
   4.9 Debriefing
  Chapter 5: References
  Appendices
   Appendix 1: Environmental Cleaning
   Appendix 2: Respiratory Outbreak Control Measures
   Appendix 3: Checklist for Public Health Unit for Investigation and Management of Outbreaks
   Appendix 4: Respiratory Outbreak Line Listing - Residents ONLY
   Appendix 5: Part A Respiratory Outbreak Line Listing Form - Staff ONLY
   Appendix 6: Influenza & Pneumococcal Immunisation Survey
   Appendix 7: Sample Collection Guide*
   Appendix 8: Guidelines for Taking Nasal and Throat Swabs
   Appendix 9: Respiratory outbreak transfer notification
   Appendix 10: Visitor Restriction Sign - Facility
   Appendix 11: Visitor Restriction Sign - Room
   Appendix 12: Antiviral medications for treatment and prophylaxis of influenza
   Appendix 13: Respiratory illness/Influenza outbreak alert letter to RCF Manager
   Appendix 14: Respiratory illness/Influenza outbreak alert letter to medical practitioner
   Appendix 15: Glossary and List of Abbreviations