Comparing the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Combination Antivirals (Amantadine, Ribavirin, Oseltamivir) Versus Oseltamivir for the Treatment of Influenza in Adults at Risk for Complications

Summary

Seasonal influenza is responsible for many hospitalizations and deaths each year, despite effective antiviral treatments. Some individuals have medical conditions such as heart or lung diseases that make them particularly at risk of severe influenza infections that may result in hospitalization or death. Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) is used most often to treat flu, but there are still many hospitalizations, complications, and deaths even with treatment. This study evaluated the use of combination antivirals (amantadine, oseltamivir, and ribavirin) compared to oseltamivir alone in the treatment of influenza in an at-risk population.

Timeline

Start

2010-09

Primary completion

2016-05-02

Completion

2017-03-30

Publications

• Background Thompson WW, Shay DK, Weintraub E, Brammer L, Cox N, Anderson LJ, Fukuda K. Mortality associated with influenza and respiratory syncytial virus in the United States. JAMA. 2003 Jan 8;289(2):179-86. doi: 10.1001/jama.289.2.179.
• Background Monto AS. Vaccines and antiviral drugs in pandemic preparedness. Emerg Infect Dis. 2006 Jan;12(1):55-60. doi: 10.3201/eid1201.051068.
• Background Moscona A. Oseltamivir resistance--disabling our influenza defenses. N Engl J Med. 2005 Dec 22;353(25):2633-6. doi: 10.1056/NEJMp058291. No abstract available.
• Beigel JH, Bao Y, Beeler J, Manosuthi W, Slandzicki A, Dar SM, Panuto J, Beasley RL, Perez-Patrigeon S, Suwanpimolkul G, Losso MH, McClure N, Bozzolo DR, Myers C, Holley HP Jr, Hoopes J, Lane HC, Hughes MD, Davey RT; IRC003 Study Team. Oseltamivir, amantadine, and ribavirin combination antiviral therapy versus oseltamivir monotherapy for the treatment of influenza: a multicentre, double-blind, randomised phase 2 trial. Lancet Infect Dis. 2017 Dec;17(12):1255-1265. doi: 10.1016/S1473-3099(17)30476-0. Epub 2017 Sep 22.

Drugs

Indications