Treating Influenza in Different Populations

Edina Avdic, PharmD, MBA, BCPS-AQ ID, discusses various recommendations for different patient populations with influenza. This video was filmed at the ASHP (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists) 54th Midyear Clinical Meeting & Exhibition in Las Vegas.

RELATED CONTENT

• Influenza Treatments in the Pipeline
• Recommendations for Handling Influenza Resistance

Edina Avdic, PharmD, MBA, BCPS-AQ ID: We really do have a limited data in some patient populations, such as pregnant or heavily immune-compromised patients, such as organ transplant or patients who are stem-cell transplants or are receiving active chemotherapy. For example, baloxavir has not been studied in that patient population, and whether or not we’re going to see more resistance in that patient population is really unclear, or whether or not this agent would be more effective than the current standard of care is also unclear. So, I think the most data we have for some of these patient populations, such as pregnant or immuno-compromised, is mainly with the oseltamivir. So that agent has been mostly studied, and mostly in retrospective or observational studies, post-marketing. So as of now, that’s the only agent that’s recommended for severely ill or hospitalized patients. Duration of therapy may be affected in some immune-compromised patients, or those who are severely ill or in ICU. Duration of therapy may be extended to 10 days instead of 5 days.