Oseltamivir Absorption in Severe H5N1 Influenza Patients
Author Information
Author(s): Taylor Walter R. J., Thinh Bui Nghia, Anh Giang Thuc, Horby Peter, Wertheim Heiman, Lindegardh Niklas, de Jong Menno D., Stepniewska Kasia, Hanh Tran Thuy, Hien Nguyen Duc, Bien Ngo Minh, Chau Ngo Quy, Fox Annette, Ngoc Nghiem My, Crusat Martin, Farrar Jeremy J., White Nicholas J., Ha Nguyen Hong, Lien Trinh Thi, Trung Nguyen Vu, Day Nicholas, Binh Nguyen Gia
Primary Institution: Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Hanoi, Vietnam
Hypothesis
Is oseltamivir adequately absorbed in patients with severe influenza?
Conclusion
Oseltamivir was well absorbed in severely ill patients, but two patients died despite adequate drug levels.
Supporting Evidence
- Oseltamivir was administered to three severely ill patients.
- Two patients cleared their viruses after five days of treatment.
- Both female patients died of respiratory failure, while the male survived.
Takeaway
This study looked at how well a flu medicine worked in very sick patients, and while it got into their bodies well, two of them still died.
Methodology
The study measured plasma concentrations of oseltamivir in three patients with severe influenza after nasogastric administration.
Limitations
Viral sampling was incomplete and plasma PK data were only collected once over 12 hours.
Participant Demographics
Two patients had H5N1 influenza and one had H3N2; included a 30-year-old male, a 22-year-old pregnant female, and a 76-year-old female.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website