TY - JOUR T1 - Oseltamivir once or twice daily safely prevented influenza JF - Evidence Based Medicine JO - Evid Based Med SP - 81 LP - 81 DO - 10.1136/ebm.5.3.81 VL - 5 IS - 3 A2 - , Y1 - 2000/05/01 UR - http://ebm.bmj.com/content/5/3/81.abstract N2 - (1999) N Engl J Med 341, 1336. Hayden FG, Atmar RL, Schilling M, et al,. and the Oseltamivir Study Group.. Use of the selective oral neuraminidase inhibitor oseltamivir to prevent influenza.. Oct 28;. :. –43.OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science
 
 QUESTION: Is oral oseltamivir safe and effective in preventing naturally occurring influenza virus infection? Two 6 week randomised (allocation concealed*), blinded (clinicians and patients),* placebo controlled trials during influenza season. 3 centres in Virginia, 2 in Texas, and 1 in Kansas, USA. 1562 people who were 18 to 65 years of age (mean age 35 y, 63% women) and were recruited by advertisement. Exclusion criteria were influenza vaccination in the previous year, meeting ≥1 criterion for influenza immunisation according to current (US) guidelines, acute respiratory illness with fever in the previous week, pregnancy, or potential for pregnancy. 1559 participants took ≥1 dose of the assigned study medication and were included in the analysis (intention to treat). Participants were allocated to oral oseltamivir, 75 mg once (n=520) or twice (n=520) daily, or to placebo (n=519) for 6 weeks, beginning when influenza virus activity increased at the local study sites. Laboratory confirmed influenza-like illness (laboratory confirmation was culture of influenza virus within 2 d of the onset of influenza symptoms or antibody titer on haemagglutination inhibition testing ≥4 times the baseline titer or both). Adverse events were also assessed. Fewer patients receiving … ER -