Antimicrobials
Oseltamivir

Oseltamivir

None
Excellent
See below under General Info

Spectrum of Activity

Dosing

General Information

Hospital Formulary Status
Yes (PO solid, PO power for susp)

In-Hospital Cost
Will be updated

PharmaCare Formulary Status
Yes (PO solid, PO susp)

Special Authority
Yes (PO solid, PO susp) (See below under Restricted Use Criteria)

PharmaCare Coverage
30mg PO - $1.6986/cap
45mg PO - $2.6139/cap
75mg PO - $3.3674/cap
6mg/ml PO susp recon - $0.3570/ml
15mg/ml (30ml) - $1.2816/ml
15mg/ml (40ml) - $1.1717/ml
15mg/ml (50ml) - $1.1058/ml

Outpatient Cost
30mg PO - $1.79-2.42/cap
45mg PO - $2.91/cap
75mg PO - $3.40-4.25/cap
6mg/ml PO susp recon - $0.36-0.39/ml

Treatment and prophylaxis of influenza

Special Authority Status: Yes (PO solid, PO susp)

Special Authority Category: Limited Coverage Drugs

Special Authority Criteria: For the treatment and prophylaxis of influenza A and B during an outbreak situation among permanent residents of licensed residential care facilities (PharmaCare Plan B)

OR

For the treatment of patients at high risk* with influenza infection within 48 hrs of symptom onset, who have either:

  • laboratory-confirmed influenza A or B sensitive to oseltamivir OR
  • signs and symptoms of influenza A or B only when influenza is confirmed to be circulating in the local community and sensitive to oseltamivir, as per BC CDC influenza bulletin

*Please refer to the BC Special Authority Program Website for more info

Special Authority Approval Period: 5-day treatment course during influenza season

Special Authority Practitioner Exemptions: None

Special Authority Special Notes:

  • prescribers do not need to submit a Special Authority Request for this coverage
  • prescribers should write “Submit as zero cost to PharmaCare” when writing a prescription for patients who do not meet the criteria
  • when submitting a claim for a prescription with this note, pharmacists should use the intervention code DE Adjudicate to $0.00 as requested (this ensures appropriate PharmaCare coverage)
  • refer to the BC Special Authority Program Website for more info

Gastritis (PO)

  • sx: nausea and vomiting
  • adults: up to 15%
  • usually mild and limited to the first 1-2 days of treatment

Neuropsychiatric effects (PO)

  • rare
  • sx: delirium, hallucinations, confusion, abnormal behavior, convulsions, and encephalitis
  • usually abrupt onset and rapid resolution

Severe skin reactions (PO)

  • rare
  • includes toxic epidermal necrolysis, SJS, and erythema multiforme
  • usually abrupt onset and rapid resolution

No significant

Antimicrobial class: Antiviral, Neuraminidase Inhibitor

Pregnancy category: C

Higher doses have not been shown to be superior but may be considered in critically ill or obese patients i.e. 150mg PO BID

Average serum half life: 2.0 hr

Lung penetration: Therapeutic