Pharm Influenza

Question 1

Neuraminidase inhibitors include . . .

Answer 1

• oseltamivir (Tamiflu)
• zanamivir (relenza)
• peramivir (rapivab)

Question 2

neuraminidase inhibitor mechanism of action

Answer 2

By blocking neuraminidase (enzyme necessary for the release of viral particles from infected host cells). Therefore new viral particles are unable to infect new host cells, thus limiting the infection.

Question 3

What are neuraminidase inhibitors effective against?

Answer 3

• flu A

- flu B

Question 4

When is antiviral treatment most effective?

Answer 4

when started w/i 48 hrs of symptoms

Question 5

What patients should receive antiviral therapy for treatment of influenza?

Answer 5

For pts w/ confirmed or suspected flu who:

• are hospitalized
• have severe, complicated, or progressive illness
• at higher risk for flu complications

Question 6

indications for chemoprophylaxis with antiviral agents

Answer 6

• generally not recommended if 48 hrs has elapsed
• pts at high risk for flu complications during 1st 2 wks after vaccination **after exposure to infectious person
• pts w/ severe immunodeficiency **after exposure to infectious person
• pts at high risk for complications who can’t receive vaccine **after exposure to infectious person
• among residents of institutional settings during an outbreak

Question 7

duration of chemoprophylaxis treatment in those indicated

Answer 7

-7 days after exposure in all cases except for institutional settings which is a min. of 2 weeks continuing up to 1 week after last known case was IDd

Question 8

Which NA inhibitors are oral agents?

Answer 8

• oseltamivir

- zanamivir

Question 9

Which NA inhibitor is IV?

Answer 9

peramivir

Question 10

dosing guidelines for flu vaccinations in children

Answer 10

• recommended for all persons 6mos or older
• children <8 may require 2 doses
• if never vaccinated, needs 2 doses

Question 11

trivalent vaccine

Answer 11

includes 2 strains of flu A:
-H1N1
-H3N2
and 1 strain of flu B

Question 12

quadrivalent vaccine

Answer 12

• 2 flu A strains

- 2 flu B strains

Question 13

high dose inavtived vaccine

Answer 13

• contains four times the antigen compared to the regular dose
• approved for pts 65 and older as alternative to standard-dose

Question 14

What type of vaccination is the flu vaccination?

Answer 14

• inactivated

- recombinant DNA

Question 15

contraindications for flu vaccine

Answer 15

• children younger than 6 mos

- those w/ severe, life-threatening allergy to flu vaccine or its ingredients

Question 16

precautions for flu vaccine

Answer 16

• those w/ allergy to eggs or other vaccine ingredient
• those w/ hx of GBS as result of the flu vaccine (vaccine still may be indicated if pt is at risk for severe illness from from flu)
• those who are moderately/severely ill w/ or w/o fever