Clinical effectiveness of peramivir in comparison with other neuraminidase inhibitors in pediatric influenza patients

Comparative effectiveness of oseltamivir versus peramivir for hospitalized children (aged 0-5 years) with influenza infection

OBJECTIVES

The effectiveness of oseltamivir versus peramivir in children infected with influenza remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate their effectiveness in young children (aged 0-5 years) infected with severe influenza A virus (IAV) or influenza B virus (IBV).

METHODS

We analyzed a cohort of 1662 young children with either IAV (N = 1095) or IBV (N = 567) who received oseltamivir or peramivir treatment from January 1, 2018 to March 31, 2022. Propensity score matching methods were applied to match children who were oseltamivir-treated versus peramivir-treated.

RESULTS

Children who were IAV-infected and IBV-infected shared similar features, such as influenza-associated symptoms and comorbidities at baseline. Among children infected with IAV with bacterial coinfection, the recovery rate was significantly greater in children treated with oseltamivir than in children treated with peramivir (15.6% vs 4.4%, P = 0.01). The median duration of hospitalization was also shorter in children treated with oseltamivir. Among children infected with IAV without bacterial coinfection, the recovery rate was greater in children treated with oseltamivir than in children treated with peramivir (21.1% vs 3.7%, P = 0.002). However, oseltamivir and peramivir offered similar recovery rates and duration of hospitalization (P >0.05 for both) among children infected with IBV.

CONCLUSION

Oseltamivir and peramivir exhibit similar effectiveness in young children with severe influenza B, whereas oseltamivir demonstrated improved recovery and shorter hospitalization in the treatment of severe influenza A in hospitalized children.

Antiviral Drugs in Influenza

Flu is a serious health, medical, and economic problem, but no therapy is yet available that has satisfactory results and reduces the occurrence of these problems. Nearly 20 years after the registration of the previous therapy, baloxavir marboxil, a drug with a new mechanism of action, recently appeared on the market. This is a promising step in the fight against the influenza virus. This article presents the possibilities of using all available antiviral drugs specific for influenza A and B. We compare all currently recommended anti-influenza medications, considering their mechanisms of action, administration, indications, target groups, effectiveness, and safety profiles. We demonstrate that baloxavir marboxil presents a similar safety and efficacy profile to those of drugs already used in the treatment of influenza. Further research on combination therapy is highly recommended and may have promising results.

Antiviral Treatments for Influenza

Influenza is an acute respiratory illness caused by the influenza A, B, and C viruses. It can occur in local outbreaks or seasonal epidemics, with possibility to spread worldwide in a pandemic when a novel strain with significant antigenic differences emerges. During the past years, several new drugs have become available, with different accessibility related to specific countries' approval. We have conducted a review of literature, analyzing the most recent data on efficacy and safety of drugs currently available to treat influenza, with a particular attention toward special populations. Efficacy and safety profile of neuraminidase inhibitors (oseltamivir, zanamivir, laninamivir, peramivir) and recently approved cap-dependent endonuclease inhibitor baloxavir marboxil are reported in literature, but still little information is available about special populations such as critically ill patients and patients with a history of chronic respiratory disease. Moreover, the emergence of strains with reduced or no susceptibility to current drugs is a matter of concern, suggesting the need of constant monitoring of viral variants.

Improvement of respiratory symptoms and health-related quality of life with peramivir in influenza patients with chronic respiratory disease: Additional outcomes of a randomized, open-label study

BACKGROUND

To compare peramivir 300 mg single-dose, peramivir 600 mg repeat-dose, and oseltamivir effects on health-related quality of life, including respiratory symptoms and general conditions, time to symptom alleviation, time to fever resolution, incidence of exacerbations, and virus titer, in influenza patients with chronic respiratory disease.

METHODS

We report additional outcomes from a 2-week, multicenter, randomized, open-label study in Japan (UMIN000030118). Influenza patients with chronic respiratory disease received intravenous peramivir (300 mg single-dose [n = 66], 600 mg repeat-dose [600 mg/d of 2 consecutive days; n = 70]) or oral oseltamivir (75 mg twice daily, 5 days; n = 72). The principal endpoint of this analysis was change from baseline to Day 14 at each time point in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Assessment Test (CAT) scores.

RESULTS

Both peramivir regimens reduced total CAT score at Day 3 more than oseltamivir (peramivir 600 mg vs oseltamivir, P = .0032; peramivir 300 mg vs oseltamivir, P = .0203). Cough/phlegm CAT scores were most improved with peramivir 600 mg. Median time to alleviation of three respiratory symptoms was longer with peramivir 600 mg (68.9 hours) than with peramivir 300 mg (50.6 hours, hazard ratio [HR] 1.57; P = .0191) and shorter with peramivir 300 mg than oseltamivir (78.8 hours, HR 0.62; P = .0141). Alleviation of seven influenza symptoms and fever resolution was shortest with peramivir 300 mg.

CONCLUSIONS

Rapid improvement in CAT score, including cough, and shorter time to alleviation of respiratory symptoms associated with peramivir is of potential benefit to patients with chronic respiratory disease.

Pharmacokinetic behavior of peramivir in the plasma and lungs of rats after trans-nasal aerosol inhalation and intravenous injection

Peramivir, a neuraminidase inhibitor, was approved globally and is indicated for the treatment of uncomplicated influenza in adults and children. However, the only approved intravenous formulation of peramivir limits its clinical application due to the need for the specialized dosing techniques and increases the risk of contracting influenza virus infection among healthcare professionals when dosing within a short distance to the patient. The purpose of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetic profile of peramivir in plasma and the lung of rats and to compare the profiles following administration through trans-nasal aerosol inhalation (0.0888, 0.1776, and 0.3552 mg/kg) and intravenous injection (30 mg/kg). The plasma concentration reached the C_max within 1.0 h (upon inhalation) and decreased at a t_1/2 of 6.71 and 10.9 h after inhalation and injection, respectively. The absolute bioavailability of peramivir after inhalation was 78.2 %. Overall, the pharmacokinetic exposure of peramivir in the lungs was higher than that in the plasma after aerosol inhalation. After inhalation, the C_max of peramivir in the lung was achieved within 1.0 h, and the elimination of the drug was slower than in the case of intravenous injection with t_1/2 values 1.81 h for injection and 5.72, 53.5, and 32.1 h for low, middle, and high doses administered through inhalation. The C_max and AUC_0-t values for peramivir in the lungs increased linearly with the increased inhalation dose. The results elucidate the pharmacokinetic process of peramivir after trans-nasal aerosol inhalation to rats and provide useful information for further rational application of this drug formulation.

A Meta-Analysis Comparing the Efficacy and Safety of Peramivir with Other Neuraminidase Inhibitors for Influenza Treatment

Background and Objectives: This meta-analysis compared the efficacy and safety of peramivir compared to other neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs). Materials and Methods: Data from PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched until January 2019. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies (OSs) comparing peramivir with other NAIs for treating influenza were included. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessments, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) system was used to judge the overall certainty of evidence; the result was moderate. The primary outcome was time to alleviation of symptoms. Twelve articles involving 2681 patients were included in this meta-analysis. We used a random-effect model to pool the effect size, which is expressed as the difference in means (MD), risk ratio (RR), and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Overall, peramivir was superior to other NAIs (MD = −11.214 hours, 95% CI: −19.119 to −3.310). The incidence of adverse events (RR = 1.023, 95% CI: 0.717 to 1.460) and serious adverse events (RR = 1.068, 95% CI: 0.702 to 1.625) in the peramivir group was similar to those in the oseltamivir group. In addition, peramivir had higher efficacy than each NAI alone. Conclusion: In conclusion, the efficacy of peramivir might be higher than that of other NAIs, and this agent is tolerated as well as other NAIs.

Curative efficacy and safety of peramivir in the treatment of children suspected with influenza

The data from a total of 200 children with suspected influenza virus infection were assessed at the febrile clinic of Women and Children’s hospital in Ganzhou of Jiangxi province from January 2018 to March 2019, and the patients were belonged to two groups (peramivir treatment group and oseltamivir treatment group). At the same time, 100 patients without special treatment were evaluated as the control group. We observed the patients’ fever relief time, pharyngeal pain relief time, nasal congestion relief time, runny nose symptoms relief time, days of hospitalization, days of medication, cost of medication, and adverse reactions in the three groups. We analyzed and compared the efficacy and adverse reactions of peramivir and oseltamivir in the treatment of children suspected with influenza. The recovery of body temperature, relief of cough, days of medication, and hospitalization period in the peramivir group were significantly shorter compared to the oseltamivir and control groups. The mean times to alleviation of fever in the three groups were 18.28 ± 17.74 h (peramivir group), 48.20 ± 34.28 h (oseltamivir group), and 72.56 ± 25.78 h (control group). The mean times to alleviation of cough in the three groups were 49.77 ± 27.58 h (peramivir group), 68.53 ± 32.54 h (oseltamivir group), and 59.38 ± 31.26 (control group). The cost of the peramivir group was significantly higher than that of the oseltamivir and control groups. The incidence of drug reactions in the peramivir group was significantly lower than that in the oseltamivir group. The rate of antibiotic usage in the peramivir group was significantly lower than that in the oseltamivir and control groups. Peramivir can significantly alleviate symptoms and reduce the use of antibiotics in children with suspected influenza. Peramivir has demonstrated good efficacy, high safety, and good compliance in treating children with suspected influenza infection.

Effectiveness of four types of neuraminidase inhibitors approved in Japan for the treatment of influenza

Background

Neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs) effectively treat influenza. The clinical effectiveness of four NAIs (oseltamivir, zanamivir, laninamivir, and peramivir) was evaluated against influenza A/H1N1pdm09, A/H3N2, and B viruses. Additionally, fever duration in patients infected with oseltamivir-resistant influenza A/H1N1pdm09 with the H275Y mutation was evaluated.

Methods

Patients aged <20 years who visited outpatient clinics in Japan with influenza-like illnesses were enrolled during 4 influenza seasons from 2012/2013 to 2015/2016. After obtaining informed consent, patients who tested positive for influenza with rapid tests received one of the four NAIs. Patients recorded their body temperature daily for 8 days from the first visit. The influenza strain was identified using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Univariate and multivariable analyses were used to evaluate factors influencing fever duration. In children aged ≤5 years treated with oseltamivir, fever duration in oseltamivir-resistant A/H1N1pdm09-infected patients was compared to that in oseltamivir-sensitive A/H1N1pdm09-infected patients.

Results

Of the 1,368 patients analyzed, 297 (21.7%), 683 (49.9%), and 388 (28.4%) were infected with influenza A/H1N1pdm09, A/H3N2, and B, respectively. In multivariable analysis factors associated with significantly prolonged fever duration included: treatment with laninamivir (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.78, p = 0.006, compared to oseltamivir), influenza B (HR: 0.58, p<0.001, compared to influenza A/H1N1pdm09), and a higher body temperature at the clinic visit (HR: 0.87 per degree Celsius, p<0.001). Increasing age was associated with a significantly shorter duration of fever (HR: 1.31 for 6–9 years old, p<0.001; and HR: 1.65 for 10–19 years old, p<0.001, respectively, compared to 0–5 years old). Following treatment with oseltamivir, fever duration was significantly longer for oseltamivir-resistant A/H1N1pdm09-infected patients (n = 5) than for oseltamivir-sensitive A/H1N1pdm09 infected patients (n = 111) (mean, 89 versus 40 hours, p<0.001).

Conclusions

Our results revealed characteristic information on the effectiveness of the four NAIs and also on oseltamivir-resistant viruses that may affect patients’ clinical care.

Outcomes and Adverse Effects With Peramivir for the Treatment of Influenza H1N1 in Critically Ill Pediatric Patients

OBJECTIVES

Influenza is an environmental pathogen and infection presents as a range from asymptomatic to fulminant illness. Though treatment is supportive, antiviral agents have a role in the management of infection. Pediatric use of peramivir is largely based on reports and extrapolations of pharmacokinetic data. We seek to describe efficacy and safety of peramivir in critically ill pediatric patients.

METHODS

This is a retrospective, institutional review board-approved chart review of all patients under 21 years of age, admitted to the PICU, and treated with peramivir for influenza H1N1 infection between January 1, 2016, and March 31, 2016, at a single-center, 12-bed PICU. The primary outcome was time to sustained resolution of fever; secondary outcomes included dose, duration, and adverse effects of peramivir therapy.

RESULTS

Seven patients were included with median age of 3.7 years. Median time to sustained resolution of fever was 49.3 hours, median duration of mechanical ventilation was 14.2 days, median ICU LOS was 18.7 days, and hospital LOS was 24.7 days. No patients suffered mortality. Three patients experienced leukopenia, one of which experienced a concurrent neutropenia. Three patients experienced hyperglycemia, 2 experienced hypertension, 1 experienced increased aspartate aminotransferase and increased alanine aminotransferase, and 1 experienced diarrhea. All adverse events assessed were classified as possible using published adverse event causality assessments.

CONCLUSIONS

Peramivir has been shown to be an effective therapy for the treatment of influenza H1N1 in critically ill pediatric patients. In our experience with 7 pediatric patients, peramivir was well tolerated at typical durations of therapy; however, increased vigilance is warranted during prolonged courses or in patients with reasons for altered pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.

A Retrospective Analysis of Three Antiviral Regimens of Peramivir in the Treatment of Severe Influenza A with Primary Viral Pneumonia

Objective

To evaluate the difference of clinical efficacy of peramivir alone and peramivir combined with immunomodulators (either ribonucleic acid or thymopetidum) in the treatment of severe influenza A with primary viral pneumonia.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was applied to 45 patients who were diagnosed with severe influenza A with primary viral pneumonia in our hospital from December 2017 to March 2018. The cases were divided into three groups: the peramivir group, the peramivir combined with ribonucleic acid group, and the peramivir combined with thymopetidum group.

Results

The duration of viral nucleic acid positivity in the peramivir group, the peramivir combined with ribonucleic acid group, and the peramivir combined with thymopetidum group was 6.13 ± 2.06, 6.53 ± 2.72, and 6.10 ± 1.37 days, respectively. The remission time of the clinical symptoms of the peramivir group, the peramivir combined with ribonucleic acid group, and the peramivir combined with thymopetidum group was 8.06 ± 2.73, 7.94 ± 2.89, and 7.67 ± 1.58 days, respectively. Comparisons between the peramivir group and the peramivir combined with ribonucleic acid group or the peramivir combined with thymopetidum group revealed no significant differences in the duration of virus nucleic acid positivity, remission time of clinical symptoms, time to fever alleviation, and time to cough alleviation.

Conclusions

There is no observed benefit in the addition of ribonucleic acid or thymopetidum when peramivir sodium chloride injection is used in the treatment of severe influenza A with primary viral pneumonia. This trial is registered with ChiCTR1800019417.

Clinical effectiveness of four neuraminidase inhibitors (oseltamivir, zanamivir, laninamivir, and peramivir) for children with influenza A and B in the 2014-2015 to 2016-2017 influenza seasons in Japan

The clinical effectiveness of four neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs) (oseltamivir, zanamivir, laninamivir, and peramivir) for children aged 0 months to 18 years with influenza A and B were investigated in the 2014-2015 to 2016-2017 influenza seasons in Japan. A total of 1207 patients (747 with influenza A and 460 with influenza B) were enrolled. The Cox proportional-hazards model using all of the patients showed that the duration of fever after administration of the first dose of the NAI was shorter in older patients (hazard ratio = 1.06 per 1 year of age, p < 0.001) and that the duration of fever after administration of the first dose of the NAI was shorter in patients with influenza A infection than in patients with influenza B infection (hazard ratio = 2.21, p < 0.001). A logistic regression model showed that the number of biphasic fever episodes was 2.99-times greater for influenza B-infected patients than for influenza A-infected patients (p < 0.001). The number of biphasic fever episodes in influenza A- or B-infected patients aged 0-4 years was 2.89-times greater than that in patients aged 10-18 years (p = 0.010), and the number of episodes in influenza A- or B-infected patients aged 5-9 years was 2.13-times greater than that in patients aged 10-18 years (p = 0.012).

A meta-analysis of laninamivir octanoate for treatment and prophylaxis of influenza

BACKGROUND

Laninamivir octanoate is a recently developed inhaled neuraminidase inhibitor for treating influenza virus infection. We performed meta-analyses to clarify the efficacy of laninamivir octanoate on influenza treatment and prevention.

METHODS

MEDLINE and CENTRAL were searched to identify eligible studies. The log median time to event ratios (logMRs) and log odds ratios (logORs) were combined with meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Nine studies in treatment settings and three studies in prophylaxis settings were eligible for this meta-analysis. There was no significant difference between laninamivir octanoate and oseltamivir (8 studies, logMR 0.04, 95% CI [-0.05, 0.14]; P=0.36) or zanamivir (4 studies, logMR -0.01, 95% CI [-0.12, 0.11]; P=0.93) in alleviating fever. However, laninamivir octanoate was associated with significantly longer fever duration in treating H3N2 influenza as compared to oseltamivir (4 studies, logMR 0.29, 95% CI [0.00, 0.59]; P=0.047). Laninamivir octanoate was associated with significantly longer duration of fever as compared to peramivir (4 studies, logMR 0.46, 95% CI [0.14, 0.77]; P=0.004). Laninamivir octanoate significantly reduced the incidence of clinical influenza in post-exposure settings (3 studies, logOR -1.17, 95% CI [-1.72, -0.62]; P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the efficacy of laninamivir octanoate in treating influenza was comparable to that of oseltamivir or zanamivir, but it should be noted that laninamivir octanoate was associated with significantly longer fever duration in treating influenza H3N2 as compared to oseltamivir and oseltamivir-resistant mutations in seasonal influenza H1N1 might have affected the results. Peramivir may be superior to laninamivir in treating influenza. Laninamivir octanoate is effective in preventing influenza in post-exposure settings as compared to placebo.

Comparison of Efficacy of Intravenous Peramivir and Oral Oseltamivir for the Treatment of Influenza: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

PURPOSE

Peramivir is the first intravenously administered neuramidase inhibitor for immediate delivery of an effective single-dose treatment in patients with influenza. However, limited data are available on intravenous (IV) peramivir treatment compared to oral oseltamivir for these patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

With a systematic review and meta-analysis, we compared the efficacy of IV peramivir with oral oseltamivir for treatment of patients with seasonal influenza. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register were searched for relevant clinical trials.

RESULTS

A total of seven trials [two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and five non-randomized observational trials] involving 1676 patients were finally analyzed. The total number of peramivir- and oseltamivir-treated patients was 956 and 720, respectively. Overall, the time to alleviation of fever was lower in the peramivir-treated group compared with the oseltamivir-treated group [mean difference (MD), -7.17 hours; 95% confidence interval (CI) -11.00 to -3.34]. Especially, pooled analysis of observational studies (n=4) and studies of outpatients (n=4) demonstrated the superiority of the peramivir-treated group (MD, -7.83 hours; 95% CI -11.81 to -3.84 and MD, -7.71 hours; 95% CI -11.61 to -3.80, respectively). Mortality, length of hospital stay, change in virus titer 48 hours after admission, and the incidence of adverse events in these patients were not significantly different between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

IV peramivir therapy might reduce the time to alleviation of fever in comparison with oral oseltamivir therapy in patients with influenza; however, we could not draw clear conclusions from a meta-analysis because of the few RCTs available and methodological limitations.

Efficacy and Safety of Intravenous Peramivir Compared With Oseltamivir in High-Risk Patients Infected With Influenza A and B Viruses: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Study

Background

Clinical studies comparing the different neuraminidase inhibitors for treatment of at-risk patients with influenza have not been performed. To optimize such treatments, we assessed the efficacy and safety of intravenous peramivir compared with oral oseltamivir in treating seasonal influenza A or B virus infection.

Methods

A multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted from December 2012 to May 2014 in high-risk patients infected with seasonal influenza. A total of 92 adult inpatients and outpatients with high risk factors (HRFs) were treated by either a single intravenous infusion of peramivir (600 mg) or oral administration of oseltamivir (75 mg, twice per day for 5 days).

Results

The median times to clinical stability (time to reach <37°C) were 40.0 hours (95% confidence interval [CI] = 23.3–64.5) and 37.8 hours (95% CI = 26.3–45.3) in the peramivir and oseltamivir groups, respectively; these values did not reveal a significant difference. The virus titer and change of mean total symptom scores decreased similarly with both treatments. Results of step-wise regression suggested that virus type was a significantly effective prognostic factor with respect to illness resolution. Adverse events (AEs) with peramivir and oseltamivir occurred in 2.2% (n = 1/46) and 13.0% (n = 6/46) of patients, respectively. The severity of AEs was mild in all cases except 2 patients who showed pneumonia or COPD aggravation; both were in the oseltamivir group.

Conclusions

Intravenous peramivir was effective based on the result of direct comparison with oral oseltamivir. Thus our data show that peramivir is a useful option for the treatment of influenza-infected patients with HRFs.

Pharmacokinetics and safety of intravenous peramivir, neuraminidase inhibitor of influenza virus, in healthy Japanese subjects

BACKGROUND

Intravenous peramivir is a potent neuraminidase (NA) inhibitor with activity against influenza A and B viruses. The early use of NA inhibitors has been shown to reduce mortality in influenza patients.

METHODS

To evaluate the pharmacokinetics of peramivir and confirm the safety and tolerability of multiple infusions of peramivir in healthy Japanese subjects, two Phase I, single-centre, randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled studies consisting of a multiple-dose study and a high-dose study were conducted.

RESULTS

Multiple intravenous infusions of peramivir were well tolerated up to 800 mg once a day and 400 mg twice daily for 6 days. Dose proportionalities for maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) were established up to the 800 mg dose. Approximately 90% of unchanged peramivir was excreted into urine within 12 h after treatment with 800 mg of peramivir. The peramivir plasma and upper respiratory tract fluid levels were significantly higher than the 50% inhibition concentrations for NA enzyme activity (IC₅₀) of epidemic influenza viruses, including those harbouring the H274Y mutation.

CONCLUSIONS

The pharmacokinetic properties obtained here for intravenous peramivir are consistent with the previously reported clinical efficacy and safety of this antiviral.

Peramivir injection in the treatment of acute influenza: a review of the literature

Influenza virus infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children and adults globally. Seasonal epidemics are common due to the rapid virus evolution, whereas the frequent emergence of antigenic variants can result in pandemics and sporadic/endemic avian influenza virus infections. Although annual vaccination is the mainstay for influenza prevention and control, the use of antiviral agents must be considered for treatment and prophylaxis against influenza. Currently available antiviral drugs include neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs), adamantanes, and a novel polymerase inhibitor (favipiravir). Peramivir is a recently US Food and Drug Administration-approved NAI for the treatment of acute uncomplicated influenza in adults. The chemical structure of peramivir allows it to bind to the influenza neuraminidase with much higher affinity than oseltamivir. Peramivir is effective against a variety of influenza A and B subtypes and has a lower half-maximal inhibitory concentration compared to other NAIs in in vitro studies. Peramivir can be administered intravenously, a route that is favorable for hospitalized, critically ill patients with influenza. The long half-life of peramivir allows for once-daily dosing. The drug is eliminated primarily by the kidneys, warranting dose adjustments in patients with renal dysfunction. Studies have assessed the clinical efficacy of peramivir for treatment of pandemic influenza A (H1N1). Although anecdotal evidence supports the use of peramivir in pediatric patients, pregnant women, and hospitalized patients with severe influenza receiving continuous renal replacement therapy and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, well-designed, controlled clinical trials should be conducted in order to assess its clinical efficacy in these patient populations.

Peramivir: A Novel Intravenous Neuraminidase Inhibitor for Treatment of Acute Influenza Infections

Peramivir is a novel cyclopentane neuraminidase inhibitor of influenza virus. It was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in December 2014 for treatment of acute uncomplicated influenza in patients 18 years and older. For several months prior to approval, the drug was made clinically available under Emergency Use authorization during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic. Peramivir is highly effective against human influenza A and B isolates as well as emerging influenza virus strains with pandemic potential. Clinical trials demonstrated that the drug is well-tolerated in adult and pediatric populations. Adverse events are generally mild to moderate and similar in frequency to patients receiving placebo. Common side effects include gastrointestinal disorders and decreased neutrophil counts but are self-limiting. Peramivir is administered as a single-dose via the intravenous route providing a valuable therapeutic alternative for critically ill patients or those unable to tolerate other administration routes. Successful clinical trials and post-marketing data in pediatric populations in Japan support the safety and efficacy of peramivir in this population where administration of other antivirals might not be feasible.

Safety and efficacy of peramivir for influenza treatment

Objective

This report presents a review of the efficacy and safety of peramivir, a neuraminidase inhibitor that was granted Emergency Use Authorization by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from October 23, 2009 to June 23, 2010 during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic.

Methods

Literature was accessed via PubMed (January 2000–April 2014) using several search terms: peramivir; BCX-1812; RWJ 270201; H1N1, influenza; antivirals; and neuraminidase inhibitors. The peramivir manufacturers, Shionogi and Co Ltd and BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, were contacted to obtain unpublished data and information presented at recent scientific meetings. Information was obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and from US FDA websites. English-language and Japanese-language reports in the literature were reviewed and selected based on relevance, along with information from the CDC, US FDA, and the drug manufacturers.

Results

We obtained eleven clinical trial reports of intravenous peramivir, two of which described comparisons with oseltamivir. Seven of nine other recently reported published studies was a dose–response study. Clinical reports of critically ill patients and pediatric patients infected with pandemic H1N1 described that early treatment significantly decreased mortality. Peramivir administered at 300 mg once daily in adult patients with influenza significantly reduces the time to alleviation of symptoms or fever compared to placebo. It is likely to be as effective as other neuraminidase inhibitors.

Conclusion

Although peramivir shows efficacy for the treatment of seasonal and pH1N1 influenza, it has not received US FDA approval. Peramivir is used safely and efficiently in hospitalized adult and pediatric patients with suspected or laboratory-confirmed influenza. Peramivir might be a beneficial alternative antiviral treatment for many patients, including those unable to receive inhaled or oral neuraminidase inhibitors, or those requiring nonintravenous drug delivery.

Neuraminidase inhibitors for influenza B virus infection: efficacy and resistance

Many aspects of the biology and epidemiology of influenza B viruses are far less studied than for influenza A viruses, and one of these aspects is efficacy and resistance to the clinically available antiviral drugs, the neuraminidase (NA) inhibitors (NAIs). Acute respiratory infections are one of the leading causes of death in children and adults, and influenza is among the few respiratory infections that can be prevented and treated by vaccination and antiviral treatment. Recent data has suggested that influenza B virus infections are of specific concern to pediatric patients because of the increased risk of severe disease. Treatment of influenza B is a challenging task for the following reasons: This review presents current knowledge of the efficacy of NAIs for influenza B virus and antiviral resistance in clinical, surveillance, and experimental studies.

Respiratory viral infections in pediatric solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Respiratory viruses are common in children, including pediatric recipients of both solid organ transplantation and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The prevalence and risk factors in each of these groups are reviewed. Furthermore, associated morbidity and mortality in pediatric transplant recipients with respiratory viral infections are addressed. The literature on specific prevention and treatment options for respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, influenza, and other respiratory viruses in pediatric solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients is reported.