Emergency Medical Minute27 Maj 2024

Episode 905: Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) for Influenza

Contributor: Aaron Lessem MD

Educational Pearls:

Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) is an antiviral medication used commonly to treat influenza
Trials show that the medication reduces the duration of illness by less than 1 day (~16 hours in one systematic review)

Benefit only occurs if taken within 48 hours of symptom onset
Must be taken for 5 days

A 2024 meta-analysis reviewed 15 randomized-controlled trials for the risk of hospitalization

No reduction in hospitalizations with oseltamivir in patients over the age of 12
No difference in high-risk patients over the age of 65 or those with comorbidities

The authors note that the confidence interval in these populations is wide, indicating a need for subsequent studies in high-risk populations

Oseltamivir is associated with adverse effects including nausea, vomiting, and neurologic symptoms

The risk of adverse effects may outweigh the benefits of a small reduction in the duration of illness

References

1. Hanula R, Bortolussi-Courval É, Mendel A, Ward BJ, Lee TC, McDonald EG. Evaluation of Oseltamivir Used to Prevent Hospitalization in Outpatients with Influenza: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JAMA Intern Med. 2024;184(1):18-27. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2023.0699

2. Jefferson T, Jones M, Doshi P, Spencer EA, Onakpoya I, Heneghan CJ. Oseltamivir for influenza in adults and children: Systematic review of clinical study reports and summary of regulatory comments. BMJ. 2014;348(April):1-18. doi:10.1136/bmj.g2545

Summarized by Jorge Chalit, OMSII | Edited by Meg Joyce & Jorge Chalit

Det här avsnittet är hämtat från ett öppet RSS-flöde och publiceras inte av Podme. Det kan innehålla reklam.

Avsnitt(1174)

Podcast 1019: Trauma Blunt Cardiovascular Injuries (BCVI)

Contributor: Aaron Lessen, MD Educational Pearls: Blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) BCVI is a traumatic injury to the carotid or vertebral arteries Patients may initially have no neurologic sy...

31 Aug 3min

Podcast 1018: Occult Ventricular Fibrillation on Echocardiography

Contributor: Aaron Lessen, MD Educational Pearls: Big question in cardiac arrest: is the rhythm shockable? Shockable: ventricular fibrillation (VF) and pulseless ventricular tachycardia Non-sho...

24 Aug 2min

Podcast 1017: CPR Hand Placement

Contributor: Taylor Lynch, MD Educational Pearls: CPR is an important life-saving measure designed for anyone to perform. Chest compressions works by two mechanisms: Cardiac pump: Direct squ...

17 Aug 2min

Podcast 1016: Hypokalemia

Contributor: Meghan Hurley, MD Educational Pearls: What is hypokalemia? Hypokalemia is when the measured blood level of potassium falls below 3.5 mEq/L (normal 3.5 - 5.2 mEq/L). Can generally be ...

10 Aug 6min

Podcast 1015: Calcium in Hyperkalemia

Contributor: Meghan Hurley, MD Educational Pearls: What is hyperkalemia? Hyperkalemia is when the measured blood level of potassium reaches above 5.2 - 5.5 mEq/L (normal 3.5 - 5.2 mEq/L). What ar...

3 Aug 7min

Podcast 1014: Eating and Drinking on Shift

Contributor; Aaron Lessen, MD Educational Pearls: A 2026 survey asked Canadian emergency medicine (EM) physicians about their eating and drinking habits while on shift. Among 527 respondents, 35%...

27 Juli 2min

Podcast 1013: Thoracotomy Indications

Contributor; Taylor Lynch, MD Educational Pearls: Thoracotomy Thoracotomy is used in traumatic cardiac arrest to replace conventional CPR with direct access to the chest. Goals include identif...

20 Juli 3min

Podcast 1012: Meth Sedation

Contributor: Aaron Lessen, MD Educational Pearls: Agitated patients who are intoxicated with methamphetamine pose a unique challenge when selecting a sedative to counter their symptoms. Is there ...

13 Juli 1min