TY - JOUR T1 - Use of oseltamivir in children JF - Canadian Family Physician JO - Can Fam Physician SP - 1199 LP - 1201 VL - 55 IS - 12 AU - Blake Jamieson AU - Rini Jain AU - Bruce Carleton AU - Ran D. Goldman Y1 - 2009/12/01 UR - http://www.cfp.ca/content/55/12/1199.abstract N2 - QUESTION Because of the recent outbreak of pandemic H1N1 2009, I am anticipating a large number of children with influenza-like symptoms or children diagnosed with influenza. Is oseltamivir effective and safe when used for children? ANSWER Oseltamivir is effective for prevention of complications associated with influenza A (including H1N1) in children. Oseltamivir also reduces the duration of influenza by a median of 36 hours, with nausea and vomiting as the primary reported adverse effects. The World Health Organization recommends oseltamivir as first-line treatment for H1N1, with the use of zanamivir only for suspected or confirmed oseltamivir resistance. Recently, in preparation for the influenza A (H1N1) 2009 pandemic, Health Canada published an interim order permitting the expanded use of oseltamivir for treatment or prophylaxis for children younger than 1 year of age. ER -