FDA approves new single dose oral flu medication.
Xofluza (baloxavir marboxil)
A couple of days ago the FDA announced the approval of a new medication to treat influenza. The drug is being sold under the brand name Xofluza (pronuced “Xoh-Flu-Zah) by the drug manufacturer Genentech. It should be available in pharmacies in the next few weeks.
The drug is indicated for acute uncomplicated influenza for a patient over 12 years old who has been symptomatic for less than 48 hours. The drug comes in 40 mg and 80 mg strengths tablets.
Patients who are 40 kg to 80 kg should be prescribed a single dose of 40 mg and patients who are 80 kg or greater should be prescribed a single dose of 80 mg.
Note: The safety and efficacy of this drug has not been evaluated in patients less then 12 years old or in patients that weigh less than 40 kg.
This new drug has a novel mechanism of action being a polymerase acidic endonuclease inhibitor. Take-home point, this drug should inhibit influenza virus replication. Now you can impress/annoy you friends and family with that fun-fact!
As with most newly approved medications, Xofluza is generally well tolerated and has a few adverse reactions the manufacture is reporting. These include diarrhea (3%), bronchitis (2%), nasopharyngitis (1%), headache (1%), and nausea (1%).
Resources:
https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm624226.htm
https://www.gene.com/patients/medicines/xofluza
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