| TA158 |
Influenza (prophylaxis) - amantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir (TA158) |
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Oseltamivir, amantadine and zanamivir for the prophylaxis of influenza (including a review of TA67)
NICE has said that its recommendations about oseltamivir and zanamivir should not reduce efforts to give vaccination (also called the flu jab) to people for whom it is recommended in national guidelines.
The guidance does not cover widespread epidemics.
Oseltamivir and zanamivir are recommended to prevent flu if all of the following apply:
- The amount of flu virus going around is enough that if someone has a flu-like illness it is likely that it has been caused by the flu virus
- The person is in an at-risk group (see page 4).
- The person has been in contact with someone with a flu-like illness and can start treatment within 36 hours (for zanamivir) or within 48 hours (for oseltamivir)
- The person has not been effectively protected by vaccination
Guidance section 1.3 refers to the fact that the clinical risk groups are defined and updated each year by the Chief Medical Officer. For more information please see Annex C in the 2011/12 Seasonal flu plan.
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Other information
How this guidance was produced
Background information
This page was last updated: 28 November 2011
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Guidance formats
- Web format
- Quick reference guide (PDF)
- Full Guidance (PDF)
- Patient version (MS Word)
- TA158 Oseltamivir, amantadine a zanamivir i atal y ffliw: deall canllawiau NICE (fformat MS Word)
Influenza (prophylaxis) - amantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir
Guideline for patients and carers (PDF)
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Implementation tools and resources
See this guidance in practice
Patient
The summary of the key recommendations in the guidance written for patients, carers and those with little medical knowledge and may be used in local patient information leaflets.
Quick Reference Guide
The quick reference guide presents recommendations for health professionals
NICE Guidance
The published NICE clinical guidance, contains the recommendations for health professionals and NHS bodies.
Full Guidance
The published full clinical guidance for specialists with background, evidence, recommendations and methods used.


