Oseltamivir (Tamiflu®),an oral neuraminidase inhibitor,has recently become the most common treatment for influenza in Japan.In the present study,we conducted a questionnaire survey to evaluate efficacy,adverse events and compliance in outpatients prescribed oseltamivir at the University of Fukui hospital during the period January to April 2006.The questionnaire was given to 221 patients,of whom 96 (43.4%) provided responses.
The results obtained showed that 78 patients (81.3%) had influenza A and none had influenza B.Of the total 96 patients,29 (30.2%) were less than 10 years old and 29 (30.2%) were teenagers.Oseltamivir alleviated the fever of 79 of the patients (82.3%) within two days.Though almost all prescriptions for oseltamivir in our hospital were for five days,only 45.8 % of the patients replied that they took the drug for the full five days.Adverse events were reported by 24 patients (25.0 %).The most common were digestive system-related.Five patients (5.2%) reported neuropsychiatric symptoms which included hallucination and abnormal behavior.
The results of our study showed that oseltamivir was effective in the treatment of influenza A,and suggested that some patients discontinue the regimen before completion.As it was a small scale study,further investigation will be needed in order to provide patients with adequate information on the proper use of oseltamivir.
