Tamiflu from Roche - Treatment guidelines & cost

Tamiflu
Cost of Tamiflu (one 75mg capsule) is £15 from www.onlineclinic.co.uk (prescription is given online by a doctor) or 40 doses is £12.40 per dose.

Tamiflu Roche label indicates:-

• Treatment of influenza

  Treatment should be initiated as soon as possible within the first two days of onset of symptoms of influenza.

  For adolescents (13 to 17 years of age) and adults: The recommended oral dose is 75 mg oseltamivir twice daily for 5 days - 10 doses @ £15 = £150

• Prevention of influenza

  Post-exposure prevention

  For adolescents (13 to 17 years of age) and adults: The recommended dose for prevention of influenza following close contact with an infected individual is 75 mg oseltamivir once daily for 10 days. Therapy should begin as soon as possible within two days of exposure to an infected individual. 10 doses @ £15 = £150

• Prevention during an influenza epidemic in the community

  The recommended dose for prevention of influenza during a community outbreak is 75 mg oseltamivir once daily for up to 6 weeks. 42 doses @ £12.40 = £520.80.

Relenza
Cost of Relenza 5mg per dose pill is £109 for one pill or £90 per pill for 3 pills from www.onlineclinic.co.uk (prescription is given online by a doctor).

The GSK Relenza label 4.2 indicates how much Relenza to use:-

• Treatment of influenza Treatment should begin as soon as possible, within 48 hours after onset of symptoms for adults, and within 36 hours after onset of symptoms for children.Relenza is for administration to the respiratory tract by oral inhalation only, using the Diskhaler device provided. One blister should be utilised for each inhalation. The recommended dose of Relenza for treatment of influenza in adults and children from the age of 5 years is two inhalations (2 x 5 mg) twice daily for five days, providing a total daily inhaled dose of 20 mg. Cost: £90 x 2 x 2 x 5 days = £1800
  
• Prevention of influenza Post-exposure prophylaxis The recommended dose of Relenza for prevention of influenza, following close contact with an individual, is two inhalations (2 x 5 mg) once daily for 10 days. Therapy should begin as soon as possible and within 36 hours of exposure to an infected person. Cost: £90 x 2 x 10 = £1800
  
• Seasonal prophylaxis The recommended dose of Relenza for prevention of influenza during a community outbreak is 2 inhalations (2 x 5 mg) once daily for up to 28 days. Cost: £90 x 2 x 28 = £5040