Flu Treatment for Children

Weight-Based Dosing for Oseltamivir

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends oseltamivir 30 mg twice daily for children weighing ≤15 kg, 45 mg twice daily for children weighing >15-23 kg, 60 mg twice daily for children weighing >23-40 kg, and 75 mg twice daily for children weighing >40 kg, with all treatment courses lasting 5 days 1, 2
The following weight-based dosing table is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics:

Oseltamivir may be taken with or without food, but tolerability is enhanced when taken with meals, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics 1

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests alternative neuraminidase inhibitors, including zanamivir (inhaled) 10 mg twice daily for 5 days, approved for children ≥7 years, and peramivir (IV) 12 mg/kg as a single IV infusion, approved for children 2-12 years with acute uncomplicated influenza 1, 2

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC emphasize that oseltamivir is not a substitute for annual influenza vaccination, and vaccination remains the primary prevention strategy 2
Treatment should be strongly considered for children with severe, complicated, or progressive disease regardless of timing of presentation or vaccination status, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics 2, 3

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends oseltamivir (Tamiflu) for treatment of influenza in children as young as 2 weeks of age, with weight-based dosing: ≤15 kg receives 30 mg twice daily; >15-23 kg receives 45 mg twice daily; >23-40 kg receives 60 mg twice daily, all for 5 days 4, 5, 6, 7
Oseltamivir reduces illness duration by 17.6-36 hours and decreases complications like acute otitis media by 34% in children with laboratory-confirmed influenza 4, 5
Treatment with oseltamivir should be initiated as soon as possible after illness onset and should not be delayed while waiting for definitive influenza test results 8