As Flu Visits to Urgent Care Start to Climb, FDA Clears a New Treatment

For the first time in two decades, the Food and Drug Administration has approved use of a new drug to treat acute uncomplicated influenza in patients 12 years of age and older who have been symptomatic for ≤48 hours. While that’s great news in the wake of last year’s rough flu season, urgent care providers must be aware of the need for timely diagnosis—and pass that message along to patients. With less than 2 days to treat, starting with the appearance of systems, quick diagnosis is essential. Be prepared to probe patients for symptom onset and to test immediately when indicated. Xofluza (baloxavir marboxil, Shionogi & Co., Ltd) has been demonstrated to be safe in two randomized, controlled trials of 1,832 patients who were assigned to receive either placebo, baloxavir, or another antiviral fly treatment within 48 hours of symptoms onset. It had a shorter time to alleviation of symptoms than the “other” antiviral in one trial and than placebo in both trials. In the other trial, there was no difference in time to alleviation between baloxavir and the other drug. The most common adverse reactions in patients taking Xofluza included diarrhea and bronchitis. (The November issue of JUCM will see the start of two-part series on preparation for and treatment of patients with influenza. Part I will focus on the science behind the vaccine (and why that should matter to you); preventive measures, including vaccination; and current diagnostic procedures. Part II, which will appear in the December issue, will feature a discussion of treatment options and methods to prevent dire complications in patients who’ve contracted an influenza infection.)