A single dose of inhaled laninamivir octanoate significantly lowered the risk for infection with influenza among Japanese children aged younger than 10 years, according to data recently published in Pediatrics.
Researchers conducted a placebo-controlled, double blind, multicenter study among 341 children who lived with children and adults affected by the influenza virus who were being treated with oseltamivir or zanamivir.
Results showed that 11% (18/171) of children developed influenza in the laninamivir octanoate group compared to 19% (33/170) in the control group (P = .02); relative risk reduction was 45.8% (95% CI, 7.5-to 68.2). The incidence of adverse events was similar in both groups (15% in the laninamivir octanoate group vs. 13% in the control group).
