Dosing
For the infant population two
weeks to one year of age, dosing is
dependent on weight; in older children,
the dose is standardized (see
Table 1) (FDA, 2012). The dosing in
infants is three milligrams per kilogram
per dose twice daily for five days
(FDA, 2012).This dose was extrapolated
based on data of safety and efficacy
of the adult and pediatric dosing.
In the pediatric population under 12
years of age, it has been shown thatclearance of the prodrug and its active
form slows as the child gets older
(Roche Laboratories Inc., 2008). This
accounts for the higher mg/kg dose
required for the younger population
(Roche Laboratories Inc., 2008). The
dosing syringe currently packaged
with oseltamivir phosphate is not calibrated
for these infant doses, and the
pharmacist should include a dispenser
to ensure accurate dosing and
prevent overdosing (FDA, 2012)