FDA Authorizes New IV Drug for Treatment of Seriously Ill Flu Patients

October 27, 2009

Health Care Providers Can Request Peramivir Through CDC Electronic System

In response to a request from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced on October 23^rd that it has issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the investigational antiviral drug peramivir intravenous (IV) in certain adult and pediatric patients with confirmed or suspected 2009 H1N1 influenza infection who are admitted to a hospital.

CDC has developed an electronic request system that lets healthcare providers request peramivir for patients who have been hospitalized due to 2009 H1N1 influenza. The Peramivir IV Electronic Request System can be found by clicking here.

The FDA has reviewed the available scientific data and has concluded that the criteria for authorizing the emergency use of IV peramivir have been met.

There are no FDA-approved intravenously administered antivirals for the treatment of influenza. Peramivir is the only intravenously administered influenza treatment currently authorized for use under EUA for 2009 H1N1 infections.

Click here for more information

Since this blog was written, the emergency use authorization of peramivir IV has expired. Learn about the expiration of the public health emergency declaration.