A Randomized Double-Blind Phase 2 Study Comparing the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Combination Antivirals (Amantadine, Ribavirin, Oseltamivir) Versus Oseltamivir for the Treatment of Influenza in Adults at Risk for Complications

Seasonal influenza is responsible for approximately 226,000 excess hospitalizations annually and despite effective antivirals causes significant morbidity and mortality (estimated 24,000-50,000 deaths each year in the United States alone). The influenza virus that emerged in 2009 (A/California/07/2009 H1N1) caused fewer deaths (12,000 flu-related deaths in the U.S) but in contrast to seasonal flu, nearly 90 percent of the deaths with the 2009 H1N1 occurred among people younger than 65 years of age. The CDC has defined an at-risk population that accounts for the majority of hospitalization and morbidity associated with influenza. This study evaluated the use of combination antivirals as compared to oseltamivir alone in the treatment of influenza in an at-risk population.

Subjects who met the CDC definition for being at-risk and that present with an influenza-like illness were screened for the study. Those subjects with a confirmatory test for influenza (rapid antigen or PCR) were randomized in a 1:1 manner to receive a blinded study treatment consisting of either the combination of amantadine, oseltamivir, and ribavirin or oseltamivir alone for 5 days. Clinical, virologic, and laboratory assessments on Days 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 were used for both safety and efficacy analysis.

Design:

• Participants were screened with a physical examination and medical history, along with blood tests and throat swabs to confirm influenza infection.
• Eligible participants were randomly assigned to take either oseltamivir alone (the current standard treatment for influenza) or to take oseltamivir, amantadine, and ribavirin. Participants had additional blood samples and throat swabs taken at the start of the study, and were shown how to complete a study diary at home.
• Participants received a study medication kit containing the medication to take at home twice a day for 5 days.
• Participants returned, with the medication kit, to the clinic on days 1 (the first day after the start of the study), 3, 7, 14, and 28. The first visit took 2 to 3 hours, but each subsequent visit took approximately 1 to 2 hours. Additional blood samples and throat swabs were taken at these visits.

Pilot study: