Pronunciation:

per-AM-i-vir

Brand Names:

• Rapivab

Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Classifications:

Therapeutic—

Antiviral

Pharmacologic—

Neuraminidase Inhibitor, Influenza A&B Virus

Uses of This Medicine:

Peramivir injection is used to treat acute uncomplicated influenza in patients who have flu symptoms (eg, weakness, headache, fever, cough, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat) for no more than 2 days. Peramivir belongs to the family of medicines called antivirals, which are used to treat infections caused by viruses.

This medicine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.

Before Using This Medicine:

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies—

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Children—

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of peramivir injection in children 6 months of age and older. Safety and efficacy have not been established in children younger than 6 months of age.

Older adults—

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of peramivir injection in the elderly.

Breast-feeding—

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Other medicines—

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Influenza Virus Vaccine, Live

Other interactions—

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other medical problems—

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Kidney disease—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.

Proper Use of This Medicine:

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in a hospital. It is given through a needle placed into one of your veins. The medicine must be injected slowly, so your IV tube will need to stay in place for 15 to 30 minutes.

This medicine should be given as soon as possible after flu symptoms start or after you are exposed to the flu (within the first 2 days).

Precautions While Using This Medicine:

Your doctor will check your or your child's progress closely while you are receiving this medicine. This is to make sure that the infection is cleared up completely.

Serious allergic or skin reactions can occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, red skin lesions, severe acne or skin rash, itching, hoarseness, sores or ulcers on the skin, fever or chills, trouble breathing or swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you are receiving this medicine.

This medicine may cause some people to be confused or display other abnormal behaviors. Tell your doctor right away if you have hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there) or unusual excitement, nervousness, or restlessness after receiving this medicine.

Make sure your doctor knows if you plan to get the live flu vaccine nasal spray before you start receiving this medicine. You should not use the vaccine within 2 weeks before or 48 hours after receiving this medicine.

If your symptoms do not improve after you receive this medicine, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

Side Effects of This Medicine:

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

Cloudy urine

fever

Incidence not known

Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin

chills

confusion as to time, place, or person

cough

cracks in the skin

diarrhea

difficulty swallowing

dizziness

fast heartbeat

hives, itching, skin rash

holding false beliefs that cannot be changed by fact

joint or muscle pain

loss of heat from the body

puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue

red, irritated eyes

red, swollen skin

red skin lesions, often with a purple center

scaly skin

seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there

sore throat

sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips

tightness in the chest

trouble breathing

unusual excitement, nervousness, or restlessness

unusual tiredness or weakness

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

Blurred vision

constipation

difficulty having a bowel movement

headache

nervousness

pounding in the ears

redness of the eardrum

slow or fast heartbeat

trouble sleeping

vomiting

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.