Pharmacy Phriday #9: Xofluza (Baloxavir marboxil) for Influenza

<p><strong>Contributor: Rachael Duncan, PharmD BCPS</strong></p> <p><strong>Educational Pearls: </strong></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">According to the Department of Public Health and Environment who puts out a weekly report on the influenza virus in Colorado, there appears to be less influenza in Colorado than previous years </span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">A milder influenza outbreak is likely due to mask wearing and social distancing practices </span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">There have only been 22 hospitalizations for influenza in Colorado since the start of the flu season back in September and 0 outbreaks in long-term care facilities </span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Xofluza (baloxavir marboxil) is an</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">antiviral PA endonuclease inhibitor and</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">was approved by the FDA in 2018 for uncomplicated influenza in patients 12 years and older that have been symptomatic for less than 48 hours</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Patient’s getting Xofluza must be otherwise healthy or at risk of developing influenza-related complications </span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Due to limited data, Xofluza would not be a good option for those that are inpatient or critically ill and is best utilized for patients who are being seen in the emergency department and will be sent home </span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Currently Xofluza is not approved for complicated patients, pregnant patients or those that are breast-feeding which limits its use </span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">When compared with Tamiflu in p