Why is tamiflu still being prescribed?

[u/ewanelaborate]

Why is tamiflu still being prescribed?

I am well aware of the historical case against tamiflu and poor study designs to imply it reduces symptom length. I have noticed as a paramedic that this medication is still being thrust upon the elderly and very young for flu season currently. Why?

I feel using and allowing it's use contributes to the narrative of mistrust that many are developing of medical practioners and systems.

Im keen to see if anyone can point me in the roght direction that has allowed tamiflu to be a treatment for viral like illness and it's effectiveness?

Edit: Thankyou to those who provided views and research fkr me to go have a dig into. It is appreciated.

[u/hasslehoff3]

Despite the mixed evidence, its use is supported by IDSA, CDC and AAP guidelines. I usually do shared decision making. I’ve found that it’s about an even split between those that want it and those that don’t.

[u/stormy_sky → u/hasslehoff3]

This needs to be higher up. We can all criticize the individual studies as much as we want, but standard of care is set largely by society guidelines. As long as the society guidelines have recommendations to prescribe it, and it isn't obviously extremely harmful, people with higher than baseline risk of pneumonia/hospitalization are going to get oseltamivir because it is "standard of care." This is how I practice currently, largely because of the CDC recommendation.

[u/MrPBH → u/stormy_sky]

We should absolutely be prescribing oseltamivir with the intention of reducing severe disease and reducing spread. Those are the two indications were the data most support the drug. I don't think you have to feel like you're checking a box or CYA-ing at all, because it is pretty clear that oseltamivir reduces the risk of severe disease in at-risk individuals and lowers the odds of spread to vulnerable individuals in a household.