Baloxavir Marboxil for Prophylaxis against Influenza in Household Contacts
RCT (752 household contacts of 545 index patients) found single-dose baloxavir (BL) showed efficacy in preventing influenza in household contacts of patients with influenza (clinical influenza developed in 1.9% on BL vs. 13.6% placebo; risk ratio, 0.14; 95% CI, 0.06-0.30;p<0.001)
Source:
New England Journal of Medicine
SPS commentary:
An editorial notes that this trial adds baloxavir to other antiviral agents that have shown efficacy in reducing the transmission of influenza virus in households when used for early treatment in index patients and for postexposure prophylaxis in their contacts. It adds that further studies are needed to assess whether additional doses might reduce the emergence and transmission of influenza viruses with reduced susceptibility to baloxavir and whether the combination of baloxavir for early treatment in symptomatic patients and oseltamivir for prompt postexposure prophylaxis in their close contacts might be useful for controlling institutional outbreaks. It reiterates that the primary prevention of influenza is through annual influenza vaccination.
A centralised marketing authorisation application for baloxavir was submitted to the European Medicines Agency in Dec 2019.