BACKGROUND: Among asthmatic children, influenza is associated with increased 
hospitalizations. Although vaccination is safe and effective among asthmatic 
children, its protective efficacy varies and uptake rates can be low. In 
comparison, oseltamivir (Tamiflu) is effective against all influenza strains and 
can reduce the severity and duration of influenza among adults and children. 
This study determined the effects of oseltamivir among influenza-infected 
children with asthma.
METHODS: Asthmatic children (6-12 years of age) were randomized to receive 
oseltamivir (2 mg/kg) or placebo twice daily, as a syrup. The primary efficacy 
endpoint was the time to freedom from illness. Secondary endpoints included the 
area under the symptom score-hour curve, the proportion of patients with asthma 
exacerbations and changes in forced expiratory volume at 1 second during the 
dosing period. Analysis was performed for both the intent-to-treat infected (n = 
179) and per protocol (n = 162) populations.
RESULTS: The primary endpoint for this study was not met. Oseltamivir tended to 
reduce the time to freedom from illness in the intent-to-treat infected 
population (10.4 hours, 8%; P = 0.5420), the per protocol population (24.3 
hours, 17%; P = 0.1607) and patients who started treatment <24 hours after 
symptom onset (39.8 hours, 25%; P = 0.0780). However, an improvement in 
pulmonary function was observed. The improvement in forced expiratory volume at 
1 second was significantly greater among oseltamivir-treated patients (10.8% 
versus 4.7%; P = 0.0148). Oseltamivir-treated patients also experienced fewer 
asthma exacerbations up to day 7 (68% versus 51%; P = 0.031). Oseltamivir was 
safe and well-tolerated.
CONCLUSIONS: Oseltamivir is safe and well-tolerated among asthmatic children, 
may reduce symptom duration and helps improve lung function and reduce asthma 
exacerbations during influenza infection.