Peramivir Injection

What is this medicine?

PERAMIVIR (per AM i veer) is an antiviral drug. It is used to treat some kinds of influenza or the flu. It will not work for colds or other viral infections.

How should I use this medicine?

This medication is for infusion into a vein. It is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 2 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• confusion, unusual behavior

• dizziness; dry mouth; dry skin; increased hunger or thirst; increased urination

• hallucination, loss of contact with reality

• redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• constipation

• diarrhea

• nausea, vomiting

• trouble sleeping

What may interact with this medicine?

• intranasal influenza vaccine

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

Where should I keep my medicine?

This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• kidney disease

• an unusual or allergic reaction to peramivir, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Visit your doctor or health care provider for regular check ups. Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

This drug may cause serious skin reactions. They can happen weeks to months after starting the medicine. Contact your health care provider right away if you notice fevers or flu-like symptoms with a rash. The rash may be red or purple and then turn into blisters or peeling of the skin. Or, you might notice a red rash with swelling of the face, lips or lymph nodes in your neck or under your arms.

If you have the flu, you may be at an increased risk of developing confusion or abnormal behavior. This occurs early in the illness, and more frequently in children and teens. These events are not common, but may result in accidental injury to the patient. Families and caregivers of patients should watch for signs of unusual behavior and contact a doctor or health care provider right away if the patient shows signs of unusual behavior.

This drug is not a substitute for the flu shot. Talk to your doctor each year about an annual flu shot.