Clinical effects of oseltamivir, zanamivir, laninamivir and peramivir on seasonal influenza infection in outpatients in Japan during the winter of 2012-2013.

Background: The neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs) oseltamivir, zanamivir, laninamivir and peramivir are available in Japan. However, the selective use of NAIs for treating outpatients with influenza has not been clearly defined.

Methods: We assigned 191 patients with influenza to 4 groups, each treated with a different NAI, and then compared how long it took to alleviate fever and other symptoms and to eliminate the virus.