FDA approves Tamiflu in children younger than 1 year

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a common flu drug for use in children as young as 2 weeks old, the agency said Friday.

The FDA announced the new approval for Genentech's Tamiflu (oseltamivir). The agency said that while patients ages 1 year and older can receive the same dosage, those younger than 1 year must be dosed based on their exact weight.

"Pharmacists must provide the proper dispenser when filling a prescription so parents can measure and administer the correct dose to their children," FDA Office of Antimicrobial Products director Edward Cox said. "Parents and pediatricians must make sure children receive only the amount of Tamiflu appropriate for their weight."

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