Baloxavir marboxil

Baloxavir marboxil is used to treat and to prevent influenza (flu) infection.

Can I buy Xofluza (baloxavir) online?

The Online Clinic can prescribe Baloxavir for patients following a quick online consultation with one of our experienced UK doctors. Please click on the Free Consultation button to begin.

What is baloxavir marboxil?

Baloxavir marboxil is an anti-infective medicine that targets the virus causing influenza (widely known as 'flu'). It belongs to a class of medicines called cap-dependent endonuclease inhibitors.

Baloxavir marboxil is not active against the virus until it is converted to baloxavir. Baloxivir prevents an enzyme (cap-dependent endonuclease) found in the flu virus from working. This action stops the virus from replicating. By this action, the medicine both stops the virus from travelling around the body and reduces the recovery time from flu symptoms.

Baloxavir marboxil can be used to treat people with flu who have had symptoms for up to two days, and can be used to prevent flu in people who have had close contact with another person who has or may have flu.

How to use baloxavir marboxil

Baloxavir marboxil is available 40 mg or 80 mg film-coated tablets. Only one dose is needed so both strengths are provided in a blister pack containing one tablet.

The dose of baloxavir marboxil you receive will depend on your body weight. If you weigh 20 kg to less than 80 kg, then you take one 40 mg tablet; and if you weigh 80 kg or more, then you take one 80 mg tablet. However, if the person weighs less than 20 kg, they will be given an oral suspension and told how much to take. The Online Clinic dies not prescribe the oral suspension version.

Baloxavir marboxil can be taken either with or without food, and tablets are taken with a glass of water. Take the tablet within two days (48 hours) of the symptoms starting if treating flu, or within two days (48 hours) following close contact with an infected person.

Your doctor at The Online Clinic will determine your dose. For the best benefit, the tablet should be taken with 48 hours of either flu symptoms starting or close-contact exposure.

Who can use baloxavir marboxil?

Baloxavir marboxil is for use by adults and children above one year of age. It is best to avoid taking baloxavir marboxil if you are breast-feeding, pregnant, may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby. Before taking the tablets, ask your doctor for advice.

Baloxavir marboxil should not be used by anyone allergic to this medicine or any one of the other tablet ingredients. Baloxavir marboxil contains lactose and may not be tolerated by those with an intolerance to milk sugar.

Inform the doctor of all medicines that you are taking, might take, or recently taken. The effect of baloxavir marboxil is decreased and therefore should not be taken with antacids, laxatives, or oral dietary supplements containing calcium, iron, magnesium, selenium, or zinc.

Baloxavir marboxil side effects

Get medical advice immediately if you have a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), with signs such as facial swelling, swollen itchy skin, difficulty breathing or a reduction in blood pressure. A less severe itchy rash may occur but is uncommon. Children aged from 1 to under 12 years commonly experience rash, diarrhoea, and vomiting.

References

Xofluza 40 mg film-coated tablets; Xofluza 80 mg film-coated tablets; Baloxavir marboxil. Roche Products Limited, Welwyn Garden City, UK. May 2023. https://www.xofluza.com/

NICE UK - https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta732