Oseltamivir (other name Tamiflu)

Common use

Tamiflu is an antiviral medication that blocks the actions of influenza virus types A and B in your body. Tamiflu is used to treat flu symptoms caused by influenza virus in people have had symptoms for less than 2 days. This medicine may also be given to prevent influenza in people who may be exposed but do not yet have symptoms. Tamiflu will not treat the common cold. Tamiflu should not be used in place of getting a yearly flu shot.

Dosage and direction

Take Tamiflu exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Start taking Tamiflu as soon as possible after flu symptoms appear, such as fever, chills, muscle aches, sore throat, and runny or stuffy nose. Take the capsule with a full glass of water. Tamiflu may be taken with food if it upsets your stomach.
To treat flu symptoms: Take Tamiflu every 12 hours for 5 days. To prevent flu symptoms: Take Tamiflu every 24 hours for 10 days or as prescribed. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Precautions

Before taking Tamiflu, tell your doctor if you have received a nasal flu vaccine within the past 2 weeks, or if you have kidney disease, heart disease, lung disease, or any other serious disease or health problem. Also tell your doctor if you have any condition causing swelling or disorder of the brain.

Contraindications

You should not use Tamiflu if you are allergic to oseltamivir.
Do not use Tamiflu to treat flu symptoms in a child younger than 2 weeks old. Children as young as 1 year old may use this medicine to prevent flu symptoms.
It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Your doctor will decide whether you should receive oseltamivir if you are pregnant.
It is not known whether Tamiflu passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Possible side effect

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Tamiflu (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).
Call your doctor right away if the person using this medicine has: sudden confusion; tremors or shaking; unusual behavior; or hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that are not there).
Common Tamiflu side effects may include: nausea, vomiting; headache; or pain.

Drug interaction

Do not use a nasal flu vaccine (FluMist) within 48 hours after taking Tamiflu. Oseltamivir may interfere with the drug action of FluMist, making the vaccine less effective. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Missed dose

Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if your next dose is due in less than 2 hours. Do not use two doses at one time.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention.

Storage

Store capsules at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep away from children and pets.