Tamiflu Oseltamivir
Due to the outbreak of Swine Flu, the demand for Tamiflu is big at the moment -
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As with any new treatment you are bound to have many questions about Tamiflu, especially whether or not there are any Tamiflu Oseltamivir side effects you need to be aware of. Listed below are common questions and answers designed to provide first time guidance regarding the Tamiflu that is currently available with our service. If there is a question you would like to put to our doctor that is not covered below, please feel free to email consultations@prima-med.com.
Here are the important things you need to know before you choose Tamiflu
- What is Tamiflu?
- How well does Tamiflu work?
- What is the correct dosage?
- What is Tamiflu Oral Suspension?
- What are the side effects of Tamiflu?
- What are the precautions with Tamiflu?
- What should I tell my doctor or healthcare provider?
Tamiflu oseltamivir is a neuraminidase inhibitor. It works by stopping the virus sticking onto cells in the upper respiratory tract.
Tamiflu is an influenza treatment for adults and children of 1year of age and older whose flu symptoms started within the last day or two. Tamiflu is also used to reduce the chance of getting the flu
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Research has shown that Tamiflu works both as prevention and as a treatment of the flu.
80% effective in preventing people around a flu sufferer developing the disease in over .
40% effective in cutting the severity and duration of flu symptoms
Tamiflu was also shown to cut the number chest infections linked to flu needing antibiotics by 50% and hospitalisations by 61%.
In children, the drug reduced the incidence of middle ear infections in those affected by flu by 44%.
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Dosing instructions vary for adults and children, and for taking Tamiflu for prevention or treatment.
Dosage Instructions for Adults and Adolescents 13 Years of Age and Older
For treatment of the flu, Tamiflu capsules should be taken twice daily (once in the morning and once in the evening) for five days. Tamiflu can be taken with or without food. As with many medicines, if you take Tamiflu with a light snack, milk, or a meal, the potential for an upset stomach may be reduced.
It is important to begin treatment with Tamiflu within 12 to 48 hours from the first appearance of flu symptoms
If you have any type of kidney disease, talk to your doctor before starting Tamiflu therapy. There is a special dosing schedule, as follows for this group:
- Treatment Dosing — 75 mg once daily for 5 days
- Prevention Dosing — 75 mg every other day or 30 mg oral suspension once daily
For prevention of flu, Tamiflu Oseltamivir capsules should be taken once daily for at least 10 days. Tamiflu can be taken with or without food. As with many medicines, if you take Tamiflu with a light snack, milk, or a meal, the potential for an upset stomach may be reduced. In cases of community outbreaks, Tamiflu has been demonstrated to be a safe and effective preventative therapy for up to 6 weeks.
Tamiflu Oral Suspension
Dosage Instructions for Children 1 Year of Age and Older
In addition to the capsule form, Tamiflu is also available in a fruit-flavored liquid form with a dosing dispenser for children 1 year and older, and for adults who have difficulty swallowing the capsule. It is recommended that patients use the oral dosing dispenser that is supplied with prescription Tamiflu.
The recommended dosing for treating children 1 year and older is twice daily for 5 days according to the following body weight guide:
Body Weight (kg) |
Body Weight (lbs.) |
Recommended Dose for 5 Days |
Number of Bottles Needed for Recommended Dose |
= 15 kg |
= 33 lbs. |
30 mg twice daily |
1 |
> 15 kg to 23 kg |
> 33 lbs to 51 lbs |
45 mg twice daily |
2 |
> 23 kg to 40 kg |
> 51 lbs to 88 lbs |
60 mg twice daily |
2 |
> 40 kg |
> 88 lbs |
75 mg twice daily |
3 |
To help prevent the flu in children 1 year and older, it is important to begin therapy within 12 to 48 hours of exposure.
The recommended dosing for preventing flu in children 1 year and older following close contact with someone who is infected with the flu is once daily for 10 days according to the following body weight guide:
Body Weight (kg) |
Body Weight (lbs.) |
Recommended Dose for 10 Days* |
Number of Bottles Needed for Recommended Dose |
= 15 kg |
= 33 lbs. |
30 mg once daily |
1 |
> 15 kg to 23 kg |
> 33 lbs to 51 lbs |
45 mg once daily |
2 |
> 23 kg to 40 kg |
> 51 lbs to 88 lbs |
60 mg once daily |
2 |
> 40 kg |
> 88 lbs |
75 mg once daily |
3 |
* TAMIFLU for flu prevention in children 1 year and older has not been evaluated for a duration of therapy of longer than 10 days.
Please read prescribing information for instructions on preparing Tamiflu liquid.
What are the side effects of Tamiflu?
Tamiflu Oseltamivir is generally well tolerated. Inform your doctor if you have concerns about the side effects you are experiencing. As with any medication, be sure to discuss with your doctor any over-the-counter or prescription medicines you are currently taking before beginning Tamiflu therapy.
Some of the possible side effects of Tamiflu
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- bronchitis
- stomach pain
- dizziness
- headache
For more detailed information about Tamiflu, ask your healthcare provider.
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Special Warnings Concerning Tamiflu:
- Tamiflu's safety and effectiveness have not been determined in people with chronic heart or lung disease, kidney failure, or in people with high-risk underlying medical conditions.
- There have been reports (mostly from Japan ) since Tamiflu became available of patients causing self-injury or experiencing delirium (confusion, hallucinations, speech problems) while using Tamiflu. The reports were mostly in children. It is not known whether the cause of these reports is due to Tamiflu use. Patients should be monitored for signs of abnormal behavior while taking Tamiflu.
General Precautions with Tamiflu:
- Tamiflu has not been shown to treat flu-like illnesses caused by any virus other than influenza A and B (e.g., stomach flu, common cold, or other respiratory illnesses not caused by influenza).
- Other kinds of infections can appear like influenza or occur along with influenza, and need different types of treatment. Contact your healthcare provider if you feel worse or develop new symptoms during or after treatment, or if your influenza symptoms do not start to get better.
- Taking Tamiflu should not affect your decision to have an annual influenza vaccination.
- The safety and efficacy of repeated courses of treatment have not been established.
- Tamiflu is not indicated for treatment or prevention of the flu in patients less than 1 year of age.
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What should I tell my doctor or healthcare provider?
Tell your doctor or healthcare provider if you:
- are taking any other medications
- have any type of kidney disease
- are trying to become pregnant, are already pregnant, or are breast-feeding
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