Drug Name

Tamiflu

Drug Uses

Tamiflu is an medication that blocks the actions of influenza virus types A and B in your body.
Tamiflu is an active component used to treat flu symptoms caused by influenza virus in patients who have had symptoms for less than 2 days. Tamiflu 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 may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

How to use

Take Tamiflu exactly as your doctor has prescribed it for you. Do not take more of the medication than recommended. Do not take Tamiflu for longer than your doctor has prescribed.
Treatment with Tamiflu should start as soon as possible when flu symptoms appear, such as fever, chills, muscle aches, sore throat, and runny or stuffy nose.
Take the Tamiflu capsule with a full glass of water. Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with the syringe provided with the medicine. Do not measure the medicine with a regular table spoon. If you do not have the syringe or another medicine dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
You may take Tamiflu with or without food. If the medicine upsets your stomach, it may help to take it with food or milk.
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.

Drug Class and Mechanism

Tamiflu is an antiviral. It works by stopping the flu virus from reproducing within the body.

Missed Dose

Take the missed dose of Tamiflu as soon as you remember. If your next dose is less than 2 hours away, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Storage

Store Tamiflu capsules at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Store Tamiflu liquid in the refrigerator but do not freeze. Throw away any unused liquid after 10 days.

Warnings/Precautions

Tamiflu should not be used in place of getting a yearly flu shot. The Centers for Disease Control recommends an annual flu shot to help protect you each year from new strains of influenza virus.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to Tamiflu.
Before taking Tamiflu, tell your doctor if you have used a nasal flu vaccine (FluMist) within the past 2 weeks, or if you have:

• kidney disease;
• heart disease;
• lung disease;
• a condition causing swelling or disorder of the brain; or
• any other serious disease or health problem.

If you have any of the conditions listed above, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether Tamiflu passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not take this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give this medication to a child younger than 1 year old.

Possible Side Effects

Stop using Tamiflu and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat; a red and blistering or peeling skin rash. Some people using Tamiflu have had rare side effects of sudden confusion, delirium, hallucinations, unusual behavior, or self-injury. These symptoms have occurred most often in children. It is not known whether Tamiflu was the exact cause of these symptoms. However, anyone using Tamiflu should be watched closely for signs of confusion or unusual behavior. Call a doctor at once if you or the child using Tamiflu has any of these symptoms.

Less serious side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
• dizziness, headache;
• nosebleed;
• eye redness or discomfort;
• sleep problems (insomnia); or
• cough or other respiratory symptoms.

More Information

Usual Adult Dose for Influenza Prophylaxis:
75 mg orally once a day

Usual Adult Dose for Influenza:
75 mg orally twice a day for 5 days

Usual Adult Dose for Avian Influenza:
Postexposure prophylaxis: 75 mg orally once or twice a day for 7 to 10 days. Treatment: Mild infection: 75 mg orally twice a day for 5 days. Severe infection: 150 mg twice a day for 7 to 10 days. Limited data are available.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Influenza:
Children 1 to 12 years (15 kg or less): 30 mg orally twice a day for 5 days, (16 to 23 kg): 45 mg orally twice a day for 5 days, (24 to 40 kg): 60 mg orally twice a day for 5 days, (41 kg or more): 75 mg orally twice a day for 5 days
13 years or older: 75 mg orally twice a day for 5 days

Usual Pediatric Dose for Influenza Prophylaxis:
1 to 12 years: (15 kg or less) 30 mg orally once a day for 10 days, (16 to 23 kg) 45 mg orally once a day for 10 days, (24 to 40 kg) 60 mg orally once a day for 10 days, (41 kg or more) 75 mg orally once a day for 10 days
13 years or older: 75 mg orally once a day

Usual Pediatric Dose for Avian Influenza:
Mild infection: Children 1 to 12 years: (15 kg or less) 30 mg orally twice a day, (16 to 23 kg) 45 mg orally twice a day, (24 to 40 kg) 60 mg orally twice a day, (41 kg or more) 75 mg orally twice a day
13 years or older: 75 mg orally twice a day