Tamiflu is for treating adults, adolescents, and pediatric patients 1year of age
and older with the flu whose flu symptoms started within the last day or two. Tamiflu
is also used to reduce the chance of getting the flu in people age 13 and older
who have a higher chance of getting the flu because they spend time with someone
who has the flu. Tamiflu can also reduce the chance of getting the flu if there
is a flu outbreak in the community.
Tamiflu is a drug with generic name of Oseltamivir. It is a drug belonging to the
family of antivirals. Anti-virus drugs such as Tamiflu are used to treat diseases
that are caused by viruses thus, the name antiviral.
Tamiflu is indicated for the treatment of viral infections especially flu viruses.
Tamiflu can treat influenza A and influenza B (Bird Flu).
Tamiflu can also decrease the ailments that occur together with flu such as weakness,
headache, cough, fever and sore throat in just the first day of intake.
Tamiflu can also prevent the onset of flu even if you have been exposed to people
who have it.
Take Tamiflu as exactly directed by your doctor. Never deviate from your doctor's
instructions on how to take Tamiflu.
Tamiflu can be taken with or without food as it is not a stomach irritant. However
if Tamiflu is taken with food, the lesser are the chances of stomach upsets.
Tamiflu can be taken for a minimum of 5 days and the taking of Tamiflu should not
be abruptly ceased even if the patient begins to feel better. The patient should
continue with Tamiflu until the duration specified by the doctor as this would help
clear out the infection more efficiently.
If you are using the oral suspension of Tamiflu, be sure to accurately measure the
exact doses of Tamiflu through a dose-measuring cup or spoon to prevent Overdosage.
Also make sure the bottle containing the Tamiflu suspension is shaken well before
use to disperse and mix the contents of Tamiflu well.
Before deciding to take Tamiflu, tell your doctor if you have known or unknown
allergies to Tamiflu's components as
you may be advised not to take
Tamiflu.
Tamiflu has
not been tested on pregnant women
yet but animals studies have shown
that Tamiflu can cause birth defects
on the animals that were tested. If
you are pregnant or planning to
become pregnant, do not take Tamiflu
or buy Tamiflu without first
consulting your doctor.
Tamiflu
passes into the breast milk of
nursing mothers and it is fairly
safe to breast feed an infant
provided that you first discuss with
your doctor the risks and odds of
breast feeding.
The effects of
Tamiflu can only be fully felt when
Tamiflu is continuously taken at a
regular interval. If possible, it should
be ensured that no dose of Tamiflu is
missed. However, if it unavoidable that
a dose of Tamiflu is missed, you should
take the dose you missed as soon as you
remember provided that it is not near
the time for the next dose. Never take
the missed dose of Tamiflu two hours (or
earlier) before the next dose of
Tamiflu. Do not take double doses of
Tamiflu.
Taking Tamiflu
may entail some unwanted side
effects. The side effects of Tamiflu
may range from mild to severe. These
are the side effects associated with
Tamiflu:
- Cough
- Phlegm
production
-
Wheezing
- Nausea
-
Vomiting
-
Diarrhea
-
Stomach cramps
-
Stomach upsets
-
Nosebleed (frequently and most
commonly occurring in children)
-
Itching of eyes
-
Redness of eyes
- Skin
flushing
-
Swelling of eyes and excessive
production of tears
-
Fatigue
-
Headache
-
Insomnia
-
Dizziness
Other side
effects of Tamiflu aside from these
may also occur aside from the ones
mentioned above and if you
experience any of these side effects
and if they become intolerable and
bothersome immediately discontinue
use of Tamiflu and ask your doctor
on what to do next.
Store at 25°C (77°F);
excursions permitted to 15 - 30°C (59 -
86°F).
Seek emergency
medical attention. Symptoms of a Tamiflu
overdose include difficulty breathing;
shallow, weak breathing; and seizures.
Always inform
your doctor of the drugs you are
taking, may they be prescription or
non-prescription drugs.
Drugs that
may adversely interact with Tamiflu
are the drugs containing Probenecid.
Combining Tamiflu and drugs
containing Probenecid may result in
higher blood levels for patients
FDA INFORMATION
PHARMACEUTICAL INFORMATION
This drug information is for your information purposes only, it is not intended
that this information covers all uses, directions, drug interactions, precautions,
or adverse effects of your medication. This is only general information, and should
not be relied on for any purpose. It should not be construed as containing specific
instructions for any particular patient. We disclaim all responsibility for the
accuracy and reliability of this information, and/or any consequences arising from
the use of this information, including damage or adverse consequences to persons
or property, however such damages or consequences arise. No warranty, either expressed
or implied, is made in regards to this information.