Important WarningThe Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted emergency approval for the use of oseltamivir ... Full Alert
Oseltamivir is used to treat some types of influenza infection ('flu') in adults and children (older than 1 year of age) who have had symptoms of the flu for no longer than 2 days. This medication is also used to prevent some types of flu in adults and children (older than 1 year of age) when they have spent time with someone who has the flu or when there is a flu outbreak. Oseltamivir is in a class of medications called neuraminidase inhibitors. It works by stopping the spread of the flu virus in the body. Oseltamivir helps shorten the time you have flu symptoms such as a stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, cough, muscle or joint aches, tiredness, headache, fever, and chills. Oseltamivir will not prevent bacterial infections, which may occur as a complication of the flu.
Oseltamivir comes as a capsule and a suspension (liquid) to take by mouth. When oseltamivir is used to treat flu symptoms, it is usually taken two times a day (morning and evening) for 5 days. When oseltamivir is used to prevent flu, it is usually taken once a day for at least 10 days, or for up to 6 weeks during a community flu outbreak. Oseltamivir may be taken with or without food, but you may lessen the chance of getting an upset stomach by taking oseltamivir with food or milk. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part that you do not understand. Take oseltamivir exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
To prepare doses of oseltamivir suspension:
- Shake the suspension well (for about 5 seconds) before each use to mix the medication evenly.
- Open the bottle by pushing down on the cap and turning the cap at the same time.
- Push the plunger of the measuring device completely down to the tip.
- Insert the tip of the measuring device firmly into the opening on the top of the bottle.
- Turn the bottle (with the measuring device attached) upside down.
- Pull back on the plunger slowly until the amount of suspension prescribed by your doctor fills the measuring device to the appropriate marking. Some larger doses may need to be measured using the measuring device twice. If you are not sure how to correctly measure the dose your doctor has prescribed, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- Turn the bottle (with the measuring device attached) right-side up and slowly remove the measuring device.
- Take oseltamivir directly into your mouth from the measuring device; do not mix with any other liquids.
- Replace the cap on the bottle and close tightly.
- Remove the plunger from the rest of the measuring device and rinse both parts under running tap water. Allow the parts to air dry before putting back together for the next use.
Call your doctor or pharmacist to find out how you should measure a dose of oseltamivir suspension if you do not have the measuring device that came with this medication.
If the suspension is not available, oseltamivir capsules can be opened and mixed with sweetened liquids as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. To prepare doses of oseltamivir for people who can not swallow the capsules:
- Hold the capsule over a small bowl and carefully pull open the capsule and empty all of the powder from the capsule into the bowl. If your doctor has instructed you to take more than one capsule for your dose, then open the correct number of capsules into the bowl.
- Add a small amount of sweetened liquid, such as regular or sugar-free chocolate syrup, to the powder.
- Stir the mixture.
- Swallow the entire contents of this mixture right away.
Continue to take oseltamivir until you finish the prescription, even if you start to feel better. Do not stop taking oseltamivir without talking to your doctor. If you stop taking oseltamivir too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be fully treated, or you may not be protected from the flu.
If you feel worse or develop new symptoms while taking oseltamivir, or if your flu symptoms do not start to get better, call your doctor.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.
Oseltamivir may be used to treat and prevent infections from avian (bird) influenza (a virus that usually infects birds but can also cause serious illness in humans). Oseltamivir also may be used to treat and prevent infections from from influenza A (H1N1). H1N1 influenza (flu) also has been called swine influenza (swine flu) because the virus that is infecting humans is related to one that usually infects pigs. However, there is no danger of getting this flu from eating pork or pork products.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
- Tamiflu®
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