Tamiflu

oseltamivir

Tamiflu is a medicine to treat flu, infection caused by the influenza virus. It belongs to a group of medicines called neuraminidase inhibitors. These medications attack the influenza virus and prevent it from spreading inside your body. Tamiflu treats flu at its source by attacking the virus that causes the flu, rather than simply masking symptoms like over the counter flu remedies. Each Tamiflu capsule contains 75mg of the active drug and should be taken orally.

What is Tamiflu?

Viruses can not thrive or reproduce by themselves - they use the living cells of their host to do all the work they tricks the host cell's DNA into being a virus factory. Tamiflu interferes with the flu viral reproduction. Tamiflu works by inhibiting an enzyme called neuraminidase. When neuraminidase is blocked from working, the flu virus has a hard time releasing it's babies into your bloodstream. The less flu viruses circulating in your system, the better you feel.

Before taking Tamiflu

Some medical conditions may interact with Tamiflu. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especiall if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have kidney problems, liver problems, or mood or mental problems

How should I take Tamiflu?

Follow the instructions that your doctor has given you regarding your treatment with Tamiflu.

Tamiflu is not a stomach irritant, so you can take it without eating first (although it is recommended that it should not be taken on an empty stomach.)

A Tamiflu treatment lasts at least 5 days (it must not be stopped even if the patient feels better) and should be continued for as long as the doctor says.

It is recommended that the patient should not miss any of his Tamiflu doses. If a dose is missed, it should be taken as soon as possible, provided that it is not about time for the next Tamiflu dose. You must not take a double dose of Tamiflu, or two doses of the drug separated by less than 2 hours from one another.

If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

Tamiflu side effects

The most common side effects of Tamiflu are nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Sometimes people report getting headaches when they take Tamiflu. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); confusion, hallucinations, or other unusual changes in behavior; fever or sore throat; reddened, blistered, or swollen skin; seizures; severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include nausea or vomiting.

Precautions

• Tamiflu is effective against influenza types A and B.
• Tamiflu may cause dizziness or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Tamiflu with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Tamiflu may cause dizziness or lightheadedness; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
• Tamiflu works only against influenza types A and B; it does not treat bacterial or other viral infections.
• Patients with flu who take Tamiflu may have an increased risk of confusion and unusual behavioral changes. The risk may be greater in children. Contact your doctor if you notice symptoms of confusion or any other unusual behavioral changes.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Tamiflu before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• Tell your doctor that you take Tamiflu before you receive any vaccines, including the intranasal live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV).
• Tamiflu is not a substitute for a flu vaccine. Continue to get an annual flu shot if your doctor has recommended it.
• If your symptoms do not get better within a few days or if they get worse, check with your doctor.
• Tamiflu should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 1 year old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Tamiflu while you are pregnant. It is not known if Tamiflu is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Tamiflu, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Notes

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Tamiflu. If you have any other questions, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.