Tamiflu
Drug Class and Mechanism of Action of Tamiflu
Tamiflu is an antiviral medicine. It acts by stopping the flu virus (influenza virus) from reproducing (replication) within our body.
Therapeutic Uses of Tamiflu
Tamiflu is used in blocking the actions of influenza virus types A and B in human body. Tamiflu is used for treatment of flu symptoms caused by influenza virus (both, types A and B) in patients who are having symptoms for less than 2 days. Tamiflu may also be given to prevent influenza in people who are exposed to influenza virus, but do not yet have symptoms. Tamiflu can not be used in treatment of common cold. Tamiflu may also be used for other medical conditions as you doctor decides, that are not listed above or in the medication guide.
Direction of use of Tamiflu
Tamiflu should be taken exactly as per your doctor has prescription. Do not take Tamiflu more than recommended and also do not take Tamiflu for longer than your doctor has prescribed. Treatment with Tamiflu should start as soon as possible when flu symptoms appear (preferably within 2 days of appearance of symptoms), like fever, chills, muscle aches, sore throat, and runny or stuffy nose.
Tamiflu capsule should be taken with a full glass of water (approximately 250 ml). Shake the oral suspension (if it is in liquid form) well just before you measure a dose for taking. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with the syringe (do not measure the medicine with a regular table spoon, as it will not give accurate measuring) provided with the medicine. If you do not have the syringe or another medicine dose-measuring device, you should get one from your pharmacist. Tamiflu can be taken with or without food. If Tamiflu cause upset of your stomach, you can take it with food or milk to reduce stomach upset.
To treat flu symptoms: Take Tamiflu every 12 hourly for 5 days and to prevent flu symptoms: Take Tamiflu every 24 hours for 10 days or as prescribed by your doctor.
If You Miss a Dose of Tamiflu
If you miss a dose of Tamiflu you should take the missed dose of Tamiflu as soon as possible. If your next dose of Tamiflu is less than 2 hours away, you should 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, as it may cause more side effects.
How to Store Tamiflu
Tamiflu should be stored at room temperature. It should be stored away from moisture, heat and light in a tightly closed container. Store Tamiflu liquid in the refrigerator but do not freeze. Throw away any unused liquid after 10 days. Keep Tamiflu out of reach of children.
More Information About Tamiflu
Normal adult dose for Influenza Prophylaxis with Tamiflu: 75 mg orally once a day.
Normal adult dose for Influenza treatment with Tamiflu: 75 mg orally twice a day for 5 days.
Normal adult dose for post exposure Avian Influenza Prophylaxis: 75 mg orally once or twice a day for 7 to 10 days.
Normal adult dose for mild infection of Avian Influenza treatment: 75 mg orally twice a day for 5 days.
Normal adult dose for severe infection of Avian Influenza treatment: 150 mg orally twice a day for 7 to 10 days (enough data not available).
Normal pediatric dose for Influenza Prophylaxis with Tamiflu: 1 to 12 years or 15 kg or less: 30 mg orally once a day for 10 days. Body weight 16 to 23 kg : 45 mg orally once a day for 10 days. Body weight 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 for 10 days.
Normal pediatric dose for Influenza treatment with Tamiflu: 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.
Normal pediatric dose for Avian Influenza treatment: For mild infection of Avian Influenza in children of 1 to 12 years: 15 kg or less: 30 mg orally twice a day. 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.
Precautions to be Taken While Taking Tamiflu
Tamiflu should not be used in place of getting a yearly flu vaccination. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends an annual flu shot to protect for protection each year from new strains of influenza virus.
- You should not take Tamiflu if you are allergic to it.
- Before taking Tamiflu, inform your doctor if you have used a nasal flu vaccine (FluMist) within the past 2 weeks, or if you have lung disease, kidney disease, and heart disease, any disorder in the brain or any other serious disease or health problem.
If you are suffering from any of the conditions listed above, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take Tamiflu. Tamiflu is in FDA pregnancy category C, which means this medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. You should not take Tamiflu if you are pregnant. 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, but do not take this medication without consulting your doctor if you want to breast-feed a baby. Do not give this medication to a child younger than 1 year old.
Possible Adverse Effects of Tamiflu
- Serious and less common side effects of Tamiflu are allergic reaction, (the signs of an allergic reaction are hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat; a red and blistering or peeling skin rash). Stop using Tamiflu and get emergency medical help if you experience any of the above signs of an allergic reaction.
- Some people using Tamiflu may have rare side effects like sudden confusion, delirium, hallucinations, unusual behavior, self-injury etc. These symptoms can occur most commonly in children (though it is not known whether Tamiflu is the exact cause of these symptoms). But, anyone using Tamiflu should be watched closely for these above signs of confusion or unusual behavior. Get immediate medical attention if you or the child using Tamiflu has any of these symptoms.
- Less serious (and may be common) side effects of Tamiflu may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, difficulty in sleeping (insomnia), cough, other respiratory symptoms, nosebleed, redness of eyes, discomfort of the eye etc. If any of these less serious side effects become troublesome or persistent, you should get medical help.