Pronunciation: OH-sel-TAM-i-vir
Generic Name: Oseltamivir
Brand Name: Tamiflu
Tamiflu Suspension is used for:
Treating influenza, including H1N1 influenza (swine flu), in patients 1 year of age and older who have had symptoms for no more than 2 days. It may also be used to prevent influenza in patients 1 year of age and older.
Tamiflu Suspension is an antiviral. It works by stopping the flu virus from reproducing within the body.
Do NOT use Tamiflu Suspension if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Tamiflu Suspension
- you are going to have an intranasal live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) within the next 2 days or you have had such a vaccine within the past 2 weeks
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Tamiflu Suspension:
Some medical conditions may interact with Tamiflu Suspension. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially 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, heart problems, breathing problems, or mood or mental problems
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Tamiflu Suspension. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Intranasal live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) because its effectiveness may be decreased by Tamiflu Suspension
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Tamiflu Suspension may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Tamiflu Suspension:
Use Tamiflu Suspension as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Tamiflu Suspension by mouth with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.
- Shake well before each use.
- Use the measuring device that is provided with Tamiflu Suspension to measure your dose. Ask your pharmacist for help if you are unsure of how to measure your dose.
- If you are taking Tamiflu Suspension to treat the flu, start taking it as soon as possible from when you begin noticing flu symptoms.
- If you are using Tamiflu Suspension to prevent the flu, start taking it as soon as possible, as directed by your doctor.
- Take Tamiflu Suspension on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it.
- To clear up your infection completely, take Tamiflu Suspension for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days.
- Continue to take Tamiflu Suspension even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
- If you miss a dose of Tamiflu Suspension, take it as soon as possible. If it is within 2 hours of your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Tamiflu Suspension.
Important safety information:
- Tamiflu Suspension is effective against influenza types A (including H1N1 influenza [swine flu]) and B.
- Tamiflu Suspension may cause dizziness or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Tamiflu Suspension with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Tamiflu Suspension 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 Suspension will not prevent you from spreading influenza to others.
- Tamiflu Suspension works only against influenza types A and B; it does not treat bacterial or other viral infections.
- Patients with flu who take Tamiflu Suspension 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 Suspension before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Tell your doctor that you take Tamiflu Suspension before you receive any vaccines, including the intranasal live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV).
- Tamiflu Suspension 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 Suspension has sorbitol in it. If you have hereditary fructose intolerance, check with your doctor or pharmacist before you use Tamiflu Suspension.
- Tamiflu Suspension 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 Suspension while you are pregnant. It is not known if Tamiflu Suspension is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Tamiflu Suspension, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Tamiflu Suspension:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Diarrhea; nausea; stomach pain; vomiting.
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); abnormal behavior; confusion; hallucinations; mood or mental changes; reddened, blistered, peeling, or swollen skin; seizures; severe or persistent nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; symptoms of infection (eg, fever, chills, persistent sore throat).
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. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Tamiflu side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include nausea or vomiting.
Proper storage of Tamiflu Suspension:
Store Tamiflu Suspension in the refrigerator, between 36 and 46 degrees F (2 and 8 degrees C). Do not freeze. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Tamiflu Suspension should be used within 10 days of preparation. Keep Tamiflu Suspension out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Tamiflu Suspension, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Tamiflu Suspension is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is summary only. It does not contain all information about Tamiflu Suspension. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Tamiflu resources
- Tamiflu Side Effects (in more detail)
- Tamiflu Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Tamiflu Drug Interactions
- Tamiflu Support Group
- 20 Reviews for Tamiflu - Add your own review/rating
Compare Tamiflu with other medications
- Avian Influenza
- Influenza
- Influenza Prophylaxis
- Swine Flu
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