Tamiflu
Tamiflu, generically known as oseltamivir phosphate or simply oseltamivir, is an antiviral medication used to treat certain types of influenza (flu) infection in people over the age of one year. It is also prescribed to prevent the flu in those who are elderly, very young or already ill from other diseases.
When used to treat the flu, Tamiflu is most effective when taken during the first or second day of symptoms. It can shorten the length of time the illness persists.
How Does Tamiflu Work?
Tamiflu is an antiviral drug manufactured by Roche that prevents the spread of the flu virus within the human body. This allows the patient to regain health faster. The duration of symptoms like fever, chills, coughs, muscle and joint aches, sore throat and runny nose is thereby shortened. Technically speaking, Tamiflu is a neuraminidase inhibitor.
Tamiflu Dosage
For treatment of existing flu, the dosage for adults is 75 milligrams twice a day for five days. The dosage for children is based on weight and given twice a day for five days. Adult patients with renal impairment are to take 75 milligrams once a day for five days.
For the prevention of flu, the adult dosage is 75 milligrams once a day for at least 10 days. The children's dosage is based on weight and is taken once a day. In case of a community outbreak, this dosage may be taken for as long as six weeks. Renally impaired adults should take either 75 milligrams every other day or 30 milligrams daily to prevent the flu.
How Long Does a Course of Tamiflu Last?
When used to treat the flu, a course of Tamiflu lasts for five days. When used to prevent catching the virus, a course lasts for at least 10 days. In the case of a community outbreak, a preventative dose may be taken for as long as six weeks.
How Effective is Tamiflu?
Tamiflu has been proven to shorten the duration of the flu by 30 percent when taken within the first two days of experiencing symptoms, which translates to an average improvement of 1.3 days. When used for prevention, Tamiflu prevented flu in 92 percent of people who took it within 48 hours of exposure.
Tamiflu Side Effects
Common side effects of Tamiflu can include stomach pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, headache and nausea. Serious side effects include itching, rash, blisters, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face and tongue, hoarseness and changes of behaviour. If a patient experiences any serious side effects, Tamiflu should be stopped and a doctor contacted immediately.
What Other Medications Affect Tamiflu?
Medications that can interact with Tamiflu include immune system drugs, chemotherapy medications and oral steroids. Patients should also tell their doctors about all other drugs, medications and dietary supplements they are taking.
Who Should Not Take Tamiflu?
Anyone who has recently had, or intends to have, the nasal flu vaccine should not take Tamiflu within two weeks of the vaccine. This is because Tamiflu can interfere with the effectiveness of the nasal vaccine.
People with fructose intolerance may not be able to take the oral suspension version of Tamiflu because it is sweetened with sorbitol. There are two milligrams of sorbitol per 75 milligram dose of oral Tamiflu.
