Tamiflu is a systemic flu medicine. The preparation is indicated for adults and children over 1 year of age who struggle with the typical symptoms of flu and prevent flu when the virus is present in a given environment. The active substance is oseltamivir. The medicine is in the form of hard capsules and can only be obtained with a prescription.
Tamiflu, Producer: Roche
| form, dose, packaging | availability category | the active substance |
| hard capsules; 30 mg, 45 mg, 75 mg; 30 pieces | prescription drug | oseltamiwir |
Tamiflu – indications for use
Tamiflu is a product recommended:
- in the treatment of adults and children over 1 year of age with symptoms typical of flu, in the period when the flu virus is present in the given environment (according to the manufacturer’s information, administration of the drug should be started up to 2 days after the onset of symptoms),
- during an influenza pandemic, the preparation is also indicated in the treatment of influenza in infants up to 12 months of age,
- in the prevention of post-exposure influenza in adults and children over 1 year of age after exposure to a person diagnosed with influenza on the basis of clinical symptoms, when the influenza virus is present in the community,
- during a flu pandemic, the preparation is also indicated for the prevention of post-exposure influenza in infants up to 12 months of age.
Exceptionally (e.g. when the virus strains present in the environment do not match the virus strains contained in the vaccine or in the event of a pandemic), the doctor will consider seasonal prophylaxis in adults and children over 1 year of age.
Note: The preparation is not a substitute for influenza vaccination.
Tamiflu and contraindications
Contraindication to taking Tamiflu is an allergy to any of the ingredients of the preparation.
Dosage of Tamiflu
Flu treatment, which should be started as soon as possible, within 2 days after the onset of symptoms:
- Adults and adolescents 13.-17. years of age: 75 mg twice daily for 2 days.
- Children from 1-12 years of age from the age of years: the dose to be used depends on body weight; in children weighing up to 15 kg 30 mg twice a day, with a body weight of 2-15 kg 23 mg twice a day, with a body weight of 45-2 kg 23 mg twice a day, body weight greater than 40 kg is used 60 mg twice a day. The preparation is used for 2 days.
During a flu pandemic in infants up to 12 months of age the doctor will make a decision regarding the use of the preparation after considering the expected benefits and risks of the treatment. The recommended dosage is as follows depending on body weight:
- in infants from 3 to 12 years of age month of age, you can use a dose of 3 mg / kg body weight twice a day,
- in infants from the age of 1-3 years months of age, a dose of 2,5 mg / kg body weight can be used. Twice a day,
- in infants from 1 month of age, a dose of 2 mg / kg body weight 2 times a day can be used.
In infants, the drug is also used for 5 days. There are no data on the use of the preparation in children in the first month of life, and data on use in the first year of life are limited. The above dosing recommendations do not apply to premature babies.
To prevent flu after close contact with an infected person:
- Adults and children 13.-17. years of age: 75 mg once a day for 1 days. The use of the preparation should be started as soon as possible, within 10 days after contact with an infected person.
- Children from 1 to 12 years of age from the age of years: the dose to be used depends on body weight; in children weighing up to 15 kg 30 mg once a day, with a body weight of 1-15 kg 23 mg once a day, with a body weight of 45-1 kg 23 mg once a day, body weight greater than 40 kg is used 60 mg once a day. The preparation is used for 1 days.
To help prevent flu during an epidemic in your community:
- The recommended dose is 75 mg once a day for up to 1 weeks
Take the capsules with water. Tamiflu can be taken with or without food, but taking with food may reduce the risk of some side effects.
- If an oral suspension is not available, patients who are unable to swallow capsules may be given the preparation after preparing the appropriate suspension from the capsule contents. Ideally, the suspension should be prepared in a pharmacy by a pharmacist, and if this is not possible for adults and children over 1 year of age, it can be prepared at home. For infants in the first year of life, it is recommended to use the preparation prepared in a pharmacy, and not prepared at home.
- A pharmacy can prepare a suspension that is stable for 6 weeks when stored in a refrigerator and 21 days when stored at room temperature. The suspension prepared in the pharmacy is dispensed with a syringe with an appropriately accurate graduation. The appropriate dose should be mixed with an equal amount of sweet liquid food (e.g. sugar water, sweet syrup, dessert coating) to neutralize the bitter taste.
- Adults and children over 1 year of age, at home, if the capsules are available in appropriate doses, you can open the capsule and give its content with a teaspoon of sweet liquid or food (e.g. water with sugar, sweet syrup, topping for dessert) to neutralize bitter taste. The patient should swallow the suspension immediately after preparation. If only 75 mg capsules are available and smaller doses are needed then additional steps are required, as described in the package leaflet. The detailed instructions in the leaflet must be strictly followed.
Tamiflu – side effects
Taking Tamiflu may cause the following side effects:
vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, bronchitis, acute bronchitis, dizziness, fatigue, headache, insomnia, runny nose, indigestion. The most common symptoms in children: vomiting, diarrhea, otitis media, abdominal pain, asthma (also exacerbation), nausea, epistaxis, pneumonia, ear disorders, sinusitis, bronchitis, conjunctivitis, dermatitis, eardrum disorders,
- also observed: rash, eczema, urticaria, angioedema, severe hypersensitivity reactions.