Pronunciation: OH-sel-TAM-i-vir
Generic Name: Oseltamivir
Brand Name: Tamiflu
Oseltamivir 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.
Oseltamivir is an antiviral. It works by stopping the flu virus from reproducing within the body.
Do NOT use Oseltamivir if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Oseltamivir
- 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 Oseltamivir:
Some medical conditions may interact with Oseltamivir. 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 Oseltamivir. 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 Oseltamivir
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Oseltamivir 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 Oseltamivir:
Use Oseltamivir as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Oseltamivir by mouth with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.
- If you are taking Oseltamivir to treat the flu, start taking it as soon as possible from when you begin noticing flu symptoms.
- If you are using Oseltamivir to prevent the flu, start taking it as soon as possible, as directed by your doctor.
- Take Oseltamivir on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it.
- To clear up your infection completely, take Oseltamivir for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days.
- Continue to take Oseltamivir even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
- If you miss a dose of Oseltamivir, 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 Oseltamivir.
Important safety information:
- Oseltamivir is effective against influenza types A (including H1N1 influenza [swine flu]) and B.
- Oseltamivir may cause dizziness or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Oseltamivir with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Oseltamivir 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.
- Oseltamivir will not prevent you from spreading influenza to others.
- Oseltamivir works only against influenza types A and B; it does not treat bacterial or other viral infections.
- Patients with flu who take Oseltamivir 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 Oseltamivir before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Tell your doctor that you take Oseltamivir before you receive any vaccines, including the intranasal live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV).
- Oseltamivir 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.
- Oseltamivir 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 Oseltamivir while you are pregnant. It is not known if Oseltamivir is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Oseltamivir, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Oseltamivir:
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: Oseltamivir 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 Oseltamivir:
Store Oseltamivir at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Oseltamivir out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Oseltamivir, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Oseltamivir 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 Oseltamivir. 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 Oseltamivir resources
- Oseltamivir Side Effects (in more detail)
- Oseltamivir Dosage
- Oseltamivir Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Oseltamivir Drug Interactions
- Oseltamivir Support Group
- 20 Reviews for Oseltamivir - Add your own review/rating
- oseltamivir Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Oseltamivir Phosphate Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Tamiflu Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Tamiflu Consumer Overview
Compare Oseltamivir with other medications
- Avian Influenza
- Influenza
- Influenza Prophylaxis
- Swine Flu
