Tamiflu Information
[] Tamiflu is a drug with generic name
of Oseltamivir. It is a drug belonging to the family of
antivirals. Anti-virus drugs such as Tamiflu are used to
treat diseases that are caused by viruses thus, the name
antiviral.
Tamiflu Indications
Tamiflu is indicated for the treatment
of viral infections especially flu viruses. Tamiflu can
treat influenza A and influenza B.
Tamiflu can also decrease the ailments
that occur together with flu such as weakness, headache,
cough, fever and sore throat in just the first day of intake.
Tamiflu can also prevent the onset
of flu even if you have been exposed to people who have
it.
Tamiflu Warnings
Before deciding to take Tamiflu,
tell your doctor if you have known or unknown allergies
to Tamiflu's components as you may be advised not to take
Tamiflu.
Tamiflu has not been tested on pregnant
women yet but animals studies have shown that Tamiflu can
cause birth defects on the animals that were tested. If
you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, do not
take Tamiflu or buy Tamiflu without first consulting your
doctor.
Tamiflu passes into the breast milk
of nursing mothers and it is fairly safe to breast feed
an infant provided that you first discuss with your doctor
the risks and odds of breast feeding.
Before taking Tamiflu, if you have
any of the following medical conditions, it is best that
you first inform your doctor about it as having them may
affect the effect of Tamiflu on your body:
- Heart problems
- Kidney ailments
- Other viral infections aside
from Influenza A or Influenza B.
- Lung Problems
- Liver diseases
- Other serious medical problems
that need constant medical attention
Tamiflu Intake Guidelines
Take Tamiflu as exactly directed
by your doctor. Never deviate from your doctor’s instructions
on how to take Tamiflu.
Tamiflu can be taken with or without
food as it is not a stomach irritant. But if Tamiflu is
taken with food, the lesser are the chances of stomach upsets.
Tamiflu can be taken for a minimum
of 5 days and the taking of Tamiflu should not be abruptly
ceased even if the patient begins to feel better. The patient
should continue with Tamiflu until the duration specified
by the doctor as this would help clear out the infection
more efficiently.
If you are using the oral suspension
of Tamiflu, be sure to accurately measure the exact doses
of Tamiflu through a dose-measuring cup or spoon to prevent
Overdosage. Also make sure the bottle containing the Tamiflu
suspension is shaken well before use to disperse and mix
the contents of Tamiflu well.
Before you buy Tamiflu, the expiration
dates on the Tamiflu medicine should also first be checked
before taking it as taking an expired medicine may do you
more harm than good.
Tamiflu Dosage
For the treatment of Influenza,
the dosage of Tamiflu is:
- 75 mg of Tamiflu for adults to
be taken twice a day for up to five days
- 30-75 mg of Tamiflu for children
to be taken twice a day for up to five days. The exact
dose of Tamiflu is usually dependent upon the body weight
and other factors determined by your doctor.
- The dose of Tamiflu for infants
must be determined by a pediatrician.
For the prophylactic treatment of
influenza with Tamiflu, the dosage is:
- 75 mg of Tamiflu for adults to
be taken once a day for up to 7 days
- The dosage of Tamiflu for children
must be determined by a pediatrician.
The recommended oral dose of TAMIFLU
oral suspension for pediatric patients 1 year and older
or adult patients who cannot swallow a capsule is:
| Body
Weight in kg |
Body
Weight in lbs |
Recommended
Dose
for 5 Days |
Number of
Bottles Needed to
Obtain the
Recommended
Dose |
| </=15 kg
|
</=33 lbs
|
30 mg twice
daily |
1 |
| >15 kg to
23 kg |
>33 lbs to
51 lbs |
45 mg twice
daily |
2 |
| >23 kg to
40 kg |
>51 lbs to
88 lbs |
60 mg twice
daily |
2 |
| >40 kg |
>88 lbs |
75 mg twice
daily |
3 |
Tamiflu Overdose
There are no data about the symptoms
of Tamiflu overdose but if you suspect Tamiflu overdose
and notice anything of the unusual, immediately seek emergency
medical attention.
Tamiflu Missed Dose
The effects of Tamiflu can only
be fully felt when Tamiflu is continuously taken at a regular
interval. If possible, it should be ensured that no dose
of Tamiflu is missed. However, if it unavoidable that a
dose of Tamiflu is missed, you should take the dose you
missed as soon as you remember provided that it is not near
the time for the next dose. Never take the missed dose of
Tamiflu two hours (or earlier) before the next dose of Tamiflu.
Do not take double doses of Tamiflu.
Tamiflu Side Effects
Taking Tamiflu may entail some unwanted
side effects. The side effects of Tamiflu may range from
mild to severe. These are the side effects associated with
Tamiflu:
- Cough
- Phlegm production
- Wheezing
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach cramps
- Stomach upsets
- Nosebleed (frequently and most
commonly occurring in children)
- Itching of eyes
- Redness of eyes
- Skin flushing
- Swelling of eyes and excessive
production of tears
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Insomnia
- Dizziness
Other side effects of Tamiflu aside
from these may also occur aside from the ones mentioned
above and if you experience any of these side effects and
if they become intolerable and bothersome immediately discontinue
use of Tamiflu and ask your doctor on what to do next.
* If you or your loved ones
are showing signs of the flu, call your doctor or pediatrician
immediately. Why is it urgent to act quickly? Because the
antiviral medications that can stop the flu episode need
to be prescribed and treatment begun within 48 hours of
the first symptoms.
The antiviral medication TAMIFLU was prescribed more often
than any other during last year's flu season. It is indicated
for the treatment of influenza in patients aged 1 year and
older who have had symptoms for no more than 2 days.
TAMIFLU attacks the influenza virus and stops it from spreading
inside your body. TAMIFLU treats flu at its source by attacking
the virus that causes the flu, rather than simply masking
symptoms.
TAMIFLU is also indicated for the prevention of influenza
in adults and adolescents aged 13 years and older. Call
your doctor now. Ask if TAMIFLU is right for you for the
treatment or prevention of flu. | 
We welcome your 