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What is the most important information I should know about
oseltamivir?
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Oseltamivir is used to treat flu symptoms caused by influenza virus
in patients who have had symptoms for less than 2 days. Oseltamivir may
also be given to prevent influenza in people who may be exposed but do
not yet have symptoms. Oseltamivir will not treat the common cold. |
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Treatment with oseltamivir should start as soon as possible when flu
symptoms appear, such as fever, chills, muscle aches, sore throat, and
runny or stuffy nose. |
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Take this medication for as many days as it has been prescribed for
you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve
before the infection is completely treated. |
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Some people using oseltamivir have had rare side effects of
confusion, delirium and self-injury. These symptoms have occurred most
often in children. It is not known whether oseltamivir was the exact
cause of these symptoms. However, anyone using oseltamivir should be
watched closely for signs of confusion or unusual behavior. Call a
doctor at once if you or the child using oseltamivir has any of these
symptoms. |
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Oseltamivir should not be used in place of getting a yearly flu shot.
The lefts for Disease Control recommends an annual flu shot to help
protect you each year from new strains of influenza virus. |
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Oseltamivir is an antiviral medication that blocks the actions of
influenza virus types A and B in your body. |
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Oseltamivir is used to treat flu symptoms caused by influenza virus
in patients who have had symptoms for less than 2 days. Oseltamivir may
also be given to prevent influenza in people who may be exposed but do
not yet have symptoms. Oseltamivir will not treat the common cold. |
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Oseltamivir may also be used for purposes other than those listed in
this medication guide. |
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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using
oseltamivir?
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Oseltamivir should not be used in place of getting a yearly flu shot.
The lefts for Disease Control recommends an annual flu shot to help
protect you each year from new strains of influenza virus. |
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Before taking oseltamivir, tell your doctor if you have received a
nasal flu vaccine within the past 2 weeks, or if you have: |
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any other serious health problems. |
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If you have any of the conditions listed above, you may not be able
to use oseltamivir or you may need a dosage adjustment or special
monitoring during treatment. |
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FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an
unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become
pregnant during treatment. |
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It is not known whether oseltamivir passes into breast milk or if it
could harm a nursing baby. Do not take this medication without telling
your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. |
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Do not give this medication to a child younger than 1 year old. |
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How should I take oseltamivir?
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Take oseltamivir exactly as your doctor has prescribed it for you.
Do not take more of the medication than recommended. Do not take
oseltamivir for longer than your doctor has prescribed. |
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Treatment with oseltamivir should start as soon as possible when flu
symptoms appear, such as fever, chills, muscle aches, sore throat, and
runny or stuffy nose. |
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Take the oseltamivir capsule with a full glass of water. |
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Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you
measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid
with the syringe provided with the medicine. Do not measure the medicine
with a regular table spoon. If you do not have the syringe or another
medicine dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one. |
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You may take oseltamivir with or without food. If the medicine
upsets your stomach, it may help to take it with food or milk. |
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To treat flu symptoms: Take oseltamivir every 12 hours for 5
days. To prevent flu symptoms: Take oseltamivir every 24 hours
for 10 days or as prescribed. Follow your doctor's instructions. |
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Take this medication for as many days as it has been prescribed for
you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve
before the infection is completely treated. |
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Store oseltamivir capsules at room temperature away from moisture
and heat. |
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Store oseltamivir liquid in the refrigerator but do not freeze.
Throw away any unused liquid after 10 days. |
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What happens if I miss a dose?
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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If your next dose is
less than 2 hours away, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at
the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to
make up the missed dose. |
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What happens if I overdose?
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Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much
of this medicine. |
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Symptoms of an oseltamivir overdose may include nausea and vomiting. |
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What should I avoid while taking oseltamivir?
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There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activities while
taking oseltamivir unless otherwise directed by your doctor. |
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What are the possible side effects of oseltamivir?
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Stop using oseltamivir and get emergency medical help if you have
any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty
breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat; a red and
blistering or peeling skin rash. |
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Some people using oseltamivir have had rare side effects of
confusion, delirium and self-injury. These symptoms have occurred most
often in children. It is not known whether oseltamivir was the exact
cause of these symptoms. However, anyone using oseltamivir should be
watched closely for signs of confusion or unusual behavior. Call a
doctor at once if you or the child using oseltamivir has any of these
symptoms. |
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Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as: |
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nausea, vomiting, diarrhea; |
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eye redness or discomfort; |
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sleep problems (insomnia); or |
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cough or other respiratory symptoms. |
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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to
your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is
especially bothersome. |
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What other drugs will affect oseltamivir?
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There may be other that can affect oseltamivir. Tell your doctor
about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use.
This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed
by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling
your doctor. |
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Where can I get more information?
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Your pharmacist has more information about oseltamivir written for
health professionals that you may read. |
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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of
children, never share your medicines with others, and use this
medication only for the indication prescribed. |
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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided
by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete,
but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained
herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for
use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and
therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States
are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug
information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend
therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed
to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients
and/ or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and
not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of
healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug
or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given
patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of
healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The
information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses,
directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions,
or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking,
check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. |
Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 4.02. Revision date: 11/
14/ 06. |
