Tamiflu: Rapidly Reduce Influenza Severity and Duration
| Product dosage: 75 mg | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Package (num) | Per cap | Price | Buy |
| 10 | $6.63 | $66.30 (0%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
| 20 | $6.18 | $132.60 $123.56 (7%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
| 30 | $5.69 | $198.90 $170.78 (14%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
| 60 | $5.24 | $397.81 $314.43 (21%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
| 90 | $4.77
Best per cap | $596.71 $428.95 (28%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
Synonyms | |||
Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate) is an FDA-approved antiviral prescription medication specifically designed to target and combat influenza viruses types A and B. It functions as a neuraminidase inhibitor, disrupting the replication and spread of the virus within the body. When initiated within 48 hours of symptom onset, Tamiflu is clinically proven to shorten the duration of flu illness, reduce the severity of symptoms, and may decrease the risk of certain flu-related complications. This makes it a cornerstone in both the treatment and prophylaxis of seasonal influenza in patients one year of age and older.
Features
- Active ingredient: oseltamivir phosphate
- Available in capsule (30 mg, 45 mg, 75 mg) and oral suspension formulations
- Prescription-only antiviral medication
- Specifically inhibits influenza neuraminidase enzyme
- Suitable for patients aged 1 year and older
- Manufactured under stringent quality control standards
Benefits
- Reduces the duration of influenza symptoms by approximately one day
- Decreases the severity of flu-related symptoms such as fever, cough, and body aches
- Lowers the risk of influenza-related complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia
- Can be used for post-exposure prevention in individuals who have been in contact with someone diagnosed with the flu
- Helps individuals return to normal daily activities more quickly
- Supported by extensive clinical trial data and real-world evidence
Common use
Tamiflu is indicated for the treatment of uncomplicated acute influenza in patients 2 weeks of age and older who have been symptomatic for no more than 48 hours. It is also approved for the prophylaxis of influenza in patients 1 year of age and older. The medication is most effective when started early in the course of the illness. Healthcare providers may prescribe it for patients with confirmed or suspected influenza during flu season, particularly for those at high risk of complications, including elderly patients, young children, pregnant women, and individuals with certain chronic medical conditions.
Dosage and direction
For treatment of influenza:
- Adults and adolescents (13 years and older): 75 mg twice daily for 5 days
- Children (1 year to 12 years): Dosage based on weight (30 mg to 75 mg) twice daily for 5 days
- Infants (2 weeks to less than 1 year): 3 mg/kg twice daily for 5 days
For prophylaxis of influenza:
- Adults and adolescents (13 years and older): 75 mg once daily for at least 10 days
- Children (1 year to 12 years): Dosage based on weight (30 mg to 75 mg) once daily for 10 days
Tamiflu may be taken with or without food; however, taking with food may reduce potential nausea. For patients who have difficulty swallowing capsules, the oral suspension is available or capsules may be opened and mixed with sweetened liquids. Always use the provided dosing syringe for oral suspension to ensure accurate measurement.
Precautions
- Tamiflu is not a substitute for annual influenza vaccination
- Use with caution in patients with renal impairment; dosage adjustment required for creatinine clearance below 60 mL/min
- Not studied in patients with severe hepatic impairment
- Monitor patients, especially children and adolescents, for neuropsychiatric events
- Use during pregnancy only if clearly needed; limited human data available
- Exercise caution in breastfeeding women; oseltamivir is excreted in human milk
- May not be effective against influenza viruses that have developed resistance
- Does not prevent bacterial infections that may occur with influenza
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to oseltamivir phosphate or any component of the formulation
- Patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance below 10 mL/min) not on dialysis
- History of serious skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis with previous oseltamivir use
Possible side effect
Common side effects (≥1%) include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
Less common side effects:
- Bronchitis
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Vertigo
Rare but serious side effects requiring immediate medical attention:
- Severe skin reactions
- Anaphylaxis and allergic reactions
- Hepatotoxicity
- Neuropsychiatric events (especially in children)
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome
- Toxic epidermal necrolysis
- Erythema multiforme
Drug interaction
- Not extensively metabolized; low potential for cytochrome P450 interactions
- May interact with probenecid, resulting in increased exposure to oseltamivir carboxylate
- Live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) should not be administered within 48 hours before or 2 weeks after Tamiflu treatment
- No clinically significant interactions with common medications such as amoxicillin, cimetidine, or acetaminophen
- Use caution with nephrotoxic drugs in patients with renal impairment
Missed dose
If a dose is missed, take it as soon as remembered unless it is near the time of the next scheduled dose. Do not double the dose to make up for a missed one. Resume the regular dosing schedule. For prophylaxis regimens, continue the prescribed course without extending beyond the recommended duration.
Overdose
Cases of overdose have been reported with Tamiflu. Single doses up to 1000 mg have been associated with nausea and vomiting. No specific antidote exists. General supportive care is recommended, including monitoring of vital signs and observation of clinical status. Hemodialysis removes oseltamivir carboxylate (the active metabolite); however, its effectiveness in overdose situations has not been established. Contact a poison control center or seek immediate medical attention for overdose management.
Storage
- Store capsules at room temperature (20-25°C or 68-77°F)
- Keep in original container with lid tightly closed
- Protect from moisture
- Oral suspension: Store constituted suspension either at room temperature for 10 days or refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F) for 17 days
- Do not freeze
- Keep out of reach of children and pets
- Properly discard any unused medication after the appropriate storage period
Disclaimer
This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Tamiflu is a prescription medication that should be used only under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. Individual results may vary. Always consult with your healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment recommendations tailored to your specific medical condition. Do not initiate or discontinue any medication without professional medical guidance.
Reviews
“Clinical studies demonstrate that early administration of oseltamivir reduces median time to symptom improvement by approximately one day compared to placebo. In high-risk populations, treatment was associated with a reduction in influenza-related complications.” - Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
“In our pediatric population, Tamiflu significantly reduced the duration of fever and viral shedding when initiated within 24 hours of symptom onset. The oral suspension formulation was generally well-tolerated.” - Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
“Post-exposure prophylaxis with oseltamivir demonstrated 68-89% effectiveness in preventing laboratory-confirmed influenza in household settings. The convenience of once-daily dosing supports adherence to prophylactic regimens.” - New England Journal of Medicine