OSELTAMIVIR (Systemic)
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.?
In Canada?
Category
Description
Oseltamivir (Oh-sel-TAM-i-veer)belongs to thefamily of medicines called antivirals, which are used to treat infectionscaused by viruses. Oseltamivir is used in the treatment of the infection causedby the flu virus (influenza A and influenza B). Oseltamivir may reduce flusymptoms (weakness, headache, fever, cough, and sore throat) by 1 day. Oseltamiviris also used to prevent influenza infection if you have come into close contactwith someone who has the flu.
If you receive the flu vaccine every year, continue to do so. Oseltamiviris not a substitute for your yearly flu shot.
Oseltamivir is available only with your doctor's prescription in the followingdosage form:
Oral- Capsules (U.S. and Canada)
- Oral suspension (U.S.)
Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine,the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it willdo. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For oseltamivir, thefollowing should be considered:
Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusualor allergic reaction to oseltamivir. Also tell your health care professionalif you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives,or dyes.
Pregnancy?Oseltamivir has not been studied in pregnant women.However, studies in animals have shown that oseltamivir causes problems. Beforetaking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or ifyou may become pregnant.
Breast-feeding?It is not known whether oseltamivir passes intohuman breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in smallamounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers whoare using this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this withtheir doctor.
Children?This medicine has not been tested in children youngerthan 1 year of age.
Older adults?This medicine has been tested in older adults andhas not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older adultsthan it does in younger adults.
Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other casestwo different medicines may be used together even if an interaction mightoccur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautionsmay be necessary. When you are taking oseltamivir it is especially importantthat your doctor and pharmacist know if you are taking any of the following:
- Probenecid (e.g., Benemid)?Co-administration may result inhigher blood levels of the active metabolite of oseltamivir
Other medical problems?The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of oseltamivir. Make sure to tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Kidney disease or
- Heart disease or
- Illnesses caused by viruses other than influenza Type A or B or
- Liver disease or
- Lung disease or
- Serious medical problems that may need admission to a hospital?Safetyof this medicine for people with these conditions is not established.
Proper Use of This Medicine
Talk to your doctor about the possibilityof getting a flu shot if you have not had one yet. Patient information aboutoseltamivir is available. Read this information carefully.
For patients taking oseltamivir for treatment of theflu: This medicine works best if taken within 2 days of having flusymptoms (weakness, headache, fever, cough, and sore throat). Oseltamivircapsules may be taken with meals or on an empty stomach. Taking oseltamivirwith food may lessen the possibility of stomach upset. This medicine shouldbe taken for 5 days. Continue taking this medicine forthe full time of treatment even if you begin to feel better after afew days. This will help to clear up your infection completely. If you stoptaking this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return.
For patients taking oseltamivir for prevention of theflu after exposure: The medicine should be taken within 2 days ofbeing exposed to the flu. Oseltamivir capsules may be taken with meals oron an empty stomach. Taking oseltamivir with food may lessen the possibilityof stomach upset. This medicine should be taken for at least 10 days.
For patients taking the oral suspension formof this medicine:
- This medicine is to be taken only by mouth. Use the specially markedmeasuring device that is given to you with the medicine to measure each doseaccurately. The average household spoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.If the measuring device provided with the medicine is lost or damaged, contactyour pharmacist or doctor to find out the appropriate doses.
- Do not use after the expiration date on the label. The medicine maynot work properly after that date. If you have any questions about this, checkwith your pharmacist.
Dosing?The dose of oseltamivirwill be different for different patients. Follow yourdoctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following informationincludes only the average doses of oseltamivir. If your dose is different,do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
- For oral dosage forms (capsules and oralsuspension):
- For treatment of the flu:
- Adults and teenagers: 75 milligrams (mg) two times a day for fivedays.
- Children 1 year of age or older: Dose is based on body weight andmust be determined by your doctor. It is usually between 30 and 75 mg twotimes a day for five days.
- Children up to 1 year of age: Use and dose must be determined byyour doctor.
- For prevention of the flu:
- Adults and teenagers: 75 mg once a day for at least ten days.
- Children 1 year of age or older: Dose is based on body weight andmust be determined by your doctor. It is usually between 30 and 75 mg onetime a day for ten days.
- Children up to 1 year of age: Use and dose must be determined byyour doctor.
Missed dose?This medicine works best when there is a constantamount in the body. To help keep the amount constant, do not miss any doses.If you miss a dose, take as soon as possible, except if it is near the nextdose (within 2 hours). Then go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do notdouble doses. If you have missed several doses, inform your doctor and followthe advice given to you.
Storage?To store this medicine:
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Do not store the capsules in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink,or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to breakdown.
- Store the oral suspension at room temperature or in the refrigerator.However, keep the medicine from freezing.
- Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be surethat any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
If your symptoms do not improve after you finishtaking the medicine, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicinemay cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects mayoccur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Stop using this medicine and get emergency help immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare
Abdominal or stomach cramps or tenderness; arm, back or jaw pain; bloating; chest pain or discomfort; chest tightness or heaviness; diarrhea, watery and severe, whichmay also be bloody; drooling; facial swelling; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever; hoarseness; humerus fracture (broken forearm); increased thirst; pain; shortness of breath; tender glands of jaw and throat; unusual tiredness or weakness; unusual weight loss
Incidence not known
Blistering, peeling, loosening of skin; chills; convulsions; darkurine; difficulty swallowing; fainting; fast, slow or irregular heartbeat; general tiredness and weakness; hivesor welts; itching; itching,puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips or tongue; joint or muscle pain; light-colored stools; loss of bladder control; loss of consciousness; muscle spasmor jerking of all extremities; red irritated eyes; red skin lesions, often with a purple center; redness of skin; shortness of breath; skin rash; skin rash oritching over the entire body; sore throat; sores, ulcers, or white spots in mouth or on lips; sudden loss of consciousness; sweating; swelling of the face or tongue; tightness in chest; unusual tiredness or weakness; upper right abdominal pain; weakness; yellow eyes and skin
Other side effects mayoccur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may goaway during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, checkwith your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
Less common
Abdominal or stomach pain; bloody noseor unexplained nosebleeds (occurs mainly in children); burning, dry or itching eyes, redness, pain, swelling of eye or eyelid, orexcessive tearing (occurs mainly in children); cough; dizziness; ear disorder(occurs mainly in children); fatigue; headache; trouble in sleeping
Incidence not known
Blistering, crusting, irritation, itching, or reddening of skin; blurred vision; cracked,dry, scaly skin; dry mouth; flushed, dry skin; fruit-like breath odor; increased hunger; increased urination; mood or mental changes; skin rash encrusted, scaly and oozing; stomachache; swelling; unexplainedweight loss
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. Ifyou notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Developed: 01/13/2000
Revised: 01/12/2006
