Medications and Drugs
Pharmacy Author: Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD
Medical and Pharmacy Editor: Jay W. Marks, MD
GENERIC NAME: oseltamivir
BRAND NAME: Tamiflu
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Oseltamivir is an oral medication used for treating
and preventing the "flu." It is similar to zanamivir (Relenza). Oseltamivir
suppresses and decreases the spread of influenza A and B viruses, the viruses
responsible for the flu. It does this by blocking the action of neuraminidase,
an enzyme produced by the viruses that enables the viruses to spread from
infected cells to healthy cells. By preventing the spread of virus from cell to
cell, the symptoms and duration of influenza infection are reduced. On average,
oseltamivir reduces the duration of symptoms by one and a half days if treatment
is started within forty-eight hours of the beginning of symptoms. The FDA
approved oseltamivir in October 1999.
GENERIC AVAILABLE: No
PRESCRIPTION: Yes
PREPARATIONS: Capsules: 30, 45, and 75 mg. Suspension: 12 mg/ml
STORAGE: Oseltamivir should be stored at room temperature, 15-30 C (59-86 F).
PRESCRIBED FOR: Oseltamivir is used for the treatment of uncomplicated
infections with the influenza viruses, including
H1N1, in adults and children
(one year and older) within two days of the beginning of symptoms. It also is
approved for emergency use in children less than 1 year old. Oseltamivir can be
used for preventing the flu in healthy individuals, but it is not a substitute
for flu vaccine.
DOSING: Oseltamivir is administered orally.
- The recommended dose for treating
adults is 75 mg twice daily for five days.
- Children are treated with 30-75 mg
twice daily depending on body weight.
For the best results, treatment should
begin within 2 days of symptom onset. The recommended dose for preventing flu
after close contact with an infected individual is 75 mg daily for 10 days.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Oseltamivir potentially may interfere with the action of
the live attenuated flu vaccine that is given by injection because oseltamivir
prevents viral replication. Therefore, live attenuated flu vaccine should not be
administered within two weeks before or 48 hours after administration of
oseltamivir.
PREGNANCY: The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends use of
oseltamivir for treating flu in pregnant women.
NURSING MOTHERS: The CDC recommends that women with flu who have recently
given birth may be treated with oseltamivir. Oseltamivir is approved for use in
children one year old and older, and available evidence suggests that the risk
of adverse events is low when oseltamivir is used in children less than 1 year
old.
SIDE EFFECTS: The most frequent side effects of oseltamivir are nausea,
vomiting, diarrhea, bronchitis, abdominal pain, headache and dizziness.
Administering oseltamivir after meals helps reduce nausea. Other reported
adverse events include allergic reactions, skin reactions,
seizures, behavioral
disturbances, and aggravation of diabetes.
REFERENCES:
Tamiflu Prescribing Information, 2008. Roche Laboratories.
CDC. "Updated Interim Recommendations for the Use of Antiviral Medications in the Treatment and Prevention of Influenza for the 2009-2010 Season."
Last Editorial Review: 11/11/2009
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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