Tamiflu Oral
In Depth
- Uses and How to Use
- Dosage and Storage
- Precautions and Side Effects
- Drug Interactions
- Drug Images
Pronounced: (oss-el-TAM-eh-veer)
Tamiflu Oral Uses
Oseltamivir is used to treat symptoms caused by the flu virus (influenza). It helps make the symptoms (such as stuffy nose, cough, sore throat, fever/chills, aches, tiredness) less severe and shortens the recovery time by 1-2 days. This medication is also used to prevent the flu if you have been exposed to someone who already has the flu (such as a sick household member) or if there is a flu outbreak in the community.
This medication works by stopping the flu virus from growing. It is not a substitute for the flu vaccine. (See also Notes section.)
How To Use Tamiflu Oral
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking this medicine. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food. You may take it with food or milk to minimize stomach upset. Take this medication as soon as flu symptoms appear or as soon as possible after you have been exposed to the flu. Oseltamivir works best if you start taking it within 2 days of either of these events.
Shake the bottle well before each dose. Your pharmacist will provide you with an oral dosing dispenser marked in milligrams (mg). Measure each dose carefully using the device as instructed. If your doctor's dosing instructions are in milliliters (mL) or teaspoons instead of milligrams, your pharmacist should give you a different dosing dispenser (such as oral syringe) which is marked in milliliters. Your pharmacist should show you exactly how much medication to use for each dose. Give the dose directly in the mouth. Do not mix with other liquids. After each use, rinse the dispenser with tap water and let it air dry. If you lose or damage the dosing dispenser, consult your pharmacist on what oral syringe you should use instead, and how to correctly measure the dose.
If you have the flu, take oseltamivir as directed by your doctor, usually twice a day for 5 days.
To prevent the flu, take oseltamivir as directed by your doctor, usually once a day for at least 10 days. Follow your doctor's instructions for how long to take this medicine.
