Why Oseltamivir?
Oseltamivir is a medication that decreases the spread of influenza A and B viruses, the viruses responsible for the "flu." Neuraminidase is an enzyme that enables influenza virus to spread from infected cells to healthy cells. Oseltamivir blocks the action of neuraminidase (it is a neuraminidase inhibitor) thereby reducing the spread of influenza. 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 after symptoms begin.
What is Oseltamivir Prescribed For?
Oseltamivir is used for the treatment of uncomplicated influenza infection in adults who have had symptoms for no longer than two days. It also is approved for prevention of influenza in children (one year and older) and adults.
Dosage Information
Oseltamivir is administered orally. The recommended dose is one tablet twice daily for five days. For the best results, treatment should begin as soon as symptoms develop.
Drug Interactions
There are no known interactions between oseltamivir and other drugs. Oseltamivir does not interact with the flu vaccine. Therefore, vaccinated individuals can use oseltamivir and vice versa.
Pregnancy
Oseltamivir has not been adequately evaluated in pregnant women.
Nursing Mothers
The use of oseltamivir in nursing mothers has not been evaluated.
Side Effects
The most frequent side effects are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bronchitis, abdominal pain, headache and dizziness. Administering oseltamivir after meals helps reduce nausea.
Other Uses For Oseltamivir
Oseltamivir may be used to treat and prevent infections from avian (bird) influenza (a virus that usually infects birds but can also cause serious illness in humans). Oseltamivir also may be used to treat and prevent infections from from influenza A (H1N1). H1N1 influenza (flu) also has been called swine influenza (swine flu) because the virus that is infecting humans is related to one that usually infects pigs. However, there is no danger of getting this flu from eating pork or pork products.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
What Special Precautions Should I Follow?
Before taking oseltamivir,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to oseltamivir or any other medications.
- tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: medications that affect the immune system such as azathioprine (Imuran); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); cancer chemotherapy medications; methotrexate (Rheumatrex); sirolimus (Rapamune); oral steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Deltasone); or tacrolimus (Prograf). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you have ever taken oseltamivir to treat or prevent the flu.
- tell your doctor if you have any disease or condition that affects your immune system such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or if you have heart, liver, lung, or kidney disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking oseltamivir, call your doctor.
- you should know that some people who have taken oseltamivir to treat the flu became confused, behaved strangely, had anxiety, nightmares, hallucinations (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist), and harmed themselves, in some cases causing death. These symptoms were most common in children and teenagers, but were also experienced by adults. Because these symptoms may happen suddenly after taking oseltamivir, you should watch your child's behavior very carefully and call the doctor right away if he or she becomes confused or behaves abnormally. If you are taking oseltamivir, you, your family, or your caregiver should call the doctor right away if you become confused, behave abnormally, or think about harming yourself. Be sure that your family or caregiver knows which symptoms may be serious so they can call the doctor if you are unable to seek treatment on your own.
- ask your doctor if you should receive a flu vaccination each year. Oseltamivir does not take the place of a yearly flu vaccine. If you received or plan to receive the intranasal flu vaccine (FluMist; flu vaccine that is sprayed into the nose), you should tell your doctor before taking oseltamivir. Oseltamivir may make the the intranasal flu vaccine less effective if it is taken up to 2 weeks after or up to 48 hours before the intranasal flu vaccine is given.
- if you have fructose intolerance (an inherited condition in which the body lacks the protein needed to break down fructose, a fruit sugar, such as sorbitol), you should know that the oseltamivir suspension is sweetened with sorbitol. A 75 mg dose of oseltamivir suspension contains 2 grams of sorbitol, which is likely above the recommended maximum daily amount of sorbitol for someone with this condition. Tell your doctor if you have fructose intolerance.
What Other Information Should I Know?
Oseltamivir will not stop you from giving the flu to others. You should wash your hands frequently, and avoid practices such as sharing cups and utensils that can spread the virus to others.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. If you still have symptoms of the flu after you finish taking oseltamivir, call your doctor.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
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