OSELTAMIVIR

(os el TAM ih veer) Brand: Tamiflu

What is the most significant information I must know about oseltamivir?

• Some people using oseltamivir have had rare side effects of sudden confusion, shaking, problems with speech, hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that are not there), or seizure (convulsions). It is not known whether oseltamivir was the exact reason of these symptoms.

What is oseltamivir?

• Oseltamivir is an antiviral medicine that blocks the actions of influenza virus types A and B in your body.

• Oseltamivir is used to treat influenza in people 2 weeks of age and older who have had flu symptoms for 2 days or smaller. Oseltamivir may also be given to prevent influenza in people who are at least 1 year old, who may be exposed but do not yet have symptoms. Oseltamivir will not treat the general cold.

• It is dangerous to purchase oseltamivir on the Internet or from vendors external of the United States. Medications distributed from Internet sales may contain dangerous ingredients, or may not be distributed by a licensed pharmacy. Samples of "Tamiflu" purchased on the Internet have been found to contain cloxacillin, a type of antibiotic that can have dangerous side effects in people who are allergic to penicillin. For more information, contact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or visit www.fda.gov/buyonlineguide.

• Oseltamivir may also be used for purposes not listed in this medicine guide.

What must I discuss with my healthcare provider till using oseltamivir?

• Oseltamivir must not be used in seat of getting a yearly flu shot. The Centers for Malady Control recommends an annual flu shot to help protect you every year from new strains of influenza virus.

• You must not use this medicine if you are allergic to oseltamivir.

• To create certain oseltamivir is safety for you, speak your doctor if you have:

· kidney disease;

· heart malady or chronic lung disease;

· a condition causing swelling or mess of the brain;

· weak immune system (caused by malady or by using determined medicine);

· hereditary fructose intolerance; or

· if you have used a nasal flu vaccine (FluMist) within the past 2 weeks.

• FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether oseltamivir is deleterious to an unborn child. However, not receiving this medicine to prevent influenza could be deleterious to the child if the mother becomes infected with a malady that oseltamivir could prevent. Speak your doctor if you are pregnant. Your doctor will solve whether you must receive oseltamivir.

• It is not known whether oseltamivir passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing child. Speak your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

• Do not use this medicine to prevent influenza in a baby younger than 1 year old. Do not use this medicine to treat influenza in a baby younger than 2 weeks old.

How must I take oseltamivir?

• Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medication in larger or less amounts or for longer than recommended.

• Start taking oseltamivir as soon as possible after flu symptoms appear, such as fever, chills, muscle aches, sore throat, and runny or stuffy nose.

• Take the oseltamivir capsule with a full glass of water.

• Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just till you measure a doze. Measure the liquid with a particular dose-measuring spoon or medication cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

• You may open the oseltamivir capsule and sprinkle the medication into a sweet liquid (corn syrup, chocolate syrup, brown sugar dissolved in water) to create swallowing easier. Swallow the mixture right away without chewing. Do not save for later use. Ask your doctor or pharmacist till using this method to prepare an oseltamivir doze for a baby who is younger than 13 years old or weighs smaller than 88 pounds.

• Oseltamivir may be taken with food or milk if it upsets your stomach.

• To treat flu symptoms: Take oseltamivir each 12 hours for 5 days.

• To prevent flu symptoms: Take oseltamivir each 24 hours for 10 days or as predesigned. Follow your doctor's instructions.

• Use this medicine for the entire length of time predesigned by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better till the infection is completely treated. Speak your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse.

• Store oseltamivir capsules at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

• Store oseltamivir liquid in the refrigerator but do not freeze. Throw away any unused liquid after 17 days.

• The liquid may also be stored at cold room temperature for up to 10 days

What happens if I miss a dose?

• Take the missed doze as soon as you remember. Skip the missed doze if your following doze is smaller than 2 hours away. Do not take extra medication to create up the missed doze.

What happens if I overdose?

• Search abnormal medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What must I avoid while taking oseltamivir?

• Do not use a nasal flu vaccine (FluMist) within 48 hours after taking oseltamivir. Oseltamivir may interfere with the drug action of FluMist, making the vaccine smaller effective. Follow your doctor's instructions.

What are the possible side effects of oseltamivir?

• Get abnormal medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction:

· chest pain or tightness, difficult breathing;

· fever, sore throat, swelling in your person or tongue, burning in your eyes; or

· hives, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the person or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

• Some people using oseltamivir have had rare side effects of sudden confusion, shaking, problems with speech, hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that are not there), or seizure (convulsions). These symptoms have occurred most often in children, but it is not known whether oseltamivir was the exact reason. Anyone using oseltamivir must be watched closely for signs of confusion or unusual behavior, especially a child.

• General side effects may include:

· nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach pain.

• This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may message side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What another drugs will affect oseltamivir?

• Another drugs may interact with oseltamivir, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal commodity. Speak every of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medication you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about oseltamivir.

Remember, hold this and all another medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the indication prescribed.

Disclaim: Each effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses external of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way must be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safety, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the help of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.