What is Tamiflu?
Tamiflu is an antiviral drug that inhibits the action of influenza viruses A and B within your body. Tamiflu is a medication used to treat symptoms of the flu caused by the influenza virus in patients who have been suffering for less than two days. Tamiflu can be prescribed to help prevent the spread of influenza among people who are exposed but have not yet developed symptoms. Tamiflu does not treat the common cold.
Tamiflu is not to be used as a substitute for taking a flu shot every year. The Centres for Disease Control suggest an annual flu shot to protect your body from the emergence of new strains of the influenza virus.
Warnings
Tamiflu is a medication used to treat flu-related symptoms due to influenza viruses in people who have been suffering from manifestations for less than two days. Tamiflu can also be used to help prevent the spread of influenza among people who have been exposed but have not yet developed symptoms. This medicine cannot treat common colds.
Before taking Tamiflu, tell your doctor if you've taken a nasal flu vaccination within the last 2 weeks or if you suffer from kidney disease, lung disease, heart disease, or another serious health condition or illness. Inform your doctor if there is any medical condition that causes swelling or a disorder in the brain. Use Tamiflu for as long as prescribed, regardless of whether you begin to improve. The symptoms could begin to improve before the condition is fully treated.
Some users of oseltamivir have experienced rare adverse effects like unexpected confusion, delirium, strange behaviour, hallucinations, or self-injury. These manifestations have been observed mostly in children. It isn't known if this medication was the primary reason behind these symptoms. But any person taking this medicine must be observed attentively for indications of agitation or abnormal behavior. Contact a physician immediately in the event that you or a child taking this medicine exhibits any of these signs.
Before taking this medication
You shouldn't take Tamiflu if you're allergic to oseltamivir. Don't use Tamiflu in order to combat the flu-like symptoms of children younger than two weeks old. Young children as old as one year old can take this medication to help prevent flu symptoms.
Inform your doctor if you ever had:
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Renal disease (or if you're taking dialysis);
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The chronic lung or heart conditio
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An illness that causes swelling or disorders of the brain.
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A weak immune system (caused through illness or taking certain medicines);
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Hereditary fructose intolerance, or
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If you've taken an influenza nasal vaccination ( FluMist) within the last two weeks.
It isn't known if this medicine can harm the unborn baby. However, being sick during pregnancy with influenza can result in complications, which could lead to birth defects such as the birth weight being low, preterm birth or stillbirth. The doctor will decide if you should take oseltamivir or not if you are expecting. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests pregnant women get an annual flu shot to avoid the flu. Oseltamivir is not to be taken in lieu of the annual flu vaccine. It isn't known if Tamiflu gets into breast milk or whether it can harm the nursing infant. Consult your physician if you are breastfeeding a child.
How to take Tamiflu?
Follow the exact dosage as recommended by your physician. Follow the instructions on your prescription label, and review all medication guides or instructions sheets. Make sure you use the medicine precisely as directed. Begin taking Tamiflu as soon as you can when flu-like symptoms start to manifest including fever, chills, aches in the muscles, pain, sore throat and stuffy or runny nose. Consume this capsule by drinking a cup of water. Shake your oral suspension (liquid) prior to using it to take a dosage. Make use of the dosing syringe supplied or a dosage measuring device (not an ordinary spoon).
Tamiflu is a medicine that can be taken in conjunction with food if it causes upset to your stomach. To treat symptoms of flu Take Tamiflu each 12 hours for five days. To help prevent flu-like symptoms To prevent flu-like symptoms, take Tamiflu every 24 hours for a period of 10 days or as directed by your doctor. Follow the instructions of your physician. Be sure to read and adhere to any instructions for use that are included in your medication. Consult your physician or pharmacist if you don't understand these directions.
Take this medication for the entire prescribed amount of time, even if symptoms improve quickly. Inform your doctor if symptoms do not improve or if they become worse. The capsules should be stored at room temperature, away from heat and moisture. Storage of your liquid medicines in the fridge. However, don't freeze. Dispose of any liquid that is not used within 17 days. Its liquid could be kept at room temperature in a cool, dry room for up to 10 days.
What happens If I miss a dose?
Utilise the medicine as soon as you are able, but do not miss any missed doses if the scheduled dose comes due within less than two hours. Do not take two doses at once.
What happens if I overdose?
For medical emergencies, seek emergency medical attention or contact the Poison Help line toll-free at 1-800-222-1222.
What should be avoided?
Do not take the nasal flu vaccination (FluMist) in the first 48 hours following the use of Tamiflu. Oseltamivir can affect the drug fluMist's action and make the vaccine less efficient. Follow the instructions of your doctor.
Side effects of Tamiflu:
Contact a medical professional immediately. If you are experiencing symptoms that indicate that you are experiencing an allergic reaction with Tamiflu (hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your throat or face) or a severe skin reaction (fever and burning eyes, sore throat, and skin irritation, as well as either a purple or red skin eruption that blisters and peels),
Some individuals who take Tamiflu (especially kids) have experienced an abrupt change in behaviour or mood. It is not certain that oseltamivir is the sole reason behind these symptoms. Even without oseltamivir, any person suffering from influenza may experience behavioural or neurologic signs. Call your doctor immediately if you suspect that a person taking this medicine is suffering from:
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Sudden confusion;
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Shakes or tremors;
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Unusual behaviour or
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Hallucinations (hearing the sounds of things or seeing images that aren't present)
Common Tamiflu adverse effects could include:
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Nausea,
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Vomiting;
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Headache Or
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Pain.
This isn't a complete list of all the side effects. Others could happen. Contact your doctor for advice regarding medical adverse effects. You can report symptoms to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interaction with other drugs
Other medications may be incompatible with oseltamivir, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines as well as vitamins or herbs. Inform your doctor about your current medications as well as any medications you are about to start or stop taking.
