Tamiflu
Tamiflu™ is used to treat symptoms caused by the flu virus (influenza). It helps make the symptoms (e.g., 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.
How to Take
Tamiflu
Take Tamiflu™ orally as directed by your doctor. You may take it
with food or milk to minimize stomach upset. Take Tamiflu™ as
soon as flu symptoms appear or as soon as possible after you
have been exposed to the flu. Tamiflu™ works best if you start
taking it within 2 days of either of these events. If you have
the flu, take Tamiflu™ usually twice a day for 5 days, or as
directed by your doctor. To prevent the flu, take Tamiflu™
usually once a day for at least 7 days, or as directed by your
doctor. Follow your doctor's instructions for how long to take
Tamiflu™. This medication works best when the amount of medicine
in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, take this
drug at evenly spaced intervals at the same time(s) every day.
Continue to take it for the full time prescribed. Stopping
Tamiflu™ too early may allow the virus to continue to grow,
which may result in a relapse of the infection or failure to
protect you from the flu. Inform your doctor if your condition
persists or worsens or if new symptoms appear.
Tamiflu Precautions
Before taking Tamiflu™, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you
are allergic to it or if you have any other allergies. Before
using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your
medical history, especially of kidney disease. This drug may
make you dizzy; use caution engaging in activities requiring
alertness such as driving or using machinery. Limit alcoholic
beverages. This medication should be used only when clearly
needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with
your doctor. It is not known if this drug passes into breast
milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Drug Interactions
Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may
already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be
monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage
of any medicine before checking with them first. Before using
this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all
prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use.
Patient Information
The most common side effects seen with Tamiflu™ are nausea and
vomiting. They may occur as your body adjusts to this medication
and usually go away after 1-2 days. Dizziness may also occur. If
you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing;
closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or
rash) stop taking Tamiflu™ and seek emergency medical attention.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk
to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that
is especially bothersome. Tamiflu™ is supplied as 75-mg
grey/light yellow hard gelatin capsules. "ROCHE" is printed in
blue ink on the grey body and "75 mg" is printed in blue ink on
the light yellow cap.
Inventory Status:
Tamiflu is IN STOCK at all our pharmacies. Orders placed before
4pm EST are usually shipped the same day.
About the Avian Flu Virus: • The current Asian outbreak of avian
flu, also known as bird flu, is associated with the influenza A
strain H5N1 flu virus. Although not the same as the Spanish flu
virus that claimed 20 million to 50 million lives worldwide in
the 1918 outbreak, the current avian flu strain does share many
characteristics with the 1918 strain. Both scientists and
governments around the world are studying this threat very
closely and some have warned of the potential for another
pandemic outbreak. Initial studies have shown that Tamiflu may
be effective in helping to fight the effects of this flu virus
if the medication is taken very early after flu symptoms appear.
• Oseltamivir, sold under the brand name Tamiflu, is one of
several antiviral medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration for the treatment and prevention of influenza.
Flu shots are still the best way to prevent someone from
developing the flu, but as of this writing no vaccine is
available to protect humans from the avian H5N1 influenza virus.
According to the CDC, development of a vaccine has begun.
• For more information about avian influenza, visit the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention Web site www.cdc.gov/avian.