Tamiflu Drug Uses

What is Tamiflu?

Tamiflu is a medicine used in influenza. It may help ease the symptoms of the flu. Tamiflu contains oseltamivir. It belongs to a group of medicines of medicines called anti-virals. Tamiflu is made by Roche.

What Does Tamiflu Look Like?

There is a description of your medicine below. Unless your medicine is an injection, there is also a photograph. The color or shape of a medicine may change over time. You should always check with your prescriber or pharmacist if you are not sure what your medicine is or what it is for. Tamiflu 75mg capsules: an oval yellow and grey capsule with Roche 75mg on it. It comes in a Blister pack. Tamiflu 12mg/ml oral suspension: a white powder for oral suspension. It comes in an amber glass bottle.

Tamiflu and Influenza

Influenza, or the Bird flu is an illness caused by the influenza virus. People with influenza can have a number of different symptoms. These include running a temperature of more than 37.8¡ÆC (100¡ÆF), a cough, a runny or stuffy nose, headache, muscle aches and extreme tiredness. Anti-viral medicines help prevent the virus from spreading inside the body. In this way they may stop you catching the flu, or ease the symptoms if you already have them. Tamiflu belongs to a class of medicines called Anti-Virals. These medicines reduce the spread of the influenza virus inside the body and so help to ease or prevent the symptoms arising from the virus infection.

What is Tamiflu for?

These forms of Tamiflu are used to treat or prevent influenza. You should be treated as soon as possible if you get flu - within 2 days of starting symptoms or contact with an infected person is best. Tamiflu helps to ease or stop the symptoms of influenza virus infection.

Other Medical Considerations of Tamiflu

There are situations when you should not have Tamiflu, or it should only be used with extra care. Make sure your prescriber knows if you have any of the following: a problem with your kidneys. If you have any of the above your prescriber may need to give you a lower dose than usual, monitor you more closely or not treat you with Tamiflu.

Tamiflu, Influenza and Life

Important things to check before you take this medicine. You may want to look at this again if life changes. Medicines are designed to improve quality of life. But before taking a medicine there are some things that need to be considered by you and your prescriber before you take Tamiflu. If you have any questions, talk to your prescriber, pharmacist or nurse.

Tamiflu and Family Planning/Oral Contraceptives

It is not known if Tamiflu will affect the Oral contraceptive pills. If you need to take Tamiflu and are on a contraceptive pill, you should discuss family planning with your prescriber.

Tamiflu and Pregnancy

If you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant, do not take Tamiflu unless your prescriber tells you to. If you and your prescriber agree that you should take Tamiflu during your pregnancy, make sure that you tell everyone involved in your pregnancy care that you are taking Tamiflu.

Breast-Feeding

It is not known if Tamiflu passes to the baby in the breast milk. Make sure that you and your prescriber discuss breast-feeding and Tamiflu.

Tamiflu and Allergies

If you have any allergies, you should check that Tamiflu does not contain anything you are allergic to. If you are allergic to anything on the list, or you have had an allergy to Tamiflu before, you must not take Tamiflu. Talk to your prescriber at once.

Tamiflu and other Prescription Medicines It is very common for people to take more than one medicine at a time. Not all medicines agree with each other. When a person is taking more than one medicine, the medicines may affect each other. This is called an interaction. Interactions can make the medicine more or less effective. They can sometimes cause side effects. Your prescriber needs to know what other prescription medicines you are taking. If a medicine is likely to interact with Tamiflu, your prescriber may want to change your dose, monitor you more closely or prescribe something else. Prescriptions for other medicines can be written by your GP, hospital doctor, dentist, nurse or pharmacist. Make sure each of them knows what else you are taking each time you get a prescription for a new medicine. This way they can check that you can have the other medicines with Tamiflu.

Tamiflu and Non-Prescription Medicines It is possible to buy certain medicines without a prescription. If you buy a medicine without a prescription from a pharmacy, make sure you tell the pharmacist what other medicines you are taking. The pharmacist will be able to check that you can have the new medicine with Tamiflu.

Tamiflu and Herbal & Vitamin Supplements Herbal and homeopathic remedies, vitamins interact with Tamiflu. You need to tell your prescriber if you are taking any so that you can have the herbal or vitamin supplements with Tamiflu.

Driving and Operating Machinery Tamiflu is not known to have any effect on your ability to drive or use machines.

Tamiflu and Alcohol

It is not known if alcohol affects you when you are taking Tamiflu. Drinking alcohol can make you more sleepy, dizzy or light-headed. Many drinks contain alcohol including beer, lager, wine, spirits and alcopops.

Tamiflu and Diet

Tamiflu is not known to be affected by any food. So you do not need to change what you eat while you are having Tamiflu.

Tamiflu, Food and Meals

Food does not affect the way Tamiflu works. But it is best to take it after food, as you are less likely to feel or be sick.

How To Take Tamiflu

Tamiflu 75mg capsules: It is best not to break, crush or chew Tamiflu. Swallow the medicine whole. You should take Tamiflu with a full glass of water as this makes it easier to swallow. You can drink another glass of water after taking the medicine if you wish. Tamiflu 12mg/ml oral suspension: See the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with the medicine for detailed information on taking this form of Tamiflu.

How Quickly Does Tamiflu Work?

Tamiflu starts to work in a few hours. But when you first start to take Tamiflu it may be a few days before it starts to help you.

What If I Take Too Much?

If you have a single extra dose of Tamiflu, or have your dose too early, it is not likely to cause problems. But more than one extra dose of Tamiflu can be dangerous. If you take extra doses, call your prescriber or go straight to your local Accident and Emergency department, taking your medicine with you. If you are not sure, call your prescriber or doctor.

What If I Miss A Tamiflu Dose?

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, and then go on as before. But if the next dose is due within 2 hours, take the missed dose now, skip the next dose, and then return to your normal pattern. Do not take 2 doses at the same time.

Can I Change My Dose?

You should not change your dose of Tamiflu without talking to your prescriber first. If you are having problems with your dose, talk to your prescriber.

Can I Stop Taking Tamiflu?

You should not stop taking Tamiflu until you have finished your course. If you stop before finishing the course, you will be at risk of catching the flu. And if you have the virus already, it will not be as effective at easing your symptoms.

How Long Will I Need To Take Tamiflu?

To prevent influenza it is normal to take Tamiflu for at least 7 days. To treat influenza it is normal to take Tamiflu for 5 days. Your prescriber will tell you how long to take it for. Remember you must finish the course - even if you feel well. This is to make sure that you get the full benefits from your medicine.

What If Tamiflu Is Not Working?

If Tamiflu does not control your influenza symptoms, talk to your prescriber. Even if you think Tamiflu is not working, do not stop taking it until you have talked to your prescriber.

What If I Feel Ill?

If you feel ill and you think it may be because of Tamiflu, you should talk to your prescriber or call your doctor or prescriber. If you feel ill for some other reason such as a stomach upset, you still need to have your normal amount of Tamiflu if possible. If you cannot take Tamiflu or you cannot keep the medicine down, talk to your prescriber.

How Do I Store Tamiflu?

If you are in charge of storing the Tamiflu, follow these instructions. Try to keep Tamiflu in the original container, as the dose will be on the label and it will help keep the medicine in the best condition. Do not take Tamiflu after the expiry date shown on the packaging. Tamiflu 75mg capsules: Always keep Tamiflu in a safe place where children cannot reach or see it. An ideal place is a locked cabinet, 1.5 metres (5 feet) off the ground. Tamiflu 12mg/ml oral suspension: Do not store above 30¡ÆC (85¡ÆF). It is best to avoid placing this medicine close to a radiator, boiler or airing cupboard. Once you have made the suspension, store it in the the fridge. It needs to be kept cool (between 2¡ÆC/36¡ÆF and 8¡ÆC/46¡ÆF). Make sure that it is out of the reach of children. Always keep Tamiflu in a safe place where children cannot reach or see it. An ideal place is a locked cabinet, 1.5 metres (5 feet) off the ground. Do not use Tamiflu if it shows signs of damage. If you have any unused Tamiflu, return it to your pharmacist who will dispose of it safely.

Tamiflu Side-Effects - What to Watch Out For

This is the list of side-effects that Tamiflu can cause. You may not get any of these side-effects, but you may get some. While you are taking Tamiflu, these are the things you should watch out for: Aches and pains, Allergic reactions sometimes leading to shock, Asthma - or pre-existing asthma, Bronchitis, Chest infection, Conjunctivitis, Dermatitis, Diarrhoea, Difficulty sleeping, Dizziness, Ear infection, Ear problems, Erythema multiforme Headache, Hepatitis, Indigestion, Liver problems, Lymphadenopathy, Nausea, Nose bleed, Rash or rashes, Runny nose, Sinusitis, Stevens Johnson syndrome, Symptoms of a cold, Tiredness, Tummy pain, Urticaria, Vomiting If you have any of the above, it may be due to the medicine. Read the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with your medicine for more information. If you did not get a Patient Information Leaflet with your medicine, ask your pharmacist for one. If you feel unwell or are worried, contact your prescriber, pharmacist or nurse at once. Do not waste any time if you feel very ill. Your prescriber may decide to change the dose or stop you from having this medicine again.

Tamiflu Ingredients

If you are allergic to anything that is listed below for your form of Tamiflu, or you have reacted badly to Tamiflu before, do not take Tamiflu. Talk to your prescriber, pharmacist or nurse at once and check that they still want you to have Tamiflu.
Tamiflu 75mg capsules: Black iron oxide (E172), Croscarmellose Sodium, FD and C Blue 2 indigo carmine, Gelatin, Oseltamivir, Povidone, Pregelatinised maize starch, Red iron oxide, Shellac, Sodium Stearyl Fumarate, Talc, Titanium dioxide, Yellow iron oxide. Tamiflu 12mg/ml oral suspension:Oseltamivir, Saccharin sodium, Sodium benzoate, Sodium dihydrogen citrate, Sorbitol, Titanium dioxide, Tutti Frutti flavor, Maltodextrins (maize), Propylene glycol, Arabic gum, Natural identical flavoring substances(mainly consisting of banana, pineapple and peach flavor), Xantham gum

Prescription Medicine Interactions

The following medicines may interact with Tamiflu: Chlorpropamide, Methotrexate, Phenylbutazone. If you are taking Tamiflu and one of the above medicines or type of medicines, talk to your prescriber, pharmacist, or nurse. If you are not sure if your medicine belongs to one of these categories, talk to your prescriber of pharmacist. Read the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with your medicine for more information.

Disclaimer

This tamiflu mexican pharmacy information is for your information purposes only, it is not intended that this information covers all tamiflu uses, directions, drug interactions, precautions, or adverse effects of your medication. This is only general Tamiflu information, and should not be relied on for any purpose. It should not be construed as containing specific instructions for any particular patient. We disclaim all responsibility for the accuracy and reliability of this Tamiflu Mexican pharmacy information, and/or any consequences arising from the use of this information, including damage or adverse consequences to persons or property, however such damages or consequences arise. No warranty, either expressed or implied, is made in regards to this information.