Tamiflu 75mg

Tamiflu general information

What is Tamiflu used for?

Tamiflu capsules 75mg are used for treatment and prophylaxis (preventing infection) of influenza infection in adults and children one year and older, who have had flu symptoms for no more than two days. Influenza is a viral infection that is transmitted by inhaling droplets containing live virus particles in the aerosol produced by coughs and sneezes from an infected person. Once the virus is inhaled into your airways, it replicates and spreads to cause the infection with symptoms including fever, headache, muscle aches, sore throat, cough and extreme tiredness. Tamiflu capsules 75mg can help reduce the risk of catching flu if you are exposed to the infection, or if you already have the flu, it can help reduce the duration and severity of symptoms and also reduce the risk of you developing complications due to secondary bacterial infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia. Tamiflu capsules 75mg are not the same as a vaccine for the flu, which you may also be recommended to have for certain strains of influenza; also Tamiflu capsules 75mg are not effective against other viral infections.

How does Tamiflu work?

Tamiflu capsules 75mg contain oseltamivir, a prodrug that is converted to its active form by the liver once swallowed. Oseltamivir in Tamiflu capsules 75mg is a potent and selective inhibitor of the influenza virus neuraminidase enzyme. The viral neuraminidase plays an important role in allowing the virus to enter and infect host cells (cells of your respiratory tract) as well as allowing it to be released from infected cells after it has replicated. This action of oseltamivir in Tamiflu capsules 75mg confines the infection until your immune system is activated and kills the virus, reducing flu symptoms and preventing infection of surrounding uninfected cells thereby preventing new virus particles being released and further spread of infectious virus. Tamiflu capsules 75mg are effective against influenza viruses of types A, which infect species other than humans and cause the pandemic infections such as H1N1 (known as swine flu) and types B, which are less common and usually only infect humans.

What does Tamiflu contain?

Tamiflu capsules 75mg contain the active ingredient oseltamivir phosphate, a potent and selective inhibitor of the influenza virus neuraminidase enzymes used to treat and prevent influenza infection. They also contain povidone K30, pre-gelatinised starch, croscarmellose sodium, talc, sodium stearyl fumarate black iron oxide, red iron oxide, yellow iron oxide, titanium dioxide, gelatin, printing ink: dehydrated alcohol, shellac, n-butyl alcohol, titanium dioxide, FDC blue 2, SDA-3A alcohol.

Treating influenza with Tamiflu

Tamiflu capsules 75mg contain oseltamivir that is used to treat and prevent influenza infection which is a viral infection that is transmitted by inhaling droplets containing live contagious virus particles in the aerosol produced by coughs and sneezes from an infected person. Once the virus is inhaled into your airways, it replicates and spreads to cause the infection with symptoms including fever, headache, muscle aches, sore throat, cough and extreme tiredness. Oseltamivir in Tamiflu capsules 75mg is a potent and selective inhibitor of the influenza virus neuraminidase enzyme, which plays an important role in allowing the virus to enter and infect host cells (cells of your respiratory tract) as well as allowing it to be released from infected cells after it has replicated. This action of oseltamivir in Tamiflu capsules 75mg confines the infection until your immune system is activated and kills the virus, reducing flu symptoms and preventing infection of surrounding uninfected cells thereby preventing new virus particles being released and further spread of infectious virus. Tamiflu capsules 75mg are effective against influenza viruses of types A, which infect species other than humans and cause the pandemic infections such as H1N1 (known as swine flu) and types B, which are less common and usually only infect humans.

What are the side effects of Tamiflu?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Tamiflu capsules 75mg include: gastrointestainal upset (diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, indigestion), headache, fatigue, nosebleed (epistaxis), ear problems, conjunctivitis (eye infection).

When should Tamiflu not be used?

You should not use Tamiflu capsules 75mg if you:

• are allergic to oseltamivir or any ingredients in Tamiflu
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding, without discussion with your doctor
• have kidney disease

How should Tamiflu be taken?

You should take your Tamiflu capsules 75mg twice daily, with or without food, to treat symptoms of flu infection. You should start taking your Tamiflu capsules 75mg as soon as possible but at least within 48 hours of developing symptoms and continue taking them for 5 days. For flu prevention you should take your Tamiflu capsules 75mg once daily, with or without food, for 10 days and you should start taking your Tamiflu capsules 75mg within 48 hours of being exposed to someone who has influenza infection. You can continue to take your should take your Tamiflu capsules 75mg for up to 6 weeks during an outbreak of flu in the community.

How long should you take Tamiflu?

You should continue to take your Tamiflu capsules 75mg for as long as recommended by your doctor; for treatment of flu the course is usually 5 days and for prevention the course is usually 10 days. You should complete your course of Tamiflu capsules 75mg, even if you feel better.

Missed dose of Tamiflu

If you miss a dose of Tamiflu capsules 75mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

How should Tamiflu be stored?

You should store your Tamiflu capsules 75mg below 30°C in a cool dry place.