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Patient Information Sheet
Oseltamivir Phosphate (marketed as Tamiflu)
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This is a summary of the most important information about Tamiflu. For details, talk to your healthcare professional.
What is Tamiflu used for?
Tamiflu is for treating adults, adolescents, and pediatric patients 1year of age and older with the flu whose flu symptoms started within the last day or two. Tamiflu is also used to reduce the chance of getting the flu in people aged 1 year and older who have a higher chance of getting the flu because they spend time with someone who has the flu. Tamiflu can also reduce the chance of getting the flu if there is a flu outbreak in the community.
Special Warnings Concerning Tamiflu:
- Tamiflu’s safety and effectiveness have not been determined in people with chronic heart or lung disease, kidney failure, or in people with high-risk underlying medical conditions.
- People with the flu, particularly children and adolescents, may be at an increased risk of seizures, confusion, or abnormal behavior early during their illness. These events may occur shortly after beginning Tamiflu or may occur when flu is not treated. These events are uncommon but may result in accidental injury to the patient. Therefore, patients should be observed for signs of unusual behavior and a healthcare professional should be contacted immediately if the patient shows any signs of unusual behavior.
General Precautions with Tamiflu:
- Tamiflu has not been shown to treat flu-like illnesses caused by any virus other than influenza A and B (e.g., stomach flu, common cold, or other respiratory illnesses not caused by influenza).
- Other kinds of infections can appear like influenza or occur along with influenza, and need different types of treatment. Contact your healthcare provider if you feel worse or develop new symptoms during or after treatment, or if your influenza symptoms do not start to get better.
- Taking Tamiflu should not affect your decision to have an annual influenza vaccination.
- The safety and efficacy of repeated courses of treatment have not been established.
- Tamiflu is not indicated for treatment or prevention of the flu in patients less than 1 year of age.
What should I tell my doctor or healthcare professional?
Tell your doctor or healthcare professional if you:
- are taking any other medications
- have any type of kidney disease
- are trying to become pregnant, are already pregnant, or are breast-feeding
What are some possible side effects of Tamiflu? (This is NOT a complete list of side effects reported with Tamiflu. Your healthcare professional can discuss with you a more complete list of side effects.)
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- bronchitis
- stomach pain
- dizziness
- headache
For more detailed information about Tamiflu, ask your healthcare professional.
Link to Tamiflu's Approved Labeling and Patient Information
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Date Approved: October 27, 1999; Date Updated: March 10, 2008 |
