Tamiflu 75mg Capsules

Tamiflu contains oseltamivir. It prevents the flu virus from spreading inside the body. It also helps to ease or prevent the symptoms of the flu virus infection. The medicine will attach itself to cells infected and stop the infected cell from being able to release the virus inside. This prevents more cells from becoming infected and lowers the amount of virus inside the body.

Influenza, usually called flu, is an infection caused by a virus. The signs of flu often include a sudden fever (more than 37.8 °C), cough, runny or stuffy nose, headaches, muscle aches and extreme tiredness. These symptoms can also be caused by other infections.

True influenza infection only occurs during annual outbreaks (epidemics) when flu viruses are spreading in the local community. Outside epidemic periods, flu-like symptoms are usually caused by a different type of illness.

How Effective is Tamiflu?

If taken within the first 48 hours of the flu, Tamiflu can shorten the severity and duration of the flu by several days. It also lowers the risk of complications such as pneumonia by over 40% and the risk of hospitalisation by over 60%.

Even taking these tablets later than the 48 hours can still be beneficial especially if you are at a higher risk of complications. 

Are You Contagious When Taking Tamiflu?

You can remain contagious with the flu for up to three weeks after your symptoms start. This applies even if you have taken antiviral medication such as Tamiflu (oseltamivir). Follow the same recommendations on staying home - until you have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medicines to reduce fever.

DO NOT TAKE TAMIFLU IF:

You are allergic (hypersensitive) to oseltamivir or any of the other ingredients

You have stomach 'flu' - Stomach flu is not a form of influenza. It is therefore better to referred to as gastroenteritis. Gastroenteritis affects the stomach, whilst influenza affects the respiratory system. Tamiflu is not suitable for use in the treatment of stomach flu.

Before taking make your doctor aware:

• if you are allergic to other medicines

• if you have problems with your kidneys. If so, your dose may need adjustment

• if you have a severe medical condition, which may require immediate hospitalisation

• if your immune system is not working

• if you have chronic heart disease or respiratory disease.

• if you take chlorpropamide (used to treat diabetes)

• if you take methotrexate (used to treat e.g. rheumatoid arthritis)

• if you take phenylbutazone (used to treat pain and inflammation)

• if you take probenecid (used to treat gout)

• if you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breastfeeding.

Ingredients:

• Each hard capsule contains oseltamivir equivalent to 75 mg of oseltamivir

• The other ingredients are:
  capsule contents: pregelatinised starch, talc, povidone, croscarmellose sodium and sodium stearyl fumarate
  capsule shell: gelatin, yellow iron oxide (E172), red iron oxide (E172), black iron oxide (E172) and titanium dioxide (E171)
  printing ink: shellac (E904), titanium dioxide (E171) FD and C Blue 2 (indigo carmine E132)

Initiate treatment with TAMIFLU within 48 hours of influenza symptom onset.

Take ONE Capsule twice daily for 5 days.

Swallow the capsules whole with water. Do not break or chew the capsules.

Tamiflu can be taken with or without food, although taking it with food can reduce the chance of feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting).

If you take more Tamiflu than you should:

Stop taking Tamiflu and contact a doctor or pharmacist immediately.

If you forget to take Tamiflu:

Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten capsule.

If you stop taking Tamiflu:

There are no side effects when you stop Tamiflu. But if Tamiflu is stopped earlier than your doctor told you, the symptoms of flu may come back. Always complete the course that your doctor prescribed.

Common side effects of Tamiflu include:

• nausea

• vomiting

• diarrhea

• dizziness

• headache

• nosebleed

• eye redness or discomfort

• sleep problems (insomnia) or

• cough or other respiratory problems

• The flu itself or Tamiflu may rarely cause serious mental/mood changes.

Find out more on the patient information leaflet

Tell your doctor of any signs of unusual behavior, including confusion, agitation, or self-injury.