Tamiflu

Tamiflu contains oseltamivir, a neuraminidase inhibitor used for the treatment and prevention of influenza A and B. By blocking the neuraminidase enzyme on the surface of the influenza virus, oseltamivir prevents new virus particles from being released from infected cells, limiting the spread of infection. Treatment must begin within 48 hours of symptom onset to be effective, reducing the duration of illness by approximately one to two days.

How to Take Tamiflu

Take Tamiflu (oseltamivir) with or without food. For best results with treatment, start within 48 hours of the first symptoms of influenza (fever, muscle aches, sore throat). The usual treatment course is 75 mg twice daily for five days. For prevention after contact with a confirmed flu case, take 75 mg once daily for ten days.

Complete the full course even if you start feeling better after a day or two. Stopping early can allow the virus to continue replicating, and antiviral resistance may develop.

Treatment: 75 mg twice daily for 5 days. Prevention (post-exposure): 75 mg once daily for 10 days. Dose reduction in renal impairment.

Common Side Effects

Common side effects include:

• Nausea (the most common, taking with food significantly reduces this)
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Abdominal pain

These are usually mild and short-lived. Rarely, Tamiflu has been associated with neuropsychiatric events such as confusion, abnormal behaviour, or self-harm, particularly in children and adolescents. Monitor patients closely and seek medical advice if unusual behaviour or confusion develops during treatment.

Most effective when started within 48 hours of symptoms. Not a substitute for annual influenza vaccination. May cause neuropsychiatric events (hallucinations, abnormal behaviour) in rare cases, particularly in children.

Contraindicated in known hypersensitivity to oseltamivir.