Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: OSELTAMIVIR (OH-sel-TAM-i-vir)
This medicine is an antiviral used for treating influenza, including H1N1 influenza (swine flu), in patients 1 year of age and older who have had symptoms for no more than 2 days. It may also be used to prevent influenza in patients 1 year of age and older.
Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE IF you are going to have an intranasal live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) within the next 2 days or you have had such a vaccine within the past 2 weeks. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including if you have kidney problems; liver problems; mood or mental problems; allergies; pregnancy; or breast-feeding. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using this medicine.
Follow the directions for taking this medicine provided by your doctor. TAKE THIS MEDICINE by mouth with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation. IF YOU ARE TAKING THIS MEDICINE TO TREAT THE FLU, start taking it as soon as possible from when you begin noticing flu symptoms. IF YOU ARE USING THIS MEDICINE TO PREVENT THE FLU, start taking it as soon as possible, as directed by your doctor. STORE THIS MEDICINE at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from heat, moisture, and light. Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. TAKE THIS MEDICINE ON A REGULAR SCHEDULE to get the most benefit from it. To clear up your infection completely, TAKE THIS MEDICINE FOR THE FULL COURSE OF TREATMENT. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days. Continue to take this medicine even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. If it is within 2 hours of your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE IF you are allergic to any ingredient in this medicine. THIS MEDICINE IS EFFECTIVE AGAINST influenza types A (including H1N1 influenza [swine flu]) and B. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE DIZZINESS OR LIGHTHEADEDNESS. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use this medicine with caution. DO NOT DRIVE OR PERFORM OTHER POSSIBLY UNSAFE TASKS until you know how you react to it. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE DIZZINESS OR LIGHTHEADEDNESS; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects. THIS MEDICINE WILL NOT PREVENT YOU FROM SPREADING INFLUENZA TO OTHERS. This medicine works only against influenza types A and B; IT DOES NOT TREAT BACTERIAL OR OTHER VIRAL INFECTIONS. Patients with flu who take this medicine may have an increased risk of confusion and unusual behavioral changes. The risk may be greater in children. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU NOTICE symptoms of confusion or any other unusual behavioral changes. Tell your doctor or dentist that you take this medicine before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery. TELL YOUR DOCTOR THAT YOU TAKE THIS MEDICINE BEFORE YOU RECEIVE ANY VACCINES, including the intranasal live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV). THIS MEDICINE IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR A FLU VACCINE. Continue to get an annual flu shot if your doctor has recommended it. If your symptoms do not get better within a few days or if they get worse, check with your doctor. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINES, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU BECOME PREGNANT, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using this medicine while you are pregnant. IT IS NOT KNOWN IF THIS MEDICINE IS FOUND in breast milk. IF YOU ARE OR WILL BE BREAST-FEEDING while you use this medicine, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include diarrhea; nausea; stomach pain; or vomiting. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience abnormal behavior; confusion; hallucinations; mood or mental changes; reddened, blistered, peeling, or swollen skin; seizures; severe or persistent nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; or symptoms of infection (eg, fever, chills, persistent sore throat). AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
IF OVERDOSE IS SUSPECTED, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include nausea or vomiting.
DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children and pets.
e-mail a friend about this prescription product
shopping bag
