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All medications from licensed pharmacies
GPhC reg. no. 1120610
All medications from licensed pharmacies
GPhC reg. no. 1120610
Tamiflu is a medication that contains the active ingredient oseltamivir phosphate, a neuraminidase inhibitor. Tamiflu is taken orally to treat and also to prevent infection with the flu (influenza) virus. Tamiflu is manufactured by Roche and was selected as the medication of choice by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in the event of a flu pandemic.
The Influenza virus is highly contagious and relies on a helper chemical called neuraminidase. This helper chemical enables the virus to spread to adjacent cells. Without this helper chemical, the flu virus would be unable to replicate or to spread.
Tamiflu (oseltamivir) contains a neuraminidase inhibitor that prevents the virus from leaving the infected cells and spreading. This reduces the severity and the duration of the infection.
Tamiflu reduces the duration of an influenza infection by one day, so long as the medication is taken within 48 hours of the start of symptoms developing. It also reduces the severity of flu symptoms, though again it has to be taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. The medication is easy to tolerate and has a good safety profile. Tamiflu is effective against influenza. It cannot, however, be used to treat other viral infections.
Tamiflu can also be used as a prophylaxis if you come into contact with someone who is infected with the flu virus. The dose that you would take in this instance is different to the dose that you would take after the onset of symptoms.
The dose following the onset of symptoms is one Tamiflu capsule, twice a day for five days.
If you are taking Tamiflu as a prophylaxis, the dose is one capsule a day for ten days.
Not everyone can take Tamiflu, so your doctor will take a full medical history before prescribing you the medication. If you develop an allergic reaction whist taking the drug you should tell your doctor as soon as possible.
All prescription medications can cause side effects and Tamiflu is no exception, but these are not very common. The most common side effects of Tamiflu are rash, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
