Capsules
contains the active ingredient oseltamivir
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about TAMIFLU capsules.
It does not contain all the available information.
It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking TAMIFLU against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine.
You may need to read it again.
What TAMIFLU is used for
TAMIFLU is an antiviral medicine containing the active ingredient oseltamivir.
TAMIFLU is used for the treatment and prevention of influenza (an infection caused by the influenza virus). It has no effect on the common cold or other respiratory virus infections.
TAMIFLU belongs to a group of medicines called neuraminidase inhibitors. These medicines attack the influenza virus and prevent it from spreading inside your body.
TAMIFLU is absorbed to the key sites of influenza infection and treats the cause. Taking TAMIFLU means you feel better faster.
You will also be less likely to develop complications of influenza, such as bronchitis, pneumonia and sinusitis.
Typical symptoms of influenza include fever, headache, muscle aches, sore throat, cough and generally feeling unwell.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why TAMIFLU has been prescribed for you.
TAMIFLU is not addictive.
This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.
Ask your doctor about having the influenza vaccination.
Vaccination every year is the best way to prevent influenza.
Before you take TAMIFLU
When you must not take it
Do not take TAMIFLU if:
1. you have had an allergic reaction to TAMIFLU or any ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
shortness of breath
wheezing or difficulty breathing
swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body rash, itching or hives on the skin
2. the package is torn or shows signs of tampering
3. the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack has passed.
If you take this medicine after the expiry date has passed, it may not work as well.
If you are not sure if you should be taking TAMIFLU, talk to your doctor.
Use in the elderly
Although there is limited experience with use of TAMIFLU in patients 65 years and older, the dose recommended for use in elderly patients is the same as that recommended for adults.
Use in children
Do not give TAMIFLU to children under 1 year of age for the prevention of influenza.
Safety and effectiveness of TAMIFLU in children under 1 year of age have not been established when used for the prevention of influenza.
Before you start to take it
Tell your doctor if:
1. you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
It is not known whether TAMIFLU is harmful to an unborn baby when taken by a pregnant woman. If there is a need to take TAMIFLU when you are pregnant your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits to you and the unborn baby.
2. you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed
TAMIFLU may pass into breast milk. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of using TAMIFLU if you are breast-feeding.
3. you have any other health problems, especially the following:
kidney failure, kidney impairment or kidney disease.
4. you are allergic to any other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you start taking TAMIFLU.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you have bought from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
These medicines may be affected by TAMIFLU, or may affect how well it works. You may need to use different amounts of your medicine, or you may need to take different medicines. Your doctor will advise you.
Your doctor or pharmacist has more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking TAMIFLU including:
immunosuppressants, medicines used to suppress the immune system
probenecid, a medicine used to treat gout
It is safe to take aspirin, paracetamol and cough medicines with TAMIFLU capsules. However, medical advice should be sought before giving aspirin to children with viral illness.
How to take TAMIFLU capsules
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully.
They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
Start taking TAMIFLU as soon as possible within the first two days of the onset of the first symptoms of influenza or exposure to someone with influenza.
The earlier you start treatment with TAMIFLU, the shorter the duration of your influenza.
How much to take
Take TAMIFLU exactly as your doctor has prescribed.
If you have kidney disease your doctor may prescribe you a lower dose of TAMIFLU.
TREATMENT OF INFLUENZA
Adults and adolescents
The recommended oral dose of TAMIFLU for adults and adolescents is 75 mg twice a day for 5 days.
Children under 1 year of age
TAMIFLU 6mg/mL oral suspension is the preferred product (see separate TAMIFLU 6mg/mL oral suspension Consumer Medicine Information).
Children 1 year of age or older
Give TAMIFLU as directed by your child's doctor or pharmacist.
The usual dose of TAMIFLU is one dose taken TWICE a day for 5 days. The dose may vary depending on your child's weight
PREVENTION OF INFLUENZA
For prevention of influenza, TAMIFLU capsules are taken once a day at the recommended dose while protection is required. Safety and effectiveness have been shown in patients taking TAMIFLU for up to 6 weeks.
Adults and adolescents
The recommended oral prevention dose of TAMIFLU for adults and adolescents 13 years and older is 75 mg once a day for 10 days.
Children 1 year of age or older
Give TAMIFLU as directed by your child's doctor or pharmacist.
The usual dose of TAMIFLU is one dose taken ONCE a day for 10 days. The dose may vary depending on your child's weight
Do not give TAMIFLU to children under 1 year of age for the prevention of influenza. Safety and effectiveness in children under 1 year of age have not been established.
How to take it
Swallow capsules whole with a glass of water with or without food.
It does not matter whether you take TAMIFLU with food or not. However, if TAMIFLU upsets your stomach, it is better to take TAMIFLU with food.
Do not break or chew the capsules before swallowing.
If you cannot swallow the capsule whole:
For adults, adolescents or children 1 year of age or older who are unable to swallow capsules please follow these instructions to ensure proper dosing:
1. hold the required dosage capsule over a small bowl, carefully pull the capsule open and pour the powder into the bowl
2. add a suitable, small amount (1 teaspoon maximum) of sweetened food product such as regular or sugar-free chocolate syrup, honey (only for children two years or older), light brown or table sugar dissolved in water, dessert toppings, sweetened condensed milk, apple sauce or yogurt to mask the bitter taste of the medicine
3. stir the mixture well and give the entire contents of the bowl to the patient. The mixture must be swallowed immediately after its preparation. If there is some mixture left inside the bowl, rinse the bowl with a small amount of water and have the patient drink this remaining mixture.
For children 1 year of age or older requiring doses different to that available in capsule form, please follow these instructions to ensure proper dosing:
1. hold one TAMIFLU 75 mg capsule over a small bowl, carefully pull the capsule open and pour the powder into the bowl
2. add 5 mL water to the powder using a syringe with markings (called a "graduated syringe") to show how much fluid has been drawn up. Stir for about two minutes
3. draw up into the syringe the correct amount of mixture from the bowl based on the recommended dose required (see table below), which is body weight dependent (see table above).
It is not necessary to draw up any undissolved white powder.
Recommended dose 30mg
Amount of TAMIFLU mixture for one dose - 2mL
Recommended dose 45mg
Amount of TAMIFLU mixture for one dose - 3mL
Recommended dose 60mg
Amount of TAMIFLU mixture for one dose - 4mL
Push down on the plunger of the syringe, to empty its entire contents into a second bowl.
Discard any unused mixture.
Immediately after administration, take the dispenser apart and rinse both parts of the dispenser under running tap water. Air dry prior to next use.
5. in the second bowl, add a suitable, small amount (1 teaspoon maximum) of sweetened food product to the mixture to mask the bitter taste of the medicine
6. stir this mixture well and give the entire contents of the second bowl to the patient. This mixture must be swallowed immediately after its preparation. If there is some mixture left inside the bowl, rinse the bowl with a small amount of water and have the patient drink this remaining mixture.
The appropriate dose must be mixed by the caregiver with an equal quantity of sweetened food product such as regular or sugar-free chocolate syrup, light brown or table sugar dissolved in water, dessert toppings, sweetened condensed milk, apple sauce or yoghurt to mask the bitter taste of the medicine.
Patients who are unable to swallow capsules may receive TAMIFLU 6 mg/mL oral suspension.
When to take it
Treatment with TAMIFLU capsules should be started as soon as possible, but no later than 48 hours after the first symptoms of influenza.
For influenza treatment, TAMIFLU capsules should be taken in the morning and in the evening.
For influenza prevention, TAMIFLU capsules should be taken once a day.
Taking your medicine at the same time each day will help you remember when to take the capsules.
How long to take it
Continue taking TAMIFLU capsules until your doctor tells you to stop or your course of treatment is complete.
If you forget to take it
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.
Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember and then go back to taking it as you would normally.
If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have trouble remembering your dose, ask your pharmacist for some hints.
In case of an overdose
If you think you or anyone else may have taken too much TAMIFLU immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Keep telephone numbers for these places handy.
If you are not sure what to do, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
The following are some symptoms of overdose which may or may not occur:
nausea (feeling like vomiting)
vomiting
While you are taking TAMIFLU capsules
Things you must do
Tell your doctor if you have kidney failure or impairment or any other problems with your kidneys.
Tell all doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking TAMIFLU.
Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while taking TAMIFLU.
Tell your doctor if, for any reason, you have not taken your medicine exactly as prescribed.
Otherwise, your doctor may think that it was not effective and change your treatment unnecessarily.
Tell your doctor if you feel your symptoms have worsened after starting TAMIFLU.
Be sure to keep all of your appointments with your doctor so that your progress can be checked.
Things you must not do
Do not stop taking TAMIFLU capsules or change the dose without first checking with your doctor.
Do not let yourself run out of medicine over the weekend or on holidays.
Do not give TAMIFLU to anyone else even if they have the same condition as you.
Do not use TAMIFLU to treat other complaints unless your doctor says to.
Do not take any other medicines whether they require a prescription or not without first telling your doctor or consulting a pharmacist.
Things to be careful of
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how TAMIFLU affects you.
However, TAMIFLU is not expected to affect your ability to drive a car or operate machinery.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking TAMIFLU capsules.
TAMIFLU helps most people with influenza but it may have unwanted side effects in a few people.
All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
nausea (feeling like vomiting)
vomiting
dizziness/spinning sensation (vertigo)
headache
stomach ache, indigestion
diarrhoea
cough
bronchitis
asthma (breathlessness, wheezing, a cough sometimes brought on by exercise and a feeling of tightness in the chest)
sinusitis (stuffy nose and/or feeling of tension or fullness in the nose, cheeks and behind the eyes, sometimes with a throbbing ache
runny nose or nose bleeds
ear problems or ear infection
conjunctivitis (discharge from the eyes with itching and crusty eyelids)
visual disturbances
insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
fatigue
aches and pains
mild skin rash
These are the more common side effects of TAMIFLU. Mostly these are mild.
Taking TAMIFLU with food may reduce the potential for some or all of these side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately or go to your nearest Accident and Emergency, if you notice any of the following:
sudden signs of allergy such as rash, itching or hives on the skin, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body, shortness of breath, wheezing or trouble breathing
yellowing of the skin and/or eyes, itching and dark coloured urine
chest infection with fever, chills, shortness of breath, cough, phlegm and occasional blood
convulsions, confusion, drowsiness, abnormal behaviour, delusions, hallucinations, agitation, anxiety and nightmares. These symptoms may also occur in influenza patients not treated with TAMIFLU.
Patients, especially children and adolescents, should be closely monitored and their healthcare professional should be contacted immediately if the patient shows any signs of unusual behaviour.
Diarrhoea with blood, along with fever and severe stomach pain
This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Others may occur in some people and there may be some side effects not yet known.
Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell, even if it is not on this list.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don't understand anything on this list.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.
After taking TAMIFLU capsules
Storage
Keep your capsules in the blister pack until it is time to take them.
If you take the capsules out of the blister pack they may not keep well.
Keep TAMIFLU capsules in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.
Do not store it, or any other medicine, in a bathroom or near a sink.
Do not leave it in the car or on window sills.
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep TAMIFLU capsules where young children cannot reach it.
A locked cupboard at least 1.5 metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop taking TAMIFLU, or the capsules have passed their expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any tablets that are left over.
Product description
Availability
TAMIFLU capsules are available in the following strengths: 30 mg, 45 mg and 75 mg.
TAMIFLU comes in blister packs containing 10 capsules.
TAMIFLU is also available as 6mg/mL oral suspension.
What TAMIFLU looks like
TAMIFLU 30 mg hard gelatin capsules have a light yellow/opaque cap and a light yellow/opaque body. "ROCHE" is printed in blue ink on the light yellow body and "30 mg" is printed in blue ink on the light yellow cap.
TAMIFLU 45 mg hard gelatin capsules have a grey/opaque cap and a grey/opaque body. "ROCHE" is printed in blue ink on the grey body and "45 mg" is printed in blue ink on the grey cap.
TAMIFLU 75 mg hard gelatin capsules have a light yellow/opaque cap and a grey/opaque body. "ROCHE" is printed in blue ink on the grey body and "75 mg" is printed in blue ink on the light yellow cap.
Ingredients
Active ingredient - oseltamivir
30 mg capsules contain 30 mg oseltamivir (present as 39.4 mg oseltamivir phosphate).
45 mg capsules contain 45 mg oseltamivir (present as 59.1 mg oseltamivir phosphate).
75 mg capsules contain 75 mg oseltamivir (present as 98.5 mg oseltamivir phosphate)
Inactive ingredients -
Capsule contents:
maize starch
povidone K 30
croscarmellose sodium
talc
sodium stearylfumarate
Capsule shell:
gelatin
titanium dioxide (171)
black iron oxide (172)
red iron oxide (172)
yellow iron oxide (172)
shellac (904)
indigo carmine (132)
TAMIFLU capsules are gluten free and lactose free.
