Oseltamivir dosage and administration
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sheng Shi, M.D. [2]
Dosage And Administration
Treatment with TAMIFLU should begin within 2 days of onset of symptoms of Influenza or following close contact with an infected individual.
TAMIFLU may be taken with or without food [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. However, when taken with food, tolerability may be enhanced in some patients.
For patients who cannot swallow capsules, TAMIFLU for oral suspension is the preferred formulation. If the oral suspension product is not available, TAMIFLU capsules may be opened and mixed with sweetened liquids such as regular or sugar-free chocolate syrup, corn syrup, caramel topping, or light brown sugar (dissolved in water). If the appropriate strengths of TAMIFLU capsules are not available to mix with sweetened liquids and the oral suspension product is not available, then a pharmacist may compound an emergency supply of oral suspension from TAMIFLU 75 mg capsules [see Dosage and Administration (2.8)].
Treatment of Influenza
Adults and Adolescents (13 years of age and older)
The recommended oral dose of TAMIFLU for treatment of Influenza in adults and adolescents 13 years and older is 75 mg twice daily for 5 days. TAMIFLU for oral suspension may be used by patients who cannot swallow a capsule (12.5 mL of TAMIFLU for oral suspension [6 mg/mL] delivers 75 mg) [see Dosage and Administration (2.1)].
Pediatric Patients (2 weeks to 12 years of age)
The recommended oral dose of TAMIFLU for treatment of Influenza in pediatric patients 1 year to 12 years of age is shown in Table 1.
The recommended oral dose of TAMIFLU for treatment of Influenza in pediatric patients 2 weeks to less than 1 year of age is 3 mg/kg twice daily for 5 days (shown inTable 1).
Prophylaxis of Influenza
Adults and Adolescents (13 years of age and older)
The recommended oral dose of TAMIFLU for prophylaxis of Influenza in adults and adolescents 13 years and older following close contact with an infected individual is 75 mg once daily for at least 10 days. The recommended dose for prophylaxis during a community outbreak of Influenza is 75 mg once daily. Safety and efficacy have been demonstrated for up to 6 weeks in immunocompetent patients. The duration of protection lasts for as long as dosing is continued. Safety has been demonstrated for up to 12 weeks in immunocompromised patients. TAMIFLU for oral suspension may also be used by patients who cannot swallow a capsule (12.5 mL of TAMIFLU for oral suspension [6 mg/mL] delivers 75 mg).
Pediatric Patients (2 weeks to 12 years of age)
The recommended oral dose of TAMIFLU for prophylaxis of Influenza in pediatric patients 1 to 12 years of age based on body weight is shown in Table 1. Prophylaxis in pediatric patients following close contact with an infected individual is recommended for 10 days. For prophylaxis in pediatric patients during a community outbreak of Influenza, dosing may be continued for up to 6 weeks.
The safety and efficacy of TAMIFLU for prophylaxis of Influenza have not been established in infants less than 1 year of age.[1]References
Adapted from the FDA Package Insert.