Introduction
G-Oseltamivir is an antiviral medicine used to treat and prevent influenza (flu) as well as, swine flu (H1N1 virus). It helps to relieve the symptoms of the flu virus infection like a stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, cough, body aches, tiredness, headache, fever, and chills.
G-Oseltamivir prevents the flu virus from spreading inside the body. Influenza, commonly known as flu is an infection caused by a virus. This medicine should be taken only when prescribed by a doctor. It should be used in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. It can be taken with or without food, although taking it with food can reduce the chance of feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting).
Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. Stopping the medication too early may result in a relapse of the infection or failure to protect you from the flu.
Some common side effects include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhea. These side effects mostly occur after the first dose of the medicine and will usually stop as treatment continues. Please consult your doctor if these side effects persist for a longer duration.
Before taking it, tell your doctor if you have problems with your heart, liver or kidneys. Avoid drinking alcohol as it may increase your risk of liver damage. Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers should consult their doctor before using this medicine.
Side effects of G-Oseltamivir
Common
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
How to use G-Oseltamivir
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Do not chew, crush or break it. G-Oseltamivir may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
How G-Oseltamivir works
G-Oseltamivir is a neuraminidase inhibitor. It inhibits neuraminidase (influenza virus enzyme) that helps the viruses to enter into uninfected cells of the body to cause or spread influenza infection in the body. This is how it works against the virus to treat influenza (flu).
What if you forget to take G-Oseltamivir?
If you miss a dose of G-Oseltamivir, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
Administration
May be taken with or without food. May be taken w/ meals to reduce GI discomfort. Cap may be opened & mixed w/ sweetened food products eg chocolate syr, sweetened condensed milk, apple sauce or yogurt. Swallow mixture immediately after preparation.
Adult Dose
Oral
Treatment of Influenza A and B
Adult: 75 mg bid for 5 days. Initiate w/in 2 days of onset of symptoms.
Prophylaxis of influenza A and B
Adult: 75 mg once daily for at least 10 days. Initiate w/in 2 days of exposure. For community outbreak: May continue dosing for up to 6 wk.
Child Dose
Influenza A and B Treatment
<2 weeks: Safety and efficacy not established for treatment
Aged 2 weeks to <1 year
3 mg/kg PO BID x5 days
>1 year
<15 kg: 30 mg PO q12hr x5 days
15-23 kg: 45 mg PO q12hr x5 days
23-40 kg: 60 mg PO q12hr x5 days
>40 kg: 75 mg PO q12hr x5 days
Dosing considerations
Start within 24-48 hours of symptom onset
Influenza A and B Prophylaxis
<1 year: Safety and efficacy not established for prophylaxis
?1 year
<15 kg: 30 mg PO qDay x10 days
15-23 kg: 45 mg PO qDay x10 days
23-40 kg: 60 mg PO qDay x10 days
>40 kg: 75 mg PO qDay x10 days
Dosing considerations
Start within 2 days of exposure
Renal Dose
Renal impairment: Haemodialysis patient: 30 mg after each dialysis session. Peritoneal dialysis patient: 30 mg as a single dose.
CrCl (ml/min) Dosage Recommendation
<10 Not recommended.
>10-30 30 mg once daily.
>30-60 30 mg bid.
Contraindication
Hypersensitivity. Severe renal impairment.
Mode of Action
Oseltamivir is a prodrug of oseltamivir carboxylate (OC). OC is a potent selective competitive inhibitor of neuraminidase (an enzyme required for viral replication) of the influenza virus A and B. It prevents the release of viruses from infected host cell.
Precaution
Patient w/ resp disease, chronic cardiac disease. Renal and severe hepatic impairment. Immunocompromised patient. Childn. Pregnancy and lactation. Monitoring Parameters Monitor closely for signs and symptoms of behavioural changes.
Lactation: Unknown; use caution
Side Effect
1-10%
Abdominal pain,Conjunctivitis,Ear disorder,Epistaxis,Insomnia,Nausea,Vomiting,Vertigo
<1%
Aggravation of diabetes,Anemia,Arrhythmia,Confusion,Delirium,Hemorrhagic colitis,Hepatitis,Humerus fracture,Peritonsillar abscess,Pneumonia,Pseudomembranous colitis,Pyrexia,Rash,Seizure,Transaminases increased,Toxic epidermal necrolysis,Unstable angina,Swelling of face or tongue
Potentially Fatal: Anaphylaxis, severe dermatologic reactions.
Interaction
May potentially inhibit replication of influenza virus in live/attenuated influenza virus vaccine.