Help Your Child Feel Better, Faster
Tamiflu is an FDA-approved prescription flu medicine indicated for children 1 year and older.
In fact, Tamiflu has been clinically proven to help children get better up to 26% (1.5 days) faster when taken within 48 hours of their first symptoms.8
Tamiflu attacks the flu virus itself, not just the symptoms, helping to limit the flu’s ability to spread in the body. This may help keep flu symptoms from getting worse.1
Tamiflu must be prescribed by a doctor, so if your child has sudden fever, aches, chills, or extreme fatigue, call your doctor right away.1
In this section:
Who can take Tamiflu1
Tamiflu is approved for flu treatment and prevention in children 1 year and older.
Your child should not take Tamiflu if he or she is allergic to the main ingredient, oseltamivir phosphate, or to any other ingredients of Tamiflu. Click here for the full ingredients ›
Before administering Tamiflu, please tell your doctor if your child:
- Has any type of kidney disease or other serious health condition.
- Has received a nasally administered influenza virus vaccine like FluMist®* during the past 2 weeks.
- Is currently taking any over-the-counter or prescription medicines.
- Has a family history of fructose intolerance. Tamiflu for Oral Suspension contains sorbitol, which may cause upset stomach and diarrhea in patients with a family history of fructose intolerance.
*FluMist® is a registered trademark of MedImmune, LLC.
How to administer Tamiflu1
- Tamiflu is available in capsule form for teens 13 years and older.
- It is also available in a fruit-flavored liquid form with a dosing dispenser called Tamiflu for Oral Suspension.
- Tamiflu for Oral Suspension is available in a new strength (6 mg/mL) with dosing instructions from your doctor for your child's weight.
Flu treatment for children from 1 to 12 years old
- Take 1 dose, twice daily, for 5 days (see Tamiflu dosage chart below for dose amount).
- You should complete the entire treatment of 10 doses, even if your child feels better.
| Treatment Dosing of Oral Tamiflu for Influenza for Patients 1 Year of Age and Older Based on Body Weight | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight (kg) | Weight (lbs) | Treatment dosing for 5 days | Volume of oral suspension (6 mg/mL) for each dose* | Number of bottles of oral suspension to dispense | Number of capsules and strength to dispense |
| 15 kg or less | 33 lbs or less | 30 mg twice daily | 5 mL | 1 bottle | 10 capsules, 30 mg |
| 16 kg thru 23 kg | 34 lbs thru 51 lbs | 45 mg twice daily | 7.5 mL | 2 bottles | 10 capsules, 45 mg |
| 24 kg thru 40 kg | 52 lbs thru 88 lbs | 60 mg twice daily | 10 mL | 2 bottles | 20 capsules, 30 mg |
| 41 kg or more | 89 lbs or more | 75 mg twice daily | 12.5 mL† | 3 bottles | 10 capsules, 75 mg |
*A 10-mL oral dosing dispenser is provided with the oral suspension. In the event that the dispenser provided is lost or damaged, another dosing dispenser may be used to deliver the volumes. †Delivery of this Tamiflu for Oral Suspension dose requires administering 10 mL followed by another 2.5 mL. | |||||
You can administer Tamiflu with or without food. There is less chance of stomach upset if you give your child Tamiflu with a light snack, milk, or a meal.
Follow your doctor's advice on how long to take Tamiflu.
How to administer liquid Tamiflu1
If you are administering Tamiflu for Oral Suspension, your pharmacist will give you a dosing dispenser marked with 3 possible doses. Follow your healthcare professional’s (HCP’s) instructions on which dose to take or how to combine them for the proper dose for your child. In order to be sure you receive the proper dose, it is important that you use the dispenser provided.
What to do if your child misses a Tamiflu dose1
If you forget to administer your child's medicine, give the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it is 2 hours or less before the next scheduled dose. Then continue to administer Tamiflu at the usual times. Do not administer 2 doses at a time to make up for a missed dose. If you miss several doses, tell your child’s doctor and follow the advice given to you. If you lose or damage the dispenser and cannot use it, contact your healthcare professional (HCP) or pharmacist for advice on the proper dose.
Taking Tamiflu with other medications1
Your doctor or healthcare professional (HCP) may recommend taking over-the-counter medications to reduce severity of symptoms while the antiviral action of Tamiflu takes effect on the flu virus.
As with any medication, be sure to discuss with your doctor any over-the-counter or prescription medicines your child is currently taking before beginning Tamiflu therapy.
How to store Tamiflu1
Tamiflu capsules should be stored at room temperature 77°F (25°C) and kept in a dry place. Tamiflu liquid (Oral Suspension) can be stored for up to 17 days in the refrigerator at 36° to 46°F (2° to 8°C). Do not freeze. Tamiflu may also be stored at room temperature for up to 10 days. As with all medications, keep out of the reach of children. Discard any unused portion when you are finished with your prescribed treatment.
Please see the Tamiflu full Prescription Information for complete safety information.
Next step
Did you know...
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Indications
TAMIFLU is for treating people 1 year and older with influenza (flu) whose symptoms started within the last two days. TAMIFLU can also reduce the chance of getting the flu. TAMIFLU is not a substitute for an annual flu vaccination.
Important Safety Information
Before taking TAMIFLU, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing. Let your doctor know if you have kidney disease, heart disease, respiratory disease, or other serious health conditions. Also tell your doctor about any medications you are taking or if you’ve received a nasal-spray flu vaccine in the past two weeks. If you have an allergic reaction or a severe rash with TAMIFLU, stop taking it, and contact your doctor right away. This may be very serious. The most common side effects of TAMIFLU are mild to moderate nausea and vomiting.
People with the flu, particularly children and adolescents, may be at increased risk for seizures, confusion, or abnormal behavior when they first get sick. These events may occur when the flu is not treated or right after starting TAMIFLU. These events are uncommon but may lead to accidental injury. Contact a healthcare professional right away if you notice any unusual behavior.
The most common side effects are mild to moderate nausea and vomiting.
Please see the TAMIFLU full Prescription Information for complete safety information.
