Oseltamivir
What is oseltamivir?
Oseltamivir, also know as Tamiflu, is a neuraminidase inhibitor. This medicine is used the treat the flu. It is an oral prodrug of a selective inhibitor of influenza A and B viral neuraminidase.
How does oseltamivir work?
Once this drug is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, it is effectively converted to GS4071, the selective inhibitor. When the drug binds to the virus enzyme, the enzyme loses its ability to cleave salic acid residues on the infected cell's surface. Therefore, progeny virion particles are prohibited from being released from the infected cell. This prodrug treats the cause of the flu at its source so that further spreading may be inhibited.
Who should take oseltamivir?
The most beneficial recipients of this drug would be adult patients who have flu symptoms which appeared approximately the previous day. These symptoms include abrupt onset of fatigue, muscular weakness, sore throat, headache, fever, and cough.
How effective is oseltamivir?
GS4071 has been proven to effectively spread throughout all tissues, including sites of infection in the upper and lower respiratory tracts, thus inhibiting spread of the virus.
When administered 36 hours after the onset of symptoms, it reduces the duration and severity of symptoms and viral shedding is also reduced. The incidence of secondary complications is lowered. As shown in two clinical trials, flu patients provided with Tamiflu recovered 1.3 days faster than those who did not receive the medicine.
According to further studies, the prophylactic oral administration was 74% effective in reducing the incidence of influenza illness.
How is oseltamivir taken and how much is taken?
Oseltamivir is administered orally. For treatment, an adult takes 75 mg twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening, for 5 days. Each Tamiflu capsule contains 75 mg of oseltamivir phosphate. If taken for prophylactic purposes, 75 mg should be taken once or twice daily for 6 weeks.
What are some precautions of oseltamivir?
One should not take Tamiflu if allergic to oseltamivir. Also, it is important that your doctor is informed of any medications being taken and if you have any type of kidney disease.
It is not advisable for pregnant or nursing women to take this drug, as effects on the unborn or nursing infant are unkown.
What are the side effects of oseltamivir?
The most common side effects of oseltamivir consist of nausea and vomiting. These side effects are mild and short-lived. There are no serious adverse effects associated with oseltamivir.
Side effects may be avoided by taking Tamiflu with food.