Tamiflu is an antiviral medicine used to treat or prevent influenza (flu). - to treat flu, it can be used in adults and children (including full-term newborns) who have the symptoms of flu, when the flu virus is circulating in the community; - to prevent flu, it can be used in adults and children over 1 year of age who have been in contact with someone who has flu and flu is circulating in the community. This is generally done on a case-by-case basis. Tamiflu can also be used as preventative treatment in exceptional cases, for instance when the seasonal flu vaccine may not provide sufficient protection and when there is a pandemic (a global epidemic of flu). During a flu pandemic, Tamiflu can also be used to prevent flu in babies below 1 year of age. Tamiflu cannot replace flu vaccination, and its use should be based on official recommendations. The medicine contains the active substance oseltamivir.
Therapeutic Indication
### Therapeutic indication **Treatment of influenza** Tamiflu is indicated in adults and children including full term neonates who present with symptoms typical of influenza, when influenza virus is circulating in the community. Efficacy has been demonstrated when treatment is initiated within two days of first onset of symptoms.Prevention of influenza - Post-exposure prevention in individuals one year of age or older following contact with a clinically diagnosed influenza case when influenza virus is circulating in the community. - The appropriate use of Tamiflu for prevention of influenza should be determined on a case-by-case basis by the circumstances and the population requiring protection. In exceptional situations (e.g. in case of a mismatch between the circulating and vaccine virus strains, and a pandemic situation) seasonal prevention could be considered in individuals one year of age or older. - Tamiflu is indicated for post-exposure prevention of influenza in infants less than 1 year of age during a pandemic-influenza outbreak. Tamiflu is not a substitute for influenza vaccination. The use of antivirals for the treatment and prevention of influenza should be determined on the basis of official recommendations. Decisions regarding the use of oseltamivir for treatment and prophylaxis should take into consideration what is known about the characteristics of the circulating influenza viruses, available information on influenza drug susceptibility patterns for each season and the impact of the disease in different geographical areas and patient populations.
Therapeutic Area (MeSH)
N/AATC Code
J05AH02
ATC Item
oseltamivir
Pharmacotherapeutic Group
Antivirals for systemic use
Active Substance (Summary)
INN / Common Names
N/A| Substance | CAS | Monograph |
|---|---|---|
| oseltamivir | N/A | 奥司他韦 |
EMA Name
Tamiflu
Medicine Name
Tamiflu
Aliases
N/ANo risk management plan link.
