Let's take a minute to talk about your medication.

This is oseltamivir. It is also known as TamiFlu. This medicine helps to treat the flu. It can also help prevent you from getting the flu.

Oseltamivir should be taken as soon as possible from the first appearance of symptoms or contact with the infected individual and no later than 48 hours after. For flu treatment, it is often taken twice a day, as close to 12 hours apart as possible. For flu prevention, it is often taken one time each day. You should take it exactly as your doctor tells you to. Some people prefer to take the dose with food. This may help reduce the risk of stomach upset.

This medicine is available as a capsule and a liquid. If you take the liquid, remember to shake the bottle well before measuring the dose. Always use a measuring spoon or dosing spoon to measure liquid medicines and never a household spoon. If you or your child have a hard time swallowing the capsule, you should ask your pharmacist for advice and read the Instructions for Use for full information. 

Most people tolerate oseltamivir well. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, headache, and pain. These effects are normal if they are mild and should go away. Vomiting could also occur. If these or other side effects become reasons you want to stop taking this medicine, please talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

As with any medicine, rare but serious side effects could occur. With oseltamivir, these include serious skin and allergic reactions. It could also cause a change in behavior, like confusion, speech problems, shaky movements, and seeing or hearing things that are not real. You should read the Patient Information Sheet to know which symptoms to watch for and when to report changes.
Oseltamivir can interact with other medicines. You should always check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking other medicines or getting any vaccines.

Women should check with their doctors if they are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking this medication.

For best results with oseltamivir, be sure to read the Patient Information Sheet for more information. Also, be sure to follow the doctor's advice for getting a flu shot each year.