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Oseltamivir Dosage

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 16, 2024.

Applies to the following strengths: 75 mg; 45 mg; 30 mg; 12 mg/mL; 6 mg/mL

Usual Adult Dose for Influenza

75 mg orally twice a day for 5 days

Comments:


Use: For the treatment of acute, uncomplicated illness due to influenza A and B infection in patients symptomatic for no more than 48 hours

Usual Adult Dose for Influenza Prophylaxis

75 mg orally once a day

Duration of Therapy:


Comments:

Use: For the prophylaxis of influenza A and B

Usual Pediatric Dose for Influenza

2 weeks to less than 1 year: 3 mg/kg orally twice a day

1 to 12 years:


13 years or older: 75 mg orally twice a day

Duration of Therapy: 5 days

Comments:

Use: For the treatment of acute, uncomplicated illness due to influenza A and B infection in patients (2 weeks or older) symptomatic for no more than 48 hours

US CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Recommendations:
Preterm infants:

Full-term infants 8 months or younger: 3 mg/kg orally twice a day
Infants 9 to 11 months: 3 to 3.5 mg/kg orally twice a day

Children 1 year or older:

Duration of therapy: 5 days

Comments:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Influenza Prophylaxis

1 to 12 years:


13 years or older: 75 mg orally once a day

Duration of Therapy:

Comments:

Use: For the prophylaxis of influenza A and B

US CDC and AAP Recommendations:
Full-term infants younger than 3 months: Not recommended unless situation judged critical.
Full-term infants 3 to 8 months: 3 mg/kg orally once a day
Infants 9 to 11 months: 3 to 3.5 mg/kg orally once a day

Children 1 year or older:

Duration of therapy: 7 to 10 days (after last exposure)

Comments:

Renal Dose Adjustments

Adults:
Influenza Treatment:


Duration of therapy: 5 days

Influenza Prophylaxis:

Duration of therapy:

Comments:

Liver Dose Adjustments

Mild to moderate liver dysfunction: No adjustment recommended.
Severe liver dysfunction: Data not available

Precautions

CONTRAINDICATIONS:
Known serious hypersensitivity to the active component or any of the ingredients

Treatment of influenza: Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients younger than 2 weeks.
Prophylaxis of influenza: Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients younger than 1 year.

Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.

Dialysis

Adults:
Influenza Treatment:

Duration of therapy: Not to exceed 5 days

Influenza Prophylaxis:

Duration of therapy:

Comments:

Other Comments

Administration advice:


Storage requirements:

Reconstitution/preparation techniques:

Emergency Preparation of Oral Suspension from 75 mg Capsules:
STEP 1: Determine the dose of oseltamivir for the patient then determine the total volume of oral suspension necessary to be prepared; if the dose is between listed doses, use the greater listed dose to determine total volume of prepared oral suspension.

Step 2: Determine the number of 75 mg capsules (includes overage to ensure delivery of all doses), amount of water, and amount of vehicle (with only 1 of the following: Cherry Syrup [Humco(R)], Ora-Sweet[R] SF [sugar-free][Paddock Laboratories], or simple syrup) necessary to prepare the total volume of prepared oral suspension (6 mg/mL) for a complete treatment or prophylaxis course.

STEP 3: Follow the procedure below for preparing the 75 mg capsules to produce the oral suspension (6 mg/mL).
(a) Place the specified amount of water into a polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) or glass bottle; constitution in other bottle types not recommended (no stability data).
(b) Carefully separate the capsule body and cap and place the contents of the number of 75 mg capsules needed into the PET or glass bottle.
(c) Gently swirl the suspension to ensure adequate wetting of the oseltamivir powder for at least 2 minutes.
(d) Slowly add the specified amount of vehicle to the bottle.
(e) Use a child-resistant cap to close the bottle and shake well for 30 seconds to completely dissolve the active drug and to ensure homogeneous distribution of the dissolved drug in the resulting suspension; the active drug (oseltamivir phosphate) is soluble in the specified vehicles but some of the inert ingredients are insoluble, causing the suspension.

General:

Monitoring:

Patient advice:

Frequently asked questions

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.