Oseltamivir Side Effects
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 4, 2021.
Summary
Commonly reported side effects of oseltamivir include: nausea and vomiting. Other side effects include: abdominal pain. Continue reading for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.
Applies to oseltamivir: oral capsules, oral extemporaneous oral suspension, oral powder for suspension.
Side effects include:
GI effects (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain), headache, bronchitis, insomnia, vertigo.
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to oseltamivir: oral capsule, oral powder for reconstitution.
General
The most common side effects were nausea and vomiting.
The most common side effects reported with this drug during studies for the treatment of influenza were nausea, vomiting, and headache; the most common side effects reported in prophylaxis studies were nausea, vomiting, headache, and pain. Most side effects were reported on a single occasion, occurred on the first or second day of therapy, and resolved spontaneously within 1 to 2 days.[Ref]
Nervous system
Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 17%)
Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, vertigo
Frequency not reported: Drowsiness
Postmarketing reports: Seizure/convulsion[Ref]
Side effects with similar or higher incidence among placebo patients included dizziness and vertigo.[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Very common (10% or more): Nausea
Common (1% to 10%): Vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, upper abdominal pain, dyspepsia
Frequency not reported: Pseudomembranous colitis
Postmarketing reports: Gastrointestinal bleeding, hemorrhagic colitis[Ref]
Side effects with similar or higher incidence among placebo patients included diarrhea, abdominal pain, upper abdominal pain, and dyspepsia.[Ref]
Respiratory
Common (1% to 10%): Nasal congestion, cough, sore throat, bronchitis, nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infections, influenza, rhinorrhea, sinusitis
Frequency not reported: Pneumonia, peritonsillar abscess, congestion, rhinitis, dry sore throat, epistaxis, asthma, aggravated asthma[Ref]
Side effects with similar or higher incidence among placebo patients included cough, nasal congestion, sore throat, rhinorrhea, bronchitis, sinusitis, nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infections, and influenza.[Ref]
Psychiatric
Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia
Frequency not reported: Mania
Postmarketing reports: Abnormal behavior, delirium, altered level of consciousness, confusion, delusions, hallucinations, agitation, anxiety, nightmares, self-injury[Ref]
Influenza can be associated with various neurologic and behavioral symptoms (including hallucinations, delirium, abnormal behavior), with fatal outcomes in some cases; such events may occur with encephalitis or encephalopathy but can occur without obvious severe disease. There are postmarketing reports (mostly in Japan) of delirium and abnormal behavior leading to injury, with fatal outcomes in some cases, in influenza patients using this drug. Although frequency is unknown, based on usage, these events appear uncommon. These events were primarily reported in pediatric patients, often with abrupt onset and rapid resolution. The contribution of this drug to such events has not been established.
Side effects with similar or higher incidence among placebo patients included insomnia.[Ref]
Other
Common (1% to 10%): Fatigue, pain, pyrexia, influenza-like illness, pain in limb, otitis media, earache
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Tympanic membrane disorder
Frequency not reported: Humerus fracture, malaise, sepsis, facial edema, ear disorder, accidental injury
Postmarketing reports: Hypothermia[Ref]
Side effects with similar or higher incidence among placebo patients included fatigue, pyrexia, influenza-like illness, and pain in limb.[Ref]
Dermatologic
Common (1% to 10%): Herpes simplex
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dermatitis (including allergic and atopic dermatitis)
Rare (less than 0.1%): Angioneurotic edema
Postmarketing reports: Rash, urticaria, eczema, serious skin reactions, toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme[Ref]
Side effects with similar or higher incidence among placebo patients included herpes simplex.[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Common (1% to 10%): Back pain, arthralgia, myalgia[Ref]
Side effects with similar or higher incidence among placebo patients included back pain, arthralgia, and myalgia.[Ref]
Genitourinary
Common (1% to 10%): Dysmenorrhea
Side effects with similar or higher incidence among placebo patients included dysmenorrhea.
Ocular
Common (1% to 10%): Conjunctivitis (including red eyes, eye discharge, eye pain)
Postmarketing reports: Visual disturbances[Ref]
Hepatic
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Elevated liver enzymes
Rare (less than 0.1%): Hepatic failure, fulminant hepatitis (including fatalities)
Frequency not reported: Hepatic function disorder, jaundice
Postmarketing reports: Hepatitis, abnormal liver function tests[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Postmarketing reports: Hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., allergic skin reactions), allergy, anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions, swelling of the face or tongue[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cardiac arrhythmia
Frequency not reported: Unstable angina, sudden cardiopulmonary arrest
Postmarketing reports: Arrhythmia[Ref]
Metabolic
Frequency not reported: Hyperglycemia
Postmarketing reports: Aggravation of diabetes[Ref]
Hematologic
Frequency not reported: Anemia, pancytopenia, lymphadenopathy
Postmarketing reports: Thrombocytopenia[Ref]
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References
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Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.