Flu (Influenza): Causes, Symptoms, Types & Treatment

Why Sanofi Got Shellacked

Sanofi, the Paris-based drug giant, announced Friday that it would spin out its $5 billion consumer health division, which is exploring over-the-counter moves for the erectile dysfunction drug Cialis and the flu treatment Tamiflu.

Investors reacted swiftly, bidding Sanofi's American depository receipts on the New York Stock Exchange down nearly 18% to less than $44 in morning trading. Jared Holz, an analyst at Mizuho, warned investors that the drop "would be the largest negative single-day stock move across Global Pharma in more than ten years."

It would be tempting to take the stock move as evidence that investors have finally tired of watching drug companies treat consumer product divisions like baseball trading cards, buying them at a high price only to sell them again a decade later. But the move probably has little to do with the current passion for pharma spinouts or with Sanofi following in the footsteps of GSK, Novartis, and Pfizer in shedding a division. Or even, for that matter, Sanofi, which shed its pharmaceutical ingredients business, EuroAPI, which is now trading at a third of its initial public offering price.

Get unlimited access to award-winning journalism and exclusive events.

Subscribe

Tamiflu Oral Suspension

Tamiflu Oral Suspension Generic Name & Formulations General Description

Oseltamivir (as phospate) 6mg/mL; pwd for reconstitution; tutti-frutti flavor; contains sorbitol.

Pharmacological Class

Neuraminidase inhibitor.

How Supplied

Caps—10; Susp—60mL

Tamiflu Oral Suspension Indications Indications

Treatment of uncomplicated acute illness due to influenza infection in patients ≥2 weeks of age who have been symptomatic for ≤48hrs. Prophylaxis of influenza in patients ≥1yr of age.

Limitations of Use

Not a substitute for annual influenza vaccination. Consider available information on influenza drug susceptibility patterns and treatment effects when deciding whether to use. Not recommended for patients with ESRD not undergoing dialysis.

Tamiflu Oral Suspension Dosage and Administration Adult

Start within 2 days of symptom onset or exposure. Unable to swallow caps; use oral susp. If oral susp. Unavailable; may open caps and mix with sweetened liquids (eg, chocolate syrup, corn syrup, caramel topping, or light brown sugar (dissolved in water). If appropriate strength caps and oral susp. Unavailable; have RPh compound an emergency supply of oral susp. From 75mg caps (see full labeling for preparation). ≥13yrs: Treatment: 75mg twice daily for 5 days. Prophylaxis: after close contact with infected individual: 75mg once daily for at least 10 days; during community outbreak: 75mg once daily for up to 6 weeks (or up to 12 weeks in immunocompromised). Renal impairment or ESRD on dialysis: see full labeling.

Children

Start within 2 days of symptom onset or exposure. Unable to swallow caps; use oral susp. If oral susp. Unavailable; may open caps and mix with sweetened liquids (eg, chocolate syrup, corn syrup, caramel topping, or light brown sugar (dissolved in water). If appropriate strength caps and oral susp. Unavailable; have RPh compound an emergency supply of oral susp. From 75mg caps (see full labeling for preparation). Treatment: <2 weeks: not established. Treat for 5 days. ≥2 weeks to <1yr: 3mg/kg twice daily. 1–12yrs: (≤15kg): 30mg twice daily; (15.1–23kg): 45mg twice daily; (23.1–40kg): 60mg twice daily; (≥40.1kg): 75mg twice daily. Prophylaxis: <1yr: not established. Treat for 10 days; during community outbreak: continue up to 6 weeks (or up to 12 weeks in immunocompromised); 1–12yrs: (≤15kg): 30mg once daily; (15.1–23kg): 45mg once daily; (23.1–40kg): 60mg once daily; (≥40.1kg): 75mg once daily.

Tamiflu Oral Suspension Contraindications

Not Applicable

Tamiflu Oral Suspension Boxed Warnings

Not Applicable

Tamiflu Oral Suspension Warnings/Precautions Warnings/Precautions

Immunocompromised. Monitor for signs of abnormal behavior. Risk of bacterial infections. Chronic cardiac or respiratory disease. Severe hepatic impairment. Oral soln: hereditary fructose intolerance. Pregnancy. Nursing mothers.

Tamiflu Oral Suspension Pharmacokinetics

See Literature

Tamiflu Oral Suspension Interactions Interactions

Do not administer live attenuated influenza vaccine within 2 weeks prior or 48hrs after treatment.

Tamiflu Oral Suspension Adverse Reactions Adverse Reactions

Nausea, vomiting, headache, pain; also Children <1yr: diarrhea, diaper rash; serious skin/hypersensitivity reactions (discontinue if occur), possible neuropsychiatric events (eg, hallucinations, delirium, abnormal behavior).

Tamiflu Oral Suspension Clinical Trials

See Literature

Tamiflu Oral Suspension Note

Not Applicable

Tamiflu Oral Suspension Patient Counseling

See Literature

5 Essentials To Buy When You're Already Sick (or Trying To Avoid It)

For most colds, medications and other remedies can't cure you, but they can offer some relief from symptoms, such as a scratchy throat, stuffy nose or congestion, while your body fights the virus.

If you have a cold and cough, taking over-the-counter medicines can help relieve the symptoms. Look for a medicine that has a pain reliever for body aches or headaches, and one that can also help with cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, body ache and other flu and cold symptoms. Products such as Dayquil and Nyquil don't prevent the flu but are made to treat multiple symptoms.

Sleep and rest are important to help you get better, so if you're having trouble getting a good night's sleep, you can take nighttime version of the medicine. 

If you have the flu, your doctor might prescribe Tamiflu, an antiviral medication. But it must be taken very early on.

---