Oseltamivir Phosphate (Tamiflu) Tips from Pharmacists

• You can take oseltamivir with or without food. However, if you develop nausea or stomach upset, it may help to take the medicine with food or milk.

• Continue taking the medicine for the duration prescribed even if you start to feel better. Discontinuing treatment too soon can lead to incomplete treatment of your infection.

• If you find it hard to swallow Tamiflu capsules, you can open them and mix the contents with a small amount of sweetened syrup, such as light brown sugar dissolved in water, chocolate or caramel syrup, or corn syrup.

• Shake the bottle of oral suspension well before use.

• Use the dose measuring device that came with your medicine or was provided by the pharmacist to measure liquid medicine.

• You can store commercially available oseltamivir suspension at room temperature for up to 10 days and in the refrigerator for up to 17 days. Some people find the taste more palatable after storing the medicine in the refrigerator.

• Remember, Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate) is not a replacement for the annual flu shot.