Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

This medicine should come with a patient information leaflet. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Take this medicine with or without food. However, do not take this medicine with dairy products or drinks rich in calcium. Also, do not use this medicine together with antacids, laxatives, or oral supplements containing calcium, iron, magnesium, selenium, or zinc.

Do not use this medicine if you have received the nasal flu vaccine (live attenuated influenza vaccine), unless your doctor says it is okay.

This medicine works best if taken within 48 hours of having flu symptoms (eg, weakness, headache, fever, cough, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat). Keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment even if you begin to feel better after a few days. This will help clear up your infection completely. If you stop using this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return.

If your child is unable to swallow the tablets whole, you may use the oral liquid.

To use the oral liquid:

  • Your pharmacist will prepare the oral liquid. Talk to your pharmacist if it is not given to you as a liquid or if you did not receive a measuring device.
  • Swirl the bottle before each use. Do not shake.
  • Measure the medicine with the provided oral dosing syringe or measuring cup.
  • You should sit upright when taking this medicine. Do not mix it with soft food or another liquid.
  • If it is given through a feeding tube: Using a syringe, rinse the feeding tube with 1 milliliter (mL) of water. Then, inject the oral syringe with medicine into the feeding tube and rinse the tube with 1 mL water.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For the flu:
    • For oral dosage form (suspension):
      • Adults and children 5 years of age and older weighing 80 kilograms (kg) or more—80 mg or 40 milliliters (mL) (2 bottles) taken as a single dose.
      • Adults and children 5 years of age and older weighing 20 kg to less than 80 kg—40 mg or 20 mL (1 bottle) taken as a single dose.
      • Children 5 years of age and older weighing less than 20 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 2 mg per kilogram (kg) of body weight (less than 1 bottle) taken as a single dose.
      • Children younger than 5 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For oral dosage form (tablets):
      • Adults and children 5 years of age and older weighing 80 kilograms (kg) or more—80 milligrams (mg) taken as a single dose per day.
      • Adults and children 5 years of age and older weighing 20 kg to less than 80 kg—40 mg taken as a single dose per day.
      • Children younger than 5 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Throw away any unused liquid within 10 hours of mixing.

Portions of this document last updated: April 01, 2024

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