Other brand names of Tamiflu are Oseltamivir.

Why do some drugs have different names?
These are trade or brand names registered by the manufacturer. In different countries manufacturers will often use different trade names. The medications have the same active ingredients, but may look different and have a different trade name. Generic drugs are the unadvertised brands. Generic drugs are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a safe, effective treatment option and they can save you money.

We have in stock only BRAND TAMIFLU Manufactured by Roche Ltd.

Oseltamivir Phosphate attacks the influenza virus and disables it to spread inside your body.Oseltamivir Phosphate speeds recovery from the flu. When started during the first 2 days of the illness, it hastens improvement by at least a day. It also can prevent the flu if treatment is started within 2 days after exposure to a flu victim.

TAMIFLU EXPIRATION DATE - 2010+

What is swine flu ?
Influenza is caused by infection with a virus. There are many types of flu virus and these are constantly changing, which makes it hard for the human immune system to deal with it. The particular type of influenza virus that causes swine flu is known as H1N1, which is a type of Influenza A (there are also influenza B and C viruses).

It is the same group of H1N1 viruses which cause the regular yearly flu outbreaks in humans, but swine flu is caused by different strains of H1N1. The current strain of swine flu has not previously been found in pigs or humans, and contains a mixture of genetic material from human, pig and bird flu. In other words it is a new variety of flu which people are therefore unlikely to have much immunity to.

Swine Flu Symptoms
Swine flu is highly contagious. Symptoms begin within two days of exposure, at which point the person is most infectious. They are very similar to those produced by seasonal flu, including :
- High fever (usually above 38 oC)
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Aching muscles
- Chills and shivers despite fever
- Exhaustion or fatigue


It can be difficult to tell mild flu from a cold but it is usually more generalised (the symptoms of a cold tend to be limited to the head while the flu causes aching and fatigue all over) and more severe with higher fever.

If complications such as pneumonia develop there may be other symptoms such as difficulty breathing or diarrhoea, a symptom which appears to be a particular feature of the swine flu outbreak in Mexico.

The symptoms and signs in an affected person are usually enough to suggest that flu is to blame, but it can be confused with other viral illnesses. Laboratory tests are needed to confirm the diagnosis and, more specifically, identify exactly which strain of flu it is.

A number of tests can be done in the laboratory to identify flu, using swabs or washings from the nose or throat for example. These can give results within 15 minutes but may not identify the exact strains of flu involved, only that influenza type A or B is present.

These rapid tests are only 50-70 per cent sensitive for detecting flu and so may give a negative result when a person does in fact have flu.

More reliable tests, which also identify exactly which sub-type or strain of flu is present, may involve growing or culturing the virus in the laboratory, and can therefore take a couple of days to give a definite result. These tests may be needed to confirm a specific strain such as swine flu.

Swine Flu Treatment and prevention
If you think you have developed flu-like symptoms, you should stay at home and avoid contact with other people. Call your doctor to discuss your symptoms - they may decide to come and take samples from you. It`s important to tell them if you have recently been in contact with someone else with flu or if you have recently travelled abroad.

Treat symptoms as they arise. Try to keep well hydrated with plenty of clear fluids. Take paracetamol or ibuprofen (not for children because of the risk of Reyes syndrome) for aches and pains, and use simple remedies such as cough syrups and vapour rubs. Try to rest as much as possible.

If your doctor is concerned they may prescribe anti-viral medication such as Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) or Relenza (Zanamivir). Swine flu seems to respond to these medicines in the same way as seasonal flu.

Tamiflu Basics:
Tamiflu is a prescription antiviral medication that can be used to treat influenza infections (the flu) in children and adults, if their symptoms have started within the last day or two before starting to take Tamiflu. It can also be used to prevent the flu in children, teens and adults who have been exposed to the influenza virus.

What Tamiflu Is Used For:
Tamiflu is approved to treat the flu in adults and children over age 12 months. It is also indicated as prophylaxis, or a preventative, against the flu for adults and children over age 12 months.

Tamiflu Facts:
- the trade name for Tamiflu is oseltamivir phosphate
- unlike other antiviral flu medications, such as Flumadine and Symmetrel, Tamiflu is effective against both type A and B strains of flu
- Tamiflu helps to reduce your time with flu symptoms by about 1.3 days
- Tamiflu is a neuraminidase inhibitor
- there is no generic version of Tamiflu available yet and 10 capsules can cost over $80 if you have to pay full price

Other facts about Tamiflu:
- Tamiflu is available as 75mg capsules and as a 12mg/ml tutti-frutti flavored Oral Suspension for children who can`t swallow pills
- some parents warn that the Oral Suspension is not a very good tasting medicine, so you might add extra flavoring, especially if your child does not take medicine easily
- Tamiflu may be taken either with or without food
- Tamiflu does not treat other flu-like viral infections, such as the stomach flu, colds, or RSV