Consumer FAQsPharmacist FAQs

Pharmacist FAQs

CLICK HERE FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT INFLUENZA/H1N1.

Frequently Asked Questions for Pharmacists on Tamiflu:

 

Q: May registered nurses (RNs) “compound” Tamiflu suspension if needed?

A: The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has provided a document detailing Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of antivirals to treat H1N1 flu.  That document is found here:  http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/eua/  More specifically, the document contains detailed information about Tamiflu, which is found here:  http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/eua/pdf/tamiflu-patients.pdf. The first question on the second page states:

What if my child or I cannot swallow capsules? For pediatric patients who cannot swallow capsules, TAMIFLU® Oral Suspension is preferred. If the oral suspension is not available, TAMIFLU® capsules may be opened and mixed with sweetened liquids such as regular or sugar-free chocolate syrup.

Accordingly, there is no apparent need to “compound” Tamiflu suspension from the capsules.  Dispensing professionals should simply instruct parents or other patients to open the capsule and mix the contents as described.  Dispensing professionals can also provide this service for parents or other patients who need it.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2009

FDA Authorizes Dispensing of Certain Lots of Tamiflu and Tamiflu Oral Suspension Beyond the Labeled Expiration Date. In response to ongoing shortages of Tamiflu and Tamiflu Oral Suspension, the FDA has authorized dispensing of certain lots of those products beyond their labeled expiration date. More information, including the method to determine whether a lot of the product has been approved for beyond-date dispensing, is found here: http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/
DrugSafetyInformationforHeathcareProfessionals/ucm184770.htm


And here: http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/PublicHealthFocus/ucm154962.htm

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE FOR PHARMACIST COMPOUNDING OF TAMIFLU ORAL SUSPENSION:  As health-care providers continue to combat seasonal and H1N1 flu, there have been some reports of shortages of commercially available Tamiflu oral suspension.  The following guidance documents – which are based on instructions provided in the Tamiflu package insert -- may be useful for pharmacists who find themselves without access to commercially available Tamiflu oral suspension or in need of preparing patient-specific doses that would be difficult to administer using commercially available Tamiflu oral suspension:

TAMIFLU COMPOUNDING INSTRUCTIONS

 

 

Return to Pharmacist FAQ Menu