Can a 6-year-old child take Duraflu (oseltamivir)?

Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) for a 6-Year-Old Child

Yes, a 6-year-old child can take oseltamivir (Tamiflu) for influenza treatment or prophylaxis, with appropriate weight-based dosing. 1

Dosing Recommendations for a 6-Year-Old

The dosage for a 6-year-old child should be determined by weight:

• Weight-based dosing for treatment (5-day course): 1

  • ≤15 kg (≤33 lb): 30 mg twice daily

  • 15-23 kg (33-51 lb): 45 mg twice daily

  • 23-40 kg (51-88 lb): 60 mg twice daily

  • 40 kg (>88 lb): 75 mg twice daily

• Weight-based dosing for prophylaxis (7-10 days): 1

  • ≤15 kg: 30 mg once daily

  • 15-23 kg: 45 mg once daily

  • 23-40 kg: 60 mg once daily

  • 40 kg: 75 mg once daily

Administration Guidelines

• Oseltamivir is available as capsules and as a powder for oral suspension (6 mg/mL) 1

• For the 6 mg/mL suspension: 1

  • 30 mg dose = 5 mL of oral suspension
  • 45 mg dose = 7.5 mL of oral suspension
  • 60 mg dose = 10 mL of oral suspension

• Can be administered with or without food, though taking with food may improve gastrointestinal tolerability 1

• For optimal effectiveness, treatment should be initiated within 48 hours of symptom onset 2

Safety Considerations

• Oseltamivir is FDA-approved for treatment of children as young as 2 weeks of age 1

• The most common side effects in children include: 1

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea

• These side effects are generally mild and transient 3

• Taking the medication with food can reduce gastrointestinal side effects 3

Important Clinical Considerations

• Treatment should be initiated as soon as possible after symptom onset for maximum effectiveness 2
• Oseltamivir can reduce the duration of influenza symptoms by up to 1.5 days and decrease the severity of illness by up to 38% when started promptly 2
• It can also reduce the incidence of secondary complications and the need for antibacterials 2
• Oseltamivir has a predictable pharmacokinetic profile making it suitable for use in diverse patient populations, including children 4

Cautions

• Renal dosage adjustments may be needed in children with renal impairment 1
• Ensure accurate weight-based dosing to prevent medication errors 5
• Use an appropriate measuring device (such as an oral syringe) for liquid formulation to ensure accurate dosing 1

Remember that the primary goal of treating a febrile child with influenza should be to improve the child's overall comfort rather than focusing solely on normalizing body temperature 6.