Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) Dosing for a 39kg 10-Year-Old Female
For a 10-year-old female weighing 39kg with influenza, the recommended dose of Tamiflu (oseltamivir) is 60 mg twice daily for 5 days. 1, 2
Dosing Rationale
- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends weight-based dosing for children 12 months and older 1
- For children weighing >23-40 kg (>51-88 lb), the appropriate dose is 60 mg twice daily for 5 days 1, 2
- At 39kg, this patient falls within the 23-40 kg weight band, requiring the 60 mg twice daily dosage 1, 2
Administration Details
- Oseltamivir is available as capsules (30 mg, 45 mg, 75 mg) and as powder for oral suspension (6 mg/mL when reconstituted) 2
- For the 60 mg dose using oral suspension, 10 mL of the suspension should be administered 1
- Oseltamivir can be taken with or without food, though administration with food may improve gastrointestinal tolerability 2, 3
- Treatment should be initiated as soon as possible, ideally within 48 hours of symptom onset for maximum effectiveness 3, 4
Clinical Considerations
- Early initiation of therapy (within 48 hours of symptom onset) is associated with faster resolution of symptoms 5
- Treatment with oseltamivir can reduce the duration of influenza symptoms by up to 1.5 days and the severity of illness by up to 38% compared with placebo 5
- The incidence of secondary complications and the use of antibacterials may also be reduced in oseltamivir recipients 5
Common Side Effects
- Gastrointestinal effects, including nausea and vomiting, are the most common adverse events 2, 5
- These side effects are generally mild and transient 5
- Taking oseltamivir with food can help minimize gastrointestinal side effects 2
Important Precautions
- No dose adjustment is required for this patient as she has no reported renal impairment 2
- For patients with renal insufficiency (creatinine clearance 10-30 mL/min), dose reduction would be necessary 2
- Oseltamivir remains effective against most circulating influenza strains, including influenza A and B 6