Oseltamivir Dosing for a 30-Pound Child
For a 30-pound (13.6 kg) child with normal renal function, the recommended dose of liquid Tamiflu is 30 mg (5 mL of the 6 mg/mL suspension) twice daily for 5 days for treatment, or 30 mg (5 mL) once daily for 10 days for prophylaxis. 1
Weight-Based Dosing Algorithm
A 30-pound child falls into the ≤15 kg weight category, which determines the appropriate dose 1, 2:
- Weight category: ≤15 kg (≤33 lb) = 30 mg per dose 1
- Treatment regimen: 30 mg twice daily for 5 days 1, 2
- Prophylaxis regimen: 30 mg once daily for 10 days 1, 2
Liquid Formulation Details
The oral suspension provides a concentration of 6 mg/mL after reconstitution 1, 2:
- 30 mg dose = 5 mL of suspension 2
- The suspension can be administered with or without food, though taking with food reduces nausea and vomiting 1, 2
Critical Timing Considerations
Treatment must be initiated within 48 hours of symptom onset for maximum effectiveness 1, 2. For prophylaxis, administration should begin within 48 hours following close contact with an infected individual 2.
Administration Tips to Improve Tolerability
Taking oseltamivir with food significantly reduces gastrointestinal side effects 2:
- Nausea occurs in approximately 10% of patients and vomiting in approximately 9% when used for treatment 2
- Among children, 14.3% experienced vomiting compared to 8.5% with placebo 2
- Only about 1% of patients discontinue due to GI effects, indicating these symptoms are generally manageable 2
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Never use infant dosing (3 mg/kg) for children ≥12 months 1. The weight-based unit doses (30 mg, 45 mg, 60 mg, 75 mg) are specifically designed for children ≥1 year and should not be confused with the mg/kg dosing used for infants <12 months 1.
Do not adjust the dose based on age alone—weight is the determining factor for children ≥1 year 1, 2. A 30-pound child receives 30 mg regardless of whether they are 2 years old or 5 years old.
Renal Function Consideration
This dosing assumes normal renal function (creatinine clearance ≥30 mL/min) 1, 3. If the child has renal impairment with CrCl 10-30 mL/min, reduce to 30 mg once daily (instead of twice daily) for treatment 1, 3.