Tamiflu is a brand-name drug manufactured by Roche, a Swiss pharmaceutical company, and approved by the FDA in capsule form in 1999, as cited in Mosby’s Drug Consult. Tamiflu’s active ingredient is oseltamivir phosphate, which is an anti-viral drug marketed as having the ability to slow down the spread of influenza virus, according to RxList. The Drugs website notes that Tamiflu is obtained by prescription only, and formulated as oral solution, or more commonly, as capsules containing 30, 45 or 75 mg of oseltamivir. Tamiflu capsules also contain inactive ingredients.
Oseltamivir Phosphate
Oseltamivir is used to treat infections caused by influenza A and B, and may be used to prevent and treat swine influenza A. The Drugs website notes that oseltamivir may reduce flu symptoms, such as weakness, headache, fever, cough, runny nose and sore throat, by about one day. Tamiflu’s official site states, “When taken within two days of experiencing symptoms, Tamiflu works by helping to stop the flu virus from spreading inside the body.” Therefore, oseltamivir is recommended before the sign of any flu symptoms and within two days of overt symptoms, but not thereafter. RxList points out that Tamiflu is not a vaccination and not a replacement for a flu shot.
Pre-gelatinized Starch
Tamiflu capsules also contain pre-gelatinized starch, which acts as a binder for all the other ingredients and also as a disintegrant. According to Mosby’s, a disintegrant expands and dissolves when wet, causing the capsule to break down and disperse quicker while in the intestines, which releases the active ingredient, oseltamivir, for absorption.
Povidone K-30
Povidone K-30 is readily soluble in water and functions as a dispersing and suspending agent in Tamiflu capsules, according to Mosby’s. Once the capsule disintegrates in the intestines, povidone helps to disperse the active ingredient, oseltamivir, for faster absorption.
Croscarmellose Sodium
Tamiflu capsules contain the inactive ingredient croscarmellose sodium, which functions as a filler, and makes the capsules more convenient to produce and consume. In addition, because croscarmellose is a cross-linked compound that readily absorbs water, it can function as a disintegrant and disperser of the active ingredient, ostelamivir, as noted in Mosby’s.
Talc
Talc is another inactive ingredient in Tamiflu capsules and used as a lubricant. Essentially, lubricants assist with how ingredients progress through the manufacturing process and ensure the prevention of any from clinging to the machinery.
Sodium Stearyl Fumarate
Sodium stearyl fumarate is also found in Tamiflu capsules, and it acts as a stabilizing and lubricating agent. It stabilizes the binding of the ingredients and helps lubricate the manufacturing process.
External Capsule
According to the Drugs website, Tamiflu capsules are distributed with 30, 45 and 75 mg of oseltamivir. All dosages contain gelatin and titanium dioxide within their capsule shells. Titanium dioxide is an ingredient used to make the shell bright and shiny. In addition, the 30 mg variety contains yellow and red iron oxides; the 45 mg variety contains black iron oxide; and the 75 mg variety contains yellow, black and red iron oxides.
Capsule Colorings
All dosage varieties of Tamiflu capsules are imprinted with blue ink for quick identification, which is comprised of FD & C blue No. 2 as the coloring.
References
- “Mosby’s Drug Consult”; C.V. Mosby; 2004
- RxList: Tamiflu
- Drugs: Tamiflu Capsules
- Tamiflu: Official Site
- Daily Med: Tamiflu Capsules
