Oseltamivir - Whole blood and components

Also known as: Tamiflu®

Essential information

Obligatory: Must not donate if:
Taking oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) as treatment for influenza.
At any time in the 7 days prior to, or while taking oseltamivir, the donor has had symptoms of influenza (a temperature of more than 38°C, or a history of fever and 2 or more of the following symptoms: cough, headache, runny nose, diarrhoea or vomiting).
Discretionary: If the potential donor is taking oseltamivir as prophylaxis, they have not been advised to be confined to home and have not had any symptoms of influenza, accept.

See if relevant: Infection, acute
Additional information: Oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) is a viral neuraminidase inhibitor (neuraminidase is an enzyme that helps the virus spread from cell to cell). It is used to treat influenza and for post-exposure prophylaxis of influenza. It appears to be a very safe drug with little evidence for teratogenic (potential to cause birth defects) or mutagenic (potential to cause malignancy) effect.
Regulatory information: Part of this entry is a requirement of the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations 2005.