Question 1

How can I lower the cost of my oseltamivir

Accepted Answer

You can lower cost of your oseltamivir using one of the 4 following drug savings programs: Rx Advantage Card for oseltamivir, Canadian Prescription Savings for oseltamivir, oseltamivir Drug Coupons, oseltamivir Patient Assistance Programs

Question 2

What dosages is oseltamivir available in?

Accepted Answer

oseltamivir is available as a 30 mg, 45 mg, and 75 mg oral capsule and a 6 mg/ml oral suspension.

Question 3

What is oseltamivir used for?

Accepted Answer

oseltamivir is an antiviral that is used to treat:  Flu treatment (flu types A and B) in people 2 weeks of age and older Flu prevention (flu types A and B) in people 1 year of age and older

Question 4

How does oseltamivir work?

Accepted Answer

oseltamivir is an antiviral medication. More specifically, it’s a neuraminidase inhibitor (NAI). Neuraminidase is a protein that’s found on the surface of the influenza (flu) virus. It plays a role in helping the virus spread inside someone who’s infected. By blocking this protein, oseltamivir prevents the flu virus from releasing copies of itself throughout your body and making you feel sicker.

Question 5

How do I take oseltamivir?

Accepted Answer

For flu treatment Adults and children 13 years of age and older: The typical dose is 75 mg by mouth twice daily for 5 days. Children ages 1 to 12 years old: The dose is based on your child’s body weight. The typical dose ranges from 30 mg to 75 mg by mouth twice daily for 5 days. Children ages 2 weeks to 1 year old: The dose is based on your child’s body weight. The typical dose is 3 mg/kg of body weight by mouth twice daily for 5 days. Your child’s provider will calculate the dose for you. For flu prevention Adults and children 13 years of age and older: The typical dose is 75 mg by mouth once daily for at least 10 days but not longer than 6 weeks.
Children ages 1 year to 12 years old: The dose is based on your child’s body weight. The typical dose ranges from 30 mg to 75 mg by mouth once daily for at least 10 days but not longer than 6 weeks. Your dose might differ if you have kidney problems (you might need to take the medication less often).

Question 6

Is it safe for me to take oseltamivir?

Accepted Answer

oseltamivir is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you.

Question 7

oseltamivir Common Side Effects

Accepted Answer

Common side effects of oseltamivir:  Nausea Vomiting Headache

Question 8

oseltamivir Serious Side Effects

Accepted Answer

Serious side effects are rare with oseltamivir. Serious Side Effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.

Allergic reaction: trouble breathing; swelling of your face, eyes, lips, tongue, or throat
Serious skin reactions (Stevens-Johnson syndrome): skin rash, hives, blistering or peeling skin

Question 9

Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on oseltamivir

Accepted Answer

The following medications may interact with oseltamivir:  Live attenuated influenza vaccine, intranasal: Do not administer until 48 hours following cessation of oseltamivir Do not administer oseltamivir until 2 weeks following administration of the live attenuated influenza vaccine, unless medically indicated

Question 10

Who makes oseltamivir?

Accepted Answer

Various FDA-approved generic manufacturers

Question 11

Is oseltamivir safe in pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of oseltamivir in pregnant women. It is unknown whether oseltamivir can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. oseltamivir should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Question 12

What is the brand name for oseltamivir?

Accepted Answer

TAMIFLU

Question 13

How can NowPatient help me to lower the cost of my oseltamivir prescription?

Accepted Answer

After you create a FREE account with NowPatient, you will have access to 4 programs that can help lower the cost of your oseltamivir prescription

Applicability to each program will be dependent on your insurance status.

Question 14

How do the NowPatient oseltamivir savings programs work?

Accepted Answer

After you have created your FREE account with NowPatient, you can access the various programs from your account dashboard. Each program has clear instructions on how to check your eligibility. You can see how the process works by clicking on the feature link below and seeing the ‘How it works’ steps.

Drug Coupon and Patient Assistance Programs require an eligibility quiz to be completed.

Question 15

Are the NowPatient oseltamivir savings programs suitable for everyone, regardless of insurance status?

Accepted Answer

No. Each program has its own eligibility and applicability requirements. The table below shows if a program is available to you, based on your insurance status.

	Rx Advantage Card* for oseltamivir	Canadian Prescription Savings* for oseltamivir	oseltamivir Drug Coupon*	oseltamivir Patient Assistance Program*
Insured (federal, state or government)	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Insured (Commercial or Private)	Available	Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Uninsured	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Insured but without pharmacy benefit or drug coverage	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company

*This is not insurance.

Question 16

Are the NowPatient drug savings programs suitable for brand and generic versions of oseltamivir?

Accepted Answer

No. Each program has applicability requirements. Please see below

	Rx Advantage Card* for oseltamivir	Canadian Prescription Savings* for oseltamivir	oseltamivir Drug Coupon*	oseltamivir Patient Assistance Program*
Brand	Yes	Yes	Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company	Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Generic	Yes	Yes	No	No

*This is not insurance.

Question 17

If you have Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage and none of the oseltamivir savings options are applicable or affordable for me, what can you do?

Accepted Answer

If you are insured with Medicare and the oseltamivir drug savings options are not applicable to you and still remain unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

The government site is easy to use and after you have selected your state, it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.

People who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid are called ‘dual eligibles’.

If you are denied Medicaid for oseltamivir, and you are still unable to afford your copay or co-insurance element (for example if you are in the coverage gap or Donut Hole) then you may be eligible for a federal support program like Low Income Subsidy. To be eligible for Low Income Subsidy, you need to be a resident in one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia. You can check eligibility online at SSA Medicare D Extra Help. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

Question 18

I am uninsured or underinsured and none of the oseltamivir prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?

Accepted Answer

If you are uninsured or underinsured (for example, oseltamivir is not covered by your plan) and the drug savings options are not applicable or still unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.

If you are denied and all else fails, and if you have been prescribed oseltamivir for an FDA-approved indication, you can call the pharmaceutical company to see if they have any other assistance programs.

Question 19

I am commercially or privately insured and none of the oseltamivir prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?

Accepted Answer

If your medication is not covered by your plan, you can appeal your insurance company’s decision. Sometimes, a formal appeal can result in the drug being covered if it is deemed medically necessary.

If you cannot afford your copay contribution, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

However, being privately insured might complicate your eligibility for Medicaid, as having private insurance may be considered in the financial eligibility assessment.

The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. If you qualify, state Medicaid may cover the full cost of your medication.

Question 20

If I have federal, state or commercial insurance and none of the oseltamivir prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, are there any other support organisations that can help me with my co-insurance or copay contributions?

Accepted Answer

If you have already tried Medicaid and received a denial letter or if you are insured with Medicare and have been denied Low-Income Subsidy, then you can try one of the following organizational support programs:

1. Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN) assistance for oseltamivir

If you are having trouble paying for your oseltamivir medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN), may be able to assist you. To qualify for PAN assistance for oseltamivir you will need to meet one or all of the following criteria:

Your income is below 400% of the federal poverty level
oseltamivir is prescribed for an approved FDA indication
You live in and receive treatment in the United States or U.S. territories, even if you do not have U.S. citizenship
You have Medicare insurance coverage that covers oseltamivir
If oseltamivir is listed on PAN’s list of covered medications

You can check the Patient Access Network Foundation Website for more information.

2. HealthWell Foundation Copay Program for oseltamivir

If you are having trouble paying for your oseltamivir medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the HealthWell Foundation Copay Program may be able to assist you. To qualify for assistance for oseltamivir you will need to meet the following criteria:

You live in and are being treated in the United States
You are insured and your plan covers oseltamivir
If oseltamivir is listed on the HealthWell Foundation’s list of covered medications

You can check the HealthWell Foundation Website for more information.

3. Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief Program for oseltamivir

Patient Advocate Foundation’s Co-Pay Relief program exists to help reduce the financial distress you or your family may face when paying for your oseltamivir treatment. If you qualify and can demonstrate the need, the foundation will provide you with direct payment covering co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles. To qualify for assistance for oseltamivir you will need to meet the following criteria:

You must be currently insured and have coverage for oseltamivir
You must have a confirmed diagnosis and treatment plan
You must reside and receive treatment in the United States
Your Income must fall at or below 300% or 400% of the Federal Poverty Guideline (FPG) with consideration for the Cost of Living Index (COLI) and number in the household
Applications can also be completed by contacting the program sponsor, toll-free at 866-512-3861.

You can check the Patient Advocate Foundation Website for more information.