Children are often hit hardest by the flu, and many pharmacies have run out of liquid Tamiflu, the antiviral medicine used to keep children out of the hospital.
Pharmacists have been advised that they can compound a Tamiflu suspension from Tamiflu capsules, but many retail based pharmacies don’t compound medications.
“Compounding is a specialty area and requires specific training and equipment to be done properly,” said Jonathan Carlier, Custom Medication Specialist at Community Care Pharmacy in Lewisville.
John Oxley, a registered pharmacist and compounding specialist with Community Care Pharmacy, said that he can compound Tamiflu for patients and they can even choose from several different flavors.
Antiviral drugs like Tamiflu are prescription medicines that keep flu viruses from reproducing in your body. Tamiflu should be taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms to work.
Government health officials revised their recommendations for Tamiflu, now recommending the use of the antiviral in sick children age 2 and younger, and saying it might be advisable for healthy children 2 to 4 years old as well as older children with asthma or other chronic medical conditions that put them at high risk of serious complications, according to Carlier.
Community Care Pharmacy is located at 1301 Justin Road/FM 407 in Lewisville. Call 972-317-5599 for more information.
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