ISMP warns of potential errors when emergency compounding Tamiflu

FEB 01, 2013

 

By: Staff reports

Because Tamiflu has been in short supply recently, pharmacists and other healthcare providers are being warned about confusion over emergency compounding of the drug.

Tamiflu’s manufacturer, Genentech, has Tamiflu 6 mg/mL oral suspension in 60 mL bottles on intermittent back order. The company is releasing product as it becomes available, but also provides instructions for compounding an extemporaneous 6 mg/mL oral suspension from 75-mg capsules, if required, according to The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP).

“A detailed recipe is available in the product prescribing information or online. However, unless prescribers specify the patient’s dose in milligrams, a dosing error is possible,” according to a statement from ISMP.

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