The synthesis and characterization of compounds 7c and 8d, the 4(R)‐epimer impurities of zanamivir and laninamivir octanoate, were reported for the first time. Their structures were confirmed by NMR and MS and distinguished from their corresponding active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) by coupling constant in 1H NMR and HPLC spectra. This work is of great significance for the drug‐related substances analysis in zanamivir and laninamivir octanoate.