Flu anti-virals

Tamiflu prescription

This service is for people who for any reason need to have a flu treatment in reserve at home or for travel when it is not available to them on the NHS.

People who already have symptoms of flu should go to the Government flu website. To find out more about flu visit the NHS information site.

POMTamiflu anti-viral is prescription only medicine.

Tamiflu (oseltamvir) uses

• Tamiflu is used to treat flu infection.
• Tamiflu can also be taken to prevent flu developing after exposure to flu infection.

Effectiveness

Tamiflu (oseltamvir) treatment:

• Reduces symptoms of flu
• Reduces the length of symptoms
• Reduces the incidence of serious complication such as pneumonia

Taking Tamiflu after exposure to flu infection reduces the risk of catching flu but does not guarantee against catching flu. Post exposure Tamiflu is best started within 48 hrs of exposure.

A flu patient is infectious from the start of their symptoms and for about a week after the start of symptoms.

Dosage

For treatment of flu Tamiflu is taken twice daily for 5 days.

To reduce risk of catching flu Tamiflu is taken daily for 10 days.

Tamiflu is best taken with food.

Side effects

There may be no side effects. The most common side effects of Tamiflu are nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach-ache and headache. For a full list of side effects and detailed information see the patient information leaflet supplied with Tamiflu.