Flu treatment

Tamiflu on private 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. People who already have flu symptoms can obtain tamiflu by voucher from chemists via the NHS government website.

What is tamiflu used for?

• Tamiflu is used to reduce the symptoms and complications of a flu attack.
• Tamiflu can also be taken after contact with flu to reduce the chances of catching flu.

How effective is tamiflu?

Treatment with tamiflu 75mg twice daily.

• Reduces symptom of flu
• Reduces the length of symptoms by about a day
• Reduces the incidence of serious complication such as pneumonia

Tamiflu 75mg can also be taken once daily for 10 days to reduce the risk of contracting flu after a contact. This does not guarantee you will not catch flu. Flu prevention measures should still be taken. A flu patient is infectious from the start of their symptom and for about a week after the onset. Post exposure tamiflu is best started within 48 hrs of exposure.

How to take tamiflu?

For treatment of flu take one capsule 75mg twice daily for five day. Best taken with food. To reduce risk of catching flu, take one capsule 75mg daily for 10 days.

What are the side effects?

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