Flu antivirals

Medical information

Written and reviewed by a team of doctors. Dr Fox is regulated by the CQC, GPhC, & MHRA.

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 contact their regular doctor. To find out more about flu visit the NHS information site.

Tamiflu antiviral is prescription only medicine – our doctors will issue the prescription online direct to our pharmacy.

Tamiflu (oseltamivir) uses

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

Effectiveness

Tamiflu (oseltamivir) 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.

Seeking help

People in the groups listed below are at higher risk of developing complications from flu infection and should seek medical advice if they develop flu symptoms:

• chronic (long-term) lung disease, including people who have had drug treatment for their asthma within the past three years
• chronic heart disease
• chronic kidney disease
• chronic liver disease
• chronic neurological disease (neurological disorders include motor neurone disease, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis)
• suppressed immune systems (whether caused by disease or treatment)
• diabetes
• pregnant women
• people aged 65 or older
• young children under five

Flu vaccine

It is best not to take Tamiflu for 10 days after flu vaccination unless otherwise advised to do so by a doctor. Tamiflu can be used to treat flu and reduce the risk of catching flu in people who have already had the flu vaccine.

Alternative treatments

There is an inhaled antiviral medication that may be prescribed by GPs. This is mainly used to treat flu in pregnant women and people with severe kidney disease.

Although Tamiflu (oseltamivir) will reduce the symptoms of flu infection and can help prevent catching flu after exposure most healthy adults recover fully from flu without the need for antiviral medication.

Dr Fox supplies Tamiflu 75mg on prescription – you are required to answer a short medical questionnaire before your order can be completed.

Authored 09 January 2010 by Dr Tony Steele
Last updated 5 December 2019

Reviewed by Dr Tony Steele
Last reviewed 4 July 2019