What you thought was just a little cold could be the flu, especially if you have fever, chills, or aches, or if you feel extremely tired.
Whenever you think you have the flu, talk to your doctor about treatment right away. Treating the flu virus at its source may help limit its ability to spread in your body. Use the doctor discussion guide to get the treatment you need.
This is not a substitute for a professional medical diagnosis. However, these symptom descriptions may help you understand your symptoms and get the treatment you need.
Fight the flu, not just the symptoms. Tamiflu is an FDA-approved prescription flu medicine that attacks the flu at its source, which may help to limit the flu's ability to spread in your body.1
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends antiviral flu medicines like Tamiflu to help treat the flu.
Tamiflu is clinically proven to help you get better 30% faster (1.3 days) when taken within 48 hours of first symptoms.14 So the sooner you start Tamiflu, the sooner you may start feeling better.
Tamiflu is approved for flu treatment and prevention in adults and children 1 year and older.
Do not take Tamiflu if you are allergic to the main ingredient, oseltamivir phosphate, or to any other ingredients of Tamiflu. Before starting treatment, make sure your healthcare professional knows if you take any other medicines, or are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Tamiflu is normally not recommended for use during pregnancy or nursing, as the effects on the unborn child or nursing infant are unknown. Tamiflu is not recommended for use in children younger than 1 year of age.
Tamiflu may also help stop the flu before it hits. In a study of people over 12 years old who were exposed to the flu, taking Tamiflu reduced the chance of getting the flu by 92%.22
Tamiflu is not a substitute for the flu shot. Vaccination is still the first line of defense for flu protection.2
Before taking Tamiflu, please let your healthcare professional know if you have received nasally administered influenza virus vaccine during the past two weeks.
Tamiflu must be prescribed by a doctor, so if you have been exposed to the flu virus, call your doctor right away.
Tamiflu is approved for flu treatment and prevention in children 1 year and older.
Tamiflu fights the actual flu virus itself, which may help limit the flu's ability to spread in the body. This may keep flu symptoms from getting worse. In fact, Tamiflu has been clinically proven to help children get better up to 26% faster (1.5 days) when taken within 48 hours of their first symptoms.8
Tamiflu must be prescribed by a doctor, so if your child has sudden fever, aches, chills, or extreme fatigue, call your doctor right away.1
Tamiflu is approved for flu treatment and prevention in children 1 year and older.
People with the flu, particularly children and adolescents, may be at an increased risk of seizures, confusion, or abnormal behavior early during their illness. These events may occur shortly after beginning Tamiflu or may occur when flu is not treated. These events are uncommon but may result in accidental injury to the patient. Therefore, patients should be observed for signs of unusual behavior and a healthcare professional should be contacted immediately if the patient shows any signs of unusual behavior.
Tamiflu may help prevent the flu in young children. In a study of kids 1 to 12 years old who were exposed to the flu, taking Tamiflu reduced their chance of getting the flu by 82%.23
Tamiflu is not a substitute for the flu shot. Vaccination is still your best chance at not getting the flu.2
Tamiflu must be prescribed by a doctor, so if anyone in your family has been exposed to the flu, call your doctor right away and ask about Tamiflu.
Please see the Tamiflu full Prescription Information for complete safety information.
The recommended treatment and prevention dose of Tamiflu for adults and children 1 year of age and older is shown in the tables below.
You can take Tamiflu with food or without food. There is less chance of stomach upset if you take it with a light snack, milk, or a meal.
Always follow your doctor's advice on how long to take Tamiflu.
Do not use Tamiflu for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give Tamiflu to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may not be right for them.
| Treatment and flu prevention dosing for patients 1 year of age and older based on body weight | |
|---|---|
| Treatment dosing for 5 days | 30 mg twice daily |
| Prevention dosing for 10 days | 30 mg once daily |
| Volume of oral suspension (6 mg/mL) for each dose* |
5 mL |
| Number of bottles of oral suspension to dispense | 1 bottle |
| Number of capsules and strength to dispense | 10 capsules, 30 mg |
*A 10-mL oral dosing dispenser is provided with the oral suspension. In the event that the dispenser provided is lost or damaged, another dosing dispenser may be used to deliver the volumes. |
|
| Treatment and flu prevention dosing for patients 1 year of age and older based on body weight | |
|---|---|
| Treatment dosing for 5 days | 45 mg twice daily |
| Prevention dosing for 10 days | 45 mg once daily |
| Volume of oral suspension (6 mg/mL) for each dose* |
7.5 mL |
| Number of bottles of oral suspension to dispense | 2 bottles |
| Number of capsules and strength to dispense | 10 capsules, 45 mg |
*A 10-mL oral dosing dispenser is provided with the oral suspension. In the event that the dispenser provided is lost or damaged, another dosing dispenser may be used to deliver the volumes. |
|
| Treatment and flu prevention dosing for patients 1 year of age and older based on body weight | |
|---|---|
| Treatment dosing for 5 days | 60 mg twice daily |
| Prevention dosing for 10 days | 60 mg once daily |
| Volume of oral suspension (6 mg/mL) for each dose* |
10 mL |
| Number of bottles of oral suspension to dispense | 2 bottles |
| Number of capsules and strength to dispense | 20 capsules, 30 mg |
*A 10-mL oral dosing dispenser is provided with the oral suspension. In the event that the dispenser provided is lost or damaged, another dosing dispenser may be used to deliver the volumes. |
|
| Treatment and flu prevention dosing for patients 1 year of age and older based on body weight | |
|---|---|
| Treatment dosing for 5 days | 75 mg twice daily |
| Prevention dosing for 10 days | 75 mg once daily |
| Volume of oral suspension (6 mg/mL) for each dose* |
12.5 mL† |
| Number of bottles of oral suspension to dispense | 3 bottles |
| Number of capsules and strength to dispense | 10 capsules, 75 mg |
*A 10-mL oral dosing dispenser is provided with the oral suspension. In the event that the dispenser provided is lost or damaged, another dosing dispenser may be used to deliver the volumes. †Delivery of this Tamiflu for Oral Suspension dose requires administering 10 mL followed by another 2.5 mL. |
|
| Treatment and flu prevention dosing for patients 13 years of age and older | |
|---|---|
| Treatment dosing for 5 days | 75 mg twice daily |
| Prevention dosing for 10 days | 75 mg once daily |
| Volume of oral suspension (6 mg/mL) for each dose* |
12.5 mL† |
| Number of bottles of oral suspension to dispense | 3 bottles |
| Number of capsules and strength to dispense | 10 capsules, 75 mg |
*A 10-mL oral dosing dispenser is provided with the oral suspension. In the event that the dispenser provided is lost or damaged, another dosing dispenser may be used to deliver the volumes. †Delivery of this Tamiflu for Oral Suspension dose requires administering 10 mL followed by another 2.5 mL. No recommended dosing regimens are available for patients with renal impairment. |
|
If you forget to take your medicine, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it is 2 hours or less before your next scheduled dose. Then continue to take Tamiflu at the usual times. Do not take 2 doses at a time to make up for a missed dose. If you miss several doses, tell your doctor and follow the advice given to you.
If you are taking Tamiflu for Oral Suspension, your pharmacist will give you a dosing dispenser marked with 3 possible doses. Follow your healthcare professional's (HCP's) instructions on which dose to take or how to combine them for the proper dose for you. In order to be sure you receive the proper dose, it is important that you use the dispenser provided.
Your doctor or HCP may recommend taking over-the-counter medications to reduce severity of symptoms while the antiviral action of Tamiflu takes effect on the flu virus. As with any medication, be sure to discuss with your doctor any over-the-counter or prescription medicines you are currently taking before beginning Tamiflu therapy.
Tamiflu capsules should be stored at room temperature 77°F (25°C) and kept in a dry place. Tamiflu liquid (oral suspension) can be stored for up to 17 days in the refrigerator at 36° to 46°F (2° to 8°C). Do not freeze. Tamiflu may also be stored at room temperature for up to 10 days. As with all medications, keep out of the reach of children. Discard any unused portion when you are finished with your prescribed treatment.
Tamiflu must be prescribed by a doctor, so if you start feeling flu symptoms, call your doctor right away.
Please see the Tamiflu full Prescription Information for complete safety information.
Keep in mind, you can only get Tamiflu through a prescription from your doctor.
Need help talking to your doctor about your symptoms or concerns? The guide below may help. Simply fill out the form, download or print it, and bring it with you when you see your doctor.
Do not take TAMIFLU if you are allergic to the main ingredient, oseltamivir phosphate, or to any other ingredients of TAMIFLU.
Before starting treatment, make sure your healthcare professional knows if you take any other medicines, or are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. TAMIFLU is normally not recommended for use during pregnancy or nursing, as the effects on the unborn child or nursing infant are unknown. TAMIFLU is not recommended for use in children younger than 1 year of age.
Tell your healthcare professional if you have any type of kidney disease, heart disease, respiratory disease, or any serious health condition.
TAMIFLU for Oral Suspension contains sorbitol. Sorbitol may cause upset stomach and diarrhea in patients with a family history of fructose intolerance.
The most common side effects of TAMIFLU are nausea and vomiting. These are usually mild to moderate. They usually happen in the first 2 days of treatment. Taking TAMIFLU with food may reduce the chance of getting these side effects.
If you develop an allergic reaction or severe rash, stop taking TAMIFLU and contact your healthcare professional.
People with the flu, particularly children and adolescents, may be at an increased risk of seizures, confusion, or abnormal behavior early during their illness. These events may occur shortly after beginning TAMIFLU or may occur when flu is not treated. These events are uncommon but may result in accidental injury to the patient. Therefore, patients should be observed for signs of unusual behavior and a healthcare professional should be contacted immediately if the patient shows any signs of unusual behavior.
Before taking TAMIFLU, please let your healthcare professional know if you have received nasally administered influenza virus vaccine during the past two weeks.
If you notice any side effects not mentioned above, or if you have any concerns about the side effects you get, tell your healthcare professional.
TAMIFLU has been shown to have a minimal chance of negatively interacting with other medications. Your doctor or healthcare professional may recommend taking over-the-counter medications to reduce severity of your child's symptoms while the antiviral action of TAMIFLU takes effect.
Please see the TAMIFLU full Prescription Information for complete safety information.
TAMIFLU is for treating people 1 year and older with influenza (flu) whose symptoms started within the last two days. TAMIFLU can also reduce the chance of getting the flu. TAMIFLU is not a substitute for an annual flu vaccination.
Before taking TAMIFLU, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing. Let your doctor know if you have kidney disease, heart disease, respiratory disease, or other serious health conditions. Also tell your doctor about any medications you are taking or if you’ve received a nasal-spray flu vaccine in the past two weeks. If you have an allergic reaction or a severe rash with TAMIFLU, stop taking it, and contact your doctor right away. This may be very serious. The most common side effects of TAMIFLU are mild to moderate nausea and vomiting.
People with the flu, particularly children and adolescents, may be at increased risk for seizures, confusion, or abnormal behavior when they first get sick. These events may occur when the flu is not treated or right after starting TAMIFLU. These events are uncommon but may lead to accidental injury. Contact a healthcare professional right away if you notice any unusual behavior.
The most common side effects are mild to moderate nausea and vomiting.
Please see the Tamiflu full Prescription Information for complete safety information.
