Key takeaways:
Antiviral prescription flu medicines, such as Tamiflu (oseltamivir), Xofluza (baloxavir marboxil), and Relenza (zanamivir), can shorten the duration and severity of the flu. Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines for influenza mainly treat symptoms.
It’s best to pick an OTC flu medicine based on your symptoms. Be careful when taking combination products, since they may have medications that you don’t need.
The flu is caused by a virus, not bacteria. Antibiotics are not effective flu medicines. Treatment recommendations for type A and type B flu are the same.
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If you have ever had the flu, you know how down and out you can feel. You also know how worthwhile it is to have flu medicine that can help. Besides feeling like a zombie, the most common symptoms of the flu include fever, chills, and muscle aches. Cough and headache are also normal.
It’s important to know what you can do to lower the number of days spent sick and in bed, including taking flu medicine. Here, we’ll review prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications that can make your experience with the flu a little easier.
Prescription flu medicine
If you can see your healthcare professional within 48 hours (2 days) of your flu symptoms appearing, they may prescribe you a flu medicine. These are also known as antiviral flu medications. They fight the influenza virus in the body, which may lessen symptoms and shorten the time that you’re sick.
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The FDA has approved four antiviral medications for the flu. Each flu medicine is a little bit different, but they work in mostly the same way. They also have similar common side effects.
Tamiflu (oseltamivir) is a pill or liquid given by mouth that’s approved to treat the flu in people ages 14 days (2 weeks) and older. This is a common flu medicine that’s available as both a brand-name and generic product. Side effects of Tamiflu include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Xofluza (baloxavir marboxil) is a single-dose pill or liquid given by mouth. It’s approved for people ages 5 and older. It’s available as both a brand-name and generic medication. Side effects of Xofluza include coughing, nausea, and diarrhea.
Relenza (zanamivir) is an inhaled powder that’s approved to treat the flu in people ages 7 and older. This brand-name flu medicine tends to be less common because of how it’s given (inhaled). Side effects of Relenza include sinus infections, diarrhea, and nausea.
Rapivab (peramivir) is administered intravenously (IV) and is approved for people ages 6 months and older. This flu medicine is also less common since it’s given as an IV infusion — usually in the hospital. Side effects of Rapivab include diarrhea, constipation, and insomnia.
What’s more, three of these medications are approved for flu prevention in addition to flu treatment. If you’ve been exposed to someone who has the flu, your healthcare professional may recommend taking Tamiflu, Xofluza, or Relenza. Even so, these medications aren’t a substitute for a flu vaccine.
Who needs a prescription for flu medicine?
Antiviral flu medicine is recommended for certain groups of people. These include:
People who are in the hospital with the flu
People who aren’t in the hospital but are very sick with the flu
People who are at high risk for flu complications, such as older adults, pregnant women, and those with chronic health conditions
You likely won’t need to take prescription flu medicine if you have relatively mild symptoms and are at a low risk for flu-related complications.
Over-the-counter medicine for influenza
There is nothing you can purchase OTC to treat the flu itself. There are, however, some non-prescription cold and flu medicines you can get to help manage flu symptoms.
OTC flu medicine for body aches and fever
Flu medicine for fever and body aches includes OTC pain relievers such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Advil (ibuprofen). Your healthcare professional can tell you if one or both of these medications are safe for you to take.
However, don’t give aspirin to children and teens under 19 years old. It’s linked to Reye’s syndrome, a rare but potentially life-threatening illness that causes swelling in the brain and liver.
OTC flu medicine for sore throat
Flu medicine for sore throats includes throat sprays such as Chloraseptic (phenol) spray, menthol throat drops such as Halls, and soothing demulcent throat lozenges such as Luden’s (pectin). OTC pain relievers, such as Tylenol, Advil, or Aleve (naproxen), may help as well.
Medications aren’t the only answer. Some people find sore throat relief by gargling salt water or drinking clear broth. A humidifier can help if your throat is feeling dry.
OTC flu medicine for cough
Flu medicine for coughs includes three different types of products.
A productive cough (a cough with mucus) can be managed with an OTC expectorant that contains guaifenesin, such as Mucinex.
A dry cough (one without mucus) can be managed with a cough suppressant that contains dextromethorphan, such as Delsym. If that doesn’t work, there are effective prescription cough suppressants too.
If you want a medicine that works for both productive and dry coughs, you can try combination guaifenesin / dextromethorphan products, such as Mucinex DM or Robitussin DM. Many other combination products also exist.
OTC flu medicine for runny nose
Oral antihistamines are a common choice for treating a runny nose. Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and products containing doxylamine are top examples, but they can make you feel sleepy. Claritin (loratadine) and Zyrtec (cetirizine) are newer, less drowsy alternatives, but they may not be as effective for this type of runny nose.
Nasal sprays are another choice. Steroid nasal sprays such as Flonase Allergy Relief (fluticasone propionate) and Nasacort Allergy 24HR (triamcinolone) can effectively dry up a runny nose, but they can take a while to start working. Antihistamine nasal sprays such as Astepro Allergy (azelastine) are another OTC option that start working within 30 minutes. Saline nasal spray is a medication-free option.
A nasal irrigator, such as a neti pot, can help relieve nasal congestion too. But remember to use sterile water, not tap water.
Flu medicine for children
Children can take some types of flu medicine, but other types may be unsafe.
Children can take prescription flu medicines based on their age, as listed above for each of the four FDA-approved antiviral medications.
The OTC flu medicines that children can take also depend on the child’s age and the specific medication. Always follow the directions on the OTC medication label and talk to a healthcare professional if you’re unsure.
Treating influenza type A vs. type B
Type A (flu A) and type B (flu B) influenza are treated the same way.
There’s more than one type of influenza virus that can make you sick. The two most common strains are flu A and flu B. The four FDA-approved flu antivirals work for both strains. And you can use the same OTC flu medicines for either virus type. So your healthcare professional will suggest the same treatments regardless of whether you have flu A or flu B.
Shopping and safety tips for flu medications
If you’re going to take a flu medication, consider these tips to stay safe and get the most out of your product:
Be careful with combination products. Combination flu medications can be convenient. But they may contain ingredients that you don’t need to take. And it’s possible to accidentally take too much of the same ingredient. Avoiding unnecessary medications can help you limit side effects and avoid doubling ingredients.
Follow all instructions. It’s important to carefully read the instructions for taking prescription or OTC medicines for influenza. For instance, taking doses too close together can lead to more side effects. Taking your medications as instructed can help you stay safe.
Check age ranges on kids’ products. Children’s OTC flu medications aren’t always safe for all ages. Be sure to look for your child’s age on the package before giving a dose. And use a medication dosing cup or syringe to measure out any liquid medications. Giving the right dose for your child’s age matters.
Ask about interactions. It’s good to ask your pharmacist if any OTC products interact with other medications you take. For instance, you shouldn’t combine dextromethorphan and certain antidepressants. Share a medication list with your pharmacist so they can help you pick an OTC flu medicine that’s safe for you.
Reading all OTC labels can help you pick the right product and to take it correctly. If you’re unsure about your options, your pharmacist is a great resource to help you pick the best OTC flu medications.
Will an antibiotic treat the flu?
No, antibiotics do not work on viral infections such as the flu. This is a common myth about the flu and possible medicines used to treat it.
You might hear people say that they took an antibiotic and it cured them of the flu. Since the flu usually lasts about 5 to 7 days, it might seem that an antibiotic may have helped cure the flu. But actually, the flu just resolved on its own.
Research studies of Xofluza and Tamiflu show that the antivirals can lessen symptoms of the flu and shorten the amount of time you’re sick. If you think you may need a flu medicine to help with the flu, you should talk about it with your healthcare professional.
How to save on flu medicines
There are ways to save on flu medications. GoodRx can help you navigate your options, which may include GoodRx coupons, copay savings cards, and patient assistance programs. You can find flu medicine prices for as low as $11 with a free GoodRx discount.
For broader savings, you can access discounted prescription and OTC medications with a GoodRx Companion subscription. Over 200 medications are available for free, with hundreds more for under $10. The program also includes benefits to help you cut your self-pay costs, such as lower prices for online care visits, discounts on dental care, and other health services.
Frequently asked questions
Tamiflu works best when it’s started within 48 hours (2 days) of developing flu symptoms. If it’s started after 72 hours (3 days), it might not work as well for your illness, and your healthcare professional may not prescribe it. But some data suggests it may still offer some benefit when started after day 2 if you’re at high risk for developing severe flu complications. Your healthcare professional will decide if a late-start Tamiflu prescription is suitable for you.
No, the flu is caused by viruses, not bacteria. Bacteria causing the flu is a common myth. It’s also common to mistake general symptoms of nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea as the “stomach flu.” But these symptoms might be caused by something other than the flu virus. And while these symptoms are sometimes related to the flu, they’re not the main symptoms.
The flu virus spreads via respiratory droplets from sneezing, coughing, talking, or touching. Experts say that the flu can be spread from person to person up to about 6 feet away. The virus can also live on surfaces for hours to days, depending on the type of surface.
If you have the flu, you’re contagious and at risk of spreading it for about a week’s time. This starts 1 day before symptoms start and lasts for 5 to 7 days after starting to feel sick. This means that you can spread the flu virus even before you feel sick as well as during the illness.
Influenza A and B can both make you sick. But they affect people differently. Influenza A is more common and tends to cause more severe illness overall. At the same time, influenza B is more common for children and may be more severe for them.
Both types are highly contagious, especially in the first few days after symptoms start. Their symptoms are similar but can vary in intensity.
There are many self-care tips and home remedies for the flu, such as:
Getting lots of rest
Drinking plenty of fluids, such as water, herbal teas, or clear broth
Eating soup
Getting some fresh air (while making sure to stay away from others)
Eating foods that are high in vitamin C, such as oranges, red peppers, and tomatoes
Using a nasal irrigator, such as a neti pot
Gargling with saltwater if your throat is sore
Performing gentle activities, such as yoga or slow walking (once you’re able to)
Tamiflu works best when it’s started within 48 hours (2 days) of developing flu symptoms. If it’s started after 72 hours (3 days), it might not work as well for your illness, and your healthcare professional may not prescribe it. But some data suggests it may still offer some benefit when started after day 2 if you’re at high risk for developing severe flu complications. Your healthcare professional will decide if a late-start Tamiflu prescription is suitable for you.
No, the flu is caused by viruses, not bacteria. Bacteria causing the flu is a common myth. It’s also common to mistake general symptoms of nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea as the “stomach flu.” But these symptoms might be caused by something other than the flu virus. And while these symptoms are sometimes related to the flu, they’re not the main symptoms.
The flu virus spreads via respiratory droplets from sneezing, coughing, talking, or touching. Experts say that the flu can be spread from person to person up to about 6 feet away. The virus can also live on surfaces for hours to days, depending on the type of surface.
If you have the flu, you’re contagious and at risk of spreading it for about a week’s time. This starts 1 day before symptoms start and lasts for 5 to 7 days after starting to feel sick. This means that you can spread the flu virus even before you feel sick as well as during the illness.
Influenza A and B can both make you sick. But they affect people differently. Influenza A is more common and tends to cause more severe illness overall. At the same time, influenza B is more common for children and may be more severe for them.
Both types are highly contagious, especially in the first few days after symptoms start. Their symptoms are similar but can vary in intensity.
There are many self-care tips and home remedies for the flu, such as:
Getting lots of rest
Drinking plenty of fluids, such as water, herbal teas, or clear broth
Eating soup
Getting some fresh air (while making sure to stay away from others)
Eating foods that are high in vitamin C, such as oranges, red peppers, and tomatoes
Using a nasal irrigator, such as a neti pot
Gargling with saltwater if your throat is sore
Performing gentle activities, such as yoga or slow walking (once you’re able to)
The bottom line
Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) flu medicines can help manage the flu (influenza). Antiviral prescription medications, such as Tamiflu (oseltamivir), Xofluza (baloxavir marboxil), and Relenza (zanamivir), can shorten the duration and severity of the flu. OTC medicines for influenza mainly treat symptoms. Some prescription flu medicines can also be used for flu prevention.
The flu is a respiratory illness caused by a virus that affects the airways. Antibiotics are not effective against it. And both type A and type B influenza are treated the same way.
Why trust our experts?
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