Key takeaways:
Tamiflu (oseltamivir) is an antiviral medication that prevents and treats influenza (the flu). It’s considered a first-choice treatment option during pregnancy. Tamiflu helps reduce the risk of flu-related complications, which are more likely if you’re pregnant.
The best way to protect against the flu during pregnancy is to receive your annual flu shot. But if you develop flu symptoms or are exposed to the flu while pregnant, let your healthcare team know right away.
Other antiviral flu medications aren’t recommended during pregnancy. But some over-the-counter medications can help manage flu symptoms. Talk to your healthcare team about safe options for you.
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Getting the flu while you’re pregnant can be more than uncomfortable. Pregnancy increases your risk of developing serious flu complications, such as pneumonia or needing hospital care. That’s why treating the flu quickly is especially important during pregnancy.
Tamiflu (oseltamivir) is a prescription antiviral medication that can help you recover from the flu sooner. But is Tamiflu safe to take while pregnant? Here’s what to know about taking Tamiflu while pregnant, including its safety, benefits, and possible side effects.
Is Tamiflu safe during pregnancy?
Yes, Tamiflu is a first-choice option for treating the flu if you’re pregnant. Taking Tamiflu at the first sign of flu symptoms can help you feel better sooner. It can also reduce the risk of complications caused by the flu.
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To get the most benefit, you should start Tamiflu within 48 hours of your first flu symptoms. Contact your healthcare team at the first sign of flu symptoms. This will help ensure you can receive a prescription for Tamiflu as soon as possible. Common flu symptoms include:
Fever
Chills
Cough
Sore throat
Runny/stuffy nose
Headache
Body aches
Tiredness
Tamiflu is also recommended to prevent the flu if you’re exposed to it while you’re pregnant and you haven’t received your yearly flu shot or you’re at a higher risk for flu-related complications.
Contact your healthcare team right away if you’re pregnant and someone you’ve been in close contact with gets the flu — even if you don’t have symptoms. They’ll decide if Tamiflu is a good option for you based on your medical history.
Does Tamiflu cross the placenta?
Yes, Tamiflu crosses the placenta. This means that small levels of Tamiflu can be detected in the baby when the mother takes it. But studies haven’t shown any increased risk of birth defects from taking it. In fact, Tamiflu is considered the first-choice antiviral medication for the flu during pregnancy because it has the most studies available to show it’s safe and effective.
What is the recommended Tamiflu dosage if you’re pregnant?
The recommended Tamiflu dosage to treat the flu in adults is 75 mg twice daily for 5 days. The dosage is the same for pregnant and non-pregnant adults.
To prevent the flu if you’ve been exposed, the recommended Tamiflu dosage is 75 mg once daily for at least 10 days. You may need to take Tamiflu for up to 12 weeks, depending on the severity of the flu outbreak in your area.
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What are the risks of getting the flu while you’re pregnant?
There’s a higher risk of severe illness if you get the flu during pregnancy. This risk can continue until up to 2 weeks after birth. Getting the flu while pregnant also increases the risk of preterm birth (giving birth earlier than expected). And the fever that usually comes with the flu can increase the risk of developmental issues for your baby.
The flu is riskier during pregnancy because of the many changes that happen to the body. One example is that your immune system may not work as well as it usually does. Other changes involve the heart and lungs. Combined, these changes can make it harder for your body to fight off the flu virus and increase the risk of a more severe infection.
What’s the best way to protect yourself from the flu during pregnancy?
The best way to prevent getting the flu and lower the risk of flu-related complications is to get a yearly flu vaccine — especially if you’re pregnant. In fact, a 2017 study showed that the flu vaccine decreased hospitalizations of pregnant women by 40%. The flu vaccine also helps protect your baby from the flu during their first few months of life.
Good to Know: You should only receive an inactivated flu vaccine during pregnancy. Flumist, the live attenuated nasal spray vaccine, isn’t recommended while pregnant.
Are there alternatives to Tamiflu to treat the flu during pregnancy?
Tamiflu is the only antiviral medication that’s recommended during pregnancy. Other flu antivirals, such as Xofluza (baloxivir marboxil) and Relenza (zanamivir), don’t have enough data to know whether they’re safe to take while pregnant.
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications won't treat the flu virus itself. But they can help reduce some flu symptoms. And you can take them along with Tamiflu. But not all of them are safe to take while pregnant.
Generally, it’s best to start with non-medicated options for flu symptoms during pregnancy. This is especially true during the first trimester. Options include:
Humidifiers/vaporizers
Saline nasal spray or netipot
Non-medicated throat lozenges
Staying hydrated
If your symptoms are more severe, certain OTC cough and cold medications are considered safe to take during pregnancy. Some examples include:
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) for fever and aches or pain (including sore throat)
Chlorpheniramine (an antihistamine) for runny nose and cough from post-nasal drip
Fluticasone (Flonase) nasal spray for nasal congestion or runny nose
Keep in mind that the right options for you can vary based on your medical history. It’s always best to speak to your healthcare team before taking any OTC medications during pregnancy.
Frequently asked questions
Tamiflu isn’t recommended if you’re allergic to any of its active or inactive ingredients. It isn’t approved to treat the flu in infants under the age of 2 weeks or to prevent the flu in children under age 1. Tamiflu also isn’t recommended for those living with end-stage kidney disease who aren’t receiving dialysis treatment.
No, Tamiflu doesn't work for treating COVID-19. Tamiflu targets the influenza virus, so it isn’t effective against any other type of viral infection. But there are other antiviral medications that treat COVID. These include Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) and Lagevrio (molnupiravir), among others. Your healthcare team can determine if you’re eligible for COVID treatment and which option is best for you.
Tamiflu isn’t recommended if you’re allergic to any of its active or inactive ingredients. It isn’t approved to treat the flu in infants under the age of 2 weeks or to prevent the flu in children under age 1. Tamiflu also isn’t recommended for those living with end-stage kidney disease who aren’t receiving dialysis treatment.
No, Tamiflu doesn't work for treating COVID-19. Tamiflu targets the influenza virus, so it isn’t effective against any other type of viral infection. But there are other antiviral medications that treat COVID. These include Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) and Lagevrio (molnupiravir), among others. Your healthcare team can determine if you’re eligible for COVID treatment and which option is best for you.
The bottom line
Tamiflu (oseltamivir) is an antiviral medication that prevents and treats influenza (the flu). It’s considered safe to take during pregnancy. That’s because Tamiflu helps reduce the risk of flu-related complications, which are more likely if you’re pregnant.
The best way to protect against the flu during pregnancy is to receive your annual flu shot. But if you develop flu symptoms or are exposed to the flu while pregnant, let your healthcare team know right away.
Other antiviral flu medications aren’t recommended during pregnancy. But some over-the-counter medications can help manage flu symptoms. And you can typically take them along with Tamiflu. Talk to your healthcare team about safe options for you.
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References
A-S Medication Solutions. (2021). Tamiflu- oseltamivir phosphate capsule [package insert].
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2021). The flu vaccine and pregnancy.
Beigi, R. H., et al. (2014). Oseltamivir for influenza in pregnancy. Seminars in Perinatology.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Recommendations for obstetric health care providers related to use of antiviral medications in the treatment and prevention of influenza.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2026). Treating flu with antiviral drugs.
Chambers, C. D., et al. (2019). Oseltamivir use in pregnancy: Risk of birth defects, preterm delivery, and small for gestational age infants. Birth Defects Research.
Institute for Vaccine Safety. (2025). Influenza recommendations. Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
MotherToBaby. (2024). Antiviral medications to prevent/treat influenza (the flu). National Library of Medicine.
Strides Pharma Science Limited. (2026). Oseltamivir phosphate - oseltamivir phosphate capsule [package insert].
Sur, M., et al. (2022). Oseltamivir. StatPearls.
Thompson, M. G., et al. (2019). Influenza vaccine effectiveness in preventing influenza-associated hospitalizations during pregnancy: A multi-country retrospective test negative design study, 2010–2016. Clinical Infectious Diseases.
